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 documents development of the Kiewa Hydroelectric Scheme.Two black and white images at the Big River Old Survey Camp.Photo 1 - Breakfast at Big River Left to RIght Ray Meyer, Wal Johnson Photo 2 - Big River Survey Camp at foot of T Spur C 1949, Kiewa RIver Survey Team.kiewa hydroelectric scheme, ray meyer, wal johnson

A history of the Big River valley and the townships of Enoch's Point and Darlingford, VictoriaPaperback. Cover has a photograph of a group of men sitting and crouching for a group photograph. There are trees in the background.for Doug - / With best wishes,/ John Pilkington / January 2000 To the memory of my parents,/ Ralph and Florence Pilkington Stamp of the Marysville & District Historical Society Inc / P.O. Box 22 / Marysville 3779enoch point, darlingford, big river, victoria, australia, history, john keith pilkington

Place names of the Alexandra, Lake Eildon and Big River areas in VictoriaPaperback. Front cover has a colour photograph named: 'Sunrise, Brooks Cutting near Alexandra', by Robert Douglas (2002). Back cover has a colour photograph of the author, Nigel Sinnott at McKenzie's Pinch, Alexandra (Mount Torbreck in background) by Robert Douglas (2002).To George Edwards / with best wishes, / Nigel Sinnott / 15 March 2003 To the memory of / Gordon BEATON (1911-88) / of Eildon / mycologist and engineer Stamp of Marysville & District / Historical Society Inc / P.O. Box 22 / Marysville 3779 geographical, victoria, big river region, eildon region, alexandra region, alexandra library, friends

Printed map on paperscale, index to colours, sectionsgeological sketch map, plan, big river, mount wills, geology

Contains 2000 entries for the Alexandra area, giving a clearly detailed description of the site and source of the name.Maps, colour photographsplace names, alexandra, lake eildon, strathbogie ranges, yea, marysville, healesville

A digital copy of a colour photograph of one of the Bantick Bros's trucks hauling a large log on a timber jinker. Bantick Bros. Pty. Ltd. was a prominent, multi-generational logging and transport business originally based in Marysville, Victoria.The company is a major part of the regional forestry and timber history of the Yarra Valley and North East Victoria. Formed by the Bantick family (including D.V., V.L., and R. Bantick), the company operated commercial heavy goods vehicles and hardwood logging trucks. They held licenses dating back to at least the 1940s through the 1970s and 80s to haul massive timber logs from forest landings across the Niagaroon and Upper Yarra forestry districts, as well as the North Big River area. In addition to their core logging and transport divisions, the family name was heavily tied to the local community—including running Bantick's Garage in Marysville during the mid-1970s.A digital copy of a colour photograph of one of the Bantick Bros's trucks hauling a large log on a timber jinker.marysville, victoria, australia, bantick bros pty. ltd., yarra valley, north east victoria, david victor bantick, vernon (roy) lewis bantick, r. bantick, bantick's garage, niagaroon, upper yarra, north big river, photograph

A digital copy of a colour photograph of two of the Bantick Bros's trucks hauling large logs on timber jinkers. Bantick Bros. Pty. Ltd. was a prominent, multi-generational logging and transport business originally based in Marysville, Victoria.The company is a major part of the regional forestry and timber history of the Yarra Valley and North East Victoria. Formed by the Bantick family (including D.V., V.L., and R. Bantick), the company operated commercial heavy goods vehicles and hardwood logging trucks. They held licenses dating back to at least the 1940s through the 1970s and 80s to haul massive timber logs from forest landings across the Niagaroon and Upper Yarra forestry districts, as well as the North Big River area. In addition to their core logging and transport divisions, the family name was heavily tied to the local community—including running Bantick's Garage in Marysville during the mid-1970s.A digital copy of a colour photograph of two of the Bantick Bros's trucks hauling large logs on timber jinkers.marysville, victoria, australia, bantick bros pty. ltd., yarra valley, north east victoria, david victor bantick, vernon (roy) lewis bantick, r. bantick, bantick's garage, niagaroon, upper yarra, north big river, photograph

This photo depicts the rescue of three local skiets that became trapped on Mt Bogong during a blizzard and became known as the Cleve Cole tragedy . Mick Hull Howard Michell and Cleve Cole where skiing on Mt Bogong and could not find their way off the mountain via Staircase Spur due to Blizzard conditions and ended up in the Mitta Valley. Howard Michell walked to the Battys farm to get help for his weak and injured friends. Cleve Cole died shortly after arriving at Omeo hospital. This photo is historically significant as it tells the rescue story of this tragedy. The photos are of the people involved which add to the story. Mt Bogong Victoria's highest mountain is accessed from the Kiewa Valley and near by high plains and over shadows Mt Beauty township therefore is a local story. The photo comes from the rescue party which is a rare photo and thus has great interpretive capacity . The skiing history is one of KVHS main themes and this photo is part of our Skiing Across Country exhibitionBlack and white photo of several men in the bush near Mt Bogong. Photo is glued on to cardboard with a dark grey border and light grey wider border on the outside.Handwritten on back "The Discovery of Cleve Cole / up the Big River (Below Paddy's Flat) / Cole is arrowed / Cyril Rootsey / Jack Batty / Bill Batty / Paul? Bitner / Tom Fitzgerald / Etc. / (I think dad is the one with his hand up to his face)" Back - red stamp - "Herald Feature / Service / Melbournecleve cole. mt bogong. big river. paddy's flat.

A free leisure guide to Marysville and the surrounding district published for Winter and Spring, 1987. This was produced by Michael Cheshire as a free publication to promote tourism in Marysville and the surrounding district. It includes maps of the Big River Valley, Cumberland Valley, Lady Talbot Forest Drive, the Marysville area, and the township of Marysville. It was released in the winter of 1987. A free leisure guide to Marysville and the surrounding district published for Winter and Spring, 1987.marysville, victoria, australia, leisure guide, michael cheshire & associates pty ltd, marysville golf club, blackwood lodges, sir colin mackenzie fauna park, lake eildon, fraser national park, yarra valley wineries, marysville coach tours, kooringa, marylands guest house, lady talbot forest drive, wishing well, taggerty river recreation area, athols abbey, phantom falls, keppel falls, the beeches walking track, marylyn guest house, kufstein inn motel, the cumberland, marysville tourist & progress association, marysville newsagency & general store, crossways restaurant & motel, beauty spot walk, tree fern gully walk, michaeldene track, keppel track, woods lookout track, marysville hotel motel, lake mountain ski hire, marysville recreation and fun park, mytanta horseback safaris, upper big river valley, the big culvert, marysville mountain view horse hire, maryton park, amber view holiday lodges, cathedral restaurant, the top shop, tower motel, menzes garage, marysville ski hire, lake mountain ski school, faraway forest, scenic motel, buxton trout farm, marysville hardware, timbertop steakhouse, marysville trout farm, healesville sanctuary, buxton hotel motel, nanda binya lodge, buxton antique and furniture mart, the black spur inn hotel, alexandra, lake mountain, j l gould sawmills pty. ltd., geoffrey pope & associates, marysville crafts & gifts, olde yarra track shoppe, cumberland scenic reserve, tudor lodge road house, fruit salad farm, highwayman's retreat, beauty spot display gardens & nursery, ski lake mountain cross country ski hire & kitchen, buxton store, valley view marysville, acheron way, mt donna buang road, snow gum woodlands, alpine ash forests, mountain ash forests, stringybark forests, messmate forests, manna gum forests

A free leisure guide to Marysville and the surrounding district published for Spring 1986, and Summer, 1987. This was produced by Michael Cheshire as a free publication to promote tourism in Marysville and the surrounding district. It includes maps of the Big River Valley, Cumberland Valley, Lady Talbot Forest Drive, the Marysville area, and the township of Marysville. It was released in the spring of 1986. A free leisure guide to Marysville and the surrounding district published for Spring 1986, and Summer 1987.Kilmore Historical Society *10/183 *MDL.1.marysville, victoria, australia, leisure guide, michael cheshire & associates pty ltd, marysville golf club, blackwood lodges, sir colin mackenzie fauna park, lake eildon, fraser national park, yarra valley wineries, marysville coach tours, kooringa, marylands guest house, lady talbot forest drive, wishing well, taggerty river recreation area, athols abbey, phantom falls, keppel falls, the beeches walking track, marylyn guest house, kufstein inn motel, the cumberland, marysville tourist & progress association, marysville newsagency & general store, crossways restaurant & motel, beauty spot walk, tree fern gully walk, michaeldene track, keppel track, woods lookout track, marysville hotel motel, lake mountain ski hire, marysville recreation and fun park, mytanta horseback safaris, upper big river valley, the big culvert, marysville mountain view horse hire, maryton park, amber view holiday lodges, cathedral restaurant, the top shop, tower motel, menzes garage, beauty spot nursery, marysville ski hire, lake mountain ski school, faraway forest, scenic motel, buxton trout farm, marysville hardware, timbertop steakhouse, marysville trout farm, healesville sanctuary, buxton hotel motel, nanda binya lodge, buxton antique and furniture mart, the black spur inn hotel, alexandra, lake mountain, j l gould sawmills pty. ltd., geoffrey pope & associates, marysville crafts & gifts, olde yarra track shoppe, cumberland scenic reserve, tudor lodge road house, fruit salad farm, highwayman's retreat

A free leisure guide to Marysville and the surrounding district published for Autumn and Winter, 1986. This was produced by Michael Cheshire as a free publication to promote tourism in Marysville and the surrounding district. It includes maps of the Big River Valley, Cumberland Valley, Lady Talbot Forest Drive, the Marysville area, and the township of Marysville. It was released in the autumn of 1986 and was sponsored by the Marysville Tourist & Progress Association. The Association was formed in November 1907 to promote tourism within the area. This included the physical creation of signage, parklands, roads, and walks to various attractions. A free leisure guide to Marysville and the surrounding district published for Autumn and Winter, 1986.marysville, victoria, australia, leisure guide, michael cheshire & associates pty ltd, marysville golf club, blackwood lodges, sir colin mackenzie fauna park, lake eildon, fraser national park, yarra valley wineries, marysville coach tours, kooringa, marylands guest house, lady talbot forest drive, wishing well, taggerty river recreation area, athols abbey, phantom falls, keppel falls, the beeches walking track, marylyn guest house, kufstein inn motel, the cumberland, marysville tourist & progress association, marysville newsagency & general store, crossways restaurant & motel, beauty spot walk, tree fern gully walk, michaeldene track, keppel track, woods lookout track, marysville hotel motel, lake mountain ski hire, marysville recreation and fun park, mytanta horseback safaris, upper big river valley, the big culvert, marysville mountain view horse hire, maryton park, amber view holiday lodges, cathedral restaurant, the top shop, tower motel, menzes garage, beauty spot nursery, marysville ski hire, lake mountain ski school, faraway forest, scenic motel, buxton trout farm, marysville hardware, timbertop steakhouse, marysville trout farm, healesville sanctuary, buxton hotel motel, nanda binya lodge, buxton antique and furniture mart, the black spur inn hotel, alexandra, lake mountain, geoffrey pope & associates

A black and white photograph of one of the Bantick Bros's trucks hauling some large logs on a timber jinker. Bantick Bros. Pty. Ltd. was a prominent, multi-generational logging and transport business originally based in Marysville, Victoria.The company is a major part of the regional forestry and timber history of the Yarra Valley and North East Victoria. Formed by the Bantick family (including D.V., V.L., and R. Bantick), the company operated commercial heavy goods vehicles and hardwood logging trucks. They held licenses dating back to at least the 1940s through the 1970s and 80s to haul massive timber logs from forest landings across the Niagaroon and Upper Yarra forestry districts, as well as the North Big River area. In addition to their core logging and transport divisions, the family name was heavily tied to the local community—including running Bantick's Garage in Marysville during the mid-1970s.A black and white photograph of one of the Bantick Bros's trucks hauling some large logs on a timber jinker.marysville, victoria, australia, bantick bros pty. ltd., yarra valley, north east victoria, david victor bantick, vernon (roy) lewis bantick, r. bantick, bantick's garage, niagaroon, upper yarra, north big river, photograph

A digital copy of a black and white photograph of one of the Bantick Bros's trucks hauling some large logs on a timber jinker. Bantick Bros. Pty. Ltd. was a prominent, multi-generational logging and transport business originally based in Marysville, Victoria.The company is a major part of the regional forestry and timber history of the Yarra Valley and North East Victoria. Formed by the Bantick family (including D.V., V.L., and R. Bantick), the company operated commercial heavy goods vehicles and hardwood logging trucks. They held licenses dating back to at least the 1940s through the 1970s and 80s to haul massive timber logs from forest landings across the Niagaroon and Upper Yarra forestry districts, as well as the North Big River area. In addition to their core logging and transport divisions, the family name was heavily tied to the local community—including running Bantick's Garage in Marysville during the mid-1970s.A digital copy of a black and white photograph of one of the Bantick Bros's trucks hauling some large logs on a timber jinker.marysville, victoria, australia, bantick bros pty. ltd., yarra valley, north east victoria, david victor bantick, vernon (roy) lewis bantick, r. bantick, bantick's garage, niagaroon, upper yarra, north big river, photograph

Colour slide of a view of Lake Eildon from Big River Road. It was during Operation Firewood. Legatees would organise collection of wood from the country and distribute it to widows in metropolitan Melbourne. Other slides show the cutting and loading of wood and delivery to widows in metropolitan Melbourne. Was with many other slides taken in the 1950s and 1960s. The slides have been photographed to make digital images and moved to archive quality sleeves. In many cases the original images were not well focussed and the digital image the best available.A record of Legacy helping widows by sourcing, supplying and delivering firewood. When open fires were the main source of heating, a load of firewood and help moving it, would have been very important to the widows.Colour slide of a view of Lake Eildon during Operation Firewood in brown Anscochrome cardboard mount.Printed on front in red ink 'Anscochrome / View from this side / Made in Australia'. Hand written on front 'Eildon Reservoir from Big River Road' in blue pen. Printed on reverse in red ink 'Processed by Verycolor photo labs. Melbourne, Victoria'.operation firewood, trees, forest

Recollections by Richard Mackay of the early history of the Gippsland goldfieldsPaperback. Cover is green. Front cover has a sepia photograph of a drawing with the caption 'Walhalla in its heyday. Back cover has a photograph of an old building with a sign on it that says 'Copper Mine Hotel'. There is a man standing in front of the building. In the foreground is a four wheel drive vehicle.Stamp of the Marysville & District Historical Society Inc / P.O. Box 22 / Marysville 3779gold, gold fields, gold miner, gold mining, gold town, gippsland, victoria, australia, history, jamieson, sale, omeo, big river, wood's point, matlock, jericho, aberfeldy, donnelly's creek, walhalla

The Big Tree is listed a a tree of State significance on the National Trust's Register of Significant Trees of Victoria for its outstanding size, curious fusion of branches, as an outstanding example of the species and as an important landmark.A photographs of Guildford's Big Tree - a River Red Gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis). The tre-es is believed to be one of the largest examples of the species in Victoria, and has been recorded as having a height of 30 metre, a canopy spread of 34 metres, and a trunk circumference of 9.35 metres. The tree was already an ancient giant when white settlers first arrived in the 1840s. On Saturday evening, February 28th 2015, just as dusk was falling, Guildford was hit hard by tornado-like winds, felling the big cottonwood tree down by the river, and tearing limbs from the iconic Big Tree, reducing it by an estimated one third. The debris has been cleared since then and the tree seems to have survived its ordeal, though its size is certainly diminished.big tree, guidlford, river red gum

The Big Tree is listed a a tree of State significance on the National Trust's Register of Significant Trees of Victoria for its outstanding size, curious fusion of branches, as an outstanding example of the species and as an important landmark.A photographs of Guildford's Big Tree - a River Red Gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis). The tre-es is believed to be one of the largest examples of the species in Victoria, and has been recorded as having a height of 30 metre, a canopy spread of 34 metres, and a trunk circumference of 9.35 metres. The tree was already an ancient giant when white settlers first arrived in the 1840s. On Saturday evening, February 28th 2015, just as dusk was falling, Guildford was hit hard by tornado-like winds, felling the big cottonwood tree down by the river, and tearing limbs from the iconic Big Tree, reducing it by an estimated one third. The debris has been cleared since then and the tree seems to have survived its ordeal, though its size is certainly diminished.big tree, guidlford, river red gum

The Big Tree is listed a a tree of State significance on the National Trust's Register of Significant Trees of Victoria for its outstanding size, curious fusion of branches, as an outstanding example of the species and as an important landmark.A number of colour photographs of Guildford's Big Tree - a River Red Gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis). The tres is believed to be one of the largest examples of the species in Victoria, and has been recorded as having a height of 30 metre, a canopy spread of 34 metres, and a trunk circumference of 9.35 metres. The tree was already an ancient giant when white settlers first arrived in the 1840s. On Saturday evening, February 28th 2015, just as dusk was falling, Guildford was hit hard by tornado-like winds, felling the big cottonwood tree down by the river, and tearing limbs from the iconic Big Tree, reducing it by an estimated one third. The debris has been cleared since then and the tree seems to have survived its ordeal, though its size is certainly diminished.big tree, guidlford, river red gum

non-fictionBiography of pastoralist and parliamentarian, William John Turner Clarke ; includes accounts of contacts, often violent, with Aboriginal peoples. william john turner clarke, big clarke, derwent river (tas.), phillip island (vic.), early pastoralists, squatters

Roper's Hut was built in 1939 and was burnt down in 2003. It was rebuilt in 2008 and is situated on the Bogong High Plains on Duane Spur (where Duane's hut had been before it too was destroyed by (1939) bushfires, between Mt Nelse and Big River. The original hut was used as a shelter for cattlemen who grazed their cattle on the High Plains during summer. The Victorian High Country Huts Association Inc. members and friends helped rebuild the hut which is now used as an emergency shelter for visitors to the High Plains.The memorabilia is significant as the items belonged to the Roper family who were one of the original settlers of the Kiewa Valley and one of the original families who drove their cattle up to the Bogong High Plains. The burnt plaque and forks and the rebuilding of the huts (Duane's & Roper's) are significant as bush fires are a constant threat to the Bogong High Plains destroying large areas at a time.1. Bronze Plaque and 2 damaged forks from Roper's Hut which was destroyed by bush fires in 2003. 2. DVD & USB and hard copy photos of the rebuild of Roper's Hut in January 2008.The plaque had 'In Memory of / John F. P. Roper/ died 3-12-1977 / Aged 78 years / He built the original hut Feb. 1939'roper's hut, cattlemen, bogong high plains, bronze plaque, roper family, bush fires

Mount Bogong located in the Alpine National Park and part of the Victorian Alps of the Great Dividing Range, is the highest mountain in Victoria, Australia, at 1,986 metres (6,516 ft) above sea level. The Big River separates the massif of the mountain from the Bogong High Plains to the south. From the nearby town of Mount Beauty to its summit, Mount Bogong rises more than 1,600 metres (5,200 ft), thus making it one of the highest peaks in Australia not only in terms of its elevation above sea level, but also in terms of actual base-to-summit prominence. Mount Bogong is a popular backcountry skiing mountain through winter but only has snow for the mid winter-spring months. It is around 30 kilometres (19 mi) by road and walking track or 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) direct to Mount Beauty. Falls Creek and Mount Hotham ski resorts are also nearby. Camping is relatively safe below the tree line but the summit ridgeline is very exposed. Emergency shelter is also available at Bivouac Hut on the Staircase Spur, and at Cleve Cole, above Camp Creek on the broad ridge to the south of the summit, and Michells Hut on the Eskdale Spur. Mt Bogong is a popular recreational venue in the Kiewa Valley for back country skiing and bush walking and is a favourite with sightseers and popular subject for photographersBlack and white photograph of Mt bogong taken from Tawonga - Thursday May 6th, 1937Handwritten on back of photograph. Thursday May 6th, 1937. Mt Bogong Tawongamt bogong, tawonga, kiewa valley

These items are from the private collection of George Shirling of Red Onion, Falls Creek. This advertisement was featured in The Australian Ski Yearbook 1937. 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 contained promotional material for Australian Ski Resorts and also honoured Cleve Cole.A black and white advertisement for Skiing in Victoria. It is accompanied by a detailed sign which explains key items in the publication. This edition of the Australian Ski Year book also contains an account of the death of Cleve Cole on 19th August 1936. Cleve Cole was ever an adventurer, and his passion for skiing led him, year after year, to pioneer new runs and open up new country. He pushed hard for the development of Mt. Bogong as a "skiing resort". After his death £500 was sought to build a "substantial stone building on Mt. Bogong which would give access to really excellent ski runs on the highest mountain in the State". Today, the Cleve Cole Memorial Hut (altitude 1,760m) stands 4kms south of Mt. Bogong, about 15kms NE of Falls Creek across the Big River. Cleve Cole's death led to the Victorian Government making a grant of £50 for the erection of snow pole lines on Mt. Bogong so that "all those who desire will now be able to spend a holiday in Victoria on Mt. Bogong" (Australian Ski Year Book 1937, page 55)ITEM No. 2 The Australian Ski Year Book 1937 "For Perfect Skiing in Victoria... THIS WINTER!" (advertisement page xxxi) george shirling, falls creek, the australian ski yearbook 1937, cleve cole hut

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.Black and White Images of visitors at Cleve Cole Lodge. Photo 1. L to R:- Ray Meyer, H. Gibbs and Wal Johnson. Photo 2. Ray Meyer and Wal Johnson having photo taken. CLEVE COLE HUT was built in 1937 for the Ski Club of Victoria, to commemorate pioneer skier, Cleve Cole, who died on a disastrous ski trip across the high In August 1936 three men, Cleve Cole, Mick Hull, and Howard Michell, skied from Mount Hotham across the Bogong High Plains to Mount. On reaching the mountain they became trapped for four days on the summit ridge by appalling weather conditions. For three days they followed the Big River through rough country before deciding that Howard should continue alone to find help, leaving Mick to care for Cleve who was barely able to continue. Three days later a search party, raised after Howard had reached Glen Valley, found Cleve and Mick. Within two days the group arrived at Glen Valley where, tragically, Cleve Cole died later that night. In memory of Cleve’s life and his pioneering work in the Victorian alpine country it was decided to build a refuge hut on the mountain. It is called the Cleve Cole Memorial Hut.falls creek, bogong high plains, cleve cole hut

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.Black and White Images taken at Cleve Cole Hut Photo 1 Outside Cleve Cole 1951 - From Left: Ray Meyer, Wal Johnson and other people from a visiting group Photo 2 Cleve Cole Hut Mt. Bogong CLEVE COLE HUT was built in 1937 for the Ski Club of Victoria, to commemorate pioneer skier, Cleve Cole, who died on a disastrous ski trip across the high In August 1936 three men, Cleve Cole, Mick Hull, and Howard Michell, skied from Mount Hotham across the Bogong High Plains to Mount. On reaching the mountain they became trapped for four days on the summit ridge by appalling weather conditions. For three days they followed the Big River through rough country before deciding that Howard should continue alone to find help, leaving Mick to care for Cleve who was barely able to continue. Three days later a search party, raised after Howard had reached Glen Valley, found Cleve and Mick. Within two days the group arrived at Glen Valley where, tragically, Cleve Cole died later that night. In memory of Cleve’s life and his pioneering work in the Victorian alpine country it was decided to build a refuge hut on the mountain. It is called the Cleve Cole Memorial Hut.falls creek, bogong high plains, ray meyer, cleve cole hut

After World War II, the Kiewa Hydro-Electric Scheme was started in the Kiewa River valley by the State Electricity Commission of Victoria. On land previously used only for summer cattle grazing in the natural alpine grasslands, the first ski lodge was built in 1948 by workers from the hydro scheme as skiing was a popular recreation. Many of the hydro employees were of European background and had grown up enjoying skiing and snow sports in their homelands and were keen to continue to pursue their winter sports interests. The first lift, a rope tow, was built in 1951 and the first chairlift in Australia was constructed there in 1957. Two T-Bars were opened in 1961. In 1964, the Victorian Municipal Directory recorded that Falls Creek had 29 ski club lodges and 16 commercial lodges.Employees of the State Electricity Commission of Victoria in the Kiewa River Valley were the earliest skiers on the Bogong High Plains and built one of the first ski lodges at Falls Creek. They were amongst those pivotal in the development of the skiing and tourist industry at Falls Creek and on the Bogong High Plains. Set of 10 black and white photographs of various skiers at Falls Creek Victoria1. From Left-John Robertson Myrtleford; Bill Bridgford, St Trinians; Girl not known; Roy Wolpole, Myrtleford; Fin McAuliffe, Myrtleford; Looking on foreground, Toni St Elmo 2. Falls Creek. Property of State Electricity Commission of Victoria Publicity Photo Negative No PB4046. Publicity Branch, 15 William St Melbourne. 3. Avic Lajons 4. No markings 5. Bill Bridgeford (lower person on slope) 6. Max Lawrence? Facing skiers 7. 6575. Indistinguishable red stamp on back 8. 6875. Ces Dobson on tractor 9. From left on tow. John Robertson (Myrtleford); Bill Bridgeford (St Trinians); Girl unknown; Roy Walpole (Myrtleford); Vin McAuliffe (Myrtleford); Looking on foreground Toni Beveridge. 10. From Left 1; 2; 3. Bill Bridgeford; 4. George McPherson ? (Myrtleford); 5. John Robertson (Myrtleford); 6. Elsbeth Rollenson? (Myrtleford); 7; 8; 9. 11. Bogong. Looking N.E from Big River fire track. Skiers on way to Falls Creek. Spion Kop on left. Going around Ropers Cerner near the 18 mile post falls creek, skiing, bogong high plains