Pair of matching wooden bookends featuring a yacht against clouds and an orange sky.bookends, books

Bernard Plohberger was one of the early ski instructors at Falls Creek. He was born in Austria on 14 January 1930. He was a ski instructor before he left Austria in 1955. He spent the winter of 1956 working as a ski instructor and during the summer Bernie worked as a chainman for the SEC Surveyor. He built the Ski School at Falls Creek in 1957 as well as the Frying Pan Inn. In 1960 the Frying Pan Inn was taken over by Bill Bridgford who had helped to finance its construction. Bernie married his wife Trudi in 1958 and their son Gerhard was born at the ski school in 1959, the first child born at Falls Creek. Both Trudi and Bernie worked for Bob Hymans for a period at Grand Coeur Chalet. After leaving Falls Creek, Bernie and Trudi moved to Canberra where Bernie took work on civil engineering projects such as the coal loader in Wollongong, the Vietnam memorial in Canberra, highway work on the Hume and Sugarloaf Dam in Victoria. Bernie Plohberger died on 18 May 2020. Felix Soratroi was also an Austrian Ski Instructor who was encouraged by Bernie to move to Falls Creek and work at the Ski School.This item is significant because it depicts early Ski Instructors at Falls Creek Ski School.A black and white image of two skiers near the Falls Creek Ski School.bernard plohberger, frying pan inn, falls creek ski school, felix soratroi

Diana Lodge was built and operated by Kevin Shoebridge as a family lodge in the 1950s and it has grown and evolved over 60 years to become Diana Alpine Lodge. After Mr. Shoebridge moved to Wodonga he leased Diana Lodge to Bob Scott and it also became the Post Office and Telephone Exchange. From early early 1967 until about 1975, Diana Lodge was owned and operated by John and Gwyn van Burck. It was then purchased by a group of 12 families operating as Swan Hill Alpine Holdings. Diana Alpine Lodge has operated under several owners and was sold again as recently as 2023.This brochure is significant because it is linked to one of the early lodges established in Falls Creek.A small tan coloured brochure with black text, The cover features an image of a skier.Above image: DIANA LODGE The Ski-out, Ski-in Lodge Go! with the Snow in Victoria Below the image: Fall's Creek Victoria Phone 58 3214 Proprietors: John and Gwyn van Burckdiana alpine lodge, falls creek accommodation

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 skiers outside the Mini Mart and Post Office, Falls Creekfalls creek, falls creek chairlifts, poma lift falls 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, VictoriaThis collection of postcards and image is significant because they were commissioned by a highly successful business in Falls Creek, Victoria.A postcard featuring two skiers guiding an "AKJA" sled. These sleds were designed in Finland for transporting a person or goods on snowy or icy surfaces. At Falls Creek they were used by the Ski Patrol to evacuate an injured skier or snowboarder. astra falls creek, falls creek accommodation, falls creek businesses

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 1991 the Men's Winner was John Aalberg from USA in a time of 1:56:12. The winner of the Women's event was Betsy Youngman of USA in a time of 2:16:55.This poster is significant because it documents an event which brings international attention to Falls Creek and the surrounding region.A large coloured poster featuring several images: from top:- Kangaroo symbol: a large group of cross country skiers; sunset over the mountains; mountains in the daytime with a skier on the right and the central image of a skier superimposed over the other images. The logo for Worldloppet is in the centre beneath the main image beside the logo for QANTAS. This was the poster for the first Kangaroo Hoppet held as an international event.Above image: AUSTRALIA' S SKI MARATHON / FALLS CREEK VICTORIA / Kangaroo Hoppet Beneath image: 31 AUGUST 1991 / 42/21/7 km DETAILS FROM RACE SECRETARY BOX 192 MT. BEAUTY 3699 AUSTRALIAkangaroo hoppet, worldloppet events, falls creek, mt. beauty

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

Born: Morges, Vaud, Switzerland 1814; Lived and worked: Brazil 1835-1852; Arrived: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia 1865; Died: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 1888VictorianLedger Gift, 1979Rural landscape with rustic hut, pile of wood, figures, trees, hill and sky. Unframed.Recto: Signed and dated "L. Buvelot 1868" in brown watercolour in l.r.c of composition; Not titledwatercolour, landscape, house, figures, hills, trees, rural

This artwork is part of 69Fifteen, the book published in 2013 celebrating 69 Smith Street Gallery’s 15th year in operation as an artist-run space.Acrylic on canvas. Stylistic depiction of mountains in blue tones, set under a golden sky.amy mills, 69 smith street gallery, artist-run initiative, artist-run space, melbourne art galleries, painting, www.amymills.com.au

Nelse Lodge was established in Falls Creek c1958 probably by Des Crosser. It was later purchased by Bob Scott (Scotty). He was killed during a tragic accident during the construction of the Sun Valley T-bar. In 1973, Bob's widow sold Nelse Lodge to Jack and Elva Smith who were proprietors at the time this brochure was published.This brochure is significant because it is linked to one of the early lodges established in Falls Creek. A small brochure advertising Nelse Lodge, Falls Creek.It features a skier and brown text.1975 Snow Season Nelse Lodge Slalom Street FALLS CREEK Phone: 58 3263 (ELVA and JACK SMITH, Props)falls creek accommodation, nelse lodge, falls creek history

Tom Mitchell was a strong supporter of trans-Tasman ski competitions and in the early 1950s visits between local clubs became common. In 1953 a team from New Zealand visited Falls Creek for the first time. This was only a few months after Edmund Hillary and Nepalese Sherpa Tenzig Norgay became the first climbers confirmed to have reached the summit of Mount Everest. Toni St. Elmo, supported by Tom Mitchell proposed that a peak on the Bogong High Plains northwest of Mt. Nelse should be named Mt. Hillary in honour of the New Zealander's success. He also suggested a ceremony should be held during the visit of members of the New Zealand Ski team to Australia in September 1953. This image from the St. Elimo Collection held by the Falls Creek Historical Society, represents the planting of a New Zealand flag on the mountain during the ceremony.This image is significant because it is part of the St. Elmo Collection which documents early pioneers of Falls Creek and their outstanding contribution to skiing in Australia.A coloured image of two skiers carrying a New Zealand flag across the High Plains.Beneath the image: Tony St Elmo and Tom Mitchell ski out across Bakers Spur to plant a flag on Mt Hillary in 1953, north of Mt Nelse, and which now seems to have been lost off the map. Pic - The St Elmo Collection.tom mitchell, st. elmo collection, toni st. elmo, sir edmund hillary

postcards feature images taken by Frederick Charles Griffith. “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.These postcards document how Falls Creek was portrayed to the wider community.A set of postcards showing aerial views of Falls Creek as well as groups of skiers on the slopes, On Back of each card: POSTCARD CORRESPONDENCE / ADDRESS ONLY In a square for stamp Placement - KODAKfred griffith, albury ski club, falls creek, bowna ski club

This medal commemorates performance in the Australian Cross Country Ski Championships and was awarded to Diana Patterson. Diana Patterson 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 recognises the performance of a highly recognised member of the Falls Creek community.Hexagon shaped medal with a skier and Nordic figure on the front and snowflake design on the reverse side.Below image: AUSTRALIAN SKI FEDERATIONx country skiing cbampionships, australian ski federation

Diana Lodge was built and operated by Kevin Shoebridge as a family lodge in the 1950s and it has grown and evolved over 60 years to become Diana Alpine Lodge. After Mr Shoebridge moved to Wodonga he leased Diana Lodge to Bob Scott and it also became the Post Office and Telephone Exchange. From early 1967 until about 1975, Diana Lodge was owned and operated by John and Gwyn van Burck. It was then purchased by a group of 12 families operating as Swan Hill Alpine Holdings. Diana Alpine Lodge has operated under several owners and was sold again as recently as 2023. This pennant was used in the early 1960s as a souvenir to promote Diana Lodge.This item is significant because it promotes Diana Lodge, a long standing accommodation venue at Falls Creek.A black and white triangular banner including an image of a skier and a second person on a chair lift.ALPINE VILLAGE DIANA SKI CLUB LODGE FALLS CREEK, VICdiana alpine lodge, falls creek accommodation

Students attended Sunday School classes at the Kergunyah Presbyterian Church. Sunday school was held in a little 16 foot square wooden building which came from Rocky Valley after it was no longer needed there. Ewen Wallace's father initiated and organised the move. C2011 the building was knocked down because of white ants. The Presbyterian Church will be 125 years old in 2015.Historical: Religious Education:This book was used by students who attended the Sunday School classes at Kergunyah Presbyterian Church. Religion: Presbyterian Church at Kergunyah, in the Kiewa Valley, celebrates its 125th anniversary in 2015 after being handed over to the Uniting Church in the 1970s.Thin sky blue book with thick paper cover, 28 pages held by 2 staples. Title is in block print sky blue on rectangular white blocks (each letter separate). Workbook - 'Intermediate Year 2 Part 3'religion, christian education, presbyterian, methodist, churches of christ, congregational churches, anglican, kergunyah, ewen wallace, sunday school

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.A black and white image of Joan Martin (later Meyer) on the first day she skied. Taken on the Omeo Road, Dinner Plain in 1936. Joan was then aged 20 years old.falls creek, victorian snowfields, dinner plain, joan martin, joan meyer

This postcard is addressed to Tom Lloyd from Uncle Frank c/o F. Lloyd Esq, Bairnsdale.This item is a pictorial record associated with the agricultural history of Orbost. .The extensive Snowy river flood plain was swampy, but by the 1880s the river flats were being drained. The Orbost flats are very fertile and crops were planted on the rich deep soil, with maize rapidly becoming widespread.A black / white photograph of the Orbost farming flats. The sky is very cloudy. There are paddocks of crops in the foreground.on front - "Orbost Flats" on back - "How are you enjoying your holiday.......Uncle Frank"orbost-flats-farming lloyd-frank

Small black and white photo of 2 unidentified skiers standing with skis and wearing the fashion of the day

One of two Vauxhall sedans used for Mobile Traffic Section patrol dutiesVauxhall Cresta in a park with sky scraper in background. Registration number HLA-802. Circa 1962police vehicles; wireless patrol; motor transport branch; motor transport section; vauxhall cresta car

One of a collection of photographs from the Iggsten Estate. The water tower in the background is located in Hunter Street and was built in 1899-1900 to serve as the town's water supply. A new reservoir was built in 1945 with water being pumped from the Murray. A steel mesh structure, to make it look like a wine bottle, was added to the top in 1969 with funds from the Rutherglen Wine Festival.Black and white photograph, taken from the bottom on a hill, showing a water tower against the sky.water tower, wine bottle, tourism

One of a collection of photographs from the Iggsten Estate. The water tower in the background is located in Hunter Street and was built in 1899-1900 to serve as the town's water supply. A new reservoir was built in 1945 with water being pumped from the Murray. A steel mesh structure, to make it look like a wine bottle, was added to the top in 1969 with funds from the Rutherglen Wine Festival.Black and white photograph, taken from the bottom on a hill, showing a water tower against the sky.water tower, wine bottle, tourism

This photo is part of the Fred Griffith Photographic Collection. 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 depicts early visitors to the Albury Ski Club and Falls Creek.A black and white photo of Sandy McNabb overlooking Falls Creek ski slope and skiers below.fred griffith, albury ski club, falls creek, bowna ski club