Latest News

“Oakdale Industries has done a commendable job in dealing with a number of challenges in recent times, the biggest being the uncertainty created by the shambolic forest deal which saw stakeholders – like this innovative enterprise – largely ignored during so-called peace negotiations, in spite of the fact they rely on access to Tasmanian native timber to survive,” Mrs Mirabella said.

“I very much wanted to meet with representatives from Oakdale Industries and their parent company Oak Tasmania, to listen to their concerns, learn from their experiences and discuss their suggestions so they can be better supported in the future,” Mrs Mirabella said.

Bernadette Black, Peter (an employee of 40+ years) and Sophie Mirabella tour Oakdale Industries

Standing as a sentinel to park users and passing river traffic, a new landmark on the promenade at Lower Sandy Bay is “Beacon”, the City of Hobart’s newest major sculptural work by Sydney artist Ari Purhonen.

The artists design concept involves a large column of high-quality stainless steel rods 10 metres high, supported by a base of Celery Top Pine manufactured by Oakdale Industries.

“We were approached by the Hobart City Council to see whether Oakdale Industries had the capacity to manufacture the timber components for the art installation,” said Oakdale’s divisional manager John Hollis.

“Once we went through developing a prototype to Council’s specifications, we were successful in being chosen as the preferred manufacturer of the Celery Top Pine components. Under the guidance of Oakdale’s Kim Bale, our supported workforce manufactured, profiled and finished the product to specification.”

The City of Hobart's newest art installation at Lower Sandy Bay.

Protecting the sculpture from the harsh marine environment was a key consideration during the planning and construction process. A natural lanolin-based product called Lanotec was chosen to protect the artwork from being exposed to the corrosive elements of the sea.

“The Lanotec finish used on the timber and the stainless steel in the sculpture comes from a discovery that many of Australia’s docks and jetties had been preserved by the lanolin from the wool export trade,” explains Oakdale’s Kim Bale.

“The docks were preserved from the sea air and the sea water with the protection of the lanolin that was deposited onto dockside during the loading of wool from port to ships.”

Oakdale Industries John Hollis (left), and Kim Bale (right) standing in front of the Celery Top Pine cladding manufactured by Oakdale Industries.

Lord Mayor of Hobart, Alderman Damon Thomas said the major piece of art was likely to attract attention for many years to come.

“Through commissioning of this major work, the City of Hobart has made a very conscious decision to say that public art is highly valued in Hobart.”

Like many 19 year olds, Emma Newell wasn’t sure of which vocation to choose as she considered her future employment options. But after a few months of training, Emma has secured employment with a well-known social enterprise in Glenorchy – and loves every minute of it!

OAK Youth Pathways Manager Deb Peers said Emma joined the pathways program in January this year and had been attending the structured program four days a week.

“Emma was keen to learn new skills and we were able to teach her a range of skills that she could immediately apply in the work place,” Deb said.

“Emma learnt the importance of occupational, health and safety practices; how to stay on task; and how to work together in a team. We help our clients move forward as individuals and equip them to be able to do different job skill sets. They achieve so much and grow personally – especially in self confidence.”

Emma Newell secured employment following 3 months of training with OAK Youth Pathways.

After only 3 months of training, Emma was offered employment at TADPAC Printing and is now working 3 days a week, while continuing to attend OAK Youth Pathways for two days a week.

“It’s fun, I like doing the mail,” Emma said.

“At OAK I cleaned some buses and on Wednesday’s I came here to do some work experience and that landed me a job here. It’s really great to land a job here because I’ve got great friends, I get out of the house and I get great pay!”

OAK Tasmania has once again teamed up with Entertainment Publications to help raise funds for our programs and services that improve the lives of Tasmanians with disabilities.

This year’s Entertainment Book contains hundreds of valuable ‘up to 50% off’ and ‘2 for 1’ offers from many of the best restaurants, arts, attractions, accommodation, and travel services in the State.

The new books are only $60.00 each and provide more than $15,000 of valuable offers in total. The books also make great gifts (especially with Mother’s Day just around the corner), and for every book purchased OAK Tasmania receives $12.00 towards its fundraising efforts.

  How do I order my book/s?

• You can order and pay for your book on-line. Simply click here and have your credit card details handy.

• You have the option of having the book posted to you (at additional cost), or you can nominate to pick it up from our offices in Glenorchy during normal business hours.

• If you don’t have a credit card or prefer to pay by cash or cheque, simply call in to our Glenorchy offices to purchase your book.

When will I receive my book/s?

• This year’s Entertainment Books will be available from mid-April.

• Entertainment Publications will process your on-line order and despatch your book/s within 7 days of receiving your order and payment.

• If you prefer to pay for your book in person and collect it from our offices, simply call in to 56 Clydesdale Avenue in Glenorchy during normal business hours (after the 15th of April)

Who do I contact if I have any questions?

Please contact our Fundraising Manager on 6272 8244 (select option 3).

Thanks for your support, and we hope you enjoy the savings!

While the Grove Heritage Nursery collection of heritage fruit trees is a treasure recognised Australia-wide, it is also a sought after gem further abroad in the UK.

Housed at Grove, in Tasmania’s picturesque Huon Valley, the beautifully preserved collection of more than 600 heritage apples, pears and cider apple cultivars includes many varieties no longer available commercially.

UK based specialist plant nursery owner and enthusiast Derek Tolman first came upon the site (then known as the Grove Research and Demonstration Station) and its heritage collection in 2003, when his passionate search for old school apple varieties led him to Tasmania.

After fearing many heritage varieties had been lost forever, Derek was thrilled and surprised to track down many of the missing varieties on the other side of the world.

“We were, frankly, staggered to find such a rich vein of old varieties, many of which originated in Britain and had long been grown here, but had not been mentioned perhaps for 100 years,” he said.

The next few years saw Derek and his wife Judy, ably assisted by employee Alison Stewart, purchasing scion wood of heritage varieties from Grove to return to UK shores and produce trees for the public. To their delight and surprise, most took well to their new environment.

Derek & Judy Tolman busily grafting at their nursery in Buckinghamshire, United Kingdom.

When Derek and Judy gave up their jobs to follow their passion and start their Bernwode Fruit Trees nursery in the late 1980s, they were amazed at the number of old school varieties of trees that had been simply forgotten.

“There were not many nurseries [then] as few fruit trees were being bought and sold and the country had entirely forgotten the enormous number of historic fruit varieties long grown here,” Derek said.

“At that time it was common for old trees to be ripped out to be planted with the latest thing (and, alas, often still is).”

To find many of these historic varieties in Australia was a fantastic discovery for the couple and other enthusiasts.

“A lot of people here have been more than intrigued by the happy discovery that old varieties neglected to the point of being ‘lost’ here, should have made their way, with settlers, to the antipodes and can still be found,” Derek said.

Just recently the relationship between Bernwode Nursery and the Grove site was reignited when Derek began another search for assistance in locating several rare pear varieties.

Maiden trees at Bernwode Nursery.

Derek’s work is all part of a massive task he and Judy set themselves, of compiling a database of all the apple varieties they could find. The search for data and information has included years of looking through old books and many visits to old orchards and individual trees. The database today comprises over 18,000 names. The couple are also busy working on an ‘ultimate’ reference work for domestic apples, a DVD and a book, which they hope in time, will also help growers in the UK as well as the important work done to maintain the heritage varieties in Australia at Grove.

And through all this hard work, Derek believes attitudes in the UK have slowly changed.

 “It was clear to us that while a vast number of old trees were still growing in the country, they were disappearing fast and needed logging, researching and protecting,” he said.

“We played some small part in encouraging others to look again at these old trees, and now there is a vibrant national movement to look to the past, with many orchard groups, public bodies and private individuals conserving and researching our old fruit trees and varieties.”

As for the importance of heritage fruit varieties, on whatever side of the world they may appear, Derek said they were not only better in quality and variety, but there are also an important link to our past.

“There is an ancient pleasure in planting a fruit tree and nurturing it,” he said.

“For decades we have turned our back on them [long established fruit tree varieties] for the modern conveniences of cheapness and easy supply, at the expense of quality and variety.”

Derek & Judy Tolman collection Scion wood from trees at their Bernwode Nursery.

While Derek said there was much pleasure to be found from inquiry into the past, there were also great rewards in planting a rare, endangered and old fruit variety.

“Even the least of them will give more pleasure than the poor offerings of the supermarkets,” he said.

“These old fruits were valued, propagated and kept for good reasons.”

OAK Tasmania is leasing the former Grove Research and Development Station from the Tasmanian  Government.  Further information about the Grove site can be found here.

A former member of OAK’s Board of Directors, Mrs Judith Cleaver, has been inducted onto the Tasmanian Honour Role of Women.

Mrs Cleaver’s significant contribution to the Tasmanian community through advancing social justice issues, and her 40 years of selfless volunteerism was recognised at a ceremony held in Launceston today.

Mrs Cleaver joined the Retarded Children’s Welfare Association (the predecessor to OAK Tasmania) in the late 1960’s as a member of the Auxiliary for Oakdale Lodge and Secretary of the RCWA Southern Region, before being asked to join the Board of Oak Enterprises.

“A neighbour who lived up the street from me invited me to a morning tea at Oakdale Lodge. The Lodge had just started and they were discussing how to present the Lodge and were thinking of getting a committee to raise money for a separate room for the clients so they had some privacy. Unexpectedly, I was nominated for the committee and I couldn’t say no,” Mrs Cleaver said.

Judith Cleaver (centre) with Oak Enterprises staff at the Grove Road Adult Training Centre in the 1980s

During her 40-year involvement in OAK Tasmania, Mrs Cleaver helped steer the organisation through many challenges. The organisation often called on her strong sense of social justice and her experience in the government sector to help guide it through legislative change that had a profound effect on the disability sector.

“Judith took particular interest in the establishment of the welfare services now provided by OAK. She always encouraged managers and staff to become involved in training to enhance their skills and for them to join local and national organisations, which helped the promotion and growth of OAK and of course, them personally”, OAK CEO John Paton said.

“On behalf of everyone at OAK, I congratulate Judith on her induction to the Tasmanian Honour Role of Women which is a fitting tribute to her work in the community.”

Mrs Cleaver was inducted as a Life Member of OAK Tasmania in 2008, and was an inaugural recipient of a Heart of OAK Award in 2011 in recognition of her significant contribution to OAK Tasmania. Mrs Cleaver is now retired and living on Tasmania’s East Coast.

Mrs Cleaver at today's induction ceremony for the Tasmanian Honour Role of Women.

Mrs Cleaver’s career highlights includes:

• Stenographer and office administrator with various private companies.

• Member of the Auxiliary for Oakdale Lodge, and Secretary of the RCWA Southern Region.

• Administration officer with the Tasmanian Council of Social Services; resigned to become a member of Lifeline and joined the Tascoss Board as Treasurer.

• Staff member of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet working on women’s issues, with ethnic women’s groups and women’s Non-Government Organisations (NGOs).

• Asked to join the Board of Oak Enterprises, admirably fulfilling her duties for a period of 16 years.

• Inaugural member of the Tasmanian Council of Women.

• Member of the Claremont College Board.

• Convenor of the Southern Regional Health Committee.

• Member of Housing Tasmania’s Committee to establish a method of allocating public housing.

• Member of Rostrum.

• Manager Community Services at Brighton Council.

Oakdale Industries is holding a timber auction this weekend to raise funds in support of Tasmanians living with disability.

More than 100 lots of timber are to go under the hammer and the auction will appeal to builders, owner-builders, shack owners, renovators, furniture makers, boat builders, crafts people & artisans. This is a unique opportunity to purchase highly-valued products directly from the manufacturer. All 100+ lots are in dry storage, and the range of timbers being offered for sale includes:

• Decking

• Rough sawn Jarrah

• Architraves, skirtings & mouldings

• Huon Pine, Blackwood, Myrtle, Celery Top Pine, Sassafras & Tasmanian Oak

• Flooring products (19mm strip flooring, 13mm overlay flooring & parquetry flooring)

More than 100 lots of Australian and Tasmanian Timber ready to go under the hammer later this month on March 23.

All lots have reserve prices and payment must be made on the day by cash or credit card. Winning bidders can take immediate delivery, so bring your ute, trailer or truck to the auction. There is plenty of parking on-site and Oakdale Industries staff can help load your vehicle with our forklifts. Delivery can also be arranged at additional cost.

The auction will be held on-site at Oakdale Industries, 4C Bounty Street, Warrane on Saturday March 23, 2013. Gates open at 8.15am and inspection of the lots commences at 8.30am. Bidding starts at 10.00am sharp.

Huon Pine, Sassafras, Myrtle, Celery Top Pine & Tasmanian Oak ready for auction.

 

We extend our thanks to Mr Nick Corkhill, who has kindly volunteered his time and skills to be our Guest Auctioneer.

Enquiries can be made to john.hollis@oak.org.au or by telephoning  (03) 6244 2277 during normal business hours.

Download the Timber auction_March 23 2013 flyer.

Download the Timber Auction CATALOGUE – 23rd March 2013

OAK Youth Pathways participants have worked alongside students from Huon Valley schools, in an exciting new fruit industry program.

Aimed at providing direction, mentorship and vocational training for up to 10 students and 5 OAK Youth Pathways Clients, the OAK Tasmania Together project is supported by a $4,000 State Department of Education Together Project grant, under the Huon Strong Communities Partnership.

About 15 young participants have worked on the project, including 18 to 25 year-olds living with a disability from the OAK Youth Pathways program and Huonville, Geeveston District and Dover High School students in need of encouragement and engagement.

Fruit for the project has been provided by OAK Tasmania’s Grove Heritage Nursery. The Heritage Nursery, along with fellow OAK Tasmania business Tahune Fields Nursery, at Lucaston, is well known in the Huon Valley for providing meaningful employment and training opportunities to Tasmanians living with a disability.

OAK Youth Pathways participants & high school students join together to sort fruit at OAK's Grove Heritage Nursery.

Participants were given the chance to create plum jam from Grove Heritage Nursery fruit that would otherwise go to waste. Some fresh produce will also be passed on to the Huonville Co-Op and other emergency relief organisations in the Huon Valley.

As a vocational program, run at a commercial nursery, OAK Tasmania Together has provided its participants with industry standard skills across preparation, packing, distribution and sales. With a focus on flexible learning, the program has also provided business skills to participants while fostering a mentorship program between students and the community, as well as between people living with a disability and those who are not.

While it the first time OAK Youth Pathways has been involved in a project of this kind, OAK Tasmania’s connection with the Huon community and schools is more than two decades old, with many students using OAK’s Grove Heritage Nursery and Tahune Fields Nursery for work experience and employment.

Huonville High School Assistant Principal and Together Project coordinator Pam Lane said vocational programs were important to high school students as they enabled them to make connections with the “real world” as well as to understand the importance of employability and education. She said the OAK Tasmania Together Project, also involved students working with local volunteers, sharing knowledge with retiree mentors and being mentors themselves, also offered students extra special life skills.

“This program is really special because it allows students from the high school to learn important life skills of compassion, kindness and accepting difference and ability in all,” Pam said.

“The chance for young people from the high school to act as mentors is very valuable as it allows them to develop leadership skills and confidence, patience and good listening skills and understand that all have value and can contribute to the community.”

OAK Youth Pathways participants Edward Garnham, Tim Cashion, John Coppelman & Cassie Tunks with support workers Tony Bennett & Jack Gibb proudly display their plum jam (Liam Kitson was also part of the group was absent for the photo)

Huon Valley Health and Wellbeing Coordinator Alison Eastland, who was also instrumental in the project’s establishment, commended OAK Tasmania, Rotary and Huonville High School, for making the project a reality.

“[They) have worked hard to get this project going and they deserve congratulations for getting it off to a great start,” she said.

Project participants have produced more than 200 jars of plum jam which are being offered for sale through OAK Community Services. Proceeds from sales will go towards purchasing new jars, lids and basic ingredients for the next batch of jams, purees and sauces.

190ml jars are available for $4.50 each, and smaller 110ml jars can be purchased for $3.50 each.

To purchase jars of plum jam in support of the project, please contact OAK Youth Pathways Manager Deb Peers on 6208 0600 between 8.30am and 4.00pm weekdays. Payment and collection of the produce can be made at OAK Community Services, 6B Lampton Avenue Derwent Park.

It’s been action stations at Oakdale Industries recently as Australia’s newest Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL) product, HARDLAM, has undergone tests and trials on site.

Aimed at utilising low-grade logs and providing a sustainable, value-added alternative to solid timber, HARDLAM is made from peeling native forest logs that would otherwise be left for wood chipping. The individual veneers are then pressed and glued together to form a ‘square log’ which leaves very little waste when used.

The finished product which boasts durability, stability and versatility, can be used for many purposes including flooring, furniture, bench tops and other appearance-grade applications.

Developed over the past two years by Forestry Tasmania, HARDLAM flooring was put through a series of flooring application tests at Oakdale Industries including nailing and sawing, surface finish and machine effectiveness.

Oakdale's Steve Watts (front), with Forestry Tasmania's Dr Matt Wood & Dion McKenzie testing HARDLAM flooring.

The tests were part of a series of fine tuning trials of the product, which will also include assessments of fire resistance and dimensional stability to ensure that HARDLAM is fully market ready.

Forestry Tasmania Technical Analyst (Product Development) Dr Matt Wood, said while LVL’s were popular in structural applications throughout the Northern Hemisphere, their use in appearance-grade applications represented an untapped potential.

In addition to its use of low-grade logs, Matt said HARDLAM had a range of other benefits including its attractive appearance, its predictability and the speed at which it could be prepared.

“We can basically harvest, peel, dry and manufacture these blocks within 24 hours as opposed to two to three years to process and dry thicker end-sections (of solid timber),” Matt said.

The veneers used in HARDLAM are Tas Oak (E.delegatensis, E. Obliqua and E. Regnans), though other species including plantation hardwoods will be trialled.

Matt said he was happy to be able to work with Oakdale Industries and its divisional manager John Hollis, to put HARDLAM through its paces.

“I bring a scientific background to this kind of work, whereas someone like John has a much more technical approach so we work together as a team to develop the product …and then take that to market.”

Oakdale’s duality of being a local business and a social enterprise was also another great attribute of the partnership.

“It is such a wonderful partnership for us,” Matt said.

“It’s not just about production here at Oakdale, there is the social side of the business as well.

“So the whole package for a sustainable, value-added timber product, being made in Tassie with a social component to it, ticks all of the boxes.”

Oakdale Industries took HARDLAM to the Australian Timber Flooring Association (ATFA) Flooring and Finishes Expo in Melbourne last year, where the product picked up a Gold Star Award for Design, Innovation and Marketability.

Oakdale Industries John Hollis (centre) and Steve Watts with Forestry Tasmania's Dion McKenzie, Dr Matt Wood & Kenny Griffin examine HARDLAM flooring.

Oakdale Industries divisional manager John Hollis said the partnership was also a great opportunity for Oakdale, in many ways.

“We saw great opportunities for Oakdale industries in this as well, given the uncertainty of the native timber resource and for our future viability as a business,” John said.

“It also uses an obviously very sustainable resource and it enables our employees to be involved in some market development.”

However despite forestry uncertainties, John was also optimistic about the future. He said he saw HARDLAM as a great chance for product expansion at Oakdale.

“It is a really exciting product,” he said.

Oakdale Industries and HARDLAM will be on display at the 2013 HIA homeFEST, Princes Wharf No1 on Saturday March 2 & Sunday March 3 2013.