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 July 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 Grand 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 die 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 item is significant because it documents actions taken by the Falls Creek Tourist Area Management Committee in their role overseeing the Tourist Area.This letter accompanied a policy for Public Risk Insurance with the Insurance Company of North America. The policy had been increased to cover a further £10,000. However the Management Committee felt this may need to be increased by an additional £10,000 if Mr Hymans was to go ahead with further development of Site 4A. It also requested that Mr Hymans sign and return lease documents which had been sent to him.Hand written at bottom of letter: Ski Lodge and Site 4 5 Flats 4A & Burnt out Shell of Chalet Dan (?) 512663falls creek tourist area management committee, falls creek administration, parking regulations falls creek

This framed certificate was presented to J. G. Boyes in recognition for his many years of membership and service to the Bacchus Marsh Lodge of the Grand United Order of Oddfellows. The certificate was presented at a social evening held at the Bacchus Marsh Mechanics Hall on Saturday 10 September 1938. The social was held to mark the 70th anniversary of the Bacchus Marsh Lodge for the Grand United Order of Oddfellows. A detailed report about the social appeared in the Bacchus Marsh Express, 17 September, 1938, page 5, ''Oddfellows Social', accessible via Trove, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article262579717 . Large framed certificate. Glass covered.Grand United Order of Oddfellows Friendly Society presented to Brother J. G. Boyes 10 September 1938.grand united order of oddfellows friendly society, friendly societies, j.g. boyes, bacchus marsh lodge no. 1324

Issued to Brother Clyde Warren on his enrollment as a member of the I O R Young Australia Tent No 142 (Harcourt), on the 4th May 1915, signed by Isaac James, Superintendant & Bro R Grant, Secretary of the Junior Rechabite Lodge. A necessary pre requisite to membership was 'signing the pledge' to abstain from liquor.A reminder of the Temperance movement and its important role in developing a moral framework for the youth of the district. Harcourt was a ‘dry’ district for upwards of eighty years due to the influence of the Temperance movement. Pre-printed certificate with gold-leaf heading over a colourful crest, , scenes of safety in the ark, a rowboat leaving a shipwreck & St George slaying the dragon, two heralds (male & female) bearing temperance banners and, at the foot, a tripartite crest bearing the southern cross and resting in wattle. Handwritten names, date and signatures.

Photocopied file of corresponence and documentation relating to a claim by L.J. Mills, Nurseryman, that adjoining property owner, J. Collins, Farmer, assists with replacement of a vermin proof wire netting dividing fence destroyed by 1939 bushfire. File includes 1939 and 1940 detailed property inspection reports by Vermin and Noxious Weeds Branch, Lands Department, Lilydale, describing land use in the area and signs of vermin activity. Application approved 18th April, 1940. Appeal lodged by Mr Collins disallowed in May, 1940. File closed June, 1940 with Departmental suggesion that Mr Mills consider further legal action through a Solicitor as fence had still not been wire-netted. TRANSCRIPTS: Vermin & Noxious Weeds Inspection Reports "19/9/1939 (To) Superintendent (Department of Lands and Survey, Melbourne) Re L.J. Mills application for Vermin Proof Fence. I called on Mr Mills yesterday 18th instant in connection with this matter. Mr Mills has a flower farm and claims that rabbits and hares are damaging his flowers. He showed me a bed of carnations which he stated were being damaged by rabbits. There was evidence of some leaves being nipped off, but I am unable to say whether this is due to rabbits or grubs. Very little if any real damage is being done. The property is netted on the east and south boundary and on half the north and west boundary. The surrounding country is undlating and fairly steep in places. The land to the east across Grandview Avenue (sic) is all planted out in old established orchards and well cultivated. Cleared grass land adjoins the south boundary and bush land adjoins the north and west boundaries. I walked over a large area surrounding Mr Mills land and never saw any rabbits or hares or any indications of rabbits. This locality is not rabbit infested and very little wire netting is being used. I do not consider that a vermin proof fence is necessary between these allotments. - Jas H Allison (Inspector, Vermin and Noxious Weeds Branch, Lands Department, Lilydale)." Follow up report following renewal of application for Certificate by Mr Mills, citing rabbits causing considerable damage to his flowers. He laid poison and obtained 9 carcases and stated that there is evidence of rabbit infestation from the adjoing land. "19/3/1940 (To) Mr Hannah (Superintendant, Department of Lands and Survey, Melbourne) Re L.J. Mills, Grandview Grove Ringwood, Lot 4 Grandview Estate Pt CG20 Ph of Warrandyte. I interviewed Mr Mills at his home on 15th inst. He showed me carcases of rabbits which he stated had been poisoned on his land. In places young plants had been nipped off apparently by rabbits. I made an inspection of adjoining properties and found one live burrow close to Mr Mills northern boundary. There were scratches and other evidence of rabbits on land north and west of Mr Mills property. In view of the present evidence of rabbits I consider that a vermin proof fence is now necessary to protect the flowers grown by Mr Mills. His land is netted on whole of east and south boundary and half way on west and north boundary. The adjoining land on west and north boundaries is owned by Mrs Linda Collins and John Collins resp of Brysons Road East Ringwood. - Jas H Allison (Inspector, Vermin and Noxious Weeds Branch, Lands Department, Lilydale)."

Booklet : 128 page green covered booklet of the Rules of the I.O.O.F. of Victoria adopted at the Annual Session of the Grand Lodge held in March 1920 and registered 8th June 1920. Inserted inside front cover are 1. A small 8 page booklet on various medical benefits for the IOOF and 2. Six blue coloured doctor's certificates for a member (name ?) of the Loyal Hotham Union Lodge, No.12 IOOF. Dated 1892 and signed by the Lodge Surgeon R.A.E.Peacock (?)Printed by A. H. Massina & Co., Swanston St Melbourneorganisation, union, society, i.o.o.f., grand lodge, t. langley, r.a.e.peacock, doctor's certificate

Each coloured degree related to a particular value of the Manchester United Oddfellows. Purple certificate was related to charity. The Bendigo chapter of the Manchester United Oddfellows began in 1854.Blu folder. On one side the coloured logo of the Independet Order of Oddfellows in Victoria, Bendigo District, Manchester Unity Friendly Society. On the other the inscription: Purple Degree Certificate - We hereby certifythat brother R. G. Evans a member of the loyal Albert lodge, presented to us a certificate from his lodge entatling him to receive the Purple Dergee, which was duly conferred upon him at a Past Grand's Lodge, held at the M. U. Hall, Bendigo on the 20th day of January 1940. In witness whereof we have affixed our names and the Seal of our district this 25th day of January 1941. Signed bt the District Grand Master: L. Spencely. Dist. Dep. Grand Master and Secretary. Memebr signature: R. G. Evans.societies, freemasons