The Kangaroo Hoppet is Australia’s premier long distance cross country ski race, and a member of the Worldloppet series of international cross country ski events. The first race at Falls Creek was held in 1979 under the name of “Australian Birkebeiner”. It was a 21km race with about 80 participants organised by the Birkebeiner Nordic Ski Club of Mount Beauty. The course started and finished at Falls Creek Alpine Resort and took participants out into the Bogong High Plains. After running the event for 10 years, it was decided they should become part of the Worldloppet series of marathon ski races. Representatives from the Birkebeiner Nordic Ski Club and the Australian Ski Federation attended the Worldloppet Annual Meeting in Finland in June 1990 to put the case for the acceptance of an Australian event into the Worldloppet series. Before being admitted, they had to demonstrate that the Birkebeiner Club could run a world class event, so three months later in August 1990 a 42km event named the Australian International Ski Marathon was held at Falls Creek together with a 21km Birkebeiner race and a 7km event called the Birkebeiner Lite. The event was approved by delegates from USA, Norway and Austria, in 1991 Australia became the 12th member of Worldloppet, with the condition that there had to be a name change. After some late night discussion allegedly involving red wine from North East Victoria the main event became the 42km Kangaroo Hoppet, with the minor events being the 21km Australian Birkebeiner, and 7km Joey Hoppet. In the winter of 1991, the first Kangaroo Hoppet was held. It was a great success and has been a regular fixture on the international ski calendar ever since. It features the main 42km event as well as a 21km event and a 7km event. The Hoppet brings the Australian snowfields to an international audience. In 2000 the Men's Winner was Ben Derrick from Australia in a time of 1:56:39. The winner of the Women's event was Camille Melvey of Australia in a time of 2:19:21.This poster is significant because it documents an event which brings international attention to Falls Creek and the surrounding region.A coloured poster featuring an image of a group of seven skiers on the snow against the sunset, with the outline of four kangaroos in the sky. The slogan for the year was in an arc of yellow text above the skiers. The logos of Worldloppet and QANTAS were featured on either side of the text at the bottom. This year celebrated the 10th Kangaroo Hoppet.In arc of gold text: BE PART OF THE MOB / 26th AUGUST 2000 Beneath image: KANGAROO HOPPET 10 FALLS CREEK AUSTRALIA In smaller print along bottom: Tel: (03) 5754 3103 Fax: (03) 5754 4475 P.O. Box 400 Mount Beauty 3699 Website: http://www.netc.net.au/-hoppet/ Email: [email protected] hoppet, worldloppet events, falls creek, mt. beauty

The Kangaroo Hoppet is Australia’s premier long distance cross country ski race, and a member of the Worldloppet series of international cross country ski events. The first race at Falls Creek was held in 1979 under the name of “Australian Birkebeiner”. It was a 21km race with about 80 participants organised by the Birkebeiner Nordic Ski Club of Mount Beauty. The course started and finished at Falls Creek Alpine Resort and took participants out into the Bogong High Plains. After running the event for 10 years, it was decided they should become part of the Worldloppet series of marathon ski races. Representatives from the Birkebeiner Nordic Ski Club and the Australian Ski Federation attended the Worldloppet Annual Meeting in Finland in June 1990 to put the case for the acceptance of an Australian event into the Worldloppet series. Before being admitted, they had to demonstrate that the Birkebeiner Club could run a world class event, so three months later in August 1990 a 42km event named the Australian International Ski Marathon was held at Falls Creek together with a 21km Birkebeiner race and a 7km event called the Birkebeiner Lite. The event was approved by delegates from USA, Norway and Austria, in 1991 Australia became the 12th member of Worldloppet, with the condition that there had to be a name change. After some late night discussion allegedly involving red wine from North East Victoria the main event became the 42km Kangaroo Hoppet, with the minor events being the 21km Australian Birkebeiner, and 7km Joey Hoppet. In the winter of 1991, the first Kangaroo Hoppet was held. It was a great success and has been a regular fixture on the international ski calendar ever since. It features the main 42km event as well as a 21km event and a 7km event. The Hoppet brings the Australian snowfields to an international audience. In 2014 the Men's Winner was Valerio Leccardi from Switzerland in a time of 1:20:03. The winner of the Women's event was Valentina Shevchenko of Ukraine in a time of 1:31:01. This poster is significant because it documents an event which brings international attention to Falls Creek and the surrounding region.A poster two skiers wearing red vests passing a line of yellow markers in snow. The lake and mountain are in the background. Logos of AGL, Falls Creek All Season Alpine Resort, Alpine Shire, Tourism Victoria, Parks Victoria, the Birkebeiner Nordic Ski Club and the Worldloppet are along the bottom of the poster.Towards top: Kangaroo Hoppet /23RD AUGUST 2014 42KM 21KM 7KM FALLS CREEK VICTORIA AUSTRALIA www.hoppet.com.au kangaroo hoppet, worldloppet events, falls creek, mt. beauty

The Kangaroo Hoppet is Australia’s premier long distance cross country ski race, and a member of the Worldloppet series of international cross country ski events. The first race at Falls Creek was held in 1979 under the name of “Australian Birkebeiner”. It was a 21km race with about 80 participants organised by the Birkebeiner Nordic Ski Club of Mount Beauty. The course started and finished at Falls Creek Alpine Resort and took participants out into the Bogong High Plains. After running the event for 10 years, it was decided they should become part of the Worldloppet series of marathon ski races. Representatives from the Birkebeiner Nordic Ski Club and the Australian Ski Federation attended the Worldloppet Annual Meeting in Finland in June 1990 to put the case for the acceptance of an Australian event into the Worldloppet series. Before being admitted, they had to demonstrate that the Birkebeiner Club could run a world class event, so three months later in August 1990 a 42km event named the Australian International Ski Marathon was held at Falls Creek together with a 21km Birkebeiner race and a 7km event called the Birkebeiner Lite. The event was approved by delegates from USA, Norway and Austria, in 1991 Australia became the 12th member of Worldloppet, with the condition that there had to be a name change. After some late night discussion allegedly involving red wine from North East Victoria the main event became the 42km Kangaroo Hoppet, with the minor events being the 21km Australian Birkebeiner, and 7km Joey Hoppet. In the winter of 1991, the first Kangaroo Hoppet was held. It was a great success and has been a regular fixture on the international ski calendar ever since. It features the main 42km event as well as a 21km event and a 7km event. The Hoppet brings the Australian snowfields to an international audience. Unfortunately due to rapidly deteriorating snow conditions on the course, combined with a weather forecast of warm temperatures and rain in the days preceding the event, the Kangaroo Hoppet was cancelled for 2024.This poster is significant because it documents an event which brings international attention to Falls Creek and the surrounding region.A poster featuring a variety of symbols representing the Falls Creek Hoppet within the outline of a kangaroo head. Logos of Worldloppet, AGL, Falls Creek, Alpine Shire Council, the Birkebeiner Nordic Ski Club, Ski Classics and Kangaroo Hoppet are across the bottom of the poster. Text: KANGAROO HOPPET 24th August 2024 Australia's Premier XC Ski Race 7 km 21 km 42 km FALLS CREEK, VIC kangaroo hoppet, worldloppet events, falls creek, mt. beauty

The Kangaroo Hoppet is Australia’s premier long distance cross country ski race, and a member of the Worldloppet series of international cross country ski events. The first race at Falls Creek was held in 1979 under the name of “Australian Birkebeiner”. It was a 21km race with about 80 participants organised by the Birkebeiner Nordic Ski Club of Mount Beauty. The course started and finished at Falls Creek Alpine Resort and took participants out into the Bogong High Plains. After running the event for 10 years, it was decided they should become part of the Worldloppet series of marathon ski races. Representatives from the Birkebeiner Nordic Ski Club and the Australian Ski Federation attended the Worldloppet Annual Meeting in Finland in June 1990 to put the case for the acceptance of an Australian event into the Worldloppet series. Before being admitted, they had to demonstrate that the Birkebeiner Club could run a world class event, so three months later in August 1990 a 42km event named the Australian International Ski Marathon was held at Falls Creek together with a 21km Birkebeiner race and a 7km event called the Birkebeiner Lite. The event was approved by delegates from USA, Norway and Austria, in 1991 Australia became the 12th member of Worldloppet, with the condition that there had to be a name change. After some late night discussion allegedly involving red wine from North East Victoria the main event became the 42km Kangaroo Hoppet, with the minor events being the 21km Australian Birkebeiner, and 7km Joey Hoppet. In the winter of 1991, the first Kangaroo Hoppet was held. It was a great success and has been a regular fixture on the international ski calendar ever since. It features the main 42km event as well as a 21km event and a 7km event. The Hoppet brings the Australian snowfields to an international audience. In 2019 the Kangaroo Hoppet attracted 1070 entries from 26 nations. The Men's Winner was Valerio Leccardi from Switzerland in a time of 1:43:19.5. The winner of the Women's event was Iris Pessey of France in a time of 2:04:29.2. This poster is significant because it documents an event which brings international attention to Falls Creek and the surrounding region.A poster featuring an image of a lone skier with mountains in the background. Logos of Worldloppet, AGL, Falls Creek, Alpine Shire Council, Victorian State Government, the Birkebeiner Nordic Ski Club. FIS and Kangaroo Hoppet are across the bottom of the poster. Text: KANGAROO HOPPET No. 29 24 August 2019 FALLS CREEK AUSTRALIA 7 km 21 km 42 km Beside the logos: www.hoppet.com.au kangaroo hoppet, worldloppet events, falls creek, mt. beauty

The Kangaroo Hoppet is Australia’s premier long distance cross country ski race, and a member of the Worldloppet series of international cross country ski events. The first race at Falls Creek was held in 1979 under the name of “Australian Birkebeiner”. It was a 21km race with about 80 participants organised by the Birkebeiner Nordic Ski Club of Mount Beauty. The course started and finished at Falls Creek Alpine Resort and took participants out into the Bogong High Plains. After running the event for 10 years, it was decided they should become part of the Worldloppet series of marathon ski races. Representatives from the Birkebeiner Nordic Ski Club and the Australian Ski Federation attended the Worldloppet Annual Meeting in Finland in June 1990 to put the case for the acceptance of an Australian event into the Worldloppet series. Before being admitted, they had to demonstrate that the Birkebeiner Club could run a world class event, so three months later in August 1990 a 42km event named the Australian International Ski Marathon was held at Falls Creek together with a 21km Birkebeiner race and a 7km event called the Birkebeiner Lite. The event was approved by delegates from USA, Norway and Austria, in 1991 Australia became the 12th member of Worldloppet, with the condition that there had to be a name change. After some late night discussion allegedly involving red wine from North East Victoria the main event became the 42km Kangaroo Hoppet, with the minor events being the 21km Australian Birkebeiner, and 7km Joey Hoppet. In the winter of 1991, the first Kangaroo Hoppet was held. It was a great success and has been a regular fixture on the international ski calendar ever since. It features the main 42km event as well as a 21km event and a 7km event. The Hoppet brings the Australian snowfields to an international audience. Unfortunately in 2023 due to poor snow conditions it was decided that a fair and safe competition could not be held on the course and the Kangaroo Hoppet was cancelled.This poster is significant because it documents an event which brings international attention to Falls Creek and the surrounding region.A poster featuring an image of female two skiers after a previous Hoppet presentation. Logos of Worldloppet, AGL, Falls Creek, Alpine Shire Council, Victorian State Government, the Birkebeiner Nordic Ski Club. FIS, Bendigo Bank and Kangaroo Hoppet are across the bottom of the poster. Text: KANGAROO HOPPET Australia's Premier X-Country Ski Race 26 August 2023 Below the logos: 26 August 2023 FALLS CREEK AUSTRALIA 7 km 21 km 42 km hoppet.com.au kangaroo hoppet, worldloppet events, falls creek, mt. beauty

In 1977 a group of Mount Beauty cross country skiers formed the Birkebeiner Nordic Ski Club. In 1979, a version of the famous Birkebeiner race, the first Australian Birkebeiner was held at Falls Creek. In June 1990 representatives from Australia put their case for a southern hemisphere race in the series. Following a trial event in 1990. Australia became the 12th member of Worldloppet in the winter of 1991, with the first Kangaroo Hoppet. In 1991 a parade and commemorative torch lighting ceremony were organised in Mt Beauty as part of the celebrations to mark the first official Kangaroo Hoppett with participation from local community groups and commercial organisations, the Chamber of Commerce, local government representatives and individuals.Kangaroo Hoppet caters to diverse interests by offering a 42km and 21km event. It also offers a 7km event that attracts skiers, ranging from elite juniors to parents, grandparents, babies and first time skiers. It is recognised on the world cross country ski race calendar. It brings large numbers of participants and spectators to the area which support tourism, local businesses and employment. The 2018 event will be the 28th Kangaroo Hoppet, with cross country skiers travelling from across the country and overseas to compete.Set of 13 colour photographs of spectators lining both sides of Holland St in preparation for the Kangaroo Hoppet street parade. Photographs show the original hospital buildings and street-scape of the early 1990’sNo markingskangaroo hoppet; cross country skiing; ski race; bogong high plains, mt beauty, parade

In 1977 a group of Mount Beauty cross country skiers formed the Birkebeiner Nordic Ski Club. In 1979, a version of the famous Birkebeiner race, the first Australian Birkebeiner was held at Falls Creek. In June 1990 representatives from Australia put their case for a southern hemisphere race in the series. Following a trial event in 1990. Australia became the 12th member of Worldloppet in the winter of 1991, with the first Kangaroo Hoppet. In 1991 a parade and commemorative torch lighting ceremony were organised in Mt Beauty as part of the celebrations to mark the first official Kangaroo Hoppett with participation from local community groups and commercial organisations, the Chamber of Commerce, local government representatives and individuals.Kangaroo Hoppet caters to diverse interests by offering a 42km and 21km event. It also offers a 7km event that attracts skiers, ranging from elite juniors to parents, grandparents, babies and first time skiers. It is recognised on the world cross country ski race calendar. It brings large numbers of participants and spectators to the area which support tourism, local businesses and employment. The 2018 event will be the 28th Kangaroo Hoppet, with cross country skiers travelling from across the country and overseas to compete.PHYSICAL: Set of 22 colour photographs of the street parade to celebrate the first Official Hoppet race run at Falls Creek in 1991. Participants from a range of local community groups are traveling along Kiewa Cres. Photos are taken near the corner of Maddison St 1&2 – Horseman & accordion player leading the parade Sign reads ‘Falls Creek The Happy Mountain’ 3-4 Birkbeioner Nordic Ski Club with Chinese Nordic ski representatives 5 & 6- Girl Guides & Brownies 7, 8 & 9- Mt Beauty Primary School & Netball team 10 & 11- UKV Calisthenics Club 12- Lawn Bowls Club 13- Junior Football Club 14- Mt Beauty High School Band (on Wodonga Timber & Hardware truck) 15, 16 17 & 18- Mt Beauty Kindergarten 19,20, 21 & 22- Local Community Vehicles including Community Transport and Fire Brigade 23 & 24- Mt Beauty High School Band 25- Fiat 500 Topolino Vintage Car No markingskangaroo hoppet; cross country skiing; ski race; bogong high plains, mt beauty, parade

In 1977 a group of Mount Beauty cross country skiers formed the Birkebeiner Nordic Ski Club. In 1979, a version of the famous Birkebeiner race, the first Australian Birkebeiner was held at Falls Creek. In June 1990 representatives from Australia put their case for a southern hemisphere race in the series. Following a trial event in 1990. Australia became the 12th member of Worldloppet in the winter of 1991, with the first Kangaroo Hoppet. In 1991 a parade and commemorative torch lighting ceremony were organised in Mt Beauty as part of the celebrations to mark the first official Kangaroo Hoppett with participation from local community groups and commercial organisations, the Chamber of Commerce, local government representatives and individuals.Kangaroo Hoppet caters to diverse interests by offering a 42km and 21km event. It also offers a 7km event that attracts skiers, ranging from elite juniors to parents, grandparents, babies and first time skiers. It is recognised on the world cross country ski race calendar. It brings large numbers of participants and spectators to the area which support tourism, local businesses and employment. The 2018 event will be the 28th Kangaroo Hoppet, with cross country skiers travelling from across the country and overseas to compete.Set of 13 colour photographs of the street parade to celebrate the first Official Hoppet race run at Falls Creek in 1991. Participants were from a range of local community groups and local industry representatives. Photos were taken on Holland St. opposite the old hospital building. Following the parade, a market stalls were set up on the green outside the Community Centre on Holland St. as part of the Hoppet celebrations. 1 & 2- Boy Scouts and Cubs 3- UKV Lions Club 4 & 5- Local children representing the history and fauna of the High Plains 6- Ambulance Services 7, 8, 9 & 10 – Representatives and equipment from local forestry industry 11- Vintage truck by Vintage Charms Tours providing tours of the local area for visitors 12 & 13- Market stalls set up on the green outside the Community Centre on Holland St. as part of the Hoppet celebrations. kangaroo hoppet; ski race; cross country skiing; bogong high plains, mt beauty, parade,

In 1977 a group of Mount Beauty cross country skiers formed the Birkebeiner Nordic Ski Club. In 1979, a version of the famous Birkebeiner race, the first Australian Birkebeiner was held at Falls Creek. In June 1990 representatives from Australia put their case for a southern hemisphere race in the series. Following a trial event in 1990. Australia became the 12th member of Worldloppet in the winter of 1991, with the first Kangaroo Hoppet. In 1991 a parade and commemorative torch lighting ceremony were organised in Mt Beauty as part of the celebrations to mark the first official Kangaroo Hoppett with participation from local community groups and commercial organisations, the Chamber of Commerce, local government representatives and individuals.Kangaroo Hoppet caters to diverse interests by offering a 42km and 21km event. It also offers a 7km event that attracts skiers, ranging from elite juniors to parents, grandparents, babies and first time skiers. It is recognised on the world cross country ski race calendar. It brings large numbers of participants and spectators to the area which support tourism, local businesses and employment. The 2018 event will be the 28th Kangaroo Hoppet, with cross country skiers travelling from across the country and overseas to compete.Set of 21 colour photographs of the Opening Ceremony and Commemorative Torch lighting to celebrate the first Official Hoppet race run at Falls Creek in 1991 1-3 - John Konrads (1956 Olympic Swimmer) lighting the Commemorative Torch with the original torch used at the 1956 Olympics at the MCG in Melbourne. 4-13 – Official opening ceremony and torch lighting by Liberal representative for Indi Mr Lou Leibermann. MC’d by Mr Ken Bell, representing the Chamber of Commerce 14 – Parachute fly over by Mr Ross Schult 15-18 – Photographs of the Multi National flags displayed in the commemorative garden in front of the SECV administration buildings. Flags represent the countries participating in the Kangaroo Hoppet. Snow-capped Mt Bogong in the background. 19-21 – Commemorative torch, erected by SECV to commemorate the first official Kangaroo Hoppet held at Falls Creek. No markingskangaroo hoppet; cross country skiing; ski race; bogong high plains; opening ceremony, mt beauty, parade

The Worldloppet is a skiing race held throughout the world for cross country skiers. American Tony Wise conceived the idea of bringing together long distance skiers together. 14 ski marathons held in 4 continents (Europe, North America, Australia and Asia) with over 90,000 skiers each year.Falls Creek is on the Bogong High Plains at the top of the Kiewa Valley. Falls Creek held the first Kangaroo Hoppet in 1979 over a distance of 21 km with 80 participants. In 1995 a record 1588 participants took part. They received membership of the Worldloppet in 1991 holding the event on the last Saturday of August and haven't had to cancel the event. Two copies of a blue hard covered book with 167 pages consisting of an index (Kangaroo Hoppet page 54), information on 30 years of (cross country) skiing around the world with colored photos. cross country skiing; worldloppet; falls creek

The Kangaroo Hoppet is a long distance (42km) cross-country skiing race held annually at Falls Creek on the Bogong High Plains. The first race was held in 1979 and has been part of Worldloppet since 1991. It is held annually on the fourth Saturday of August. The event also includes the Australian Birkebeiner (21km) and the Joey Hoppet (7km).The Kangaroo Hoppet is an international event held annually on the Bogong High Plains. It is a major tourist attraction in Australia and internationally. This activity is of historic and social significance and can be compared with activities of the past when skiing was in its infancy and when Mt Beauty was created being built as a construction town for the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme. It is now a small town with the added influence of tourism, the Hoppet being a major event.Two colored photos showing the lighting of the flame and the flags of participating countries at the commencement of Hoppet Week. 1990skangaroo hoppet, cross country ski race, falls creek, bogong high plains, snow sports

This article is from the Swedish ski magazine "Inbjudan" in 1991. In 1977 a group of cross country skiers in Mount Beauty, decided to form a cross country ski club. Some of them had skied in Norway and taken part in the Norwegian Birkebeiner Ski Race in 1979, the Birkebeiner Nordic Ski Club was formed. In 1989, a 42km event named the Australian Birkebeiner Ski Marathon was held and the organisers also included a half distance of 21km called the Birkebeiner and a 7km event called the Birkebeiner Lite. This article outlines the work of Allan Marsland, the Birkebeiner Nordic Ski Club, the Alpine Resorts Commission, the Australian Ski Federation and Tourism Victoria to be accepted into the Worldloppet international series.This item is important as it documents seasonal activities at Falls Creek Alpine Resort A magazine cover and article about the quest to be included in the Worldloppet series, including text and black and white images.skiing, ski, falls creek, victoria, school holidays, winter, snow, winter sport, 1990s, marketing, graphic design

This lapel pin originates from the Birkebeiner Lodge in Norway. The cross country ski race which originated there in 1932 was the inspiration for the annual Kangaroo Hoppet Race held in Falls Creek, Victoria. The Kangaroo Hoppet is Australia's premier long distance cross country ski race, and a member of the prestigious Worldloppet series of international cross country ski events. The first race at Falls Creek was held in 1979 under the name of “Australian Birkebeiner”. The course started and finished at the alpine ski village of Falls Creek, and took participants out into the wilderness area of the Bogong High Plains. Later, 42km became the main distance and after a few name changes, the name of Kangaroo Hoppet was adopted in 1990. The lapel pin was owned and donated by Diana Patterson who was a talented cross country skier. She was born in Tasmania and originally pursued a career as a physical education teacher. After making a major career change, she applied to join the Australian Antarctic Division. She applied four times before she was accepted. Diana first travelled to the Antarctic in October 1987. By this time only ten Australian women had spent a winter there. She first worked at Casey Station, before becoming leader at Mawson Station therein becoming the first female leader of an Antarctic base of any nation. After retiring Diana guided tourist expeditions to the Antarctic for many years, as well as continuing work in research and conservation. In 2012 she published her story “The Ice Beneath My Feet: My Year In Antarctica”. Diana Patterson was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for "service to conservation and the environment”. As well as these outstanding career achievements, Diana has been a Board Member of both the Mt. Buller Alpine Resort Management Board, including a period as Chairman, and also the Falls Creek Resort Management Board. She was also a founding member of Falls Creek Historical Society.This medal belonged to a highly recognised Australian and founding member of the Falls Creek Historical Society.A small gold lapel pin from the Birkebeiner Lodge in the form of a Nordic skier with the name beneath it.diana patterson, falls creek, cross country skiing, kangaroo hoppet