COLOUR PHOTOGRAPH SNOW IN FRONT CLUNES PRIMARY SCHOOL NO.1552local history, photography, photographs, schools 1552

Phillip Bellingham skied for Australia in the 2014 and the 2018 Winter Olympic Games. He studied Sports Science at the University of Ballarat (later Federation University)Colour photograph of a snow skier competing in the Sochi Winter Olympic Gamesphillip bellingham, olympian, winter olympian, skier, alumni, winter olympics

The Chalet' was owned at this time by Mrs. E. M. Dean. Photo shows what was called the 'back flat'. The building had 3 separate kitchens. There were also four 'bedroom' bungalows.Photo shows back of accommodation known as 'The Chalet' - snow on ground and roof.accommodation, chaletsthe chalet

Australian Magazine (A.M.) published a special three page article about Falls Creek and the Bogong High Plains on 24th August 1954. The article was titled "Australia's playground of the future". Written by Muir Maclaren, it referred to the Bogong High Plains as a comparatively new and unexploited winter playground which could be one of the best snow resorts in the world. There were 13 huts which were at Falls Creek which were there due to "hard work, the grace of God, and the permission of the Victorian State Electricity Commission". A brief history of the Albury Ski Club Lodge was included. In 1954 the Lodge was run byLes Meikle and had the Club had a membership of 200 people. Lodges with accommodation established at this time, with the ability to house a total of 280 people, included Albury, Skyline, Bogong, Myrtleford, Hymans, Dawn, Galleon, Kiewa Valley, Snowden, Nelse, Moroma, Trowalla, St, Trinian's, Bowna and Nissen. Fred Griffith, as a member of the Albury Ski Club and owner of Bowna Lodge escorted the reporter and explained the potential of Falls Creek and the surrounding area to become a year-round playground, a paradise for tourists and a great income-earner for the State.This article and accompanying images are significant because they capture early information about the Bogong High Plains, Falls Creek and its pioneers.A centre spread from a monthly publication featuring text and colour imagesBeside photo Peg Plunkett and Angela Bowlar on the summit of the Bogong High Plains, where the snow is perfect for six to eight months a year.bogong high plains, snow conditions falls creek

The post World War II migration of European "snow skiiers" into Australia combined with the construction of Hydo Electricity Schemes in both the N.S.W.and Victorian Alps regions, opened up these winter snow areas to a greater influx of tourists and holiday adventurers interested in "winter" sports. The ability to project, on a global scale, skiing facilities of international standards to those in the northern hemisphere during their summer has opened up the Australia ski resorts and their facilities to a much greater winter sport orientated population. These cross country skis were purchased by a member of the Bogong Ski Club and were part of a bulk ski stock consignment from Finland in 1966/67. They were introduced into the Victorian Alps to encourage skiers to take up cross country skiing both at Falls Creek and Mount Buller. This initiative spurred on the now annual 42 kilometre cross country "Kangaroo Hoppet" race at Falls Creek. This race is currently the biggest cross country snow skiing race in Australia. These snow skis were made in Finland. They are wooden (hickory) skis and made from four strips (glued and shaped) pieces of wood that are not laminated. There is a painted blue flash on the top of the skis that extends the full length of the skis. The face of the underside of the skis is flat and is coated in black Stockholm tar. Glider or grip wax was applied onto this base. The top body of the skis is tapered from shoe position to both front and back tips.Tapered curvatures from foot radiating to all sides provides the required aerodynamics. Metal boot bindings consisting of a toe plate with adjustable toe clip and a heel plate, both of which are screwed onto the skis. "KILPA, KARHU URHEILUTARPEITA SPORTART1KLAR, Karhu-Valtz Finland. Hickorypohjin"snow skiing, cross country skiing, falls creek winter tourism

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 2006 the Men's Winner was Ben Sim from Australia in a time of 1:13:17. The winner of the Women's event was Natascia Leonardi-Cortesi of Switzerland in a time of 1:23:20. This was a very poor snow season with no snow in the Nordic Bowl, on Heathy Spur or on the trail around the Lake so the course had to be modified.This poster is significant because it documents an event which brings international attention to Falls Creek and the surrounding region.An image of a large group of skiers in reddish tones on white-blue snow. All writing is in blue text. The logos of Tourism Victoria and Worldloppet are on the right hand side in red tones. A blue fish is beside the text at the bottom.Beneath the image: KANGAROO HOPPET 16 August 26 Falls Creek Australia 2006 EMAIL [email protected] WEB www.hoppet.com.au PH +61 3 57541045 03 57541045 POST P.O. Box 400 Mount Beauty 3699 newfishPeeskangaroo hoppet, worldloppet events, falls creek, mt. beauty

This postcard was sent by Violet Bonner to her sister Margaret Bonner. The pair were daughters of Edwin Ralph Bonner and Eliza White. Violet was born in 1895 and Margaret in 1893, both in Ararat. Violet married William Messer in 1926. She died in Ballarat in 1967.Sepia rectangular postcard featuring a photograph within an oval frame bordered by a decorative edge. Obverse: Snow scene / Ford Street / Beechworth Reverse: To Mag, / Wishing her many happy returns of her 28th birthday. / From / You loving sister Violet Bonner / [in pen] 2670 / [in pencil] beechworth 24/1/1913 [pencil]burke museum, streetscapes, snow, beechworth, ford street, postcard, photograph, sepia

View of buildings covered in snow. Building foreground shows name Crellet's Storebuildings, shops, mining, mafeking

Mt Beauty was constructed by the State Electricity Commission of Victoria to house employees of the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme. Mt Beauty township looking south east from Hollond's property c1948. Only one transmission line has been built.In the foreground are houses in Simmond's Creek Road. Some houses in North Beauty. The town is still under construction - not all roads have been made and houses haven't any garden around them.This is an early photo of Mt Beauty during construction of the town.d It shows a few houses in Simmonds Creek Road. Large black and white photo of Mt Beauty township with snow on the mountains in the background.mt beauty township 1948, mt beauty construction, simmonds creek road

Black and white photograph of snow falling in Whitehorse Road Mitcham looking North.whitehorse road mitcham, snow falling

Falls Creek Primary School Prior to 1965, couples with small children would move away from Falls Creek due to there being no school facilities in the village. In the mid 60's a few families with school age children established themselves in the village, and a need arose for a school to encourage them to stay. An enrolment of seven children and a building was required before the Education Department could become involved. The Management Committee of the day gifted the families some land (still the site of the Falls Creek Primary School No. 5067) and fundraising began. The original committee consisted of the Steven family (two children), the Lee family (three children), the Caddie family (no children), the Carroll family (no children), and the Alston family (children?). After two years of community based, yet dubious fundraising methods (including weekly gluhwein parties, keg parties and numerous raffles), enough money ($1,300) was raised and an unused SEC building in Mt Beauty was bid on and won. Due to the condition of the road up to Falls Creek, it had to be dismantled and reassembled up the mountain. Unfortunately, the building was delivered to Falls Creek too late into the season to be erected but the following summer, with no money available to hire builders, working bees began, beer was on tap, and BBQs were cooked, and a crude schoolroom with an oil heater donated by Cecil Dobson from Winterhaven was erected. The first teacher hired was an Alaskan woman who agreed to a wage of $10 per child per week. Due to minimal resources the children were sent home at different times of the day in order to warm up and have a meal. Through the winter of 1971 many government departments were lobbied and it was decided that if the building could be finished to the Education Departments standards then they would provide a government endorsed full time teacher. The three main site holders (Bob Lee, Cecil Dobson and Dick Humphries) took out a loan and the school was refurbished and opened as the 'Bob Scott Memorial Hall' in time for the 1972 season. Maree Keele was the first Head Teacher. After three years of fund raising by the school committee the hall was paid off in full. After many years in the original building the Education Department took control of the school, updated the classrooms and provided accommodation for the teachers. In 1982, discussions began surrounding construction of a 'new' Falls Creek Primary School, a joint property with the community and the Education Department. After it was decided that the funds could not be raised fully by the community ($150,000), the Department constructed a new facility and students moved in on 1st July 1985.This image is significant because it represents the school which the Falls Creek Community fought to establish for their children.A framed coloured photo of Falls Creek Primary School under heavy snowIn lower right corner - 1981 Old Primary School Above doorway:- FALLS CREEK SCHOOL No. 5067falls creek primary school, fcps 5067, education falls creek

Black and white photograph, 5 waitresses and a man standing in the snow on the top of the roof.8619 written on the reverse of the photo

Four pages brochure for Snows store for men, 248 Mitchell street, Bendigo. You get an immediate purchasing power of 10 pounds for 10 shillings when you open a thrift credit account at Snows, Bendigo.bendigo, business, snows

Skiing became a popular sport during the 1940s as access improved to the Bogong High Plains The Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme was constructed on the Bogong High Plains during the 1940s and 1950s. This group of men (possibly workers on the Scheme) are back country skiing during the 1940s prior to the development of Falls Creek and downhill skiing.Large photo of a group of six male skiers with snow gums and faded mountains in the background.skiers on the bogong high plains

After World War II, the Kiewa Hydro-Electric Scheme was started in the Kiewa River Valley by the State Electricity Commission of Victoria. On land previously used only for summer cattle grazing in the natural alpine grasslands, the first ski lodge was built in 1948 by workers from the hydro scheme as skiing was a popular recreation. Many of the hydro employees were of European background and had grown up enjoying skiing and snow sports in their homelands and were keen to continue to pursue their winter sports interests. The first lift, a rope tow, was built at Falls Creek in 1951 and the first chairlift in Australia was constructed there in 1957. Two T-Bars were opened in 1961. In 1964, the Victorian Municipal Directory recorded that Falls Creek had 29 ski club lodges and 16 commercial lodges. The area became a popular tourist destination for both winter and summer sports.Employees of the State Electricity Commission of Victoria in the Kiewa River Valley were the earliest skiers on the Bogong High Plains and built one of the first ski lodges at Falls Creek. They were amongst those pivotal in the development of the skiing and tourist industry at Falls Creek and on the Bogong High Plains. Black and white photographs of varying sizes mounted decoratively on heavy black Card. Some pages display a brief description printed in white ink 1. 4 photographs- displayed diagonally across page. 2 pictures of a group of men standing in the snow in front of a car with a loaded trailer behind. 1 photo of skiers. 1 photo of show hanging in tree branches. 2. 2 photographs- showing Upper Kiewa Road with snow in the background 3. 3 photographs- of skiers and 1 photo of 2 of men posing in the snow & 1 photo of 2 men posing shirtless in warmer weather. 4. 2 photographs- arranged diagonally on page showing early buildings and construction at Bogong Village 5. 2 photographs- 1 showing view of Bogong Village from higher up the mountain. 1 showing early Bogong High Plains road 6. 1 photograph- showing view down along Kiewa Valley from higher up in the mountains 1. Handwritten in white ink – A TRIP TO THE PLAINS 2. Handwritten in white ink – UPPER KIEWA ROAD MT FAINTER IN BACKGROUND 3 – 6. No markings bogong village; upper kiewa road; bogong high plains; falls creek; skiers

This map has been in the Ryder family for approx. 70 years. Probably used when bush walking and skiing in the early days on the Bogong High Plains. The Ryder family are farmers in the Kiewa Valley and were involved in taking their cattle up to the Bogong High Plains where they had a lease. The State Electricity Commission of Victoria constructed the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme opening up the area during the 1940's and 1950's. This type of map is an early one, used by people in the Kiewa Valley and possibly by surveyors prior to construction.The map is an early topographic map used by farmers living in the Kiewa Valley. It is historically significant as these people were involved in taking cattle up to the High Plains during summer and may have been used for bush walking and skiing.This is a sepia coloured paper map which was originally printed copyright registered. It was revised in 20/6.33/4.4.37/8.4.40/24.8.43/19/6/54. It shows roads / tracks / snow poles / snow pole numbers (27) / Snow pole spacing (3 chains. 66 yards) approximately 27 poles to the mile / height above sea level in feet - 5280. Water courses not definitely located etc.Rocky Valley Dam (Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme) has been drawn on the map by hand with a biro. There is a wooden rod at the top of the map.topographic map; kiewa valley; ryder family; high plains of victoria

This six-postcard group is the tenth in a series of records of items in the collection of Edgar Dawson DCM. Dawson was the Regimental Sergeant Major of 57th Battalion, AIF. C Company of the 57th was composed of men drawn from Echuca, Eaglehawk and Bendigo. The postcards are from his personal album, and many are annotated in Dawson's hand with explanatory notes on the subject. Refer to Cat No 893 for his service details. Items originally in album cat. no. 207P 1. Moore, James Robert 2462 57th Battalion 2. 'Bert H', unidentified Lance Corporal, three years service stripes, unit unidentified. 3. Unidentified medic, from Bendigo 4. Medic, 57th Battalion, not yet identified 5. 'Snow", unidentified 57th Battalion medic 6. Unidentified medic, 57th Battalion 1. "Yours sincerely J R Moore, 57th Battalion A.I.F 17-12-17" 2. "Yours sincerely, Bert H" 3. "Another Bendigo boy doing great work in the A.M.C" 4. "Yours sincerely *** France 20-12-17" on verso "*** co Reuters Ltd, 5 Moore Street Sydney" 5. "Yours sincerely, Snow, 25-2-18" postcards, 57th battalion, edgar dawson dcm

A black and white photograph of The Log Cabin in Marysville in Victoria.A black and white photograph of The Log Cabin in Marysville in Victoria. The Log Cabin was built by Thomas Henry Branchflower who had arrived from England late in 1921. It was built for Gwendoline Pitman after the death of her father Clarence Pitman and the disappearance of her sister Olive in July 1926. Gwendoline operated an artist and souvenir shop in the newly built Log Cabin in partnership with Peter Mackey who was a Melbourne optician and artist.Snow/ The Log Cabin/ Winter 1943 6 22 KODAK PRINTthomas henry branchflower, gerald branchflower, marysville, mary chain, gwendoline pitman, clarence pitman, kooringa guesthouse, olive pitman, wilbur anderson, peter mackey, photograph, the log cabin

An advertising brochure for Country Touch in Marysville in Victoria.An advertising brochure for Country Touch in Marysville in Victoria. Country Touch was established in 1995 in a mud brick building designed for a pottery studio and gallery on the main street of Marysville in Victoria. By 2003 the pottery kilns were removed and the retail space expanded, however, this was destroyed in the Black Saturday bushfires. In July 2011 the new shop was officially opened and is still trading to this day. marysville, victoria, country touch, 2009 black saturday bushfires

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 2003 the Men's Winner was Ben Derrick from Australia in a time of 0:53:45. The winner of the Women's event was Belinda Phillips of Australia in a time of 1:06:34. Strong winds, falling snow and poor visibility prevailed on the Bogong High Plains. Due to near blizzard conditions the course was altered for safety reasons.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 tree in the snow with skiers superimposed over the top. Borders are black with white text. The logos of Tourism Victoria and Worldloppet are on either side at the bottom of the image.In white text the top: KANGAROO HOPPET 13 Beneath the image: 30th August 2003 Tel: (03) 5754 3103 - Fax: (03) 5754 4475 - P.O. Box 400 Mount Beauty 3699 Website: http://www.hoppet.com.au Email: [email protected] kangaroo hoppet, worldloppet events, falls creek, mt. beauty

A history of the stopping points on the Yarra TrackPaperback. Front cover has a black and white photograph of a wagon being pulled by two horses which have stopped to drink from a wide river. The back cover has a black and white photograph of an area of snow with a snow covered bush in the foreground.Inside back cover / From Kim Harley / Cliffton Hill Stamp of Marysville & District / Historical Society Inc / P.O. Box 22 / Marysville 3779marysville, yarra glen, wood's point, history, yarra track

A history of the stopping points on the Yarra TrackPaperback. Front cover has a black and white photograph of a wagon being pulled by two horses which have stopped to drink from a wide river. The back cover has a black and white photograph of an area of snow with a snow covered bush in the foreground.Sticker on front cover / Revised / Edition Stamp of Marysville & District / Historical Society Inc / P.O. Box 22 / Marysville 3779marysville, yarra glen, wood's point, history, yarra track

A history of the stopping points on the Yarra TrackPaperback. Front cover has a black and white photograph of a wagon being pulled by two horses which have stopped to drink from a wide river. The back cover has a black and white photograph of an area of snow with a snow covered bush in the foreground.With Best Wishes / Ann Thomas / 24.10.95 Stamp of Marysville & District / Historical Society Inc / P.O. Box 22 / Marysville 3779marysville, yarra glen, wood's point, history, yarra track

A history of the stopping points on the Yarra TrackPaperback. Front cover has a black and white photograph of a wagon being pulled by two horses which have stopped to drink from a wide river. The back cover has a black and white photograph of an area of snow with a snow covered bush in the foreground.Sticker on front cover / Revised / Edition Stamp of Marysville & District / Historical Society Inc / P.O. Box 22 / Marysville 3779marysville, yarra glen, wood's point, history, yarra track

This photo is part of the Fred Griffith Photographic Collection documenting his time with the Australian Alpine Club and the formation of the Albury Ski Club. 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. This image is from the Fred Griffith collection which documents the early development of Falls Creek.Black and white square photograph of heavy machinery outside, a man wearing a hat is behind the machinery and operating it. A fence post is front right with a child standing (slightly blurred) to the right. Trees in the background. Stamped - SUPER / G & D . SERVICE Pencil - 61bogong, falls creek, snow, snowfields

This photo is part of the Fred Griffith Photographic Collection documenting his time with the Australian Alpine Club and the formation of the Albury Ski Club. 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. This image is from the Fred Griffith Collection which documents early development of Falls Creek.Black and white square photograph of three men working on a tall wooden structure with a central tall pole. Trees and sky in the background, with grass in front and a wooden building structure at right of image. Stamped - SUPER / G & D . SERVICE Pencil - 61bogong, falls creek, snow, snowfields

This photo is part of the Fred Griffith Photographic Collection documenting his time with the Australian Alpine Club and the formation of the Albury Ski Club. 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.This image is from the Fred Griffith Collection which documents Falls Creek from the late 1940s to mid 1960sBlack and white square photograph of man outside holding a long tool into the ground, he is wearing a hat and his face is in the shadow. Trees and a house are in the background. Inscription on the reverse "Toonallook" was the name of Fred Griffith's property at Bowna, NSW.Stamped - SUPER / G & D . SERVICE Pen - Toonallookbogong, falls creek, snow, snowfields

This photo is part of the Fred Griffith Photographic Collection documenting his time with the Australian Alpine Club and the formation of the Albury Ski Club. 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.This image is from the Fred Griffith Collection which documents Falls Creek from the late 1940s to mid 1960sBlack and white square photograph of three men and two children handling and looking at a tall wooden structure over a hole in the ground. There is a wooden building structure to the right of image and trees and cloudy sky in the background. Stamped - SUPER / G & D . SERVICE Pencil - 89bogong, falls creek, snow, snowfields