International Chainsaw Carving Grand Prix

The inaugural 2007 Tasmania’s International Chainsaw Carving Grand Prix was a huge success.  Competitors from Germany, Canada and New Zealand competed against Victoria’s 5 finest carvers.

A time allowance of 9 hours was set for the carving event, with an Open Forest theme.   Carving began early on Saturday morning and continued for a total of 5 hours and then roared back into life on the Sunday morning for the remainder of the event

Final judging commenced at the end of carving and was an intense affair with the public anxiously awaiting both the announcement of the winner and the start of auctioning for the pieces.

Saturday night saw our carvers move to the site of the Adam Harvey concert for an exciting 60 minute speed carve with an Open theme.    A various array of animals and a Ricky Ponting likeness quickly took shape and auctioning of those pieces was a spirited affair with the “Bundy Bear” proving to be a keenly sort after piece.

The main carve winner was Deborah Lloyd of New Zealand who carved out an impressive “TAZ”.    TAZ is now situated outside the Forest and Heritage Centre at Geeveston, a donation box has been made available in the Centre for donations to the Tasmanian Devil facial tumor disease fund.

The event was back again in 2008, with Deborah returning from New Zealand to defend her title.  Deborah was joined by five Victorian carvers, together with two carvers from Japan.