These photos are part of the Fred Griffith Collection. Frederick Charles “Fred” Griffith was born in Albury, NSW on 2 March 1910. Educated in Albury and Geelong Grammar. Beginning in 1927 he spent many years working first as a jackeroo and on a range of prominent pastoral and merino stud properties in NSW and Queensland. In 1935 he repurchased his former family property “Toonallook", Bowna, NSW and developed it to be the largest Romney Marsh stud in the world, exporting rams to Argentina. He introduced many innovative practices on his property including rabbit control measures and aerial crop dusting. He was an active member of the Albury Show Society and in 1949 established the Albury Sheep Show. Fred was also the Albury representative on the Graziers’ Association Council for over 30 years. He became a life member of both the Albury and Commercial Clubs. Fred’s greatest hobby was snow skiing. His first visit to the snow was to Kosciusko in 1919. The Albury Ski Club was formed in 1935 and Fred was an inaugural member. In 1949 they were granted a site at Falls Creek to build their own lodge. Fred guaranteed the Club for finance from the Bank of NSW. The first portion of the prefabricated building was constructed in Albury. It was transported to Falls Creek on the back of Fred’s truck and erected in one day. This was the bathroom section and the rest was completed in 1950. The original lodge was burned down in 1952 and a new one built the following year. In 1955, Fred also built the Bowna Lodge for his family in partnership with David Fairbairn. He became head of the North Eastern District Skiing Association (N.E.D.S.A.) and successfully applied to run the Australian Ski Championships. Fred also inaugurated children’s races at Falls Creek and ran them for about 20 years. He also formed the company “Falls Creek Ski Tows”. In 1956 Fred along with a group of key people selected the site for Thredbo Village. Fred and his brother sold Toonallook in sections between 1951 and 1974. He moved to Albury and set up as a landscape gardener and fencing contractor. After a serious work accident, Fred retired in 1985 and moved to Rosebud, Victoria where he died on 19 August 1992.These images are part of an important collection donated by Fred GriffithA black and white image of a group of skiers with slope in background. This was a Xmas card sent by Toni and Skippy St. Elmo for Xmas 1952Written on reverse of image: "All good wishes for Xmas + season 53. Toni + Skippy" Fred G, Peg, Angela ?skiers at bogong, fred griffith, bogong 1952

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 1998 the Men's Winner was Ales Vanek from the Czech Republic in a time of 1:47:05. The winner of the Women's event was Nadejda Simaknek of Russia in a time of 2:08:30.This poster is significant because it documents an event which brings international attention to Falls Creek and the surrounding region.A simple black and white poster featuring a silhouette of a skier and a kangaroo.All text is in black. The logos of Worldloppet is featured in the bottom left corner.Across bottom: Kangaroo Hoppet Falls Creek Australia August 29th 1998 Tel: (03) 5754 3103 Fax: (03) 5754 4475 P.O. Box 400 Mt. Beauty 3699 http://www.netc.net.au/-hoppet/kangaroo hoppet, worldloppet events, falls creek, mt. beauty

This item commemorates the involvement of the Royal Australian Navy in the war in Vietnam. HMAS Melbourne was an escort ship during the war in Vietnam.An original oil painting of HMAS Melbourne at sea by Roger Knowles. Grey ship against bright blue sky with purplish clouds. hmas melbourne, roger knowles, oil painting

This item is from the private collection of George Shirling of Red Onion, Falls Creek. The first nutcracker tow at Falls Creek was the Nissen Tow. Operated by Toni and Skippy St. Elmo, it had a capacity of five people at one time and cost 6/- day in 1951. The Nissen Tow was powered by a Buick engine and operated from 1951 until 1960. George Shirling arrived in Falls Creek in 1962. He engaged Phil Nowell to build the original Koki Alpine Lodge which opened in 1965 with 14 beds. George operated the lodge with Michael “Baldy” Blackwell as manager. In 1981 he graduated in sport psychology and was invited to become team psychologist for the Australian Winter Olympic team which went to Albertville, France, in 1992. He later owned the Red Onion Chalet. George Shirling passed away on 27th February 2023. He had remained actively involved in Falls Creek and was generous with his time and knowledge, always an amazing supporter of The Falls Creek Museum and Falls Creek Village.This item is significant because it is connected to one of the early ski tows established in Falls Creek.A woven hessian belt with leather and metal buckle. The metal fork enabled the skier to attach to the rope tow. A display card is included. On card: Item No. 115 Nutcracker - Nissen Rope Tow - 1950sgeorge shirling, nissen lodge

Water laying on a road at Lockwood South. The water is reflecting trees and sky. Written on rear of image is Lockwood Sth 10/8/93Bill Hawkinsregion, small towns, lockwood south

Diamond House Stawell Built by John Hearne. The photo was taken 29.3.1938 and similar to photo 38.1One small original black & white photo and one enlarged photocopy. The view is mostly of the sky with an overview of the Diamond house with neighboring houses.Dreier collections Neg no.268 on the back of the smaller photograph. On enlarged copy "Diamond House", Stawell, looking north. 2 blocks west from the railway gates.stawell

Type example of headwear worn by Australian soldiers deployed on UN missions Sky blue felt beret with black ribbon trim. White and Gold Un badge located on front left with range card backingunited nations

This item is from the private collection of George Shirling of Red Onion, Falls Creek. It is an early souvenir from Falls Creek. George Shirling arrived in Falls Creek in 1962. He engaged Phil Nowell to build the original Koki Alpine Lodge which opened in 1965 with 14 beds. George operated the lodge with Michael “Baldy” Blackwell as manager. He also graduated in sport psychology in 1981 and was invited to become team psychologist for the Australian Winter Olympic team which went to Albertville, France, in 1992. He later owned the Red Onion Chalet. George credited the success of Koki to “Baldy” Blackwell. “Baldy” and Phil Nowell started the Trackers Mountain Lodge in partnership during the 1980s. In 1971 George sold Koki Lodge to Sigi Doerr. In 2024 the renamed Koki Alpine resort remains a highly popular destination in Falls Creek. George Shirling passed away on 27th February 2023. He had remained actively involved in Falls Creek and was generous with his time and knowledge, always an amazing supporter of The Falls Creek Museum and Falls Creek Village.This item is significant because it is a rare souvenir from Falls Creek, Victoria in the 1950s.A small enamelled badge depicting a skier descending the slopes. The badge is blue, white and black with gold trim. It has an accompanying typed sign.In top section of badge: FALLS CREEK 5080 ft On Sign: ITEM NO. 105 Very rare badge - "Falls Creek 5000" c1952 Donated by "Diana" of Diana Lodgegeorge shirling, nissen lodge

Part of a 43-photo record of the MMBW�s engineering feat in drilling a 12 inch pipe line up to 40 feet deep through rock hardened by volcanic action associated with geological fault that occurs along the line. The work took place from October 1979 to May 1980 on the southern boundary of Hubbard Reserve, North Ringwood. The collection was presented to the Ringwood Historical Research Group by J Clarke on 9th June 1980.E561 N11 3 March 1980 A43 The work on sewer line from 29-39 Burlock Avenue. Lundy-Clarke's place on sky-line.

Skiers used this binding to hold their foot onto the ski.The Bogong High Plains has been a skiing destination for Cross Country and Downhill skiers since the 1930's and especially during and after the State Electricity Commission of Victoria's construction of the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme. The steel plate indicates it is for the Bogong High Plains area.Dirty metal binding with a leather adjustable strap on each side and a flexible coil joining the two straps at the back. There are 4 holes on the steel plate allowing for attaching it to the ski.Inscribed on the metal plate at the front. "Bogong / toe iron / pat app for / Australia"ski binding; bogong high plains; cross country skiing

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 1997 the Men's Winner was Paul Gray from Australia in a time of 1:43:07. The winner of the Women's event was Camille Melvey of Australia in a time of 2:06:58.This poster is significant because it documents an event which brings international attention to Falls Creek and the surrounding region.A large poster featuring a main image of many skiers on the slopes, with a larger image of a female skier superimposed over it. A title is written in the top left section of the poster in orange text. Remaining text is in black. The logos of Worldloppet, Southern Hydro, Alpine Resorts Commission Victoria and the Birkebeiner Nordic Ski Club are also included in the left side of the poster. In top left: Kangaroo Hoppet / August 30 1997 Falls Creek Australia At the bottom beneath images: Kangaroo Hoppet 42km Birkebeiner 21km Joey Hoppet 7km Race Secretary P.O. Box 400 Mt. Beauty 3699 Tel: (03) 5754 3103 Fax: (03) 5754 4475kangaroo hoppet, worldloppet events, falls creek, mt. beauty

Postcard: sepia coloured card, biplane in sky above water, land in background, Large chateau style house visible. Potentially UK or France.A. Rapp, marine photographeraviation, civilian, biplane in sky, basil watson, biplane

Born: Londesborough, Yorkshire, England 1862; Arrived: Sydney, New South Wales Australia 1885; Lived and worked: England 1893-1896; Died: Montrose, Victoria, Australia 1935VictorianLedger Gift, 1985Rural landscape with large weeping tree, fence, rolling hills, line of trees and sky. Grey rubbed from gold gesso timber frameRecto: Signed "BLAMIRE YOUNG-" in white watercolour in l.l.c of composition; Not dated; Not titledwatercolour, landscape, trees, fence

N/AThe Churchill Island collection includes several artworks, both original and printed, from the late 1800s. The collection is presented in sets and series, of which this painting belongs to the Artworks series.Late nineteeth centuryPainted scene of a rowboat at sea with a low sky in shades of pink and a full moon above. In large elaborate faded gold gilt frame and is orginal.churchill island, oil painting

One of a series of illustrated envelopes which once contained letters drawn by a soldier/s and sent to Mrs MacDonald of 32 Grey Street Wangaratta.Victoria's 2/24th Infantry Battalion was raised in Wangaratta in July 1940. They were welcomed with open arms by the local community as they rapidly built up their numbers. The people of Wangaratta adopted the Battalion and they became known as "Wangaratta's Own" because of the time the battalion spent in the town during its formative period prior to deployment overseas. Many of the soldiers maintained life long friendships with the people of Wangaratta. Even though the Battation was disbanded in 1946 members and their families return each year, in November, for a commemorative service at the 2/24th Battalion Memorial Wall at the Wangaratta Cemetery.Cream paper envelope with drawing of war scene - cannon in front of hut and palm trees, ambulance in centre and bomb exploding below aircraft in sky.Top left - AIR MAIL Top right - postage stamp Left side - AIF Censor stamp Right side Mrs M MacDonald "Monald" 32 Grey Street Wangaratta Victoria Australia ww2, envelope art

The Comper Swift was the smallest plane to have flown this sky-way.flight, aeroplane, pilot, butler, comper swift

MEDIUM: Oil on kiln dried red gum (wood block) DESCRIPTION: Black figure och blue and white background, wood block, no frame. A realistic depiction of an industrial crane against a predominantly cloud covered sky. The crane set in the lower centre of the canvas almost becomes secondary to the sky and cloud which dominate the wood block. The sky set in bright and vibrant blues contrast the darkness of the clouds, ominous and heavy in shades of grey and green, the colours seem to reflect the relentless clock of industry. A patch of light behind the crane gives it a strong focal point. Signed and titled on reverse of imageoil, de, hope, clario, industrial, photograp

Maggie's Peak where the Chautauqua concerts were overlooked.The photo shows a rock ridge with a small peak at it's centre. There is a tiny patch of blue showing through the cloudy sky on the top, just right of centre.scenery, grampians ranges

The introduction: "Skiing has been a sport in Victoria since the turn of the century. It has only been popular since the 1950s however, when the Alpine areas were opened up to commercial development."Employees of the SECV skied on the High Plains during the construction of the KHES. In 1946 the first lodge was approved by the SEC at Falls Creek. See Falls Creek pages 6-11 for details of amenities in 198048 pages held by 2 staples. 1980 Issue. Front Cover "Victoria has mountains of snow". In color - skier in front of trees laden with snow.Front cover in pen and underlined "J. Watson"falls creek ski resort, snow sport

Postcard. Greetings in Remembrance. A loving thought, As this day brings another year. When skies are grey or summer-blue, May Fortune smile and favour you.

Coloured glass panel of sky, Long Tan Cross, Rising Sun, Anchor and Airforce Wings. Red scroll with gold lettering Together then, Together AgainTogether Then, Together Againleadlight panel, long tan cross

An original coloured painting of two Australian soldiers kissing the ground in front of an Australian Flag. Each soldier has their bags with them. In the background there is a coloured sky.painting, vietnam lest we forget, soldiers