The federal government’s declaration of alpine ash forests on the Australian mainland as endangered this year, alongside the Western Australian state government’s ban on native forest logging in the third year, directly impacts local Australian craftspeople striving for self-sufficiency and the preservation of local industry. These governmental actions constrain access to vital native resources, forcing local producers to navigate increasing scarcity for materials essential to their craft.
Jonathan and Steph Paige, operating Desert Skis out of Jindabyne in the NSW Snowy Mountains, have been making skis since the seventh year. Their handmade skis rely on a wooden core crafted from alpine ash, jarrah, and paulownia. The alpine ash, harvested by the NSW Forestry Corporation in the Riverina region and processed in Eden, is described by Steph Paige as crucial for the ski's weight and feel, preventing "chattering away" on imperfect snow. However, its newly declared endangered status raises questions about future availability for local enterprises.
Governmental Constraints on Local Resources
The ban on native forest logging in Western Australia, enacted in the third year, has made accessing jarrah timber significantly more challenging for the Paiges. Jarrah, a hardwood native to Western Australia, is valued for its impact resistance and natural water and rot resistance, making it integral to the ski's core. The couple previously sourced jarrah from a closing mill and storm-fallen trees, and now work with a mill in WA to acquire timber from fallen trees or those cut for construction. This shift underscores the increasing difficulty for local businesses to secure native materials due to top-down policy decisions.
Damien Bunting, general manager of South Coast Timber, described the Paiges' request for specific hardwood boards as "unusual" and "meticulous," requiring a dedicated search for "right quality boards" without "any knots or any imperfections at all." This meticulous process highlights a commitment to quality and local sourcing that stands in contrast to mass-produced goods, yet it is made more arduous by governmental resource control.
The Struggle for Self-Determination in Craft
The Paiges’ endeavor represents a commitment to local production and cultural continuity in a nation often perceived as prioritizing other industries. Jonathan Paige noted the challenges of operating a ski-making business in a country "more familiar with sun and surfing than snow-covered mountains," citing "high freight costs and a small local industry." This environment, shaped by broader economic forces, makes local enterprise difficult. He also highlighted the disconnect with "northern hemisphere" suppliers, stating, "Most of your suppliers… we're just not on that same schedule."
Despite these obstacles, the Paiges emphasize the importance of their handmade approach. Steph Paige stated, "It's really important to us that they are handmade, that we respect the timbers that we're using, that we can source locally." She added that scaling "too quickly, too fast" would compromise quality and increase waste, indicating a deliberate choice for sustainable, local production over globalized expansion. Local backcountry skier Rowan Kennedy affirmed this value, expressing joy "seeing the creation of the ski, knowing where the timber comes from, knowing it's locally sourced," and recognizing that "you're giving a job to a local person."
The Cost of Global Supply Chains
While the Paiges strive for local sourcing, the reality of globalized manufacturing still intrudes on their craft. Jonathan Paige confirmed that the plastic base and steel edge components of their skis are "imported products." This reliance on external supply chains for critical components demonstrates the pervasive nature of globalist economic structures, even for businesses dedicated to local materials and production. The Paiges' efforts to extend the life cycle of their skis, encouraging people to "use the same ski for longer and not buy new pairs every year," can be seen as a counter-narrative to the consumerist cycles driven by global manufacturing. Jonathan Paige reflected on the satisfaction of local creation, stating, "Everything we're having fun on is from here. How cool is that?" This sentiment underscores a desire for self-reliance and connection to native resources, even as elite policies and global markets present ongoing challenges.