Manny has an illustrious and enviable record in woodchopping events. He dominated at the Sydney Royal for many years with his first cut at the Show in 1921 when he was 19- he came 2nd in the Championship. His woodchopping days began on the NSW mid-north coast where he worked as a young man cutting railway sleepers.
In 1924 he moved to Sydney where he worked for many years chopping baker’s wood for the fuel ovens of the dozens of bakeries in the metropolitan area – he chopped 2 ton a day at one pound per ton. Manny’s records include twelve wins in World & Commonwealth championships at the Sydney Royal between 1924 & 1966 & seventeen 2nd or 3rd places in these events. These championships were over all disciplines.
He was also successful in 2 Man events, his partners including sons Jim & Jack, Leo Appo & Norm Baxter.
He cut for many years in NSW team at Sydney Royal &, often, for a team win.
In 1965 he won the Veteran’s Underhand- also at Sydney.
He had many successes in championships and handicap events at country and interstate shows. He still holds the record for an 18-inch Underhand cut at Dandenong Show in Victoria – an impressive 52.4 seconds.
Manny was particularly proud of the fact that his sons Jack and Jim often competed alongside him and sometimes partnered him in events.