Paul Costa is the eldest of four brothers who grew up at Falls Creek, attended school there and at Mt Beauty and were members of the Falls Creek Race Club. He originally raced in alpine skiing but changed to mogul skiing at the age of 16. His first event was the Falls Creek Summit Masters, where he finished second in the Open Class. In 1993 Paul Costa placed fourth at the FIS Freestyle World Championships in Altenmarkt-Zauchensee, Austria. He was selected to represent Australia in the Winter Olympics at Lillehammer in 1994, joining his brother Adrian in that team. During his mogul skiing career, Paul Costa collected 26 World Cup starts. At the end of his competitive career he took up coaching junior teams and was part of the moguls coaching staff for the 2006 Torino Olympics.This image is significant because it depicts an Australian Winter Olympian and former member of the Falls Creek Race Club.Coloured image of Paul Costapaul costa, australian olympians

This magazine is part of a collection of yearly marketing magazines promoting Falls Creek ski region. These include magazines for summer and winter programs.This item is important as it documents seasonal activities at Falls Creek Alpine ResortMagazine titled Falls Creek 90 containing information and images for 1990 winter holidays including activities and accommodation.On Front Cover: Falls Creek - For the Best Snow Fallsskiing, ski, falls creek, victoria, school holidays, winter, snow, winter sport, 1990s, marketing, graphic design

This magazine is part of a collection of yearly marketing magazines promoting Falls Creek ski region. These include magazines for summer and winter programs.This item documents a range of activities and facilities available at Falls Creek Alpine Resort.Magazine containing information and images for 1987 winter holidays. skiing, ski, falls creek, victoria, school holidays, winter, snow, winter sport, 1990s, marketing, graphic design

A part of a yearly marketing and information material promoting Falls Creek ski region for the winter holidays, this brochure includes a lesson timetable planner and booking details. It was produced by Falls Creek Ski Lifts Pty Ltd.This item is important because it documents seasonal activities at Falls Creek Alpine ResortA small brochure including a lesson timetable and Family Ski Holiday Plannerfalls creek marketing, ski lesson timetable, falls creek winter programs, falls creek school holidays

The Falls Creek Search and Rescue Squad was formed in the mid 1970s. It was partly instigated by Rob Spargo whose family purchased the site where the Falls Creek Hotel is today. The family was instrumental in the establishment and growth of the Falls Creek community and were involved in the foundation of Falls Creek Primary School and Falls Creek Search & Rescue (now Falls Creek SES). Rob was also involved in the start-up of Ski Victoria and has served as a member the Chamber and Resort Management Board. The Falls Creek SES Unit was established in 1981 and includes several members who have served their community with VICSES for more than 30 years.This uniform patch represents an important safety organisation at Falls Creek.A cloth badge with metal studs at each corner. It has a border of purple and crimson machine embroidered stitching and the name of the unit is embroidered in black thread.FALLS CREEK SEARCH & RESCUE SQUADfalls creek ski patrol, skiing safety, falls creek services

A part of a yearly marketing and information material promoting Falls Creek. This leaflet focuses on activities and accommodation in Falls Creek Village in the summer. Venues included are:- Astra Lodge, Diana, Halley's Lodge, Silver Ski, Snowdrift, Alpine View Apartments and Koki Apartments.This item is important as it documents different approaches to marketing Falls Creek Village, Victoria. An A4 size leaflet promoting several businesses in Falls Creek. An accommodation rates chart is included in the centre page.skiing, ski, falls creek, victoria, school holidays, winter, snow, winter sport, 1990s, marketing, graphic design

This article is from the Swedish ski magazine "Inbjudan" in 1991. In 1977 a group of cross country skiers in Mount Beauty, decided to form a cross country ski club. Some of them had skied in Norway and taken part in the Norwegian Birkebeiner Ski Race in 1979, the Birkebeiner Nordic Ski Club was formed. In 1989, a 42km event named the Australian Birkebeiner Ski Marathon was held and the organisers also included a half distance of 21km called the Birkebeiner and a 7km event called the Birkebeiner Lite. This article outlines the work of Allan Marsland, the Birkebeiner Nordic Ski Club, the Alpine Resorts Commission, the Australian Ski Federation and Tourism Victoria to be accepted into the Worldloppet international series.This item is important as it documents seasonal activities at Falls Creek Alpine Resort A magazine cover and article about the quest to be included in the Worldloppet series, including text and black and white images.skiing, ski, falls creek, victoria, school holidays, winter, snow, winter sport, 1990s, marketing, graphic design

Part of an annual marketing campaign, this booklet was designed to provide information for planning a holiday at Falls Creek for the winter of 2006. It includes details about activities, facilities and accommodation in the Village as well as contact information to make necessary bookings. The text claims it contains "all you need to know. all you need to do is go."This item is important as it documents seasonal activities at Falls Creek Alpine Resort An A4 sized marketing booklet, including images and advertising information printed on glossy paperskiing, ski, falls creek, victoria, school holidays, winter, snow, winter sport, 1990s, marketing, graphic design

Part of an annual marketing campaign, this booklet was designed to provide information for planning a holiday at Falls Creek for the winter of 2001. It includes details about activities, facilities and accommodation in the Village as well as contact information to make necessary bookings. The slogan for 2001 was "Catch the Buzz".This item is important as it documents seasonal activities at Falls Creek Alpine Resort An A4 sized marketing booklet, including images and advertising information printed on glossy paper.skiing, ski, falls creek, victoria, school holidays, winter, snow, winter sport, 1990s, marketing, graphic design

This item is from the private collection of George Shirling of Red Onion, Falls Creek. It is an early advertisement for rooms at the "Galleon" Ski Club. The "Galleon" was originally owned by Jim Willis. In 1958 Julian Brown took over the lease, managing it whilst building Arundel Lodge. After the winter of 1959, the "Galleon" was bought by Tom Greene and renamed Cooroona. 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 was an important feature of the Falls Creek Ski School Instructor uniform.A beige coloured flyer advertising room at the "Galleon" in Falls Creek. An explanatory sign is attached.On sign" ITEM No. 147 1958 Julian Brown, manager of the "Galleon", offer you rooms that are "never stuffy" and you can have "as many blankets as you like". This was Julian's first job at Falls Creek.george shirling, red onion, ski instructor badge, falls creek ski instructor

Mim (Mariam) Sodergren developed innovative, specialized ski programs for women and children in both Australia and the United States. She and her husband Mike originated from Tahoma, California, USA. They spent 17 years of their lives without a summer, working as ski instructors in Lake Tahoe during the northern winters, and then they’d head off to Falls Creek and Thredbo in Australia. Mim and Mike Sodergren were both inspiring instructors at Falls Creek Snowsports School, dedicated to education and had a deep-seated passion for fostering an inclusive Snowsports community. Tragically Mim and Mike were among the 18 people killed on 30 July 1977 in Thredbo, Australia, when a landslide tore through Thredbo’s ski resort village and demolished two staff lodges. In 1997 the Australian Professional Snowsport Instructors (APSI) established the Sodergren scholarships in memory of Mim and Mike. The Sodergren Scholarship recognises the rising potential of Snowsport instruction within Australian ski resorts and allows the recipients to further their professional development by providing all training free of charge for one season. The women’s program still operates at Falls Creek and is a "heartfelt tribute to the memory of Mim Sodergren. Designed by women, for women, and inspired by the enduring passion of Mim and her partner, Mike, who was also an instructor, this program is a wonderful opportunity to learn to ski in a friendly and supportive environment, just as Mim envisioned." (Falls Creek Website 2024). Mike’s Men’s Ski Program at Falls Creek is also named in honour of Mike Sodergren. Mim’s skis were kept for many years by Ski Lifts at Falls Creek and were recently donated to the Falls Creek Museum for safe keeping.These skis are significant because they belonged to an iconic ski instructor still commemorated at Falls Creek, Victoria.A pair of Atomic Arc Skis, primarily black with coloured logo.ATOMIC ARC MODULE 645SLmim sodergren, mike sodergren, atomic skis, thredbo landslide

This vehicle, an Axtrack is located outside the Falls Creek Museum. It was built by Axel Andre who worked in Falls Creek as a mechanic for several years in the early 1970s. Axel was an engineer by trade. He built this small twin track vehicle for Ivan Spargo at the Falls Creek Hotel and then progressed to building bigger and better models. This included one for Ziggy Doer at Koki and Neville Mashford at Snowland purchased two of them. Some of these machines were also exported to America. Axel Andre later established a company Axtrack Engineering in Melbourne. There are still three of these Axtrack vehicles on the hill at Falls Creek in 2024. The vehicles were used for commercial purposes such as transporting supplies and staff around the mountain. The Spargo family from the Falls Creek Hotel used this vehicle for oversnow transport and it advertised Harvey Wallbanger Happy Hour. Ivan and Joy Spargo relocated from Melbourne to Falls Creek in 1965. They purchased a piece of leasehold land and built Spargo Lodge. This was a dorm style chalet built to accommodate large groups and families. Their son Rob Spargo met his future wife Blanche in 1967 when she was on holiday in Falls Creek. They married and purchased the site where the Falls Creek Hotel is today. The steep gradient of the site was a challenge to build on but was the best location available in the village. In 1970 Rob’s sister Leonie and her husband Glenn joined the business, and they started operating the hotel in 1972. The family played a critical role in the growth of the Falls Creek community and were involved in the foundation of Falls Creek Primary School and Falls Creek Search & Rescue. Rob was also involved in the start-up of Ski Victoria and has served as a member of the Chamber and Resort Management Board. Rob’s eldest daughter Lisa competed with the Australian Ski Team from 1985 to 1989 and has worked as a ski instructor in Australia, Austria & Colorado. In 2010 Lisa and her husband Damien Allport joined the family business and her parents retired to Tawonga South in 2014. Their children are now the fourth generation of the Spargo family living at Falls Creek enjoying the alpine lifestyle and providing outstanding hospitality. The 40 year tradition of the Harvey Wallbanger Happy Hour held on Tuesdays and Thursdays continues at Falls Creek Hotel in 2024.This item is significant because it depicts an important form of transport at Falls Creek, VictoriaA coloured photo of a black Axtrack oversnow vehicle decorated with red and yellow advertising.FALLS CREEK HOTEL APRES ENTERTAINMENT HARVEY HOUR TUES & THURS 3.30 PM LIVE ENTERTAINMENTaxtrack, oversnow vehicles, falls creek transport, spargo lodge, falls creek hotel

Part of an annual marketing campaign, this booklet was designed to provide information for planning a holiday at Falls Creek for the winter of 1995. It includes extensive details about activities, facilities and accommodation in the Village as well as contact information to make necessary bookings.This item is important as it documents seasonal activities at Falls Creek Alpine ResortMagazine titled Falls Creek '95 containing information and images for 1995 winter holidays. Front cover with image of snow globe with people skiing in it. Falls Creek logo on bottom left corner. Advertising on back page. Falls Creek 1995 / FALLS / SKI GUARANTEE / CREEK / FALLS CREEK / VICTORIAskiing, ski, falls creek, victoria, school holidays, winter, snow, winter sport, 1990s, marketing, graphic design

Sir George Victor Lansell (1883-1959), businessman, politician and philanthropist, was born on 3 October 1883 in London, elder son of George Lansell, the Bendigo 'Quartz King', and his second wife Harriet Edith, née Bassford. George was educated at St Andrew's College, Bendigo, and Melbourne Church of England Grammar School. On 20 January 1910 at All Saints Pro-Cathedral, Bendigo, he married a skiing champion, Edith Florence Gwendoline Frew; they had three daughters. As a young man Lansell excelled in revolver shooting, boxing and swimming but his militia interests endured longest. First commissioned in the 8th Australian Infantry Regiment in 1904, he was a captain in 1909. In May 1916 he was commissioned captain in Bendigo's 38th Battalion, Australian Imperial Force. Entering the front line in France on 1 December he was wounded two days later and invalided back to Australia next March for discharge in August. After the war he rose in 1923 to major commanding the 38th Battalion, Australian Military Forces. Lieutenant-Colonel in 1927, he retired as honorary colonel in 1942 after having organized the north-west Victorian group of the Volunteer Defence Corps early in World War II. Lansell's major contribution was his service to returned soldiers. He was president of the Bendigo sub-branch of the Returned Sailors' and Soldiers' Imperial League of Australia for nearly thirty years. His work extended beyond grand gesture and he is remembered affectionately for his personal generosity to ex-servicemen and their dependants. Lansell was director of the powerful Sandhurst Trustees' Co., the Bendigo Mutual Permanent Land & Building Society and many other local companies. In 1926 he brought to Bendigo the overseas-based Hanro Knitting Mills (Hanro comes from the Swiss firm Handschin and Ronus which made high quality underwear and knitwear at Liestal, Switzerland) and the Australian Swiss Watch Co. Early in his business career he acquired the Bendigo Independent and amalgamated it with the Bendigo Advertiser in 1918. He had interests in the Riverine Herald, the Rochester Irrigator, the Stock and Station Journal and Central Victorian Broadcasters Ltd, and was a delegate to Empire press conferences in Canada (1920), England (1923) and Australia (1925).Lever arch folder containing Hanro black and white promotional photographs. 53 studio photographs of women's knitwear and lingerie 20.5cm x 25.2cm. 1 studio photograph of men's knitwear 19cm x 23.5cm. 2 x photo's 19cm x 23.3cm Photographer Reg Brock. 27 black and white photo's 15cm x 21cm of men's knitwear, womenswear and lingerie, were donated by Ann Peters.Reg Brock Studios Bendigo. Labels or stamps on back of photographs.business, retail, hanro promotional photographs, george victor lansell, bendigo hanro, ralph birrell collections

Schuss was advertised as Victoria’s Official Ski Journal It was issued monthly from 1935 to 1961 except during the war when summer issues covered two months. This continued after the war, but it averaged 10 issues annually over its 25 year life. Schuss was published by the Ski Club of Victoria which had a membership of 38 Ski Clubs and demanded to be recognised as the prime authority on skiing in the state. The other 30 ski clubs with 85% of the members disagreed and the politics of skiing became heated. These clubs formed the Federation of Victorian Ski Clubs with their own journal, Ski Horizon. With the establishment of the Victorian Ski Association, Ski-Horizon published its last issue in Nov - Dec. 1955 and the role of the official journal was fully taken over by “Schuss”. This item is significant because it contains stories, images and information documenting the development of the ski facilities at Falls Creek.The journal features stories and events chronicling developments in Victoria and internationally. The cover is a photo by Eric Burt captioned "Hotham Ski slopes which are already calling skiers for the '58 season" Page 87 has a brief report about the destruction of the Albury Ski Club by fire on 18th April 1958. The date of the N.E.D.S.A. Junior Championships to be held on Friday 5th September was announced so that school children had time to plan their holidays. Page 94 featured a column "Things happening at Falls Creek" written by Shirley Inglis. Page 125 announced that a second hive of bees had been found in the roof at Skyline Lodge during recent painting. Advertisements for the Falls Creek General Store and the Snow Crystal Inn managed by Milan Kovacic were included.schuss journal, the ski club of victoria, snow crystal inn, albury ski club fire

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 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 item is significant because it documents actions taken by the Falls Creek Tourist Area Management Committee in their role overseeing the Tourist Area.A circular outlining changes in parking and entry fees for the 1966 season. The fee for cars was 40 cents per visit plus 20 cents per adult. Season tickets were available at $5.00 each covering one car, driver and one passenger. Additional passengers were 20 cents each per visit. Bus charges, other than school buses, were charged at 20 cents per adult but without charge for the bus, driver or official guide. For school children or teachers' college organised bus tours, the fee was $2.00 per bus load or 10 cents per head (without charge for bus, driver or official guide), which ever is the lesser amount.falls creek tourist area management committee, falls creek administration, falls creek parking

This manuscript and letter represent the connection between two significant people from the North East of Victoria and their common interest in literature and development of the Upper Murray. Des Martin was raised on the family property Aherlo in the Huon Creek Valley. He joined the 8th Light Horse Regiment and in May 1940 led his Wodonga Troop into the 2/2nd Australian Pioneer Battalion, serving in Syria, Java, New Guinea and Borneo. After the war, Des returned to Aherlo and his horses. Amongst other pursuits he became the first President of the Victorian Amateur Riders Association and founded the Murray Valley Hunt Club. Des also played a major role in Australia entering an equestrian team in the Melbourne Olympics in 1956 and served as a Steward at that event. As well as “Many a Mile”, Des also wrote “Australia Astride” in 1959, a history of the Albury Racing Club – a Century of Racing and a “Tale of Twin Cities” as well as collaborating with R. M. Williams to develop the “Hoofs and Horns” publication. From 1969 to 1973, Des Martin also wrote a column for the Border Mail newspaper. Des Martin died on 12th April 1995. Thomas Walter Mitchell was born at "Towong Hill" near Corryong, Victoria and was educated at Cranbrook School, Sydney and Cambridge University. A keen skier, Mitchell founded the Australian National Ski Federation, captained the Australian skiing team and won gold medals in competitions against England and New Zealand. He was an Australian champion in the downhill and long-time member of the Ski Club of Australia. In 1937 he published Australia’s first ski handbook "Ski Heil". Mitchell joined the Second Australian Imperial Force in 1940 and was a Captain in the 2/22nd Battalion and Headquarters 8th Division. He was captured and interned in Changi POW camp until 1945. Tom Mitchell served as the Country Party Member for Benambra in the Victorian Legislative Assembly from 1947 to 1976. He was awarded the C.M.G. “For distinguished services to the Community, particularly in the fields of Politics, Alpine Sports and Safety, and Writing.” He died on 4th February 1984. This volume is significant because it is the manuscript of a book written by a local Wodonga author. The letter written to Tom Mitchell contains anecdotes and details of the writing of the novel, Many a Mile.An original typed manuscript bound in blue coverboard. It is accompanied by a typed letter.des martin, tom mitchell, many a mile

A spiral bound publication of 149 pages featuring text, images and a bibliography. The cover features a skier and the title in red ink. The logo of Australian Professional Ski Instructors (APSI) is on the upper left corner of the front cover.This manual was used by Australian Professional Ski Instructors in the 1990s, including those who were based at the Falls Creek Ski School. Some of the contributors to the publication included Kerry Lee Dodd and Mim and Mike Sodergren who were based at Falls Creek for many years. The Australian Professional Snowsport Instructors Inc. (APSI) is a not-for-profit membership association and Australia’s industry leaders for providing training and assessment to Snowsport instructor which was formally recognised in 1975. Kerry Dodd is a Life Member of APSI and co-ordinator of the Falls Creek Alpine Academy.apsi ski instructors, kerry lee dodd, mim sodergren, mike sodergren

A bound publication of 122 pages featuring text, images and a bibliography. The cover features a skier in blue and red clothing. 2nd Edition is written at the top right hand corner. At the bottom left is the emblem of the Australian Ski Federation National Coach and Instructor Scheme. The manual contains extensive information on teaching concepts and styles, skiing techniques and equipment as well as many information sheets.The 2nd edition of this manual was released in 1996 and was designed for instructors and skiers alike. For many years it was the official manual used by Ski Australia's National Coach and Instructor Scheme (NCIS) which later became APSI Nordic. The Australian Professional Snowsport Instructors Inc. (APSI) is a not-for-profit membership association and Australia’s industry leaders for providing training and assessment to Snowsport instructors which was formally recognised in 1975. apsi ski instructors, nordic ski training

A book of 272 pages including illustrations and maps as well as an index and bibliography.non-fictionWritten by Jim Darby and edited by Mark Ashkanasy, this book features over 700 photographs and explores the resort's evolution from its ski club roots to a thriving destination. It traces the history of Mt Buller, from its exploration by skiers in the 1920s to the establishment of the Mount Buller Ski Club in 1923. It includes the construction of ski lodges, the introduction of rope tows and chairlifts, and the expansion of facilities to accommodate increasing numbers of visitors, capturing the spirit of Mt Buller, including its ski lift companies, ski patrols, ski schools, clubs, and mountain personalities. mt buller alpine resort, mt buller history, ski resorts victoria