A tireless advocate for the south west slopes softwood plantation industry and the ecologist who discovered Australia’s largest known roost of Eastern Horseshoe Bats are the two former Forestry Corporation of NSW staff who have been awarded the Medal (OAM) in the General Division in the Australia Day honours this week.

Forestry Corporation Acting CEO Anshul Chaudhary congratulated recipients Peter Crowe, who has spent many years managing and advocating for the softwood plantations and timber industry around Tumut and Tumbarumba, and Alf Britton, who worked as an ecologist in the State forests of the Hunter and Central Coast.

“We are incredibly proud of the achievements of Peter Crowe and Alf Britton and congratulate them on their well-deserved honours,” Mr Chaudhary said.

“Peter and Alf made remarkable contributions to forest management both during their careers at Forestry Corporation and beyond.

“Peter Crowe has been a tireless advocate for the softwood plantation industry for many decades, both with the then NSW Forestry Commission and subsequently with the Softwoods Working Group.

“His work as a director on the Radiata Pine Breeding Company (RPBC) to improve the genetic qualities of the seedlings planted throughout the region is continuing to be seen today. Forestry Corporation remains a major shareholder of the RPBC, which continues to play a key role in researching and harvesting the best quality seeds for replanting our plantation estate.

“Peter was also instrumental in establishing the National Foresters Grove at Albury, which is a living celebration of the forestry industry’s contribution to Australia.

“Alf Britton had a long career with Forestry Corporation as a surveyor, forest foreman and ecologist. As foreman he supervised and helped manage plantation establishment and sustainable harvesting operations in the Watagan Mountains, hazard reduction, fires, plantation thinning and road and bridge construction projects. His passion was always forest ecology which is where he spent the final part of his career.

"Alf has the distinguished honour of having discovered Australia’s largest known roost of Eastern Horseshoe Bats. He discovered the roost in 1996 during field surveys of Ourimbah State Forest.

“This discovery and subsequent work to protect and monitor this colony not only ensured the population continues to thrive today, but also made a significant contribution to scientific knowledge and management of this species.

“Alf played a pivotal role in establishing the Friends of Strickland volunteer group, a group of committed volunteers that has improved conservation in Strickland State Forest. This has also served as a model for community partnership that has been replicated in State forests elsewhere, delivering great benefits to the forest environment.

“On behalf of Forestry Corporation, I would like to thank Peter and Alf for their contribution to the forestry industry over many years.”