On Australia Day, the restored Big Axe at the iKew Visitor Centre will be unveiled.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The official reveal will take place at 10am and be performed by mayor Peter Besseling. The restoration work was undertaken by the Kendall Men’s Shed.
A barbecue and refreshments will be available for purchase.
The Kendall Men’s Shed is responsible for the refurbishment work, assisted by some local businesses and supported by Port Macquarie-Hastings Council.
Fans of the axe will notice the supports have been shortened by two metres so the axe stands lower to the ground which will give visitors an easier height for photos.
The men’s shed thanked Dennis Comer who was another person who played quite a large part in the proceedings. Dennis, from Temporary Fence Hire, used his truck to transport the axe to and from the Kendall Men's Shed and supplied the security fencing while the axe was being demolished.
iKew Visitor Centre was successful in securing a $5000 Place Making grant in Round 1 of the 16/17 General Community Grants to fund the work.
They partnered with the Kendall Men’s Shed and other local volunteers. The handle has been restored and repainted.
The old head was deemed beyond repair and a new one was fabricated by Peter Harper at the men’s shed.
The new axe and support arms weigh 800km. This is the third head the axe has had and the second handle since it was installed in the late 1970’s.
“It’s great to have the big axe back in front of the iKew Centre. A special thank you to the Kendall Men’s Shed and all the volunteers that helped remove, renovate and reinstall the axe,” said Faith Bell, iKew Centre publicity officer volunteer.
“The Kendall Men’s Shed is proud to be supporting the local community. This axe is a symbol to the unique history of the area, commemorating the original timber getters,” said Peter Harper, Kendall Men’s Shed vice president.
The axe was reinstalled on January 17 and will be officially opened on January 26.