After World War II, the Kiewa Hydroelectric 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 scheme. The first lift, a rope tow, was built in 1951 and the first chairlift in Australia was constructed there in 1957. Falls Creek Post Office opened on 9 June 1958 (with telegraph and telephone facilities only until 1964) .Despite strong opposition from the head of the Kiewa scheme, who didn't want tourists clogging up his roads and destroying his "dry" construction camps by bringing in booze, Falls Creek boomed as much as Hotham, partly owing to its relatively good access road. Early lodges included Bogong (c.1946), Skyline (1947), Albury (1949), Myrtleford (1949) and Dawn (c.1950).The souvenir postcard photographed and produced by an enterprising local businessman Mr S K Pearce, was produced as a memento for skiers and other visitors to the Falls Creek and Mt Beauty area to send to family and friends as a reminder of their visit to the region, or to keep as a personal souvenir. It presented an excellent promotional opportunity for enterprising local businessmen to promote the area to skiers and tourists near and far. It also presents an excellent pictorial history of the falls creek area around the late 1950’s to early 1960’sColour postcard folder (unused) containing 13 photographs of the Falls Creek ski area and surrounds. Inside cover has a brief description of the area and the services available to visitors Printed on front cover- FALLS CREEK SKI VILLAGE. Your Souvenir Folder Photo of skiing slopes of the village Inside front flap - a brief description of the Falls Creek area and the services available to visitors 1. Diana Lodge parking area and Spion Kopje 2. Winterhaven Lodge 3. Ski Hirage Centre and skiing slopes 4. Ski Lodges from main road 5. Nelse and Arundel Lodges 6. Day visitors’ shelter and parking area 7. Summit T-Bar lift 8. Spur T-bar looking towards Village and Spion Kopje 9. T-bar lower station and Snow Crystal Inn 10. ‘Akja’ rescue sled in use 11. Falls Creek road and Grand Coeur Lodge annex 12. Rope tows and beginner slopes 13. Back cover- Published by Nucolorvue Pty Ltd Mentone Vic. Printed in Australia For S.K.Pearce Pty Ltd Tawonga and Mt Beauty falls creek, snow, bogong high plains, victorian alps

Donald Clark Collection. Booklet with title 'Revised Formula & Procedure for the Opening & Closing of Lodges' for use in Independent Order of Odd Fellows Lodges. Adopted and published in 1911.

Paperback 21 x 15 cm 16 pages plus coverjudge book village, melbourne citymission, eltham lodge

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 connected to an iconic business established in Falls Creek, VictoriaA flyer produced to promote Koki Alpine Lodge for the Winter Season 1968, including tariffs and activities available. It is printed in black, sepia tones and small touches of blue and brown. Part of the text includes the quotation from Paul Gauguin featured on other Koki advertising:- "For I too am beginning to feel an immense need to become a savage and create a new world." PAUL GAUGUIN, 1887koki lodge, george shirling, phil nowell, "baldy" blackwell, sigi doerr

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

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 it depicts aspects of the life of a pioneering family of Falls Creek and the founders of "Skyline", the first lodge at Falls Creek.Images of Skyline Lodge. Photo One shows seven feet of snow piled on the roof. This would have been the equivalent of approximately 70 tons in weight being supported by the roof structure.falls creek, victorian snowfields, skyline lodge

This item is from the private collection of George Shirling of Red Onion, Falls Creek. It is from the Australian Ski Yearbook of 1967 reporting on the visit of the Austrian National Ski team to Falls Creek in winter of 1966. 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 documents an important visit by an international ski team to Falls Creek.An article from Australian Ski Yearbook 1967 featuring a photograph of George Shirling and 2 skiers.Under photo 1966 Austrian National Ski team members Heidi Zimmermann and Karl Schranz together with their host for the team's visit to Falls Creek, Victoria - proprietor of Koki Alpine Lodge, George Shirling. Photo Geoff Braid. george shirling, koki lodge, austrian national ski team 1966

This item is from the private collection of George Shirling of Red Onion, Falls Creek. The card was from Kilimanjaro Ski Apartments, originally called Kilimanjaro Flats, built c1967 for Jon and Marnie Searles. In 2024 Kilimanjaro Apartments was still operating with one, two or three bedroom accommodation available. 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 card is significant because it was produced by a Falls Creek accommodation service which began operation in the late 1960s.A Christmas card from Kilimanjaro Ski Apartments at Falls Creek, Victoria. The front shows an image of Kilimanjaro Lodge surrounded by snow with a skier dressed in red. The card is decorated with stylised fir trees. The reverse included a photo of the owners Marnie and Jan Searles and a Christmas message. It also includes a place for an address and a postage stamp to be added.On Front: Seasons greetings from Kilimanjaro/ Falls Creek Ski Village On Back: Kilimanjaro Logo, Postage and Contact details. An image of the owners in yellow and black ski clothes as well as text "Hope to see you & ski with you next year Marnie & J.J. Marnie & Jan wish you a Joyous Xmas & Happy New Year"george shirling, kilimanjaro flats, marnie searles, falls creek accommodation

A Leather bond Bible presented to the Gordon Lodge at it's Foundation 1886 by the first Worshipful Master of the Lodge - MW Bro William Farquarson Lamonby

Purple Lodge Collar with a metal Clip sewn onstawell

Buff coloured certificate with red Lodge seal. Certification that Brother Arthur James Bromwich Aird was advanced to the honorable Degree of Mark Master on 18th August, 1936, in the Lilydale Lodge No.65on the Register of the United Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons of Victoria. Signed by the Deputy Grand Master and given under the Seal of the Grand Lodge at Melbourne on 22nd March, 1937.

Euroka Lodge Jewell with Pale Blue Ribbon - Presented to Bro W.N. Harris PM by the Brethren of the Euroka Lodge 44 UVN 27th March 1902stawell

The Loyal Orange Institution of Victoria was established in 1843. As a society composed of Protestants, it works to support and defend the Protestant faith. The Institution is named in honour of King William III, Prince of Orange (1650-1702) and his achievements for civil and religious liberty. The first Orange Lodge in Victoria was founded in 1843, following a sectarian protest in Elizabeth Street Melbourne over the election of a Protestant candidate to the Legislative Council. By the 1890s there were 169 branches in Victoria, engaged in political lobbying for mainstream Protestant issues like temperance, Sunday observance, opposition to state aid for church schools, and opposition to any expansion of the political influence of Roman Catholics. The monthly meetings had an element of secrecy, as members wore regalia and followed a simple ritual. No Catholics could join. Women were admitted to Lodges in 1903.Single-sided sheet printed in blue ink containing program details. Decorative title at top of page, with central image of cavalier on rearing horse within a decorative ribbon and floral border, containing a Protestant oath. Loyal Orange Institution of Victoria "True Blues" Lodge Annual Tea and Entertainment Programmeloyal orange institution, protestant, societies, religion

Dinner gong - Albert Park Lodge No.262 (Freemasons)ephemera, ww1, general

WW1, Honour Roll Loyal Wimmera Lodge I.O.O.F.stawell, ww1

Marnoo IOOR Lodge Regalia Tent 486 Realia stawell

The photograph shows the Delegate Lodge with the Orbost Brass Band at Christmas 1892. They travelled by horseback to play for the Star of Delegate Order of Oddfellows. The first Orbost Brass Band was formed in 1889. Around 1908 the town band split and the Orbost Workers' Band was formed. Eventually the two bands merged in 1913 to reform as the Orbost Municipal Band under conductorship of Charles Spink. The band continued for many years but was later disbanded and again reformed. This was to happen a number of times, the last time being in 1961 and continuing through to the late 1970's. Further info and Ref: In Times Gone By - Deborah HallThis is a pictorial record of the Orbost Brass Band. The various Orbost bands over the years played a major role in community activities providing entertainment and musical experiences for the many members.A very yellowed photograph of a band procession with the men holding their instruments. Two men are holding a large banner. In the background are wooden cabins. The photograph is on a white buff card. There are four copies of this photograph.on back - handwritten - "Presented to Mr C Spink Bandmaster Orbost Brass Band by the members of the Star of Delegate Lodge MUIOOF P Crawford Secretary"orbost-brass-band spink-charles delegate-oddfellows

A picture of the original Gordon Lodge lodge-room of 1886 - room currently in use by the Lodge's artist-in-residence. Below is a newspaper article from the North Melbourne Advertiser (Vic: 1873 - 1894) for Friday 22 April 1887 that describes the architecture of the building at the time of its completion. From some of the details included in the article it is obvious that the journalist who wrote the article was a Freemason. THE MASONIC HALL ASCOT VALE North Melbourne Advertiser (Vic. : 1873 - 1894) Friday 22 April 1887 THE MASONIC HALL ASCOT VALE The now Masonic Hall, Ascot Vale, the foundation stone of which was laid by the Worshipful Master of the Gordon Lodge (Bro, W. F. Lamonby) in October last has just been completed, and will be formally opened: with grand Masonic ball on the 13th prox. The hall stands on a fine block of land having a frontage of 50ft to the Maribyrnong road by a depth of 130 ft., and is built of brick and cement on a most substantial foundation of bluestone. The Tuscan style of architecture has been adopted with the most successful result, and the front design which is especially handsome, includes four massive pilasters with frieze architrave and enriched cornice, forming the entablature of the order,- and giving a most imposing appearance. The front door, over which are the masonic emblems, is seven feet wide, and two escape doors made to open outwards in compliance with the Central Board of Health regulations are also provided, in case of emergency. In the vestibule is a very fine elliptic arch with keystone enriched with fruit, and the whole floor, 9ft. 6in. wide, is laid with Cawkwell's encaustic tyles. On the right, of tile vestibule is a commodious committee room 22ft. by 12ft 6in with side entrance for members, so that in case the main hall is engaged no inconvenience need be caused. On the left is the Secretary's room, and off this again is a staircase cellar. The vestibule is well lighted with two exceedingly pretty chandeliers, which have a very pleasing effect and give it a nice bright appearance ascending a handsome staircase leading from the vestibule the upper storey is reached, and here everything is splendidly arranged, especially 'the Lodge Room, which is a model of neatness and of comfort. The dimensions are 28ft. x 22ft 6in. with an elevation of 17ft. 6in. to the beautiful cove ceiling, which is quite a work of art. At the east end of the room on a raised dais is the master's chair with the masonic emblems, and neat forms of polished kauri are placed at the sides for members, about 150 of whom can be accommodated. The lighting and ventilation have both been well attended to and all is very complete. The main hall is 75ft. by 35 ft. with a stage 15ft. deep, leaving the auditorium 60ft. x 35ft. with a seating capacity about 600. Round the walls up to 6ft 6in. is a handsome dado in Portland cement and above it are panelled Tuscan pilasters to the entablature, architrave enriched frieze and medallion cornice forming the main cornice to the hall. Immediately inside the cornice is a sunken panel all-round the ceiling relieved with ornamental outlet ventilators. There are twelve large windows, six on each aide, and the sashes, skirting boards, and doors throughout the building are beautifully painted in imitation of grained cedar. Two enormous gas reflectors, each for 50 lights are suspended from the ceiling and besides these, four elegant hanging chandeliers for lighting up the proscenium, and back of the stage, under which is a storeroom for seats, &c, when the hall is required for a ball. The floor is made of kauri, secretly nailed, and is beautifully finished off. At the back of the stage are two lavatories and ladies and gentlemen's dressing rooms, between which are a connecting passage for a call boy. Outside is a capital asphalted yard, and the other usual conveniences on an improved plan. There is a right-of-way asphalted on each side of the building, and a large lamp is to be placed opposite the main entrance to light up the front. Everything that forethought and ability could suggest to make the hall comfortable and popular has been done, and it now only remains for the public to avail themselves of the advantages offered them by the enterprising Company. The cost of the building and furniture, including a magnificent piano, was £2,500, and the land £300. Mr J. C. M. Cowan, of Ascot Vale, is the architect, and Messrs Parker and Pater, of South Melbourne, the contractors. The plastering was done by Mr I Nicholas, of Murray Street, Moonee Ponds, who is also entitled to great praise for his splendid workmanship. Mr Cowan has been most assiduous and particular in seeing that his instructions were carried out to his satisfaction, and the result must be exceedingly gratifying to him and to the directors. The Masonic hall is only one of the many buildings erected by Mr Cowan in this district, among the others being the well known residences of Meessrs. J. Levy, Mooneo Street; W. Murphy, Eglington street; G. Groube, Maribyrnong street; C. A. Arvier, Moonee Ponds ; and F. Paul, Mount Alexander road. It may also be mentioned that Mr Cowan generously presented the plans for the now local fire brigade tower which is acknowledged to be one of the strongest and most graceful around Melbourne, The new Masonic Hall does infinite credit to the borough, and in accommodation, design, and comfort it is not surpassed by any similar building of the kind outside the city.

Printed and handwritten United Grand Lodge awarded to Robert Grahamrobert graham, greta, kelly gang, ellen kelly, grand lodge, free masons, bravery, awards, shepparton