Employer: TAFE Gippsland 

40 years ago, Kevin Nunn went from being a bush-loving schoolboy to a productive tree faller working for a logging contractor. At the time, there were no tree felling courses. People were expected to learn on the job. He remembers the anxiety and adrenaline he experienced when he felled his first big Ash tree by himself.

When TAFE Gippsland began forming the timber training unit for industry jobs, emergency responders and firefighters, Kevin jumped at the opportunity to become a trainer. It took him two years to build the unit, which was recognised by industry and the Australian Timber Trainers Association as a provider that educated people beyond industry standards.

When the Department of Environment Land Water and Planning needed to make changes to coursework for chainsaw operators, they sought Kevin’s expertise.

Kevin’s work has helped make TAFE Gippsland a leading provider for forestry management and timber training.