Shona Heading wins Stanton Prize

Responsible Wood’s Simon Dorries presents the prize to Shona Heading.

The 2025 Richard Stanton Memorial Prize was presented to Shona Heading at the recent Forestry Australia Conference in Adelaide.

Heading is a commercial planning manager at HQ Plantations. She thanked Steve Walker, principal at Terrafolia Advisory, for the nomination and said that she was honoured to receive the award from Responsible Wood.

Heading said the award recognises “those who help shape a more responsible, connected and forward-thinking forestry industry. For me, this award isn’t about personal leadership, it’s about true leadership. The leadership that recognises and celebrates different voices. That sees potential where others might not.

“That makes room for new styles, new ideas and new ways of doing things and then celebrates them. And it’s having a teammate. Someone who most believes in you, promotes you selflessly and reminds you that being different and unapologetic, you can be exactly what’s needed.”

The Richard Stanton Memorial Leadership Award was established by Responsible Wood in 2015 and honours the late Richard Stanton’s outstanding contributions to sustainable forest management. Stanton, whose life was cut short by a tragic bicycle accident, was a passionate champion of sustainable forests and PEFC certification and his legacy lives on in the award.

This prestigious national award recognises:

  • Significant and valuable contributions to sustainability
  • Innovation, improvement, or excellence in sustainable forest management or the fabrication, supply, or utilisation of certified forest products
  • Strong commitment to the principles of sustainable forest management
  • Innovation and improvement in promoting Responsible Wood and/or PEFC-certified products.

The award includes a $2000 bursary to support the recipient’s professional development through training, conferences, or study opportunities.

Enews congratulates Shona Heading on her victory!

 

MAIN PIC: L-R is Simon Dorries, CEO of Responsible, Shona Heading and Chariman of Responsible Wood, Tony Bartlett. 
All images: Responsible Wood