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

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

These items are from the private collection of George Shirling of Red Onion, Falls Creek. This advertisement 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 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.ITEM No. 2 The Australian Ski Year Book 1937 "For Perfect Skiing in Victoria... THIS WINTER!" (advertisement page xxxi) 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 pounds 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 (alt. 1760m) stands 4kim S of Mt. Bogong, about 15klms NE of Falls Creek across the Big River. Cleve Cole's death led to the Victorian Government making a grant of 50 pounds 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 1937:55)george shirling, falls creek, the australian ski yearbook 1937, cleve cole hut

Mt Bogong is visited all year round. In 1936 Cleve Cole died after having been lost in a blizzard close to its summit. This resulted in the erection of snow poles and the Cleve Cole Hut.Mt Bogong, the highest mountain in Victoria, used by skiers in winter and bushwalkers in summer. The weather is variable.1. Article includes 'New Summit Hut' & includes effect of cattle on skiing conditions - 4 pages stapled top left corner 2. The Mt Bogong Disaster, 1936 Cleve Cole, Rescue. 10 pages stapled top left cornercleve cole, mt bogong, summit hut, snow, skiing disaster.

Ski-Horizon is the official journal of the Federation of Victorian Ski Clubs which began publication in 1949. The were 26 original member clubs which included Albury Ski Club, Bogong Ski Club, Myrtleford Ski Club, Tallangatta and District Ski Club and Wangaratta Ski Club. Two pioneers of Falls Creek, Tom Mitchell, M.L.A., and Martin Romuld were Vice-Presidents of the Federation.This Journal is significant because it documents the early development of skiing in Victoria.The journal features stories and events chronicling developments in Victoria and internationally. Items related to the Falls Creek Area in this publication include:- Page 3: A reminder for people wishing to use Cleve Cole Hut, that they need to collect a key. The Hut is dedicated to the memory of Cleve Cole, a Victorian skiing pioneer who died after being trapped on Mount Bogong in the winter of 1936. Page 14 At the Annual Dinner of the Bogong Ski Club on Saturday, 19th November, Mr. T. W. Mitchell, M.L.A., presented the Silver Discus to Fred Vines, Captain of the Bogong team which won the 1949 Inter-club Championship. The Bogong Ski Club were keen to send a team to New Zealand in 1950 to compete in the N.Z. inter-club championship (Wigley Cup).ski history victoria, federation of victorian ski clubs, nedsa events, victorian skiing 1949

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. This issue also has a banner advertising the 1956 Melbourne Olympic games across the bottom of the cover. Items related to Falls Creek in this issue include:- Page 17 features a review of Skyline Lodge and preparations being made by Bob Hymans to install a new lift at Falls Creek Pages 27 and 28 detail information and descriptions of cabins and lodges in Victoria including Skyline, Wilkinson Memorial Lodge, Cope Hut and Cole Cleve Memorial Hut, Bivouac Hut and Summit Hut at Mount Bogong. An advertisement for Ski Boots from J Molony is on page 5. Although only referring to their Melbourne address, Molony's operated a shop at Falls Creek during the winter season.schuss journal, the ski club of victoria, skyline, bob hymans

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

Bivouac Hut was built in 1935 on the Northern end of Mt. Bogong, on the Staircase Spur, about halfway to the summit. It was funded by Cleve Cole and he arranged for Walter Maddison to build it. Cleve Cole dedicated his life to the mountains and wanted to make them safer to visit - more huts and improved maps, pole lines and tracks. He perished in the winter of 1936 after attempting to make the first winter crossing from Mt. Hotham to Mt. Bogong on skis. The two others with him, Howard Michell and Mick Hull survived. The weather conditions were extreme at the time and having made the summit of Mt. Bogong they then became disorientated in the blizzard and came down the southern end of Bogong instead of the northern end . Howard Michell made it out to Glen Valley, a small mining town, to get help. Mick and Cleve were carried out on rough bush stretchers and Cleve died a few hours later. The Summit Hut was funded by Howard Michell and built in the 1940's. It was deliberately burnt down in the early 1980's. Bivouac hut was rebuilt in the 1980's.These photographs are of historical significance. Both huts were funded by experienced bushwalkers to provide shelter from the weather and so make walking and skiing in the area safer. They are both now gone with Bivouac being replaced with a more modern structure but there is nothing left of the Summit Hut. 5 coloured photographs, A4 in size, 4 near the summit of Mt. Bogong (Three of the Summit Hut) and one of Bivouac Hut on the Staircase Spur leading up to the summit.1. Hand written in ink on back of Photo - "Mt. Bogong Sep. 1976' - all underlined. Below this "Staircase Spur Hut The bloke in the hat me (David Jones)". 2. Handwritten in ink on back of photo - "Mt. Bogong winter 1970" (underlined). Underneathe "Same old Hut". 3. Handwritten in ink "Mt. Bogong Jan. 1969" (Underlined) Underneath "Tawonga Saddle looking towards the Summit". 4.Handwritten in ink back of photo "Mt. Bogong Jan. 1969" (underlined) Old hut near Summit, since removed, at the top of Staircase Spur. View looking out over Kiewa Valley." 5.Hand written on back of photo "Mt. Bogong Jan. 1969" (Underlined). Underneath - " Same old Hut (Staircase Spur) early morning".mt. bogong, summit hut, bivouac hut