As the council prepares to celebrate 30 years since its creation in 1996, it has named Duncan Borlase, Bruce Nairn and John Long as its inaugural life members.

Outgoing chairman Warwick Wilshier, who stepped down at this year’s AGM after 25 years at the helm of the council, says the time was right to confer the first life memberships.

“Last year we adopted a new constitution which will set the council in a good place for the future,” Warwick says.

“As part of that we decided we would appoint our inaugural life members, and the executive has selected the first three.”

Each of the trio has lent their expertise and commitment to different aspects of the industry and made significant contributions to safety and innovation in the log transport sector.

“Bruce Nairn was our original chairman and then our secretary for a long time,” says Warwick.

“A lot of us worked for him in the early days when he was Transport Manager at NZ Forest Products and later Carter Holt Harvey Forests, and he is very highly regarded across the industry. Bruce is also a JP, and he was awarded a Queen’s Service Medal for his contribution to the industry.

“John Long has been the council’s lead supporter at NZTA on technical and engineering issues. He’s provided the leadership in training certified transport engineers to become qualified Bolster Attachment certifying engineers, Warwick says. 

“We also wanted to recognise an operator, and Duncan Borlase has made a lifetime contribution to the industry. In particular Duncan has always stepped up to get involved in any of the trials we have carried out.

In his son Steve’s words; “Duncan has been an inspiration, a real industry leader who is not afraid of getting his hands dirty.”

The other major change for the council sees Warwick retire as chair after leading the organisation since 2000. Campbell Gilmour takes over as chairman.

“I felt it was time after 25 years as chairman to step aside,” says Warwick.

“I’m proud of what the council has achieved. It was born out of adversity and has become a world-class organisation with a wealth of expertise.”

He says one of its long-standing attributes has been to get business competitors to work together for the benefit of the industry.

“We have a funny saying; `we leave our guns at the door,” Warwick says. 

The council was formed in 1996 as a response to a series of log truck rollovers. It has developed world-class initiatives by bringing together the transport operators, forest companies, trailer manufacturers, transport regulators and industry researchers to provide real-world engineering solutions and comprehensive training resources. 

Campbell Gilmour takes on the chairmanship having been an LTSC member for 16 years, joining  the executive nine years ago.

“The first thing I have to say is taking over from Warwick means I have massive shoes to fill,” says Campbell.

“The LTSC is a fantastic organisation with a lot of good people. The main thing is to maintain the group work which LTSC has been able to achieve with its partners.”

In recent months the LTSC has resumed its Roadshow programme for the first time since the Covid restrictions, bringing information updates to members in six cities during June and July.