Big Day Out At The Country Show

THE annual country agriculture shows are a fantastic day out for the whole family. Scheduled from February to March, each show has its own individual program but all portraying a rural theme. A day out consists of everything from cattle and sheep being judged, horse jumping, fun rides and sideshow alley for the kids. O cial awards are presented to life members and show girl, kelpies round up sheep in the time trials, the smell of BBQ is in the air and thousands of people roam in every direction looking to witness the next event.

Yes, there is something for everyone!

Woodchopping

Always popular at every show is the woodchopping, so we enquired with one of the most experienced campaigners about the challenges of this exciting spectator event.

Damien Hopkins from Jerangle has spent 24 years wood chopping at country shows, starting out as a 16-year-old and working his way not only through thousands of blocks of wood, but to be recognised as one of the elites in the region. Visitors to the Monaro region shows may have witnessed Damien swing the axe with the ferocity that makes short work of any log in sight. When asked what keeps him returning each year to the woodchopping arena, Damien said, “Just the camaraderie and competitiveness of it”.

“A lot of training, good axes and allround knowledge of what you’re doing really,” is how Damien described the way to stay competitive.

Spectators easily notice the skilful contestants, not only by how fast they chop but also the chunks of wood despatched with each blow.

“Speed and technique” were the keys for Damien to excel at his craft, with an emphasis on the latter. “Probably technique is more important than anything,” he said. He described the key performance features as “good slope and angles on your axes, so it gives it further secant in the wood”.

Competitors start at di erent times, each having a handicap depending on their skill level, how they have previously