Sea chests held all the worldy belongings of migrant families, when they migrated by ship. Families were eligible for up to two chests depending on the size of the family. From the markings, it appears that there was a second chest, but this is the only chest from this family in our collection. This chest would have been purchased or built by the Zarins family and loaded at the harbour from which the migrant ship left - in this instance that location is unknown. A basic online search reveals that Villach-Austria refers to the DP camp (displaced persons' camp) that the Zarins family originated from. Maybe the chest had been picked up from there, or there were a group of camp residents coming to Australia, we can only guess why this is written on the chest at all. Heavy wooden chest with metal handles on both sides and lid is missing. Metal bands with nails fixed to front and back and sides.Villach-Austria, N-196, 2 piece, AUGUSTS ZARINS, Australia (painted on side of chest in white paint, by hand)wood, wooden, chest, sea chest, zarins

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 industry in Victoria.The journal features stories and events chronicling developments in Victoria and internationally. The cover features a photograph of Christine Davy and Peter Brockhoff at Timberline Lodge, Oregon USA. Christine Davy was the first woman to represent Australia at the Olympic Winter Games when she participated in the Downhill, Giant Slalom and Slalom events at Cortina d'Ampezzo 1956. Four years later she competed in the same events at the Squaw Valley 1960 Olympic Winter Games, where she also became the first Australian to break into the top 30 in an international skiing event, coming in 27th place in the Downhill race. Peter Brackhoff took part in his first Olympic Winter Games at Squaw Valley 1960, Australia's third appearance in Alpine skiing. Peter competed in the Downhill, Giant Slalom and Slalom events, placing 57th in the Downhill and 30th in the Slalom. He was disqualified and did not finish the Giant Slalom. In 1964 Peter went on to participate in his second Olympic Games in Innsbruck, Austria. After his teammate Ross Milne lost his life in a tragic training accident on the Olympic Downhill course, he declined to participate in the event. However he still started in the Giant Slalom, finishing in 62nd place.schuss journal, the ski club of victoria, bob hymans

These items are from the private collection of George Shirling of Red Onion, Falls Creek. This image captures George Shirling and members of the Austrian team who stayed at Koki. 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 depicts George Shirling at Koki Lodge and the support he provided to international skiers.A framed black and white image of George Shirling and two members of the Austrian ski team standing beneath the KO-KI sign. A flyer with information about the team is included.george shirling, koki lodge, austrian national ski team 1966