From a timber-built statue to creative glulam marketing concepts, students at Millicent North Primary School are proving they could be the next generation of Green Triangle timber ambassadors.
Grade five and six students have spent the past term exploring the potential of locally produced Glued Laminated Timber, known as glulam, and the opportunities it could create for regional manufacturing and construction.
Using a problem-based learning framework supported by the Department for Education’s Student Pathways and Careers division, guided by Dr Sue Gaardboe, the 10-week initiative connected students with a genuine forest industry challenge.
The project was developed in partnership with the Green Triangle Forest Industries Hub (GTFIH), which has developed a world first glulam product made exclusively from locally grown bluegum (eucalyptus globulus). With the product now commercially available and entering early market adoption, the Hub recognised the value of gaining fresh marketing perspectives from young people as part of its broader market-building efforts.
The first of its kind primary school program was facilitated by GTFIH Workforce Development Manager Lara Kroeger and supported by Australian Bluegum Plantations’ Georgina Macklin.
Ms Kroeger said the project demonstrated the power of meaningful collaboration between education and industry.
“This was not an easy project for the students to take on. Glulam is a technical product, and the topic asked students to think about forestry, manufacturing, marketing and community awareness,” Ms Kroeger said.
“But the school fully embraced it, and it was fantastic to see the students’ curiosity grow over the term. The more they learned, the more confident they became in talking about our industry. By the end of the program, they had truly become young ambassadors for the role forestry and timber can play in our region.”
Ms Kroeger said year 5/6 teacher Sarah Gellion played a key role in helping students explore a complex industry challenge in a practical and meaningful way.
Throughout the term, students took part in classroom session on plantation forestry, glulam and the local timber supply chain, before heading into the field for a full-day excursion to see the industry at work. The showcase included a blue gum chipping operation hosted by PF Olsen (now Stand Forestry) and Qube Forestry; a softwood clear fall with OneFortyOne and Fennell Forestry; plus a classroom overview about glulam manufacturing supported by WTIBeam.
Drawing on their experiences, students presented their initial marketing concepts to industry partners, receiving feedback to refine their ideas before delivering their final presentations this week to a full house of parents, teachers and industry representatives.
ABP’s Georgina Macklin said the students’ final ideas were shaped by the challenge that many people simply do not know what glulam is or where it can be used.
“They turned that insight into practical ideas for increasing community awareness and showing the potential of increasing the usage of locally made glulam,” Ms Macklin said.
ABP CEO Darren Shelden applauded the students’ creativity and enthusiasm.
“The outcomes delivered in this 10-week program were exceptional,” Mr Shelden said.
“It clearly demonstrates the value of problem-based learning when industry and education work together. These students developed a stronger understanding of our sector, sharpened their critical thinking skills and built confidence through public speaking and presenting.
“Most importantly, this project reflects our industry’s commitment to investing in the next generation.”
To recognise the students’ efforts, GTFIH and ABP gifted students LEGO harvester sets, while WTIBeam owner Jason Vulcz donated a giant Jenga set to the classroom and chopping boards for the teachers, all made from locally grown bluegum.