SYDNEY’S Royal Easter Show has had a surprising impact on faraway Rheola.
The popular woodchopping events at Rheola’s 152nd Charity Carnival saw fewer entrants this year, with many axemen skipping the relaxed vibe of the country fair for the big city lights and the more lucrative prizemoney up north.
While the two occasions are held every Easter, the woodchopping events don’t always coincide exactly, but this year worlds collided.
It meant that local stars such as the Coffey boys from Inglewood headed for Sydney rather than Rheola. Still, the Wimmera Axemen’s Association was able to schedule 10 competitive events watched by enthusiastic spectators. There were events for under-18s through to veterans in a variety of disciplines.
The highlight was the Ken Sutton Memorial Underhand Championship, which was won by Clayton Draper ahead of Rod Meyer.
The pair later combined to win the 2-Man Cross Cut Sawing Handicap and also finished runners-up in the 2-Man Butchers Block event. 
Regan O’Toole took out the Under-18 Underhand Championship, while Allan Pearce won the Veterans’ Underhand title.
Logs for the day were cut and donated by David and Sue Coffey and later auctioned off as firewood.