albert lind was the minister for forests and local member in legislative assembly for the seat of gippsland east from 1920 to 1961 and was instrumental in advocating for state government funding of the reforestation program. around the same time, and with the support of lind, the forests commission chairman a.v. galbraith and sir herbert gepp from australian paper manufacturers ltd (apm) finalised a pioneering legislated agreement for pulpwood supply from state forests and from softwood plantations including the strzeleckis. the company then proceeded to establish a plant at maryvale in latrobe valley for the manufacture of kraft papers which came into production in october 1939.