This item is from the private collection of George Shirling of Red Onion, Falls Creek. It accompanied a copy of Ernest Forras' autobiography "Earnest Escapades" given to George Shirling - two pioneers of the Australian Ski Industry. Ernest Forras died on Sunday 31st October 2010 at Mt Buller. 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 links two pioneers of the Australian Ski Industry.A message from Ernest Forras to George Shirling in a wooden frame. An explanatory sign explains Ernie Forras' background. The autograph says: "To My dear Friend George Koki's Creator From Hungary with Love!! Ernie F." ITEM No.4 Ernest Forras "Earnest Escapades" The autobiography of a pioneer of the Australian snowfields First published in 1994. Ernest, later the owner of Kooroora, Mt. Buller on his first visit to Falls Creek in June 1951 writes about the lodges at Falls Creek... Albury, Bogong, St. Arnauds, Wangaratta, Skyline (Ski Club of Victoria), and Myrtleford ski club, St. Elmo's hut, Bob Hyman's small chalet, and Tom Mitchell's (then, State Attorney General) private hut. When learning that the State Electricity Commission controlled Falls Creek in the early days, Ernest wondered why the Egg Board and the Potato Board had missed out! Ernest acknowledged the impressive development in the Australian snowfields but remained concerned about a "head in the snow" attitude which argued against privatisation of our snowfields, park entry fees, and the compulsory carrying of snow chains. Is anybody listening?george shirling, ernest forras, "earnest escapades"

This item is from the private collection of George Shirling of Red Onion, 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. 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 includes a wide range of products used to protect skis and improve performance from the 1920s until the present.A variety of brands of ski wax for maintenance of ski surfaces. The brands included are:- "TOKO", a Swiss company founded in 1916. The Swix colour wax system which was first marketed on November 28th 1946 in Sweden. Bratlie Wax established in the 1920s. In the early 1970s the company was purchased by Astra, the parent company of Swix. Wax by Østbye of Norway patented c1920 by Peter Østbye. His company manufactured tar-based waxes until the 1990s. Australalp Ski Wax made by Danbril Laboratories, Elsternwick, Victoria Each item bears its original logo and brandinggeorge shirling, red onion, ski waxes

A book including images and texts which tells the story of the Astra in Falls Creek, Victoria.non-fictionIn 1987 Falls Creek local Roy Morris opened the ‘Astra Lodge’. Rosy Seaton acquired ‘Astra Lodge’ in 2014 and renamed it just Astra. Rosy with Grant Amon Architects completed major renovations and new buildings in 2015, 2016 and 2017, which included a new Day Spa, and six new apartments. Astra Bar and Restaurant. The revitalised Astra welcomed its first guests in the 2017 snow season. This publication tells the story of the redevelopment which has earned recognition in the ‘Best Boutique Ski Hotel Australia’ for eight consecutive years by the World Ski Awards.falls creek, astra falls creek, rosy seaton, accommodation falls creek