People Australia

Keith Jennings, former National President of The Institute of Foresters of Australia and Executive Director of the International Union of Societies of Foresters has retired. A farewell for Keith was held on 12 December 2001 at the Tattersalls Club in Brisbane.

After nearly 32 years of professional service within the Department of Forestry (latterly the Department of Primary Industries Forestry), the Department of Natural Resources and, more recently, the Environmental Protection Agency—Parks and Wildlife Service, Keith decided to hang up his boots.

Keith enjoyed a rewarding career in Queensland Forestry following graduation in 1965. He spent the next few years in plantation inventory work in the State and served in Rockhampton and Brisbane until moving to the United States to study at Yale University from 1968 to 1970 where he attained his USA Masters Degree. After working in various positions within Queensland Forestry (Resources, Economics, Land Use, Extension and Executive Officer to the Conservator), he became Principal Policy Officer, Forestry and Wildlife Management within the Parks and Wildlife Service in Head Office, Brisbane.

Keith has been extremely active in the Institute of Foresters of Australia holding office in various categories for years. In addition to the positions mentioned above, he was also Secretary of the Queensland Division of the Institute, Council Secretary and Committee Chairman.

Affectionately known as the Silver Fox, Keith has long held a love of sport, particularly cricket and rugby. As Gary Bacon, himself a former National President, has said: Keith was ‘A deft inswinger or outswinger of the ball, tour organiser, whistle blower (only on the field of battle), Grange connoisseur, corporate punter, silver star driver, Bulls junkie and fairway bushranger. Keith has long been a colleague and friend to a large number of Forestry folk who shared his passion for the forests of Queensland and all who worked therein.’

We wish Keith all the best in retirement.