Timber Craft (1984) | Traditional Bush Timber Skills | Artisans of Australia

What does it take to rebuild a timber hut using only traditional bush skills?

In this captivating episode of Artisans of Australia, we follow the restoration of Coolamine Homestead, a timber slab hut built in 1883 in the alpine wilderness of Kosciuszko National Park, NSW.

Axemen Bill Boyd and Mark Garner, whose families have worked in the bush for generations, guide us through the authentic process of selecting Alpine Ash trees, felling them with precision, and shaping timber using broad axes, plum bobs, and age-old techniques. Their narration—rich with bush wisdom and practical insight—offers a rare glimpse into the craftsmanship that once defined rural Australia.

Produced by Film Australia for the Australian Heritage Commission, Artisans of Australia is a six-part series that celebrates the skills of tradespeople dedicated to preserving the nation’s architectural heritage. From timber huts and stone churches to stained glass and interior decoration, each episode documents the painstaking work of restoration through the eyes of the artisans themselves.

CHAPTERS
00:00 – Introduction & Bush Wisdom
01:16 – History of Coolamine Homestead
02:00 – Timber Selection: Alpine Ash
03:03 – Tree Felling Techniques
04:24 – Steering & Dropping the Tree
05:36 – Safety & Measuring Timber
06:03 – Preparing Logs for Slabs
07:15 – Transporting Slabs to Homestead
07:35 – Selecting Timber for Posts
08:21 – Measuring & Marking with Plum Bob
09:35 – Broad Axe Cutting & Squaring
10:43 – Removing Round Backs
10:59 – Splitting Slabs with Throw & Maul
12:25 – Trimming & Squaring Slabs
13:47 – Chamfering Edges for Weatherproofing
14:25 – Fitting Slabs into Grooved Posts
15:40 – Final Assembly & Tightening Over Time
16:52 – Reflections on Restoration Process


From the Film Australia Collection, National Film and Sound Archive of Australia
Title: Artisans of Australia: Timber craft
NFSA ID: 320062
Year: 1984
Credits:
Produced by Film Australia for the Australian Heritage Commission
Director: Paul Humfress
Producer: Pamela Paddon


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For reuse and licensing enquiries, please contact: access@nfsa.gov.au

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