‘Get back to the heights of yesteryear’: Lindsay Dingle shares show tradition hopes

With a long and proud history in the sport, one of the region’s best known axemen has shared his thoughts on how to make sure the Bundy show favourite stays a cut above the rest. Watch some of the woodchopping in action:

More than just a sport or a part of local show history, woodchopping is a family tradition for the Dingles.

With fond memories of the show movement, Mount Perry’s Lindsay Dingle is a ‘chip off the old block’ in the woodchopping game; recalling his first chop victory at the Bundaberg Show when he was just 15-years-old.

And he has no intentions of seeing the iconic showtime tradition axed.

“I was one of three brothers that compete, three uncles and a father – so there’s a family-type tradition behind why we do it,” he said.

“It wouldn’t have mattered if we’d played darts or another sport, but it was just a given that we’d picked up an axe.

“My sons are now following through the same tradition, hence the reason I’m here, because I get a lot of enjoyment trying to keep up with them and try and promote the sport as much as we can.”

Mr Dingle said it was a healthy, clean and fair sport with multiple categories and friendships to be made.

FULL SWING: Kurt Dingle and Mark Russell put their skills on show during the Bundaberg Show's 2021 woodchopping demonstration.

“You can be mates and then while the event’s on you’re a competitor and 15 minutes after the event you’re back mates again,” he said.

“The mateship side of woodchopping’s a great thing.”

Having travelled with the sport, Mr Dingle said he was lucky to have mates in the sport for many years.

He said it was also a family sport, with his wife and daughter also involved.

“My wife’s family was involved in the sport, I met my wife in woodchopping at the Adelaide Show,” he said.

“I’ve got a bit owed to woodchopping I suppose.”

From standing events to underhand (between the feet), tree climbing and more, there’s plenty of variety in the world of woodchopping.

Mr Dingle said the sport could struggle moving forward with the environment and perception of using wood products changing, but he’s hopeful the sport will one day return to the heights of its former glory.

He believes it would be sustainable as they were using a non-commercial timber and they’re “pretty much self sufficient” funding the project through nomination fees and they’re using more plantation species.

Particularly in light of recent success and the state’s strong women’s competition, Mr Dingle believes Queensland’s in good stead for at least the next 20 years.

And Bundaberg is no exception.

A CUT ABOVE THE REST: Mark Russell and Bonnie Coolee on the jack and jill saw at the 2021 Bundaberg Show.

“I think there’s huge potential, Bundaberg’s been a fantastic district for a long, long time and it’s not just the town, it’s the district itself,” he said.

“It services a big district, a big area and I think we can get back to the heights of yesteryear and the good, fond memories I have of the show.

“I call upon people to step up and support the local show – whether it be financially or support role; because without our show movement and the next generation coming in and enjoying the show movement, what else have we got for entertainment for the younger generation that is good, clean, healthy things for them to do with like-minded people in the showgrounds?”

Mr Dingle said it would be a good thing for every district to maintain.

“If we lose it, I just wonder what next?” he said.

He said their sport was about tradition as much as any other part of the show and he wants to see that maintained.

Mr Dingle said it would be good to see tree climbing brought to the show in future.

Described as a marathon event of a few minutes, the tree climbing comp required skill to cut the pockets and put planks in on each side.

The crosscut sawing event for women and junior events are areas he said that could also be increased.

PUTTING ON A SHOW: Lindsay Dingle showing a crowd how axe throwing is done at the Bundaberg Show.

While the midweek timeslot makes it difficult for competitors on shift work, Mr Dingle said if the prize money was increased it may help cover travel and accommodation costs, and boost the sport.

“Evidence of it the other day in Biloela Show, $16,000 in prize money or something like that, and some of the world’s best axemen turned up for it,” he said.

“The sky’s the limit I reckon.”

At this year’s Bundaberg Show the crowd was treated to a woodchopping demonstration with various saws and axes, and even axe throwing.

For more information on the Bundaberg Show click here.