When he won the World Standing Chop at Deloraine, Tasmania, 13^th January 1968, Ron had totalled 80 wood chopping championships. Four days later, this experienced timber worker and bushman died in a fatal accident near Devil's Gate in the Forth Valley of Tasmania.

Eulogies presented at his funeral were expressed in the words:

 

"A great ambassador for Tasmania wherever he went, an outstanding sportsman and a fine personality".

"The greatest all-round axeman and sportsman, this country has ever known".

The life and death of Ron Sherriff was respectfully acknowledged by more than three thousand people at the Royal Easter Show, as they stood in silence in the central arena and a 15 inch coastal ash was draped with an Australian Team singlet and many Championship ribbons. This was a significant tribute to a memorable Australian axeman.

Ronald Sherriff, the 11^th January 1931, was the first born of fifteen children to Roy and Phoebe Sherriff, at his grandparent's home at The Tunnel in North East Tasmania. . Along with his brothers and sisters, he attended the Lilydale Area School. Like many oldest children in the family, he regarded himself as the protector of his younger siblings. Most school days involved "scraps and punch-ups" as he defended the family honour.

At 13 yrs of age he left school and went to work for his dad from eight in the morning until five in the afternoon. He assisted felling trees and would cut mill logs with a crosscut saw, which were then dragged by a bullock team to a landing and then transported by a truck to a mill in Lilydale.

At 16 yrs of age, Ron won his first wood chopping event at Pipers Brook, having borrowed two shillings to enter. His winnings were ten shillings.

In 1953 he took a serious interest in competitive wood chopping and until 1959 he averaged nine major wins per year. It was in 1953 and 1954 that he won his first tree-felling events at the Melbourne Show.

He married Myrtle (Toby) McCoy on the 13^TH November 1954. Whilst living at Bracknell from 1954 to 1955 he worked at clearing ground for the transmission line from Deloraine to Cressy. He then moved his family to Rossarden. It was a matter of going to where work was. Joining his mates the Youd brothers, he once again took his family to live at Maydena. This move was more beneficial financially as payment was for timber cut. He was able to choose his times to pursue his woodchopping sport.

 In 1955 he won the 42-inch girth big-block event at the Hobart Show and later gained a reputation as a "big block" specialist. By the end of 1959 Ron's expertise in the "butcher block" event was firmly established.

In 1961 he gained 24 wins and one thousand pounds in prize money. Still a big-block specialist, he developed into an all-round champion axeman and gradually accumulated:

4 World Championships

10 Australian Championships

55 Tasmanian Championships
All in the standing and tree-felling events until his death in1968

He represented Tasmania and Australia, captained his state and toured New Zealand in 1961 and Great Britain, South Africa and Rhodesia in1966 where they travelled 24 000 miles and gave 24 chopping exhibitions.

One of his most notable achievements was in breaking the 54-year-old record for the 24-inch chop, or "butchers block". In 1962 Ron's effort was described as a "magnificent display of endurance, stamina and experience to finish 50 blows in front of fellow champion Tasmanian axeman, Clayton Stewart.

His favourite event was the tree felling and even at the peak of his career, his fitness regime, included a regular running and fitness routine

What were the qualities that made Ron Sherriff a Champion Axeman? Was it that:

*A tough upbringing inured to hardship from an early age?

*Cutting and splitting wood developed stamina, endurance and precision with the axe?

*In the face of defeat, he would analyse his opponent's strengths and weaknesses and endeavour to challenge these.

From a young age Ron was a natural athlete. Like most country boys of his era, he enjoyed sport but lacked opportunities. He excelled at cricket, football and golf He was a self-taught musician and played the guitar and accordion.

In January 1968 Ron was clearing the slopes and felling a eucalypt in the Mersey Valley of Tasmania. The tree hit a limb and the butt slapped back knocking him to the ground. It was a fatal accident.

Ron Sherriff will be remembered as a loyal, passionate and committed person, a true champion in his sport that was enhanced with a life of humility, generosity and a willingness to help others.