Original Thinkers Podcast

When Daniel Hodge measures a tree, he’s not just collecting data; he’s part of a decades-long commitment to protecting some of the largest living organisms on the planet. As Senior Stewardship Advisor at Sustainable Timber Tasmania (STT) and manager of Tasmania’s Giant Tree Program, Daniel oversees the identification and protection of giant trees within the state’s production forests.

"People love big trees, and in Tasmania, we...

When Dr Marie Yee arrived in Tasmania over two decades ago, she came with an ambition to contribute to biodiversity conservation through applied science, to make a positive impact from within the industry instead of hurling stones from the outside. 

“I realised they were very progressive, the people who put those practices in place were scientists who worked within the industry, within the regulator, like the Forest Practices Board ...

Dean Sheen is the Fire Manager for Sustainable Timber Tasmania, one of Tasmania's three firefighting agencies responsible for fuel reduction burning, and regeneration burns within Tasmania's forests.

"We are mimicking nature. Eucalypt forests rely on fire to regenerate. If you see an area that's been burnt by wildfire, you'll see afterwards that the forest comes back. It regenerates. We know the land, we kno...

Michael Lee is a technical expert in Tasmanian Timber. Mick, as he's known within the sector, has over 30 years experience in research, timber production, and systems. He works with builders, designers, and architects to create solutions that benefit the environment, the economy, and the community.

"The stadium build for instance, in Hobart, called for 40-metre roof beams. No one in Australia could make a 40-metr...

Gerard Reinmuth is a Director at Terroir Architects and the inaugural Professor of Practice in the School of Architecture at the University of Technology Sydney, and Philip Oldfield is Head of the Built Environment School in the Faculty of Arts, Design and Architecture at the University of New South Wales.
They are both co-authors on a paper recently published in Sustainable Cities and Society, titled 'Towards net-zero emb...

Paolo Aschieri is director at Theca Timber – a firm that is committed to transforming the way we build, by leveraging timber's natural strength and durability to build a low carbon sustainable future.

"Every single state, every single nation has a different appetite for timber. If you travel to the Scandinavian countries, their appetite for timber is just outstanding. It blows my mind when I go there, and I like ...

Stephen Geason is Director at Cykel Architecture. Stephen has an expertise in designing for people living with dementia. He's a registered architect in Australia and a Churchill fellow, and was heavily involved with presentations for the Built Environment for the Understanding Dementia MOOC at the Wicking Dementia Center at the University of Tasmania. Stephen was the fireside architect for Korongee Dementia Village, a project ...

Tim McAllister has been a designer for 26 years based in Northern Ireland. He's the creative director of local agency Bennett and the designer behind the multi award-winning original Tasmanian Timber brand. Tim has extensive experience in developing brands for the built environment, from residential developments selling a lifestyle to commercial projects that require way finding and consistent brand application within.

The Agent: Nina Schubert is a real estate agent and the Director of Insitu Property. Insitu Property is a dynamic and innovative real estate agency dedicated to providing exceptional customer service and tailored property solutions. Focusing on property management and sales, Insitu Property leverages a deep understanding of local markets to deliver outstanding results for clients. Under Nina's leadership, the agency prides its...

The Makers: Dylan Graham is the Project Manager for Construction in Tasmania's North-West for Fairbrother. Fairbrother is a nationally award-winning company specialising in commercial and industrial construction whose expertise spans a wide array of projects, from large-scale infrastructure developments to bespoke commercial buildings. They are known for their commitment to quality, innovation, and sustainability. With a stron...

The Makers: Murray Griffiths is a Director of My Build Collective. My Build Collective is a team of passionate designers and builders based in Launceston, specialising in creating unique custom homes. They offer a complete design and build experience, guiding clients from initial consultation through to the final handover. With a strong emphasis on collaboration and transparency, My Build Collective ensures clients are involved and...