I've been going through this site this morning. There is tons of information just in the pictures. Thanks for taking the time to look it up.
http://mha-net.org/docs/v8n2/wildac07b.htm
Found it finally.
This is where to go to see how the are built by teams of masons .A great resource lots of step by step builds ,photos,plans ,advice etc.
Its great for you ,dirt sailor ,big jim,et al because its in your country. You can see all sorts of versions of ovens.
Thats the barrel idea which is a way faster build.
The bar top is bit of Australian red cedar ,cut north south about 2'' thick. 9 feet long. Its all locked up now you can't buy it as finished timber it was logged to the point of almost no return in the 1800s . Wonderful furniture timber. That was from a tree on private property, cut years ago & warehoused.I sanded it back ,filled the knot holes ,oiled it ,buffed it.Then sat it on that plinth of convict bricks.
I think this is the inspiration I needed to start digging. After reading and seeing results, I think I like the barrel type better too. A a lot simpler to build also. Thanks again for the link