This item is from the private collection of George Shirling of Red Onion, Falls Creek. It records the visit of the Austrian National Ski team to Falls Creek in 1966. The first paragraph includes thanks from the Victorian Skiing Association to those who have supported the visit including J. Molony Pty. Ltd., Alpine Developments (Ski Tows) Pty. Ltd., Falls Creek Committee of Management, Ko-Ki Ski Lodge, Arundel Ski Lodge and Rothmans of Pall Mall. 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.A flyer welcoming the Austrian National Ski Team to Falls Creek in 1966. It includes profiles and images of the members of the team and has been autographed by them.george shirling, koki lodge, austrian national ski team 1966

Two identical photos of Stawell Baptist Church 1870. Examples of Baume's Photographic work. One photo is more faded and has names Davies and Wm Anthony on the back. One of the two people standing outside the picket fence in front of the Church has a top hat on. Two identical photos of the front view of Baptist Church. There is a tall picket fence in front of the church with two men standing beside the fence. Photo taken by J Baume Portrait Rooms, Reefs Pleasant Creek c. 1871J. BAUME, Portrait Rooms, Reefs Pleasant Creek. No... Copies can be had by sending Names and Numbers. Davies & Wm Anthonystawell

Taken in Beechworth 1865, this photograph depicts the view of the Spring creek with the Beechworth township in the background. This photograph was taken 13 years after the discovery of Gold at Spring Creek. Within eleven months of the discovery in 1852, over 8000 hopeful prospectors had descended on the region, transforming the seemingly undisturbed land into what a visiting journalist in 1880s referred to as; "A Titan's Field". Huge mounds of earth were churned by hundreds of miners in search for gold, almost every available resource the land had to offer was used for something; even the bark off the gums were stripped to line huts and shafts. By 1857 more than 20,000 people lived in Beechworth, and with this influx the town prospered with the building of numerous churches, banks, schools, shops and hotels along with a prison and hospital.Black and white rectangular photograph. Image is printed on matte photographic paper and is mounted on cardboard.Obverse: NO INSCRIPTION Reverse: BMM6925 / BEECHWORTH FROM SPRING CREEK 1865 beechworth, spring creek, gold rush, titan's field, 1865, prospectors

The late W.F. “Bill” Waters, Rover Commissioner of Victoria, was introduced to skiing in November 1930 at the International Scout Chalet at Kandersteg in Switzerland. He believed it would be a good activity for Victorian Rovers to be involved in to learn more about the Victorian Alps The first Rover ski trip to the Bogong High Plains was in the August of 1932 when a group of four crossed the High Plains from Omeo to Harrietville via Tawonga Huts, Cobungra Gap, Mt Loch and Mt Feathertop. In 1933 the Bogong Rover Crew was formed and in 1938 funds were collected and life memberships offered to raise funds to build a Rover Chalet for the purposes of skiing. During February and March1940, the Chalet was built at a cost of £700 using volunteer labour. It was the first ski lodge in the area and was built long before there was a road over Watchbed Creek. After the road to Rocky Valley was finished it was easier for the scouts to walk in from there instead of from Shannonvale. During the spring thaw the creek became almost impassable. Joe Holsten who was an SEC employee who worked with Martin Romuld out of Wilkinson’s Hut built a bridge across the creek made entirely from snow gums which he had to haul about 300 metres from the nearby hills. It became known as the Harbour Bridge as it arched over the water just like the Sydney Harbour Bridge.These images are significant because they depict an early bridge structure to enable easier travelling across the Bogong High Plains.Three black and white photos taken at the Harbour Bridge, Watchbed Creek.harbour bridge bogong high plains, watchbed creek, joe holsten

A part of a yearly marketing and information material promoting Falls Creek region for the summer holidays. It focuses on Falls Creek's location in the High Plains and its connection to the Bogong National Park. Large amounts of information about activities, facilities and regulations for the use of Park facilities are included,This item is important because it documents seasonal activities at Falls Creek Alpine ResortGreen A4 size brochure for summer holiday program at Falls Creek 'Gateway to the Bogong High Plains'. Dark green printed text and images on lighter green card paper, with image of Wallaces Hut framed at bottom of page and titles above. Opens to A3 size with internal and back pages of images and information for Summer Holidays at Falls Creek. falls creek, bogong high plains, bogong national park, northeast victoria

Bob Hymans Collection Bob (Herman) Hymans (a former member of the Royal Netherlands Navy was born in Bloemendaal, Holland on 30th September 1922. During World War II he fought against the Japanese in the Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia) and was imprisoned in Changi and on the Burma Railway. After gaining qualifications as a Ski Instructor, Bob arrived in Falls Creek in May 1950. Working as an Instructor and Supervisor at Bogong Lodge, Bob decided his future was in accommodation. He was successful in negotiating an indenture for land from the State Electricity Commission (SEC). It took Bob two years to build his Grande Coeur Chalet but, tragically, it was burned down in August 1961. Bob also built the first Chairlift in Australia. This was a single chairlift and the structure was built from wooden electricity poles. He was constantly full of new ideas and proposals for the village. Bob Hymans died on 7th July 2007. This Collection of documents and letters tells the story of Bob’s endeavours to develop Falls Creek into the ski village it is today.This document is significant because it documents the design of the first chairlift at Falls Creek.Detailed drawings for the chairlift to be constructed by Bob Hymans at Falls Creek.chairlift falls creek, skyline chair lift, bob hymans

Luigi Gervasoni was born in San Gallo, Lombardy, Italy. He arrived in Australia in 1863 and was part of a co=operative to farm and build the old stone house at Yandoit Creek. Eventually moving to his own property he was a vigneron selling his wine in central Victoria and Melbourne, and exporting to Ireland. Black and white photograph of wine barrells being cleaned at Yandoit Creek, Victoriayandoit creek, vineyard, barrell, gervasoni

Photo shows two men standing beside a fast flowing creek, another man is standing behind a bush to their left. The area in the background appears very open."Creek at the Grampians" hand written on bottom of mount board. "Schroder" inscribed in purple on upper, left of mount board. "Photo, Murtoa"(?) inscribed in purple on lower left of mount board.scenery, grampians ranges, recreation, hunting

This item is from the private collection of George Shirling of Red Onion, Falls Creek. In 1952 Orest “Ory” Frueauf entered into a business partnership with Cecil Dobson, running the general store “Whitehaven” and Post Office at Falls Creek. They extended their business by adding accommodation turning Whitehaven into one of the best commercial lodges at Falls Creek. Ory and Cecil dissolved their business partnership in 1963 and Ory went on to build a new lodge called “Snowhaven” at the site of the present day Frueauf Village, Falls Creek. Ory retired to Tawonga, Victoria in 1992 and passed away in 1999. 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 linked In to an early lodge and to Orest Frueauf, a pioneer of Falls Creek.A match book printed in blue and white for Winterhaven Lodge, Falls Creek. It includes the postal address and telephone number. The back features an advertisement for Diners Club International.george shirling, winterhaven ski lodge, orest frueauf

The Kew Historical Society's postcard collection includes views of Kew, Melbourne and Greater Melbourne as well as those including overseas scenes sent or received from Europe or the Middle East. They date from the 1890s to the 2000s. These postcards may or may not include the name of the publisher or printer. A number of the cards were published as parts of popular series. A way of dating early postcards is to identify whether the reverse was divided by a central line which became the norm after 1902 in the United Kingdom. However, other postcards produced after this date do not always conform to this print layout.A Rose Series postcard of Ferny Creek in the Dandenongs to the north of Melbourne. The monochrome postcard is numbered P. 3811.Front: THE ROSE SERIES P. 3811 COPYRIGHT / VIEW AT FERNY CREEK, VIC. Reverse: POST CARD / THE ROSE SERIES DELUXE / A REAL PHOTOGRAPH PRODUCED IN AUSTRALIA / PUBLISHED BY THE ROSE STENOGRAPH CO., ARMADALE, VICTORIA / [Inscription] Many Happy Returns of the day, Mum.ferny creek - victoria, postcards

These publications were developed by the Falls Creek Ski Lifts Pty. Ltd. to promote activities and facilities at Falls Creek for the Winter Seasons of 1992 and 1994. They include maps of Falls Creek Village and the surrounding slopes as well as pricing for ski lifts and packages. Advertisements for Frying Pan Inn and Cloud 9 Restaurant are featured.These items are important because they document seasonal activities at Falls Creek Alpine Resort over time.Two glossy coloured flyers featuring images and information about skiing and trails at Falls Creek. Prices for different lift passes, ski gear rental and season passes are included.falls creek marketing, ski packages falls creek, falls creek trail maps, falls creek visitor information

BUILDING OF BRIDGE OVER MOUNT CREEK ON ROAD TO MOUNT BECKWORTH, BRIDGE NOW CLOSED TO TRAFFIC.PHOTOCOPY OF PHOTO OF BUILDING BRIDGE OVER MOUNT CREEK TO MOUNT BECKWORTH. CIRCA 1941 TWO MEN IN WORK WEAR STANDING ON BRIDGElocal history, photography, photographs, bridges

These photographs were taken in and around Falls Creek by Samuel Keith Pearce and printed for him as a foldout postcard by NuColor Vue. The postcards state they were printed for S. K. Pearce Pty. Ltd of Tawonga and Mount Beauty. Samuel Keith Pearce was born on 24 June 1917 in Armadale, Victoria. By the late 1940s he owned the Mt Beauty Supermarket, Newsagency, Drapery and Hardware store at Mount Beauty and also a store at Tawonga in partnership with his brother Gordon Cathew Pearce. For some time, they operated as Pearce Brothers. In the early 1960s Keith also opened a mini mart In Falls Creek. As well as being a keen photographer and an astute businessman, Keith Pearce was a well-known identity in the Kiewa Valley, making many contributions to the development of the area over a long period. This included serving as a member of the Bright Shire Council for many years. He worked hard to promote the interests of the Upper Kiewa Valley. As a sign of recognition and appreciation for his contribution to the community, the park opposite the grocery store in Mount Beauty was named the SK Pearce Gardens in his honour. Samuel Keith Pearce died on 7 July 1994 in Mount Beauty, Victoria.This collection of postcards and images is significant because they were commissioned by a highly successful businessman in Falls Creek, Victoria.A colour image of the skiers on the chair lift at Falls Creekfalls creek, falls creek chairlifts

The SECV constructed the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme which included the building of Rocky Valley Dam on the Bogong High Plains near Falls Creek. H.H.C. Williams, construction engineer, Kiewa wrote to the Ski Clubs at Falls Creek outlining the dangers arising with the filling of Rocky Valley Dam. He lists 5 warnings in the interest of safety.The plan and letter provide the dates for the completion of Rocky Valley dam and its effect on the people living and working in the area including miners and ski clubs. It describes some of the features of Kiewa Works Area at the time.Plan No. K 6612 of Fall Creek showing Rocky Valley Dam's shape when it is full. Letter dated 6th April 1959 from H.H.C. Williams to Ski Clubs at Falls Creek re public safety as Rocky Valley fills. Refers to roads, transmission lines, pole lines etc in the Kiewa Works Area.Written in ink at top of letter - "Secretary / Mt Beauty and District Progress Association"rocky valley dam, falls creek ski clubs, h.h.c. williams, khes 1959, safety

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.These images are significant because they depict aspects of the life of a pioneering family of Falls Creek and the founders of "Skyline", the first lodge at Falls Creek.Two black and white images of Spion Kopje from Falls Creek. Skyline Lodge is visible in the first image.falls creek, victorian snowfields, spion kopje, skyline lodge

In 1889, 24 residents of the Running Creek and surrounding district submitted a petition to the Minister of Lands, Melbourne requesting land for a cemetery. Their request was granted. The Cemetery was decommissioned in the early 1950s and the last trustee for the cemetery died in 1986. There is a wooden fence around the boundary (May 2024). One paper lists 29 names in the Burial Register 1861-1948. The last two sheets record the history as a timeline from the 1850s to the 1900s. Havilah was a gold mining settlement from the 1850s located 20km west of the Kiewa Valley and in the Ovens catchment near Myrtleford.Five black and white A4 pages stapled together. Copies of the sign erected at the gate of 'Havilah cemetery formerly Running Creek Cemetery'. Also the 'History of Havilah formerly Running Creek'havilah, running creek, cemetery

Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995), Thursday 9 January 1969, page 1 A day of century heat, 13 KILLED IN VICTORIAN FIRES ...About thirty houses and a public hall were destroyed by fire in the township of Diamond Creek. The group officer of the Diamond Creek Fire Brigade, Mr Tom Harrington, said tonight that he thought it was a "miracle" that no-one lost their lives in the fires. A relief centre for the homeless was set up by the Diamond Valley Shire Council. Mr Harrington said that the first fire call in the town was received at 10.45 am. "Within 20 minutes there were five more fires and it seemed like the whole town was alight", he said. "It was a chaotic day. All our best plans for fighting the fires became disorganised. "As 60-mile-an-hour winds swept fires through different parts of the town many fire fighters were unable to get from one fire to another. ," Black and white photograph of charred fire remnant Diamond Creek 1969diamond creek, fire, george w bell collection, bushfire, charred, burnt timber

The members of the Brown family in a rowing boat on Mordialloc Creek. Hugh Brown (1830-1930), born in Ireland, arrived in Adelaide in 1855 and in the Mordialloc district in 1856. Mr Brown brought land in 1866 and built his farmhouse “Pine Vale” in 1870 near the site of the present Mordialloc Secondary College (then part of the property) and extended his property when the swampland was made open for selection in 1871. The property was a market garden and orchard. Hugh Brown married Zillah Baxter (1866) and they had six sons, five living to adulthood. The Brown family increased their land holding until they held a major part of the farmland between Mordialloc Creek to almost the Aspendale Railway Station. The property was a market garden and orchard. Mr Brown took an active interest in the public life of the community, a Justice of the Peace; Councillor of Dandenong Shire for over 30 years, was twice Shire President; and a founding member of the Mordialloc Mechanics Institute. Sepia photo of a adults in a large rowing boat on Mordialloc Creek, Mordialloc.hugh brown, mordialloc, pioneer, pine vale, mordialloc creek, row boat

Timeline of Falls Creek during the 1950sFalls Creek is a snow resort on the Bogong High Plains, Victoria. The 1950s saw the village develop from its beginning to a popular ski resort.10 pages stapled top left corner. Includes a timeline of Falls Creek from early 1950s to the late 1950s. Titled 'The Village' and handwritten on one side only.falls creek, skiing, tourism, snow resort

1973 flood. W. Fitzpatrick's house on Calder Hwy, surrounded by flood water from Yeungroon Creek.B/W photograph of 1973 flood. W Fitzpatrick's house on Calder Highway surrounded by flood water from flooded Yeungroon Creek.flood, charlton, calder highway, yeungroon

This article reports on the latest fad - snow shoe lessons, being conducted at Falls Creek by Ms Jenny Bolwell for the Forests, Conservation and Lands Department in 1986. The two hour "shuffle" took participants up into the sub-alpine area of the village. The snow shoe lessons had been held for the previous two seasons. Bookings were available each Tuesday and Saturday during the snow season.This article is significant because it documents the variety of activities available at Falls Creek during its development.A newspaper item about the new fad at Falls Creek - snow shoeing.snow shoes, falls creek activities

Stawell Pleasant Creek Hospital Staff 1917 & 1916 Nurses from left to right Ann Gullan, May Williams, Mayble Hyslop, Mamie Singleton, ? Whitney, Jess Taylor, May Booth, Jennie Wren. Left to Right Dr Fox, Matron Simpson, Dr Forshaw. Black and white photograph of a group on Nurses and Doctors standing on the steps of Pleasant Creek Hospital.stawell medical, hospital

Ambrogio Invernizzi Was from San Giovanni Bianco in Italy, and was an original partner with Carlo Gervasoni, Luigi Gervasoni and Giuseppe Giupponi. They built the 'Old Stone House' at Yandoit Creek, that was later lived in by Carlo Gervasoni and his family. Ambrogio and his family living in a neighbouring drystone house. Ambrogio Invernizzi died in 1888, aged 56 years. Ambrogio Invernizzi was born at San Giovanni Bianco, the neighbouring town to San Gallo, the birth town of the Gervasoni Brothers. Photograph portrait of Italian born Ambrogio Invernizzi of Yandoit Creek.ambrogio invernizzi, san giovanni bianco, yandoit creek

These photographs were taken in and around Falls Creek by Samuel Keith Pearce and printed for him as a foldout postcard by NuColor Vue. The postcards state they were printed for S. K. Pearce Pty. Ltd of Tawonga and Mount Beauty. Samuel Keith Pearce was born on 24 June 1917 in Armadale, Victoria. By the late 1940s he owned the Mt Beauty Supermarket, Newsagency, Drapery and Hardware store at Mount Beauty and also a store at Tawonga in partnership with his brother Gordon Cathew Pearce. For some time, they operated as Pearce Brothers. In the early 1960s Keith also opened a mini mart In Falls Creek. As well as being a keen photographer and an astute businessman, Keith Pearce was a well-known identity in the Kiewa Valley, making many contributions to the development of the area over a long period. This included serving as a member of the Bright Shire Council for many years. He worked hard to promote the interests of the Upper Kiewa Valley. As a sign of recognition and appreciation for his contribution to the community, the park opposite the grocery store in Mount Beauty was named the SK Pearce Gardens in his honour. Samuel Keith Pearce died on 7 July 1994 in Mount Beauty, Victoria. The first Poma tow to open at Falls Creek was the Nursery Poma in 1964. The name "Poma" originates from the inventor of this style of lift Jean Pomagalski who was born in Krakow, Poland, He fled Poland with his family and settled in France. As an engineer he developed the first surface lift with a tow rod which was installed in Alpe d'Huez (France) in 1934.This collection of postcards and images is significant because they were commissioned by a highly successful businessman in Falls Creek, Victoria.A colour image of skiers and instructors gathered at the Meeting Place, Falls Creekfalls creek, falls creek chairlifts, poma lift falls creek

Wantirna Road Shack next to Dandenong Creek on East Side of Wantirna Road (near the bridge). Has been there many years - maybe 40 and it is still there (18.9.1989). (Note this is NOT part of Hill's dairy but was in the same series of photographs so kept together).A shack next to Dandenong Creek / East side of Wantirna Road / Has been there many years - maybe 40 / It is still there (18.9.89)

A poem that was written about a journey taken by a local miner's daughter to the Sir John Franklin gold mine from Gooleys Creek.A poem that was written about a journey taken by a local miner's daughter to the Sir John Franklin gold mine from Gooleys Creek.sir john franklin gold mine, gooleys creek, stander's track, goulburn river, wood's point, johnstons hill, chinese miners, black friday

"The house (centre) at North Eltham in which Mr. and Mrs. William Frizell, an elderly couple, were marooned by flood waters. When this photograph was taken late yesterday afternoon the couple were still inside the house, and through a ventilator they had stuck a red flag which they waved from time to time. The house on the left belongs to Mr. Leads, who also was marooned." - The Argus 1 December 1934. John William Frizell, painter and his wife Sarah Jane are registered at Glen Park, Eltham in the 1924 Electorial Roll This was most probably the Diamond Creek in flood. In 1934 extensive flooding of the Yarra River and Diamond Creek sets new records for flood plain level (via Chronology of Eltham, EDHS) flood, frizell, leads, argus, glen park, eltham north, flooding, marooned, diamond creek

Clear Creek Tin Mine, c.1931mines, mining, tin, tin mining, men, sluicing, clear creek, el dorado, eldorado