Thursday, 31 July 2025

National Timber Workers Hall of Fame

Melina BATH (Eastern Victoria) (09:57): I also wish to congratulate the recent 2025 inductees to the National Timber Workers Hall of Fame in Heyfield. These include Mick Johnson, Barry Bedggood, Ernie Hug Sr, Arthur ‘Joe’ Burton, the Leeson family, Geoff Stevenson, Owen ‘Whimpey’ Feenstra, Terry ‘Bones’ Higgins, Diane Blackie, Stash Bednarski and our very own Gary Blackwood, former member for Narracan. There is no more ardent supporter of the native timber industry either hauling in the Gippsland hills or in the halls of this Parliament. We congratulate Gary. We also thank Felicia and Kayla Stevenson and Aaron Ralph for keeping the history, traditions and stories alive.