The Colin MacKenzie Award
Technical Excellence in Timber Application and Use

The Colin MacKenzie Award recognises outstanding technical achievement in timber engineering, design, and application across Australia’s building and construction sector.

Established in honour of Colin MacKenzie (1949–2025), the award celebrates individuals and small teams whose work reflects excellence in engineering rigor, innovation, and leadership in advancing the use of timber as a high-performance, compliant construction material.

The winner of the annual Colin MacKenzie Award for Technical Excellence in Timber Application & Use will receive a $5,000 cash prize and a personalised award certificate.

Flights and accommodation will be provided for the winner to be presented with the award at the

HIA Building Queensland Awards on 13 November 2026.

Who was Colin MacKenzie?

Colin MacKenzie was a highly respected timber engineer whose career spanned more than four decades and shaped the development of timber design and construction standards in Australia. Known throughout the industry as “The Timber Expert,” he built his reputation on deep technical knowledge and practical experience across timber and wood product applications. Beginning his career with CSIRO and later holding senior roles with TRADAC and Timber Queensland, he became a leading authority on the use of timber in building and construction, particularly in ensuring structural integrity and safe, effective design.

Across his career, MacKenzie played a pivotal role in advancing Australian Standards, contributing to key publications and leading research that strengthened the performance and credibility of timber as a building material. He was instrumental in developing grading systems, durability design approaches and widely used industry resources, while also representing Australia internationally on timber structures. Beyond his technical achievements, he was recognised for his commitment to education, mentorship and industry advancement, leaving a legacy reflected in both the standards used today and the generations of professionals he influenced. Read a full tribute here.

What is the purpose of this annual Award?

Recognise technical excellence and innovation and industry-impacting application in timber engineering, design, and application.
Promote leadership and collaboration in advancing timber standards and sustainable practices.
Showcase projects and initiatives that advance best practice, compliance, and sustainability
Inspire future professionals by showcasing achievements that reflect Colin’ MacKenzie's vision for timber as a high-performance and compliant, fit-for-purpose construction material.

Submissions will be assessed across six key areas:

1. Technical Merit (25%)

Engineering rigour, compliance with NCC and relevant Australian Standards, and constructable detailing that delivers reliable performance. Include evidence of practical buildability and resolution of key technical risks.

2. Innovation (15%)

Describe innovative approaches in timber use that deliver clear functional or commercial advantage. Demonstrate measurable benefits such as cost efficiency, speed of construction, improved performance, or buildability.

3. Education & Collaboration (15%)

Detail contributions to knowledge sharing, collaboration, mentoring, or industry capability. Evidence may include formal or informal activities and should be proportionate to project scale and role.

4. Impact, Industry Value & Implementability (25%)

Explain how the achievement advances timber use and benefits the industry. Include: ease of implementation, compatibility with existing construction practices, barriers to uptake, value relative to cost or effort, productivity gains, and scalability or replicability across projects.

5. Sustainability & Responsible Procurement (5%)

Demonstrate lifecycle considerations or responsible sourcing where relevant to the project scope.

6. Alignment with Colin’s Legacy (10%)

Reflect how the nominee embodies Colin MacKenzie's values, including leadership, vision, commitment to education, and advancing timber as a high-performance material.

Key 2026 - 2027 Dates

Entries open: 30 June 2026
Entries close: 31 August 2026
Final judging: 13 October 2026
Award presentation at QLD HIA Building Awards: 13 November 2026

Judging Committee

The Colin MacKenzie Award will be assessed by a national panel of engineering, architecture and industry experts.

SENIOR TECHNICAL CONSULTANT, TIMBER QUEENSLAND

Matt Smith

Matt has over 25 years’ experience designing and inspecting timber buildings. Matt is a RPEQ, Structural Engineer who has held various positions with several timber design companies.

TECHNICAL ADVISOR, AKD

Kim Harris

A 46-year career in the timber industry has positioned Kim as a leader across quality assurance, and technical compliance. After spending his foundational years mastering the practical and operational facets of sawmilling, Kim transitioned into specialsed technical leadership, dedicating the last 25 years to quality management, research and development, and regulatory excellence, actively helping shape the sector through long-standing contributions to national technical bodies and Standards committees.

NATIONAL SPECIFICATION MANAGER, HYNE TIMBER

Rob Mansell

Robert Mansell has been actively involved in the timber, building and construction industry for over 40 years. Robert combines his many years of hard-won; technical expertise, practical knowledge, and project experience, with a customer-centric focus, to secure a diverse range of commercial, residential and government projects for XLam, and continues to support the Hyne Sales Team and Customers with the broader Hyne product range with a specific focus on Glulam and Hyne Design Software . Highly respected in the industry, Robert is known for his focus and dedication to delivering successful outcomes for customers. Robert’s career began in timber processing, managing timber products from log-form to finished products for local and export markets. He then moved into technical roles including truss and frame design, estimation, and Engineered Timber.

PRINCIPAL, ARCHITECTUS

Dr Andrew Magub

Dr Andrew Magub is a Principal at Architectus and trained in architecture at the Queensland University of Technology & University of North London. Andrew is an Architect / Project Manager with over 30 years of major project experience through USA, New Zealand, Malaysia, Vietnam, United Kingdom, Taiwan, United Arab Emirates, China, and extensively in Australia. He has worked on a large selection of project types from feasibilities, masterplans, overlays, reviews, small extensions of existing facilities, through to complete new major facilities. Andrew’s recent project expertise includes industry awarded Mass Engineered Timber (MET) projects using Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) and Glu-Laminated Timber (GLT) structures. Through his recent completed MET projects, Andrew is considered one of the leading MET Architects in Australia.

PROFESSOR IN TIMBER ENGINEERING, GRIFFITH UNIVERSITY

Professor Benoit Gilbert

Prof Benoit Gilbert holds a PhD in structural engineering from the University of Sydney. Before completing his PhD in 2010, he worked more than 3 years in industry in France. Prof Gilbert joined Griffith University in 2010 and teaches Structural engineering. His research interests lie in timber structures and their static and dynamic responses. He is an expert in experimental testing, with a track record in testing complex structural systems, and a pioneer in studying the progressive collapse of mass timber buildings. He is an Australian Standard committee member for TM-010 “Timber structures and framing” and BD-062 “Steel storage racking”

Foundation Partners

The organisations listed below have provided seed funding support to ensure the Colin MacKenzie Award for Technical Excellence in Timber Application and Use becomes an ongoing legacy, inspiring future generations to strengthen our industry and building capability in timber design and engineering. Seed funding from the foundation partners has enabled the national award to be offered annually for the next five years (2026 - 2030) at which point the goodwill and delivery of the award can be reviewed going forward.

Allied Timber Products

Master Builders Queensland

Jim Gall Architects

Coast to Coast Pacific

Responsible Wood

Hyne Group

Forest Research Institute, University of the Sunshine Coast

Tilling Timber

Australian Timber and Trusses

Bligh Tanner

Timber Queensland

Thora Wholesale Timbers

Langs Building Supplies

Platinum Timber & Ply

TLB Timber

Cyclone Testing Station, James Cook University

Baywood

Professional Certification Group

National Centre for Timber Durability & Design Life

Peachester Sawmilling Company

FWPA

Professor Keith Crews

2026 Award Presentation Sponsor

The Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) is supporting the 2026 award as Presentation Sponsor, recognising Colin MacKenzie’s long‑standing expertise, collaboration and trusted advice across a range of QBCC initiatives and the broader development sector over many years. The QBCC’s involvement with an award associated with technical excellence aligns with a commitment to promoting high standards, capability and integrity within the building and construction industry.

Entry and Assessment

Entries are open to:

Individuals or small teams (not companies) based and working in Australia
Engineers, architects, building designers, builders, and researchers
Contributions delivered within Australia

The nominated work must have been completed within the last 24 months
All submissions are treated as confidential
Applicants must confirm they hold the appropriate permissions to submit materials and agree to publication of the winner’s profile

What to Prepare Before You Start

Use the submission guideline to help prepare.

To complete your entry, you will need:

One PDF dossier outlining the submission
Supporting evidence, which may include:
- Drawings or technical documentation
- Photographs
- Certificates or performance data

The online entry form cannot be saved so use the submission guideline to prepare your submission in advance.

File guidance:
- Clearly label all files (e.g. Surname_Organisation_Award2026)
- The files are to be emailed to admin@timberqueensland.com.au
- You may upload multiple files (max 20 MB) or a single ZIP file
- Ensure all material is suitable for confidential technical review

Entry Form

Email your submission to admin@timberqueensland.com.au

More information

If you require more information regarding the Colin MacKenzie Award contact

Clarissa Brandt, General Manager - Strategic Relations & Communications - clarissa@timberqueensland.com.au

The Colin MacKenzie Award Technical Excellence in Timber Application and Use

​​​Who was Colin MacKenzie?