After 48 years of woodchop, Phil Campbell still holds the sport in which he has won numerous titles in high regard. Next week Phil will compete at the Brisbane Ekka in both masters and open categories.
The Cooroy builder tried his first stint at wood chop as a 15-year-old school boy then in his 20s followed his brother into the sport in which he has remained.
As captain and manager of the Australian Masters team, Phil has competed most weekends for the past 4-5 months and will compete against New Zealand next March.
During the week building houses keeps him in fit condition.
Over the years, he’s won world and national titles and can “still match it with the best”.
At the Ekka Phil will compete in about 20 events over 10 days in both masters and open categories.
“There’s only two events for over 60s,” the 69-year-old said. “Most of it is open slather.”
Phil admits he likes a competition and his aim at the Ekka is to “beat everybody” but it will also be a time to catch up with wood choppers from around the country and New Zealand.
Phil said it was very much a family and social-oriented sport. There are plenty of Jack and Jill teams with husbands and wives sawing together and the handicap system which staggers the times competitors begin their chop allows people of all ages to be part of the race.
“We’ve got guys who are 80 years old. It gives those guys a chance to compete and have a win,” he said.
There are also lots of kids who come along to the competitions and begin from as young as three years old by using a wooden axe to chop on a used log.
For a number of years Phil teamed up with his son Dean who were both members of the Australian side.
This year Dean will miss the Ekka because of work commitments, but the keen woodchopper aims to make an appearance at the Adelaide show later in the year.
The Royal Queensland Show (the Ekka) will run from 12-20 August. For more information visit ekka.com.au
