The Sport is Born:
By the mid 1800's the sport started to become more organised and sets of definite rules were set down. In New South Wales the first man believed to have attempted this was axeman, Captain J.A.Saunders of the Sydney suburb of Kogarah, N.S.W. in 1883. CAPTAINJ.A.SAUNDERS(military) organised woodchopping and sawing competitions in New South Wales and later went on to become secretary and manager of the Royal Woodchopping Sawing and Axeman's Association of New South Wales.
The first recorded competition was in the Municipality of Ulverstone, Tasmania in 1870. A wager between JOSEPH SMITH , a local vetinarian and JACK BRIGGS of Warrugul, Victoria was laid at an Ulverstone hotel and took place at the back of the Sprent Hotel which was opposite where the school now is. The stake was for twenty five pounds.The log chopped was a three foot standing block. The two men stood on shoeboards and a story is that Smith's board was about to collapse when a spectator stepped in under the board and took the weight on his shoulder. Smith won, his log hitting the ground just a Biggs' log was about to fall. However, there was a difference of opinion and an argument developed into a "free for all "fight.
The following press reports have been gathered for the Ulverstone Pioneer Museum by Mr. Craig Broadfield.
"Devon Herald June 19th 1878. On Saturday a chopping match between Nolan & Snooks & Wedger for 10 pounds 10 shillings. Won by Wedger who felled his stump measuring 3ft 6ins in 30 mins".
"30th May 1885. A chopping match was held before the races on the beach in East yard's which was won by James Williams, who is hallowed to be the best axeman in the district and on the Coast".
"2nd July 1885. Sawing match took place at North Motton, last Saturday between a lad named Bates & W.J.Elliott for a 5 pound side with 3 ft logs. Bates sawed through his log in the remarkable time of 2 minutes, 55 seconds, winning the match by a minute and a half".
JIM MARSHALL of Sprent a competent and champion axeman had been experimenting to find the best thickness of the axe blade suited to cut various species of timbers. Also the best way to set the blade onto the handle to enable balance and precision. Grand daughter, Mrs. Dorothy Smith, Ulverstone recalls a story from her father about a "grudge" match at the Sprent Hotel in early 1891. It is also reported about this time that Marshall chose a clearing in the bush on the outskirts of Latrobe and organised "a chop" Approximately 67 axemen took part. They were scattered around the venue and all started from scratch. Up until this, similar events had also been taking part in other parts of the Colony, namely, New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania. It was obvious by now of the need for a more formal structure to be put in place.
In April 1891 DR SMYTHE of Latrobe attempted to initiate a gala chopping carnival. There was very poor public response. The axeman of the Barrington district, eager at the prospects of extending the competitions and involving axemen from other Colonies approached HUBERT NICHOLS, reporter for the North-West Post, formerly of Ulverstone and then a resident of Latrobe, to take up this matter. NICHOLS suggested that n Association be formed, rules drawn up and that there be annual wood chopping competitions.
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