Charlie Winkel – Queensland
Charlie Winkel was born at Waraba Creek Cabulture QLD in 13th May 1904. He was one of 10 children. Charlie grew up at Mt Mee. He left school at an early age, and worked in the timber industry. In 1928 he married Kathleen Phillips at Ravenshoe in QL, they had 6 children, 3 boys and 3 girls.
1930 Charlie first competed at Sydney Royal Show aged 26. His championship wins at the Sydney Royal Show are as follows:
- 1930 Sleeper Squaring Championship (only time held)
- 1931 Australian 15 inch Standing Championship
- 1931 NSW 15 inch Underhand Championship
- 1931 Double Handed Sawing Championship (sawing partner Earnie Ehlerth)
- 1932 Commonwealth 13 inch Treefelling Dhampionship
Because of difficult times during the Great Depression he did not return to compete at Sydney Royal Show until 1938. This was the year that Sydney Royal Titles were designed to be World Titles.
- 1938 15 inch Standing World championship
- 1939 15 inch Underhand World Championship
- 1939 15 inch Standing World Championship (he was the first man to win the double world championship titles at the Sydney Royal Show)
1939 Charlie’s brother won the 13 inch World Tree-felling Championship. Carlie did not return to the Sydney Royal until the early 1950’s.
- 1953 Double Handed Sawing World Championship (with Jim Lavis)
He won 8 Queensland 15 inch Standing Block Championships at Brisbane Exhibition.
Charlie Winkel is the only man to have won the 13 inch Tree-felling Championship, 15 inch Underhand Championship, 15 inch Standing Championship and Double Handed Sawing Championship at the Sydney Royal Show. He was deprived of Legendary Status by the fact that 4 of these titles were called NSW, Australian and Commonwealth Championships prior to the event being renamed World Titles in 1938.
Charlie Winkel passed away in Dorrigo NSW aged 89 years. R.I.P.
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