Ashlee Trace, from Brooklands, and LifeFlight Community Fundraising co-ordinator (North Coast) Mandy Hentschel with Maidenwell Community Group president Cr Gavin Jones

October 10, 2019

The Maidenwell Community Group aims to “save a life” with its annual Maidenwell Post Rip weekend … and they did it again this year, handing over a cheque for $12,500 on Sunday to the LifeFlight Foundation.

They also managed to have a lot of fun.

The weekend of chainsaw action featured the 090 Australian Post Rip title, the Queensland Jack’n’Jill title, the Queensland Team State title as well as speed racing, disc stacking and a string of local chainsaw competitions.

A total of $6500 in prize money was up for grabs.

Community group president Cr Gavin Jones said there were more than 55 competitors – men and women – registered in competitions across the two days.

“It’s the second biggest chainsaw event in Australia,” he said.

“And we couldn’t do it without our sponsors.”

On Saturday night, competitors and their families and friends enjoyed a fundraising dinner in the Maidenwell Hall, catered for by “The Sauce Man” ie. John Whitley and Nigel Squibb.

The night included an auction, live music from Ryza and even two songs by classical singer (and guest speaker) Margo Orbell.

On Sunday, it was back to the serious business of chainsaws, but there were also demonstrations of whipcracking, chainsaw sculpting by Keith Gall, and slow cooking.

Cr Jones said any extra money raised from the weekend would go towards projects by the Community Group.

Matt Osborne, from Kendall in NSW, took home the 090 Australian Post Rip title, with Maidenwell’s own Darryl Adams runner-up.

Footnote: $12,500 is the estimated cost of one life-saving flight by the RACQ LifeFlight helicopter from Toowoomba to the South Burnett.

Maidenwell Community Group members Linet Pincott, Kerin Cullen, Robyn Bliss and Vicki Gorton
LifeFlight Foundation regional development manager Jodi Durkin, Jordyn Wilson, 8, from Maidenwell; Cr Terry Fleischfresser; and Jaycie, 12, and Ross Trace, from Brooklands, were watching the action
Dean and Kerin Cullen, from Maidenwell, were not only heavily involved in organising the weekend, they also were competing … the pair teamed up for the local Jack’n’Jill competition on Sunday
Last year’s Australian Post Rip 090 title holder, Wayne Donovan, from Crows Nest was out of luck this year … he was relaxing at lunchtime on Saturday with chief judge Graeme Motley, from Plainby
Brad and Tamara Scorgie, with Aysha, 12, and Ryder, 4, travelled from Chinchilla for the competition
Jodie Osborne, NSW; Cooper Scorgie, 10, Chinchilla; Matt Osborne, NSW; and Jason and Katrina Chisholm, from Tenterfield … after a tough two days of competition in the heat, Matt took home the Australian Title
Watching the action were Karli and Michael Sanford, from Maidenwell … on October 19 the pair will be heading off to compete at the NBHA World Barrel Racing Championships in Perry, Georgia; they will be hiring horses in the United States to compete in the event after qualifying by accumulating points in competitions in south-east Queensland

* * *

A Taste Of The Action


 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.