Backing Potential, Building Opportunity: Final Weeks to Apply for Timber Queensland’s Growth Scholarships

• Queensland’s forest and timber businesses encouraged to support rising talent before 30 June deadline.

• Up to $10,000 is available for early and mid-career professionals in Queensland’s forest and timber industry to pursue a development opportunity of their choice.

• Applications close 30 June—open to anyone aged 18–45 working or studying in the Queensland forest and timber supply chain.

Timber Queensland is calling on businesses across the state’s forest and timber industry to encourage their employees and networks to apply for the 2024–2025 Growth Scholarships Program, with just three weeks remaining before applications close on 30 June.

The scholarships offer up to $10,000 in funding for early and mid-career professionals (aged 18–45) working or studying in Queensland’s forest and timber supply chain to pursue a professional development opportunity of their choice—without needing to leave their current role or rely on internal company funding.

“This program backs potential and builds opportunity,” said Timber Queensland Strategic Relations and Communications Manager Clarissa Brandt.

“These scholarships are an investment in the talent already working in our industry—from the forest to the frame and beyond,” she said.

Thanks to the generous support of industry sponsors, four individual scholarships are on offer:

• Kennedy’s Timber Award – $10,000

• HQPlantations Award – $5,000

• AKD Award – $5,000

• DTM Timber Award – $2,500

Scholarship recipients can tailor their application to suit their career interests and aspirations, with funding available for a wide range of learning opportunities, including:

• Course or qualification fees

• Attendance at national or international conferences

• Study tours to explore global forest management and timber innovation

• Secondments within other parts of the industry

• Or a unique initiative aligned with their professional development goals

“The only limit is imagination,” Mrs Brandt said. “We’re encouraging businesses to think about who in their team could benefit from this chance to broaden their skills, experience and leadership capacity.”

 Now in its fourth year, the Growth Scholarships Program reflects Timber Queensland’s commitment to developing the future capability of Queensland’s $3.8 billion forest and timber industry.

“We want to see people from every corner of the supply chain—whether they’re working in growing and harvesting, sawmilling, manufacturing and wholesaling, design, research or construction—put their hat in the ring,” said Mrs Brandt.

“By backing those already in the industry, we’re creating a motivated, connected and skilled workforce ready to meet the challenges and opportunities of the future.”

Recipients of the 2024-2025 Growth Scholarship

Clockwise - Trinh Huynh - Silvopasture study tour in the Southeast climate hub in the US, Matt Kavanagh - Growing Planting Mechanisation study tour, Bianca Andreis Da Cunha Forestry’s Future: Women’s Protagonism in leading Sustainable change – Yale, Kristiina Marquardt Training to obtain a Remote Pilot Licence (RePL) - Multirotor 25kg

Applications are open until 30 June 2025. Eligible applicants must be aged 18–45, based in Queensland, and currently working or studying in the forest and timber industry.

The online application process is simple, and support is available for anyone who needs help putting together their submission.

For full details and to apply www.timberqueensland.com.au/growthscholarships