The Heyfield Timber Festival is on again next year following this year’s success after a 27-year hiatus. Source: Timberbiz
The Festival began several decades ago as a way of recognising the enduring relationship the district has with its forests, and Heyfield’s reliance on the timber industry for its prosperity.
But various circumstances meant that the festival ran out of steam until Felicia Stevenson and her small committee stepped in.
“We’re supposed to have it last year,” Felicia said.
“But because of COVID, we couldn’t have it until February this year.”
Next year’s festival will be on February 18.
Felicia said that bringing back the festival after so long had been a bit of a gamble.
“It was only because my husband and boys work in the timber industry,” she said.
But the impending closure of the native timber industry meant she felt that she needed to do something to give a little bit of hope.
“I wanted to give a little bit of something for people to come out and have a chat with the oldies.
“And I thought, why not just bring back the timber festival. It was only a small committee, and we made that happen.”
In the 1980s the festival showcased the process of logging, transport and production or utilisation of the timber, and featured a parade with log trucks, wood chopping competitions, displays of machinery, entertainment and carnival rides.
Much of that remains. This year’s event will include the spectacular wood chop event on Saturday, dog jumping, children’s entertainment, country market stalls, food trucks and live bands playing until late.
“We try to have something for the kids all the way up to 80-90 year olds,” Felicia said.
But the current uncertainty in the native timber continues in the background.
“Are we going to have loaded log trucks? What about logs for the wood chop.”
So far those problems look like they have been sorted.
And next year?
“I think we need to do it again,” Felicia said.
“It brings people in our community together again, and we’re hoping to do it every year.
“But if there’s no timber industry, and there’s no logs trucks, well…”
Felicia said it was important that people did not lose sight of the history of the timber industry in Hayfield.
“It can happen very quickly and I don’t want that to happen.”
For more information or tickets, phone Felicia Stevenson on 0487 359 559.
