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

Video Description

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 Watch more from the Artisans of Australia series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLE25345CC43816E9E Subscribe for more heritage documentaries from the Film Australia Collection: https://www.youtube.com/@NFSAFilms?sub_confirmation=1 For reuse and licensing enquiries, please contact: [email protected] #Timbercraft #CoolamineHomestead #AustralianHeritage #BushSkills #TraditionalCraftsmanship #FilmAustralia #KosciuszkoNationalPark #ArtisansOfAustralia #HistoricRestoration #NFSA