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.Images of Joan Meyer near Fitzgerald's Hut on the Bogong High Plains. The original Fitzgerald Hut was built in 1903 by George Silas Fitzgerald. Destroyed by fire in 1991, it was rebuilt using salvaged and recycled timber. It is located in a large clearing, three to four hours hike from the Bogong High Plains Road These images document Joan's first trip on skis carrying a pack on her back.The trip took about two weeks to complete.falls creek, victorian snowfields, joan meyer, fitzgerald hut

A volume of 280 pages including Illustrations, maps, portraits, a Bibliography and an Index. non-fictionIntroduces the extraordinary people who carved the initial tracks in the snowfields and the gold-miners, cattlemen, engineers and others who contributed to the development of resorts, where skiing was pursued both as a sport and a recreation. The book also explodes some of the origin myths of Australian skiing.australian skiing history, ski resorts australia

A publication of 315 pages including an index, colour illustrations and maps.The must-have guide to the snowfields of Australia and New Zealand including information about 42 resorts and 26 towns. It contains 52 detailed maps as well as tips on weather, equipment, mountain wear, mountain driving, snow safety and fitness, plus tips for first timers. Snow fields are assessed on a ratings system covering slope difficulty (beginner, intermediate and advanced), road access, kid appeal, basic facilities, food and shelter.australian snowfields, new zealand snowfields

This book contains 190 pages including illustrations and photographs. The front cover features a photograph of Ernest Forras. It is subtitled "Earnest escapades, or, Seriously for fun only"non-fictionErnest Forras was a pioneer of the ski industry in Victoria. This autobiography traces his time as a young officer in the Hungarian army during the Second World War. It follows his escape from Hungary and escapades in Europe. Ernest then tells the story of his journey to Australia with his brother Aurel. He reveals all the colour and excitement of pioneering the Australian snowfields which he helped to develop, including establishing Kooroora at Mt. Buller in 1953. Ernest Forras died at Mt Buller on Sunday 31st October 2010. victorian high country, "earnest escapades", ernest forras

The complete title of this publication is "Skiers' Handbook of concise, modern ski technique and classification of Australian snow. It contains 54 pages and the contents include:-Development of Ski Technique in Australia: Concise Modern Ski Technique, with commentary: Classification of Australian Snow; Ski Waxing. The cover is blue with black and white text and features an image of Eric McIllree demonstrating the Advanced Stem Christiania technique.non-fictionThis publication is one of the earliest Skiers' manuals which had a focus on skiing and snowfields in Australia. G.R.T. (Bob) Ward, was an accountant by profession and served for many years as the secretary of Kosciusko Alpine Club (KAC). Although not an architect, he had an interest in design and designed Kunama Huette at Kosciusko in 1952. It was destroyed by an avalanche in 1956. Bob Ward was the co-author of "Frozen lessons : a handbook of ski technique", as well as several other publications including "The Diamond Jubilee of the Kosciusko Alpine Club" published in 1969.australian skiing, skiing handbook, bob ward kosciusko alpine club

A publication of 167 pages ages consisting of an index, information on 30 years of (cross country) skiing around the world with coloured photos. The Kangaroo Hoppet held at Mount Beauty, Victoria features on page 54.non-fiction"Worldloppet: 30 Years of Skiing Around the World" is a book celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Worldloppet Ski Federation, an international series of cross-country ski marathons. The book, co-authored by Epp Paal and Angelo Corradini, chronicles the history and highlights of the organization and its races. Worldloppet itself is a federation promoting popular cross-country skiing through these races held around the globe. In 1991 Australia became the 12th member of Worldloppet when 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. skiing australia, kangaroo hoppet