Cattle were taken up to the Bogong High Plains by the Kiewa Valley farmers who had a lease there in their allocated area. The cattle roamed and were mustered in late summer. At this time they also sorted the cattle using the cattle's brands for identification.Types of breeds bred in the Kiewa Valley and the names of families who grazed cattle on the Bogong High Plains is of historical interest and also gives an insight into the history of cattle grazing.White paper, black print. Chart's headings: Name of Family (25 in alphabetical order), Run No., Earmark, Brand and Log and Breed. 29th Feb. 1972 cattle grazing, bogong high plains, kiewa valley families, cattle breeds, cattle brands

The Melbourne Women's Walking Club enjoyed bush walking as a hobby travelling to the north east of Victoria, using pack horses and camping on a 9 day hike. One of the woman, 'Bill' describes each day in detail - what they did, where they went and what they saw giving an insight into walking and the Bogong High Plains in the mid 1930's before the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme opened up the area. The diary mentions a photo being taken by Mr Blackwell on the 9th day, New Year's Eve 'from a lovely bush track from which, looking back at intervals we got our final glimpse of Fainter. 5 miles from from our destination'.Historic: This extract from the diary of 'Bill', a member of the Melbourne Women's Walking Club gives an insight into walking in the mid 1930's and describes the Bogong High Plains as it was then before it was opened up with a road built during the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme. It describes the area in summer including the flora & fauna, cattle grazing & cattlemen, the huts, the gauges set up by the State Electricity Commission of Victoria, the people working up there, the weather and the lifestyle of the walking group - their food, duties, swimming etc.. Six double sided typed photocopied yellow pages describing the Melbourne Women's Walking Club trip to the Bogong High Plains at Christmas in 1934. Also one page photocopied of the programme for Year 1934-35 with an arrow pointing to the above trip and a page with a photocopied sepia photo of the "Melbourne Women's Walking Club / Bogong High Plains / Dec. 1934. DVD 12 photos of the trip arrow showing trip from Programme. Title of photo "Melbourne Women's Walking Club / Bogong High Plains / Dec. 1934melbourne women's walking club. bogong high plains. camping. pack horses. cattlemen's huts.

This portable 'dunny' toilet may have been taken on camping trips possibly to the Bogong High Plains where this type of facility didn't exist.Cattlemen grazed their cattle on the Bogong High Plains during summer. They stayed in huts which had basic amenities such as a fireplace, tree stumps for seats and an area set aside for a bed. A separate area was used to stock firewood and the hut was located near a stream. Toilet amenities were most often in the bush.Dirty dented hollow tin cylinder with open ends top and bottom. It has a curved seat attached to the cylinder and a cover attached to the seat by a hinge at the back. It is hand made with basic fittings and is light to lift.Top of lid: "Guaranteed not / to use too much / water / Lifetime guarantee / on all parts / Bush Plumbing Co. camping. camping equipment. portable toilet. cattlemen. bogong high plains.

Canvas stretchers were portable and easily carried by pack horses. They were more luxurious than a hard wooden bed or the ground. Canvas was the best material to use at the time. This canvas stretcher may have been used on camping trips or by the cattlemen when visiting their huts on the Bogong High Plains.Used as a stretcher or camp bed and is very heavy. It is made of wood and 4 pieces of canvas sewn together. It has sides of elongated cubed wood with 4 handle extensions which are also cubed wood partly carved out near their ends for a more comfortable grip. The top has canvas attached to the wooden sides. The bottom has wood attached including the handles and a piece in the middle. Also attached are 4 steel rollers. A nail sticks out and stops the handles from going any further than the rollers. 4 metal strips are also attached for guidance of the sliding handles. 2 metal flat rods are attached to the sides at each end and joined in the middle by hinged nail enabling movement creating a metal strip at right angles to the length of the stretcher. The metal handles are attached here too. stretcher. bogong high plains. camping. sleeping.

This "outdoor" dinner plate was made in Hong Kong and is therefore dated well after World War II. It was imported from Hong Kong at the beginning of the start of the great Asian influx of cheap household/camping kitchen and dinner plates(1960's onward). It is also during the time before stronger and more resilient plastic "camper" goods. It was at the start of the city based outdoor campers Australian bush adventure holidays.This plate is very significant to the High Plains cattlemen of the Victorian Alpine Region. Because of its unbreakable and easy to clean qualities this type of plate and associate mugs where a necessity for overnight workers and campers in the upper Kiewa Valley and its high plains regions. The Kiewa Valley has small township centres and to survive in the Australian bush high country environment camp-side fires and meals required sturdy utensils and plates.This yellow enameled tin soup/salad/dinner plate has a green boarded rim and can hold a variety of different meals. This plate is sturdy enough for any outdoor activity and was used by campers and cattlemen.Stamped on the bottom base " made in Hong Kong 24 cm E MELLING CO LTD"enamel outdoor plates and mugs, camping kitchen utensils

This "camp fire" hot plate has been used from the early 1900's on camp drafts /droving cattle onto and from the Victorian high plains. The size of "camp" kitchens would depend on the amount of "cattle" men required to collect and move the "herd" to and from the "lush" high plains.This "camp fire" hot plate is significant because it was donated by a member of the Roper family (the Roper's of the Kiewa Valley) a "pioneer" family. This particular camp fire hot plate originated in Tasmania however the Victorian Alps are very similar to the Tasmanian mountain regions and this type of cooking utensil was, and still is, used in isolated regions e.g. large cattle properties in the Northern Territory. This Camp Fire hot plate was used on the High Plains at the Roper Hut for approximately 35 years.This open fire hot plate is made from caste iron. It has a circular flat (cooking) base, ideal for a few thick pieces of prime steak, a high semi circular handle with a large circular carry ring, to apply a thick stick or rod through it as an insulated handle (to position the hot plate where required over a fire). The "handle" can be folded down to save space when packing it in the saddle bags. The handle has a strong metal rivet on each end (is loose enough to allow it to be moved to either side e.g. flattened). One end, of the handle, has a movable sleeve to fasten the the handle in an upright positioncamp fire cooking utensils, hot plate, cast iron cooking appliance, drovers kitchen, cattlemen

This tuyere (word from French origin) was used by professional blacksmiths and or cattlemen before and during the Kiewa Hydro Electricity Scheme was being constructed. The need to use a furnace or forge in the shaping of metal rods, horse shoes and pipes is both a rural necessity and a construction, on site requirement. The "inventiveness" of cattlemen and construction workers to produce metal objects not available "off the shelf" is one of the inherent traits not only of rural self sufficiency but in the "pioneer" days of rural isolation one of survival.This tuyere is of great significance to the Kiewa Valley and its regions because it highlights one of the greatest strengths of the rural (especially isolated) life and its folk living there, and that is the great human factor of adaptability and survival techniques in sometimes harsh and demanding environmental circumstances. The inventiveness and the attitude, "she'll be right mate", demonstrates life on the land where specialised blacksmith activities can be found in non "professionals" because of the fact that "someone" has to do the job. This is one of the differences between country "rural" life and that found in cities and larger towns.This iron cone shaped tuyere has a small hole (diamenter 25mm) starting within an ever enlarging cone (amplification of the air pressure going through) delivering varying hot or extremely hot air into a furnace or hearth which intensifies the heat to allow the "shaping" of metal objects. The larger "flared" cone extension allows for the directed air to be spread and not concentrated.blacksmith tool, tue, bellows, fashioning metal, forge manufacturing process

The early Kiewa Valley farmers opened up the Bogong High Plains for cattle grazing in the late 1800's and early 1900's. Many farmers of the Kiewa Valley built huts on the Bogong High Plains to stay in during the summer mustering season. The Roper family had their own cattle run on the High Plains with several version's of Ropers Hut being built and used for this purpose. These boots were owned by Fred Roper whose father was one of the first pioneers of the Upper Kiewa Valley and Tawonga farming district. These boots were made around the late 1800's to early 1900's and are of a quality hide and a very good example of historical clothing worn at the time. These boots are very significant to the Kiewa Valley because the mark a period of early farming within the Kiewa Valley and Bogong High Plains as they were worn by Fred Roper who comes from one of the farming pioneering families of Tawonga. These boots were used when mustering the families cattle up to the Bogong High Plains for summer grazing and also around his farm in Tawonga when riding his horses. They were donated by his great grand daughter Leonie Roper in 2011, therefore the manufacturing of these boots could be anything from the late 1880's to early 1900's. They are made of high quality leather and were made to last the tough conditions of mustering and farming cattle. They also had wooden stock which fitted into them "KVHS 0445"These knee high "riding" boots have a 4 "rung" laces at the base of the upright boot and a strap at the top of the boot. They are made of brown leather and have a small heel (not the usual higher heel for stirrups)riding boots. footwear. cattle mustering footwear. roper family. cattlemen. bogong high plains.

This pair of "adjustable" boots came from the 1950's era in which the majority of footwear was either locally manufactured or imported from England or Europe. Quality hard wearing leather was a rural necessity especially for the cattle mustering activity in the Kiewa Valley and the Bogong High Plains region. The late 1900's provided a cheaper made riding boot from Asia, however many rural based riders still prefer an Australian made boot. The better quality (stronger stitching) of Australian boots is the main considerations of "stock horse riders". In 1947 a scientific research project started to provide an impact analysis of any damage to alpine vegetation by cattle grazing in the Alpine regions incorporating the Bogong High Plains area. This monitoring is the longest running ecological study ever undertaken in Australia. From this study, compelling evidence was presented to the Victorian Government to cease cattle grazing in the Alpine regions including the Bogong High Plains. All grazing was banned by the Victorian Government in 2005. Recreational horse riding within the Bogong High Plains is still permitted.These pair of women's riding boots are very significant to the Kiewa Valley as the boots were worn by one of the descendants of a pioneer family living and operating a cattle station before the SEC Hydro Electricity Scheme opened up the semi remote rural location in the 1950's. These boots were worn during the annual six weeks (approx.) mustering of cattle in the Bogong High Plains location (Victorian Alps region). The owner of these boots was Clare Roper, part of the Roper Family who built a "lodging" hut on the "High Plains" for accommodating riders during the periods (up to six weeks) when controlling grazing cattle during the summer muster seasons. It was unusual for women in the early to mid 1900's to go up on the High Plains to join the muster, which Clare Roper often did. These boots have high historical significance and good interpretive capacity.These brown "knee high" lady riding boots, are fastened by long "boot" laces which go from the base of the "fastening" position to a boot height of 22 cm. At the top end of the boot is a leather flap which crosses the front section of the boot and is fastened to the outside leg region by two straps. These provide the wearer with an adjustable tie. The boot has a "tongue" of 22 mm long. The boot has six pairs of metal boot lace "hooks" and eight pairs of boot lace "eyelets".ladies riding boots. cattle mustering footwear. rural footwear. cattlemen. bogong high plains. roper family. horses.

This stock horse saddle was probably used in the mid 1900's. This was the period when cattle mustering was at its prime. The movement of cattle was by mounted stock horse only and not by other methods. Northern territory cattle stations in the late 1900's started to use helicopters for "cattle control". In the KIEWA Valley/Bogong High Plains and other rural cattle producing areas required well trained stock horses and stockmen for cattle control. It is only in the later 1900's that motor bikes and four wheeled quad-bikes have taken over, in part, from the mounted stockman.This horse saddle is very significant to the Kiewa Valley because of the early introduction of cattle stations in what initially was regarded as a semi remote location. The maintenance of cattle in the Kiewa Valley is and was an important requirement. A good stock horse saddle as and is important, especially during the period when cattle were grazed on the Bogong High Plains. The mustering and and moving cattle from the valley pastures to the high country was a demanding and dangerous exercise requiring "sure footed" stock horses.The "good" saddle was a vital part of this cattle mustering. A scientific study started in 1947 to study the impact of grazing cattle on the natural Alpine and sub Alpine vegetation found grazing cattle had an adverse affect on the natural Alpine and sub alpine vegetation, and grazing on the plains was stopped by the Victorian Government in 2005.This "camp draft" in the High Plains could take up to six weeks.This all leather "stock horse" saddle shows plenty of wear. It is in "full harness" configaration with stirrups and leg protectors horse, country, leather, gaiters, high, grazing, cattlemen, laces, studs

This type of cast iron kettle was used by pioneer families, mainly rural in the early 1900's upon open fires (log). It covered rural activities that needed a constant readily available source of boiling water, in or mainly outside the kitchen of homesteads. This kettle was used in the early to late 1900's for the refreshment of stock men and farmers that had irregular "tea" breaks under sometimes hard and gruelling conditions.This kettle belonged to and was used by a Kiewa Valley, pioneer family, the Roper Family. This kettle was moved from their Kiewa Valley property to their hut built on the Bogong High Plains. The Bogong High Plains area provided Kiewa Valley cattlemen a good supply of fodder to supplement their Kiewa Valley grazing areas. This "camp draft" activity , in the high plains, could take up to six weeks.This large cast iron modified camp pot (cauldron) has a long tap connection located at the bottom end. The "tap" is made from brass and has a simple elongated "bar" control swivel at the end to control the water flow. The tap suggests that only water was heated (to a constant boil) for the replenishment of cattlemen's, or other horse rider's, tea or coffee mugs. Refreshments at a "temporary" location on the Bogong High Plains. There was a "log" hut built by the Roper family as temporary accommodation for cattlemen and other family members.Ot the flat bottom "FIRST QUALITY 2 GALLONS"camp fire cooking utensils, hot plate, cast iron cooking appliance, drovers kitchen

This stock horse bridle was probably used in the mid 1900's. This was the period when cattle and sheep mustering was at its prime. The movement of cattle and sheep was by mounted stock horse only and not by other methods. Northern territory cattle stations in the late 1900's started to use helicopters for "cattle control". In the KIEWA Valley/Bogong High Plains and other rural cattle/sheep producing areas required well trained stock horses and stockmen for cattle/sheep control. It is only in the later 1900's that motor bikes and four wheeled quad-bikes have taken over, in part, from the mounted stockman.This horse bridle is very significant to the Kiewa Valley because of the early introduction of cattle and sheep stations in what initially was regarded as a semi remote valley location. The maintenance of cattle and sheep in the Kiewa Valley was, and still is an important requirement of livestock management. A good stock horse bridle is important, especially during the period when cattle and sheep were grazed on the Bogong High Plains. The mustering and and moving cattle/sheep from the valley pastures to the high country was a demanding and dangerous exercise requiring "sure footed" stock horses.The "good specialised" bridle was a vital part of this cattle/sheep mustering. A scientific study started in 1947 to study the impact of grazing cattle/sheep on the natural Alpine and sub Alpine vegetation found grazing cattle had an adverse affect on the natural Alpine and sub alpine vegetation, and grazing on the plains was stopped by the Victorian Government in 2005.This "camp draft" on the Bogong High Plains could take up to six weeks.This harness bridle includes "blinders, winklers or blinkers" and would therefore be used on a pack or "working" horse. This bridle has rings on each end of the browband. The bridle is one used by a horse working in a team configuration pulling a heavy cart or wagon. The bridle has ten adjustable straps to allow it to accommodate a variety of horse sizes. See KVHS 0495 for a stock horse saddle.horse, country, leather bridle, gaiters, high country grazing, cattlemen, laces, studs

These wooden trees for riding stocks are a concept that was brought to early colonial days from "mother" England. Gentle folk of wealth and status used these trees from early 1800's to keep and maintain their riding boots in their correct form. This form of maintaining the tall riding boot structure was maintained in Australia by the rural "elite" both on cattle properties and smaller cattle stations in the early 1900's. Good riding boots were a status symbol in rural and outback Australia. The riding stocks "wooden trees" are very significant in the Kiewa Valley because they were used by members of some of the original grazing cattle families to settle there. Both cattle and sheep properties occupied large areas of the Kiewa Valley and they also herded their flock and herd on the Bogong High Plains region. These stocks and boots were worn by Fred Roper whose great grand daughter donated them to KVHS. Therefore these boots and stocks would date from 1880's to 1920's and are a good representation of the style of boots worn during this period. This pair of wooden stocks for riding boots trees has been manufactured to a very high standard. Each of the four boot tree parts fit snugly together and maintain their form, and that of the boot that they occupy. The groove channels and foot forms (tongue and groove) are exact and once snapped together become very solid. There is a brass ring, attached by a small brass "peg" on each of the thin "sliding" middle uprights. See KVHS 0177 - Riding boots.On top "L" (for left boot), "R" (for right boot)horse. country. leather. gaiters. high plains. grazing. cattlemen. laces. studs. stocks. roper family. bogong high plains.

This poster is of Rocky Valley is on the Victorian High Plains where the State Electricity Commission of Victoria worked on the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme and also where cattlemen brought their cattle up during summer at various times. Its significance is due to it shows the flora of the area after the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme Rocky Valley damn has been build and therefore is a valuable for comparison to see what plants are there now after this information on this poster was complied. Historic: Comparison of the flora at Rocky Valley with other areas on the Victorian High Plains and with Rocky Valley before and after the Kiewa Hydro Scheme and / or grazing there. Is therefore research significance and interpretive capacity due to this compatibility value.Laminated double sided vegetation map and guide to the Alpine flora of the Rocky Valley area, with photographs of plants and vegetation.rocky valley. alpine. flora. vegetation. plants. s.e.c.v.. cattlemen. victorian high plains.

Cattlemen on the High Plains used this cooking pot.This circular cast iron pot has three legs. The pot has straight sides, 13 cms high and a diameter of 36 cms. The handle is in two pieces joined with a hinged pin with hooks on the ends. These hooks go through the cast iron protruding "eyes" on each side near the top.Albion Stove Works, Maryborough.cast iron. cooking pot. albion stove works. maryborough.

Cattlemen used cooking pots when on the High Plains.Used by the Cattlemen on the Bogong High Plains at Roper's Hut.This cast iron lid fits the cast iron pot. It has a handle (cast iron) on top. The lid is domed. The outer 1 cm edge is flat. Inside this edge the lid dips 2 cms before rising into the dome.Albion / No. 15 / Maryboroughbogong high plains. cattlemen. camp oven. cooking. roper's hut.

Roper's Hut belonged to the Roper family who brought their cattle up onto the Bogong High Plains during summer. Their hut was visited and used by skiers and walkers. The log books kept a record of their visits over the years.The log books gave an insight into the activities of visitors, the weather, the frequency, etc. The case was a safe place for storage of these books.Light brown vinyl case with zip fastener around three sides and partly at the back on each side. There is a separate pocket at the top with a zip fastener. There is a flap to fasten the case across the centre top and a leather handle. The zip around the case has a silver fastener with a small key hole.The inside is mostly black and has two vinyl straps that fasten to hold the contents in place and there is an open pocket inside.roper's hut case, roper's hut log book, cattlemen's hut

Cattlemen from the Kiewa Valley had huts up on the High Plains. Each Summer they would take their cattle up to the High Plains for grazing.Coloured photo of a Cattleman riding along a bush track and followed by a packhorse. cattlemen, pack horses

Photo No. 9 Horses Crossing River - Packing in supplies for early workers on the Kiewa Hydro Scheme. There were no roads in the early days of the Scheme. Horses from the Kiewa Valley were used to transport goods prior to roads and vehicles being available1. Horses crossing river - 2 copies 2. Pack horses 3. Rider with pack horse -x2 and See (KVHS 1396) 4. Cattle entering river 5. Horses on High Plains x2 6. color - Horses in River 7. Pack horses and carts 8. 4 Cattlemen with dog in foreground 9. Color - Horses crossing river 10.Horses and tents - Harry Trimble x2working horses, horses from the kiewa valley

The KVHS rotates its displays in the Mt Beauty Museum. These topics are researched and give a deeper insight into the chosen topic.A frosted white plastic tub holding blue plastic folders each with information and photos of each of the temporary displays that the KVHS has displayed in the Mt Beauty Museum. These include: 1. And Then There was Light 2. A Woman's Work is Never Done 3. Bogong Village - Camps 4. Cross Country Skiing 5. Electricity: Watts the Story 6. Here Comes the Bride 7. High Country Cattlemen 8. Indigenous People 9. Mt Beauty - Early; 10. Mt Beauty Sports 11. Not All Tea and Scones - C.W.A.12. Old School Days 13. Tawonga District General Hospital 14. The Buffalo Lodge 15. The Dairy Farm 16. Tobacco in the Kiewa Valley 17. What Makes our Community Great? Clubslight, women's work, bogong village, cross country skiing, electricity, weddings, cattlemen on the high plains, indigenous australians, mt beauty, c.w.a., schools, tawonga hospital, buffalo lodge, dairy farming, tobacco in the kiewa valley, community clubs

The Australian Stockman's Hall of Fame is a museum located in Longreach, Queensland, Australia, which pays tribute to pioneers of the Australian outback. The centre is also dedicated to Australian stockmen who have shown bravery and courage. Registered in 1974. On July 28th 1985 the foundation stone of the Australian Stockman's Hall of Fame and Outback Heritage Centre was laid. Hoofs and Horns magazine was established by R.M.Williams in 1944 and ceased in 2005. It was aimed at cattlemen and horsemen.'The Roper family's ancestors settled in the beautiful Kiewa Valley, Victoria over a century ago and started breeding Hereford cattle and horses.' This is their interest in Hoofs and Horns but the Hall of Fame is interested in 'John Roper, who came to Australia in 1843 at the age of 23 years and joined Leichhardt's expedition ...'2 papers - Hoofs and Horns, July 1985, Page 88 and page 90 printed with photos and map. The article has the title: 'The Australian Stockman's Hall of Fame' 2 papers - Title The Roper Family compiled by Wilma Davies (nee Roper) and Mr Mike Cummings. Members of the Hall of Fame.. australian stockman's hall of flame, hoofs and horns magazine, cattlemen and horsemen, the roper family

These gaiters where used circa 1800's to mid 1900's, by horse riders "cattle men" to protect their shins and long trousers against wear and tear. They were used rather than having expensive boots damaged. Gaiters were a lot easier to fasten and clean than boots. They were used in the Kiewa Valley and the High Plains grazing areas.These gaiters were part of a cattleman's "out fit". The Gaiters were easily cleaned and did away with expensive riding boots. They were used throughout the valley and high plains areas both by horse riders herding cattle and the recreational rider of both sexes. After the 1950s more recreational riders from Melbourne ventured onto the high plains and not so rugged mountain slopes. Small settlements such as Mount Beauty, Bogong village and Falls Creek provided a secure backdrop for short term horse back adventures. The increasing pressure of city life provided a greater flow of stressed out city dweller to find the peace and quiet that city life does not have. Horse riding preceded the modern trail bikes and other recreational vehicles of the late 1900s. Thick leather tapered gaiters with six metal Hooks and Leather lacing through metal eyelets. All bar two eyelets have a metal reinforced punch holes. Left gaiter missing most of lacing.horse, country, leather, gaiters, high, grazing, cattlemen, laces, studs

At the time of manufacture, circa 1940's, the first aid treatment for snake bites, was to lance(cut) open the bite, wash it out and apply a ligature or tourniquet between the bite and the heart. This method was abandoned later after scientific evidence suggested that it was better to stop the blood system from carrying the poison to the heart (pressure immobilization). Australian snakes do not have long fangs therefore deep incisions into main arteries is rare. This research took many years to develop therefore the information supplied with the "Sanax" kits of this era is well outdated. Rural areas were more attuned to the possibilities of snake activity on farms, in sheds and in out houses and farm homesteads. This was not the case for mainly city and large townships environments. The mice plagues in wheat areas during the warmer month s has always been a high risk time for encountering snakesThese snake bite kits were issued to workers on the Kiewa Hydro Electricity Scheme. Some of these snake bite kits were kept at doctor's surgeries e.g. Bogong Village, House 13. The kit was carried by bushwalkers, scouts, farmers and high plains cattlemen. This item is of significance because it demonstrates the main dangers faced by all rural industries and towns, especially remote areas, and the portable remedies that where required as a necessity of the Australian bush environment. This item was in use at a time when the air ambulance and rescue facilities were not in existence and remote locations were more isolated and the availability of anti venom was hard to obtain locally.This item is a red coloured cardboard box(250 - 300 g/m) with white writing and containing the following 12 items. 7 clear red coloured capsules, 2 opaque red plastic capsules, 2 wooden capsules and 1 brass screw on capsule. The capsules are divided into two sections (compartments) horizontally. Each compartment has a screw lid. One compartment contains a lancet (for piercing the snake bite) and the other compartment contains the "Condy's" crystals compete with tightly rolled instructions.On top of the pull up lid, and flanked by two coiled snakes (at the strike position) is printed: "Trade Sanax Mark" below this " SNAKE and SPIDER BITE OUTFIT" and below this with instructions for use". Front side: "Sanax snake and spider bite outfit" underneath "Nepean Highway Morabbin" The later printing has been severely scratched but decipherable. The back side of the box has "Note to the retailer" and due to wear no more of the writing can be read. Each side of the box is printed "SANAX" snake, spider, first aid, kiewa hydro scheme, portable medical supplies

MEYER COLLECTION - FALLS CREEK PHOTOS In 1947 a determined group of like-minded State Electricity Commission (SEC) staff including Ray Meyer, the chief surveyor of the Kiewa Hydro-Electric Scheme, had a common interest that revolved around the skiing potential of the snow-covered high plains which included what is now the resort of Falls Creek. The six SEC employees, Toni St Elmo, Ray Meyer, Jack Minogue, Lloyd Dunn, Adrian Ruffenacht and Dave Gibson (together with their families) banded together to secretly build a 'hut' that was the first ski lodge at Falls Creek. Using a road built in 1930s to gain access to Falls Creek, their hut project was carried out in secret as efforts by other skiers were blocked by H.H.C. Williams – the engineer in charge of the Hydro Scheme. In 1946 Ray Meyer made a trip to the Lands Office in Melbourne. He came away with a 99-year lease on three acres that was ideally suited for a hut designed by Lloyd Dunn. Adrian Ruffenacht (Design Engineer for the KHS) had suggested where the group should build because of easy access to a spring for water. Much of the building material required was scavenged from derelict huts on the high plains. Due to the need for secrecy, the determined group worked on the hut in the evenings and weekends to avoid detection. During the building period the group had met at Echidna Rock (now known as Eagle Rock) where Skippy St Elmo announced, "This is my favourite ‘Skyline’.” And so the first lodge in the area at Falls Creek Ski Resort came into existence. With the development of the International Poma in the 1970s, the Skyline Lodge, which was sited between the ski-lift’s pole one and pole two, was demolished. However, the legacy of Ray Meyer, Toni St Elmo, Jack Minogue, Lloyd Dunn, Adrian Ruffenacht and Dave Gibson and Skyline lives on in the vibrant atmosphere of Falls Creek Resort. The MEYER COLLECTION documents developments on the Kiewa Hydro Scheme and their life at Falls Creek from the mid 1930s to 1960s.This image is significant because Wallace's Hut is a heritage listed building which has provided shelter to cattlemen and skier on the High Plains since 1889.A black and white photo taken by John Meyer inside Wallace's Hut. The hut was built in 1889 and is probably the oldest surviving hut on the high plains of north-east Victoria. The State Electricity Commission used the hut from the late 1920s until the early 1940s to collect data on precipitation for possible future hydroelectric works. Toni and Skippy spent their first years on the mountain living in Wallace's Hut. falls creek, victorian snowfields, joan meyer, diamantina hut

Farmers from the Kiewa Valley drove their cattle up to the Bogong High Plains during summer. Each family had a lease and a hut to stay in. Pack horses were used to carry food and other necessary items for the men while they were away.The Ryder family farmed in the Kiewa Valley and had a grazing lease and hut on the Bogong High Plains where they droe their cattle during summer. Black and white photo with 2 men on horses each followed by two packhorses. Wally Ryder is on the horseman on the right. January 1947. This photo is published on page 114 of 'A History of the Kiewa Valley' by Esther Temple and David Lloyd.On back 'Pack horses leaving Mt Beauty / January 1947 / Suspect Wally Ryder on right.'wally ryder, cattlemen, packhorses