Photograph of a tree stump with axeman's footholes at Camberville.camberville, tree stump, forestry

This image is one from a series of portraits taken by Rob Elliott to record the character of the Border District through the faces if its identities. Garry Smith was a champion axeman from Northeast Victoria who represented Australia on more than 40 occasions including winning 28 world titles and more than 200 state and district wood chopping events. Memorial wood chopping events are still held in his honour including an annual event at the Mitta Muster in Northeast Victoria.Garry Smith was a hardwood logging contractor for Dunstans at Wodonga for 25 years. After retiring from competition, Mr. Smith managed the Australian senior and junior teams for 10 years. He was a prime mover in the establishment of the Victorian Axemen's Council and the Australian Axemen's Association. He served 21 years as president of the North-East Axemen's Association. At one stage, Garry was president of the Australian, Victoria and North-East Axemen's Associations at the same time. Mr. Smith passed away in Wodonga in 2011.This is a portrait of a district axeman who represented Australian many times including winning 28 world titles and made a major contribution to his sport.A photo of Garry Smith, a champion axeman, honing the edge of one axe with a 2nd axe in a log on the ground. He is leaning on a log held upright in a vice. He is wearing trousers and a white singlet.champion axe men, wood chopping, gary smith

Black and white photo of John Edward McClare, champion axeman.mcclare, john e

Colour photograph of a tree stump at Camberville, showing the foot holes created for the axemen to climb the tree.tree stump, foot holes, axeman, camberville

Information supplied by Stephen Trembath. Warwick Farm was established by my late grand parents Polly (nee Mary Ann Cole) and George Barratt and their 5 children George Jnr, William, James, John (my maternal Grand Father) and Teddy. Their story is told in a book "The wine of Courage" written in 1977 by N.M. Roberts ISBN 0 7223 1003. Their story started when their bank closed their doors on 13 April 1893 and they lost their cafe business in South Melbourne. Two days later, they were ready to head for a new start in Queensland when they saw in the morning paper that the Dandenong Ranges had been thrown open to land release to people. A few days later, having been granted land they headed to Ferntree Gully. From there they walked to the new holding in what would become Olinda. Then George with his sons help had to build a shelter for the family for the night. They chose to name the property "Warwick Farm". Work on the house started a few days later with help from neighbours Mr. Dodd, Mr Beattie, the O'Sheas and others. Come November, Ruby was born. Then bushfire burnt down the newly built house. Back to a bark hut until another house could be built. The new house became a guest house at the suggestion of a neighbour, when George couldn't sell timber and was waiting for crops. The first guests visited in 1898 and another baby, Percival, was born. ....................................................... It was George's son Jim, who was a skilled carpenter and axeman who extended the home to take from 12 to 30 guests. In 1950 Warwick Farm became the home of distinguished writer and journalist C.E.Sayers for a number of years.Photo Series Pictorial Postcard # 981 showing the property Warwick Farm on Olinda Road.Printed on back: PHOTO SERIES Pictorial Postcards. Published by S. Jamieson Bros. Alphington Vic. Phone Northcote 60warwick farm, olinda, postcard, photo series, olinda road, george barratt, barratt, guest house, guest house

camberville, axemen, footholes, woodmen

footholes, axemen, woodmen, camberville