Prior to the Second World War, the timber industry was a major economic activity in the Port Stephens region.

Many talented axemen emerged from their industry experience. Wood chopping contests were conducted regularly across the Bulahdelah and Port Stephens areas.

This paper examines a number of wood chopping contests organised in these areas which attracted much interest at the time.

Woodchopping Area at Newcastle Showground [Newcastle Library]

First Wood Chopping Contest Held at Tea Gardens – 1902

The Dungog Chronicle of 4 November 1902, page 2, reported:

‘A wood chopping contest is to be held here next month, for which a large number of entries are expected.’ 

No further information concerning the event was published.

Second Wood Chopping Contest Held at Tea Gardens – 1903

The Dungog Chronicle of 11 August 1903, page 2, reported:

‘A wood chopping contest, for £5, took place, on July 1st. The different heats were splendid contests the finishes being very close. The final created great excitement, the winner being all out at the finish. Great credit must be given to Mr Jackson, for the able manner he handicapped the contests.

The winners of the different heats were: 1st heat, B. Maher; 2nd heat, B. Hawkins; 3rd heat, J. Armitage; 4th heat, S. Murrel; final, B. Hawkins 1st, J. Armitage 2nd, B. Maher 3rd. It is the intention of the promoter, Mr Dives, to shortly have a £10 handicap, 18in logs. S Murrel is backed to chop J. Dives in a fortnights time.’

Woodchopping a Popular Event at the Mungo Brush Regatta – 1914

The Gloucester Advocate of 21 January 1914, page 3, reported:

‘The holidays passed off quietly here, the only sports being the Regatta held at Broadwater, Mungo Brush. The sailing events were keenly contested. ….. The wood chopping contest was the most exciting item on the programme, Johnstone just beating Bramble by a chop, the same margin separating second and third man.’

Wood Chopping Again Held at Tea Gardens – 1933

The Dungog Chronicle of 2 June 1933, page 4, reported:

‘The attention of all interested in wood-chopping is drawn to the announcement of the chop to be held in Tea Gardens on June 10. Stringy bark logs will be used, 12in. underhand cut, 1st. prize £5, 2nd £1, 3rd 10/-. Nominations, with 5/- entry fee and last three performances to be in the hands of the promoter, Mr. W. F. Harris, on Tuesday 6th June. ……

Great interest centres in the challenge cut between George Neale (Karuah) and Bert. Blanch (Swan Bay), for £10 side wager. There has been keen rivalry between these two sports men and their supporters for some time and it has now culminated in a challenge. All arguments will be settled on 10th. Both men chop each year at Newcastle show and also in other contests. The fight will be a lively one as both are good with the axe and well matched.’

Advertisement for the Tea Gardens Wood-chop [Dungog and Gloucester Advertiser, 2 June 1933]

The Dungog Chronicle of 16 June 1933, page 4, further reported on the wood-chop:

‘A wood-chopping contest was held in Tea Gardens last Saturday; and despite the adverse weather conditions, proved a social success. The promoter, Mr. Harris, of the Port Stephens Hotel, deserves great credit for carrying on under the conditions; also for not disappointing those who braved the elements and travelled long distances to compete in the contest. Mr. George Neal, of Karuah, proved a competent handicapper, and also ably assisted in conducting the contest. Mr. Ken Frost also was the means of making the chop a social event, his knowledge of the sport being of great assistance. In all, fifteen choppers competed, and after a thrilling final, the results were “Darby” Ridgeway 1, Herb Blanch 2, George Neal 3. It is intended to conduct a chop on a higher scale in the near future.’

Advertisement for Woodchopping at the Mungo Brush Regatta – 1933

[Dungog Chronicle, 8 December 1933]

Wood Chopping Planned for New Year’s Day Regatta at Tanilba – 1935

The Dungog Chronicle of 12 October 1934, page 4, reported:

‘A meeting of the Port Stephens Aquatic and Land Sports Club, at which all parts of the district were represented, was held at Tanilba House on Sunday last. It was decided to hold the first annual regatta on New Year’s Day, 1935. A comprehensive programme, embodying speed and motorboat, sailing and sculling events, as well as horse events, running and a wood-chop, was arranged.’

Wood Chopping Held at the Tanilba Regatta – 1935

The Dungog Chronicle of 11 January 1935, page 4, reported:

‘It has been definitely decided that Tanilba Regatta which was held on New Year’s Day and the results of which appeared in last issue of the “Pilot,” will be an annual event henceforth. This news will be welcomed by those who wish to spend a pleasant holiday on the first day of the year. All tastes were catered for at Tanilba. There were races for sailing boats and for speed boats, there were sculling races, foot races and horse events. There was a wood-chop and a standing log chop. All these events were crammed into one day and were carried out successfully.’

Wood Chopping Planned for Aquatic and Land Sports Easter Carnival – 1935

The Dungog Chronicle of 8 February 1935, page 4, reported:

‘A large and representative number of citizens of Port Stephens attended a meeting held in the Australia Hall at Tea Gardens’ on the 24th January, and decided to hold a regatta and carnival under this club’s auspices on Easter Monday next. ……

A comprehensive programme of speed, motor boat, sailing and rowing races and wood chopping, and land sports was arranged for which the sum of £61 and trophies was allotted.’

Wood Chopping Planned for the Second New Year’s Day Regatta at Tanilba – 1936

The Dungog Chronicle of 20 September 1935, page 4, reported:

‘The Second Annual Regatta will be held at Tanilba Bay on New Year’s Day, 1936. Prize money not less than £100. Sailing, Rowing, Speed boats, wood chopping contest, land Sports of all kinds [will be held]. Last year 5,000 people attended and went away well satisfied, so reserve this day for this great event, not a dull moment.’

Wood Chop Organised for Tea Gardens – 1937

The Dungog Chronicle of 16 July 1937, page 4, reported:

‘Keen interest was taken in the wood chop organised by L. F. Engel and G. Godwin last Saturday afternoon. Choppers and their supporters came from around the district. Mr. H. Barnes of Stroud, (regular handicapper of the Axemens’ Association) was present and expressed his delight at such a large number of entries, the efficient manner in which the chop was conducted and the sportsmanship of the choppers. Mr. J. Griffith (Newcastle) was judge. Jack never finds it a trouble to travel to Tea Gardens to take a part in any sport. P. Ward was the time-keeper and starter. W. Cooper was at the gate and R. Marquis was everywhere that he was required. N. Passfield and G. Godwin were responsible for the handicaps that were so well done that the judge had to keep his eyes on the choppers to decide the winners.

Mr. Les Engel was the manager and deserves credit for the way he carried out his duties. E. Mason and W. H. Wilson, who were both on scratch in the chief event, were left so far behind that they had only commenced to chop when the winner was finished. These men were strangers, and it was difficult to handicap them; they expect to come back again to the next chop. They will be worth watching as they showed by their brief chopping that they were first-class choppers.

The results of the chop were: — 12 inch log. 1st heat — K. Frost 25 secs., 1st; Errol White 30 secs., 2nd. Five starters. 2nd heat — G. Gee 18 secs., 1st.; F. Davies 40 secs., 2nd. Five starters. 3rd heat — M. Ninness 20 secs., 1st.; J. Ray 9 secs., 2nd. Six starters. 4th heat — B. Armitage 40 secs., 1st.; W. Bartley 24 secs., 2nd. Seven starters. Final — K. Frost 1st ; M. Ninnes, 2nd; G. Gee 3rd; B. Armitage 4th.’

Wood Chopping a Success at the Mungo Brush Regatta – 1937

The Dungog Chronicle of 7 January 1938, page 4, reported:

‘The 30th annual regatta of the Port Stephens Regatta Club, held at Mungo Brush on December 27 and 28 was a brilliant success. ……..

The wood chop was interesting, and the choppers were urged on by their many supporters. Mr. Alf. Ireland was in charge and with Mr. L. F. Engel allotted the handicaps. The energetic secretary, Mr. L. F. Engel was ably supported in his work by his assistant, Mr. Aden Cook. Miss Jean Engel, Mr. R. Marquis and Mr. P. Ward assisted in collecting as the crowd came on to the ground. Messrs “Bowler” Ralph, Mick Dawson and Jack Mooney attended to the ground sports and kept things on the move.

Concluding Comments

Woodchopping competitions remain popular and are great crowd favourites at agricultural shows held throughout the state.

Once the realm of male competitors, the sport is now enjoyed by many female participants.

Researched and compiled by Kevin McGuinness

January 2024