Ron Sherriff

Described in his obituary by a well known woodchopping reporter as 'nature's gentleman ... a wonderful sportsman ... greatest all rounder produced in Tasmania', Ron Sherriff, a quiet unassuming Maydena logging contractor but originally from Lefroy, recorded his first win at Piper's River in 1947.

In a twenty year career, he went on to win 55 Tasmanian titles, 10 Australian championships and 4 world titles as well as winning the Oscar for gaining the most points at the Sydney, Melbourne and Hobart Shows. He also was the Champion of Champions at the Brisbane Show in 1964 and 1967 and won the all round Tasmanian title three years in a row from 1964-1966.

In 1962 Ron - at the Tasmanian Championships at Somerset - broke a 54 year old world record for the 24 inch standing block - a record still unbroken today. In 1966 at Lietinna, he broke his own world record when he cut through an 18 inch log in 53.0 seconds.

Killed in a logging accident in the Forth Valley in 1968, Ron Sherriff will be remembered as a former Australian captain, a champion axeman and a great ambassador for his sport, his state and his nation.