History of the Blackwood Woodchop & Easter Carnival.
By Margot Hitchcock, Historian for the Blackwood & District Historical Society.
The First Axeman’s Carnival was held in Blackwood in 1952. A newspaper report stated- ‘Bacchus Marsh Express, Saturday 18 April 1953. – Easter Sports at Blackwood, – The Blackwood Sports Association held their second Axemen’s carnival on Easter Saturday. A much bigger attendance was expected than the 700 who paid admission to the grounds. Rain on Friday night and Saturday kept a large number away, and somewhat nullified the efforts of the committee, who had worked so hard for a successful meeting. Bigger prize money on this occasion attracted many first class axemen from all parts of Victoria and the two major events were run off in heats. Apart from the prize money, a “Hytest” -green racing axe was donated by the Hytest Axe and Tool Co. for the underhand chop, and a “Plumb” special racing axe by Messrs. Fazette. R. Plumb, inc., Philadelphia, for the standing block. For these two events, two sashes were donated, one by the President (Mr. F. Melrose), and the other by Mr. M. (Mick) Healey, the Forestry officer. The goal-kicking competition introduced on this occasion was very popular, and attracted many entries. The £30 underhand chop was won by G. Johnson, of Mansfield, with M. Healey (Blackwood) second. and J. Gilholme (Trentham third). There were 15 entries. The £30 standing block was won by J. Gilholme (Trentham); M. Healey second. There were 15 entries for this event. The £5 novice, with 16 entries, was won by A. Miller, of Wandin, with G. Johnson (Mansfield) second, and G. Morris (Trentham) third. The £5 maiden chop was won by A. Spratling, of Blakeville; K. Hodge (Blakeville) second; and G. Morris (Trentham) third. The double-handed saw event for £7 was won by A. Herrod and A. Spratling (Blakeville). Single-handed saw -A. Elliot (Wandin). The £20 goal-kicking event was won by J. McMahon, of Darley, with J. Carr Bacchus Marsh) second, and J. Ashby (Bacchus Marsh), third. The 100 yards sprint was won by R. Martin, of Darley. Cr. L. D’Arcy, M.L.A., presented the prizes.
The third Axemen’s Carnival on Easter Saturday was held in 1954 to mark the occasion of Centenary year for Blackwood as stated in the – Bacchus Marsh Express, Saturday 30 January 1954. Blackwood Easter Carnival. The annual meeting of the Blackwood Sports Association was held last week, with a fair number present. The credit balance of the Association was disclosed as £178/10/-, and it was decided to hold a big Axemen’s Carnival on Easter Saturday, to mark the occasion of Centenary year for Blackwood. This will be a registered wood chop fixture. The two main events, the underhand and standing block, are both £50 events. There will also be novelty events such as tree-felling, and a race between chain saw, axeman, and doublehanded saw. Other items will make up a good programme. The association were fortunate on this occasion to have with them Mr. V. Fleming, secretary of the Victorian Axemen’s Association, and he gave very good advice and guidance. He promised to be present at the sports, and volunteered to act as announcer. Some of Victoria’s best axemen will be seen in action on this occasion. The association is going to a big expense to entertain the people at Easter. Some donations are already in hand, and further subscriptions would be gratefully received. Apart from this sports meeting on the Easter Saturday, it is to be hoped that other entertainments will be organised for the Easter period. Many hundreds of people will be coming back to Blackwood for this centenary meeting, and no doubt people living in surrounding districts will come along on this occasion and renew their acquaintances.
A further report after the Easter Carnival stated – Express, Bacchus Marsh, Saturday 24 April 1954. AFTER 100 YEARS. Constable On Point Duty at Blackwood. The Blackwood Centenary celebrations went off with a great swing over the Easter holidays. A very large crowd of people visited Blackwood for the occasion, many of them “coming back” after 40 and 50 years. On Saturday the population of Blackwood rose to about 3000, the highest since the early sixties, but the majority returned home the same night, owing to lack of accommodation. They had come for the Centenary Axemen’s Carnival, which was a great success. Cars lined every street in Blackwood, and a constable was needed to direct traffic, for the first time in the history of the town. A novel event was a triangular contest between a two-man crosscut saw, an engine-driven chain saw (with crew of two) and an axeman, who all attacked identical logs. The crosscut saw won easily, with the chain saw second. Messrs. R. Joshua, M.H.R., and L. F. D’Arcy, M.L.A., attended the Easter Saturday sports and presented the trophies. Good Friday night was taken up with a concert in the hall. The people were told how gold was first discovered here in an account of some early history, and there were some very good musical items. On Saturday night a huge crowd attended the dance connected with the sports. On Sunday a tennis tournament was held at the Red Hill Court, and a barbecue at night, the court being lit up with electric lights for the occasion. On Monday morning a “back to school” was staged. Many had their “school togs” on again for the occasion, and it was delightful to see many old pupils present. Mrs. Morphet was the teacher for this occasion. She was an early teacher at the Golden Point school, as Miss Vigor. Mrs. Morphet read out the attendance rolls from 1878 to 1930, and many ex-pupils were present in a crowded schoolroom. On Monday afternoon a procession starting from the old Royal Mail Hotel (Golden Point) to the Sports Ground was a very fine affair, led by the band on a lorry. There were many decorated floats relating to the goldfield days. Dancing along the route and in the Sports Ground, the people were thoroughly enjoying themselves. Dozens were dressed up for the occasion. On Monday night a fancy dress ball was held to conclude the Centenary celebrations Probably (he oldest “comeback” at the Blackwood Centenary celebrations was .Mr. George Jensen, aged 94, of Melbourne, whose father once conducted a bakery at Golden Point.
Mr. Jensen is staying at present with his daughter, Mrs. Jack Smith at Bacchus Marsh. A lot of work was put into this festival, and the Blackwood folk deserve a great amount of credit for their effort.
Previous to this the Easter Festival started off as a Sports Carnival at the Blackwood Sports Ground and early newspaper reports show one was back as far as 1879. It was reported as – Ballarat Courier, Saturday 19 April 1879, BLACKWOOD. On Easter Monday Sports were held on the cricket ground, which, in conjunction with the cricket match drew a very fair attendance. The first race, for a prize of £2, presented by Mr D. Cameron, U.L.A, was won by Mr K. Edwards; second prize of 15s. was taken away by some of the Williamstown visitors second race, of three pounds, was won by John Gribble 1st, George Collins 2nd, Chambers 3rd. In the evening a cricketer’s ball was held in the Mechanics’ Institute, Red Hill, which was quite a success in its way, nearly 200 being present A good big band from Melbourne discoursed sweet music for the dancers, who kept it up until four am, everyone enjoyed themselves to the top of their bent, and thus closed the Easter festivities.
As early as 1930 it was reported in the Bacchus Marsh Express Saturday 10 May 1930. BLACKWOOD CARNIVAL. By “A Dark Horse.” – In conjunction with the Blackwood Sports Association, the Ariel Motor Cycle Club held a carnival at the Recreation Reserve on Easter Monday. A large number of the members journeyed to this well-known beauty spot for the week-end. Saturday afternoon found some of the happy party preparing their camp, while others made themselves comfortable in a room kindly supplied by two of Blackwood’s popular residents.
Researched by Margot Hitchcock from her forthcoming book ‘The History and Pioneers of Blackwood’, hopefully to be published soon. Other books published by Margot Hitchcock – “Aspects of Early Blackwood”, Some History of Simmons Reef, Blackwood” and “The Billy Pincombe Tragedy”. See – www.blackwoodpublishing.com
For help with information on Blackwood ancestors contact Margot Hitchcock – email – margothitchcock@bigpond.com
