The ever-popular wood chopping was once again a highlight of this year’s Henry Lawson Festival held in Rygate Square.
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Axemen competed in the 12” Underhand and 12” and Standing Block events.
The competition got under way immediately following the Festival procession.
The final events commenced around 4.00pm and finished off a great afternoon.
A large crowd of very interested spectators was present throughout the afternoon in which the axemen demonstrated their skills.
Six or seven events were held throughout the afternoon.
Former World Champion Axeman Dale Ryan from Katoomba and formerly of Lithgow was present at the Festival Competition. Dale is regarded as one of the best all-round axemen in Australia and has been competing for the past forty four years. He had his first axe when he was four years old and started chopping in the ring when he was seven. He said he has been lucky to have travelled the world with the axe. The thing he enjoys about the sport is that it is an individual sport and it is unique.
The underhand final results – 1st G Ryan off 3, 2nd W Smith off 25, and 3rd A Finlator off 8.
The standing block final results were 1st D Ryan off 18, 2nd C Edwards off 18 and d 3rd W Smith off 8.
Another very popular event was the hard hitting contest, where each axeman takes on the challenge – it is not a race – just individual event – to see how many hits to get through a log
Later in the afternoon, local axeman Matt Reid and his son Billie and Dale Ryan and his son Jack had a competition. The fathers started chopping the standing blocks on either side or the two young axemen finished them off.
Wood chopping has been a very been a popular event at the Festival since 1977.
On behalf of the Festival committee I wish to thank the following for their generous sponsorship of this year’s event – The Henry Lawson Festival, The Grenfell Lions Club, Terry and Deidre Carroll, Greg Oliver of Oliver’s Hardware, D & C Reid of Reid’s Thrifty Link Hardware, Peter and Val Mellon of Peter Mellon Motors, Jenny and Stuart Schneider of Closeburn Stud, Ian and Barbara Jones of Grenfell Contractors, Wall and James Barker and Maurice Simpson.
This popular event at the Henry Lawson Festival would not be possible without the support and sponsorship of these community minded members and business houses.
Deidre Carroll – Henry Lawson Festival Woodchop Co-ordinator