THE population of Milltown exploded on the weekend as close to 1000 people flocked to the 2024 Old Time Wood Days.

The event, which was located just north of Heywood, is organised by Andrew and Christine Duyvestyn and raised money for CIKA, Cancer in Kids at the Royal Children’s Hospital.

Last weekend’s Old Time Wood Days event marks 29 years since it began and saw more than 900 people through the gates and, according to Mr Duyvestyn, roughly $30,000 was raised.

Since its inception, the event, which seeks to provide a glimpse of life from a century ago and the skills required to live and farm in the area, has raised just over half a million dollars.

The trip back in time included snigging logs out of the bush with horses, wood turning, traditional post and rail fencing displays, campfire cooking displays and blacksmithing.

There were also stalls selling food and other goods including axes and whips.

There was also an auction and a campfire dinner on Saturday night comprising of, among other things, a woodfired feast of roast pork, smoked/rolled lamb, curried sausages and silverside.

Mr Duyvestyn said the event went perfectly.

“The weather was fantastic, the crowds were great,” he said.

“Saturday night was good, and the meal was good. So very successful weekend.”

Saturday night saw live music provided by Reverend Peter Cook from Hamilton, who performed alongside a couple of his friends.

For Mr Duyvestyn being involved in CIKA is tied to a deeply personal part of his life.

“We had a son that went through cancer treatment, and we got involved once we found out what they were doing,” he said.

“He was one of the lucky ones. He’s now reached 50. He was two years old (at the time of diagnosis).”

Alongside his personal story about why he is involved in CIKA, Mr Duyvestyn said it was important to teach the younger generations about the skills needed to survive in the past.

“I felt when I was growing up, I learned a few of it (the skills) from some of the older ones, and as I got older, I realised that we’re losing a lot of these skills,” he said.

CIKA Wood Weekend member, Malcolm Shepherd was at the fire pit stoking the flames and getting ready to cook nearly 150 meals for dinner.

“Just got to keep the fire going and make sure everything tastes great.”

Mr Shepherd has been doing CIKA Wood weekends for 29 years and said the best part of doing the event was meeting people.

Also at this year’s event was Grace Knight, 10, who said her favourite part of the event were the horses.

“Because they’re cute,” she said.