In 2003, Australian Wood Review#38 featured an article about Bonum Sawmills, Moulamein Rd, Barham, near the Murray River in New South Wales.
The mill was owned by third generation sawmiller Gavin Rowe (now deceased). The Rowe family has owned and operated sawmills in the Hamilton, Victoria and Barham, NSW areas for around 100 years.
At that stage the Barham mill was processing sawlog sourced from sustainably managed forests in the Koondrook and Campbell’s Island State forests. Furniture and benchtop material, along with veneer were at high value end of their production.
With the closure of redgum forests on the NSW side of the Murray River however, also came the eventual closure of the mill in 2010.
Timber stock, milling equipment, woodworking machinery, steel, tools, furniture, vehicles and collectibles are to be auctioned on Friday Nov 7 and Saturday Nov 8.
The website at www.bonumsawmills.com contains lists of all items. Timber stock includes redgum slabs, packs, sleepers and droppers, spotted gum and blackbutt packs and pine packs. Dressed and jointed redgum sections are also available for purchase. In all there is over 500 cubic metres (600 plus) packs of timber to be auctioned.
For more information call Adrian Peel 0427 776 942, or Glen Gray 0428 851 768.