Newman isn’t particularly rich in hard-wood trees but it now plays home to the best woodchopper in WA.

Brent Rees, who moved from Perth to Newman six months ago claimed fourth place at the 2019 Stihl Timbersports Australian Championships.

The diesel mechanic and third-generation competitive woodchopper has won the State title the past 14 years in a row and travelled to Geelong and faced the country’s best for the event, going down in the semifinal against the eventual winner.

The 34-year-old’s opponent, Laurence O’Toole, was also last year’s world champion.

“(Australians) nearly always go in as the favourite just because of how strong we are in the sport,” he said.

The Champions Trophy in Geelong runs a notoriously extreme wood chopping format, two participants racing through four disciplines in quick succession every round.

Rees completed five rounds on the day.

“I was pretty happy with the way I went, obviously living very remotely has just made me put in the hard yards a little bit more,” he said.

Rees said living in Newman had made his hobby more challenging, having to get timber sent from down south and account for the extra flight prices, however fitness and gym work was easier in a town with less distractions.

“As long as I stay away from the Purple Pub I’ll be fine,” he joked.

The father of one’s next big competition will be the 2019 Stihl Timbersports Australian Championships in September and he is appealing for anyone interested in being a sponsor or donating to not be shy.

“You win money but the money I won on the weekend didn’t even cover all my airfares and axes I used,” he said.