North and South Burnett woodchoppers have once again left their mark on the Ekka this year, taking out an Australian title, several runners-up, and a ’Champion of Champions’ trophy.
The woodchop at the 2025 Royal Queensland Show began on Saturday 9 August and concluded a week later on 16 August.
Several Burnett axemen and -women took to the arena to chop for gold.
Their efforts paid off: Blackbutt’s Mitch Argent claimed the 325mm standing block Australian championship, edging out Toowoomba’s Brayden Meyer and Jake Dingle from Mundubbera for the title.
Argent also took out first place in the first division of the Open 300mm standing block handicap and second in the Open 300mm standing block Royal Queensland Show championship.
Together with his partner Anne Paterson, Argent further came third in the Jack and Jill 375mm double-handed sawing Australian championship.
Paterson, who came runner-up in the women’s 275mm underhand Australian championship event at the Ekka, was named the Queensland Axemen’s Association’s 2025 Champion of Champions, retaining the perpetual trophy for the fourth year in a row.
The Burnett also chalked up a number of other woodchop wins at the Ekka. Okeden’s seasoned axeman Craig Wagner won the veteran’s 275mm underhand handicap, with his son Bryan taking out first in the open 300mm treefelling handicap event.
The pair also dominated the father-and-son 250mm combination relay event, finishing in first place after a hard double-feature of underhand- and standing block chopping.
Craig Wagner was also named one of two new life members of the Queensland Axemen’s Association at this year’s Ekka, accepting the honour alongside John Gossow.
Rodney Dingle from Mundubbera took out first place in the second division of the 250mm open standing block handicap, coming runner-up in the open 275mm underhand as well as the father-and-son relay won by the Wagners, where he competed with Jake Dingle.
The podium placements at this year’s Ekka achieved by Burnett locals are:
325mm Standing Block Australian Championship
First: Mitch Argent
Third: Jake Dingle
350mm Underhand Australian Championship
Second: Jake Dingle
Open 300mm Underhand Handicap
Third: Jake Dingle
Open 275mm Underhand Handicap
Second: Rodney Dingle
Veterans 275mm Underhand Handicap for Competitors 60 years and over
First: Craig Wagner
Womens 275mm Underhand Championship of Australia
Second: Anne Paterson
Open 300mm Standing Block Royal Queensland Show Championship
Second: Mitch Argent
Third: Jake Dingle
Open 325mm Standing Block Handicap (First Division)
Third: Brodie Dingle
Open 300mm Standing Block Handicap (First Division)
First: Mitch Argent
Second: Jake Dingle
Open 250mm Standing Block Handicap (Second Division)
First: Rodney Dingle
Open 300mm Treefelling Handicap
First: Bryan Wagner
Open 325mm Treefelling Championship of Australia
Second: Bryan Wagner
Open 400mm Relay Handicap (Teams of Two)
Second: Brodie Dingle and Bryan Wagner
Father and Son 250mm Combination Relay Handicap – Underhand and Standing
First: Bryan and Craig Wagner
Second: Jake and Rodney Dingle
Jack and Jill 375mm Double Handed Sawing Handicap
Third: Jake Dingle and Emma Maxwell
Jack and Jill 375mm Double Handed Sawing Championship of Australia
Third: Mitch Argent and Anne Paterson
Women’s Champion of Champions: Anne Paterson
