by Tanya Steele
There’s concerns the heritage sport of woodchopping in Victoria is at risk due to the shortage of logs available in the coming year.
Central Victorian Axemen’s Association member (CVAA) and Upper Yarra resident Brett Robin said many events in March were almost cancelled due to a lack of supply.
“It’s not just the woodchop that has been affected, it’s all our country shows – every weekend we have a country show in Victoria,” Mr Robin said.
The heritage sport traditionally uses native forest logs for its events and afterwards the chopped logs are used for firewood.
“They’ll give it to the local football clubs or the rotary clubs,” Mr Robin said.
The sporting events can not run without logs and supply is so low that the issue has been brought to State Members by the Victorian Axemen’s Council.
State Liberal Member for Eildon, Cindy McLeish said, “With the constant issue and litigation around timber harvesting, access to the essential part of the sport has been closed to axemen, with the surety of log supply no longer provided. I have been contacted by the Victoria Axemen’s Council who are concerned that if logs are not sourced soon, it will be the end of the much-loved Australian sport.”
Many wood-chop events are held in Victoria every year and without supply, it’s feared the events will disappear from the show programmes.
“With the lack of wood available, the Alexandra Truck Show in June and popular Lilydale and Yarra Valley Show is at jeopardy with many more to follow, including the Royal Melbourne Show,” said Ms McLeish.
The drawcard events have been a part of Agricultural shows for many years and there’s a push for a solution to keep the sport in Australian culture.
“If woodchopping is lost, so is a part of Australian heritage. The government must ensure there is a sustainable solution to this problem,” said Ms McLeish.
