Outstanding Service to the Sport
Don became interested in woodchopping while attending carnivals with his Father and Uncle and watching them compete. It was just after the 2nd World War and Sports meeting were starting up again. Though both Don’s mentors were good axemen, they didn’t travel far – competing mostly in the Castlemaine, Bendigo and Daylesford area. Despite his interest Don didn’t take up the axe to compete until 1962 at Marong (near Bendigo) on 13th Oct 1962.
He won the open underhand so consequently he was never a novice underhand cutter. It took several years for him to win an open block, always and still being a better underhand cutter. While his home Association is now the Midlands, Axemen’s Association early boundary movements had him joining the CVAA, the Bendigo and Korweinguboora Axemen’s Clubs. In all of these he supported his sport.
Handicapper for five years Bendigo Axemen’s Club and later same job at Korweinguboora. Then on to Midlands Axemen’s Association – again as handicapper for a number of years, then elected as secretary for a 15 year stint. In recognition of his service Don was made a Life Member in 1986 and awarded a mounted Golden Axe in recognition of service and dedication to MAA. It wasn’t just ‘office’ work though – in 2012 he was presented with a watch in appreciation of attending approximately 470 log getting working bees over 47 years.
Don has enjoyed the competition and has made many friends in his years of travelling to carnivals. One of his favourites is the Royal Adelaide Show where one really good year he had two underhand wins and several places. There are a number of points aggregates in Don’s resume – mostly underhands, but Standing Block, Double Handed Sawing and Veteran’s are also included.
Don continues to compete with his two sons and his grandson following him into his sport. He was also recently recognised as the longest supporting competitor in another Association. Don also was a donor to Hall of Fame Building Fund.