This ski run was built for the 1960 Australian Downhill Championships conducted at Falls Creek. It may have been built in conjunction with the SEC. This crossing was just below the Falls Creek Resort entrance. It had a vertical elevation of approximately 1,500 feet. The building pictured is a former SEC building which became the "Galleon" Ski Club and was later know as Cooroona. To the right is the Bowna Ski Club.This image is significant because it captures a structure created for the 1960 Australian Downhill Championships held at Falls Creek.Image of a road passing under a downhill ski run at Falls Creek. A building is visible on the left of the photo.On sign above road: SKI RUN CROSSING / DOWNHILL RACING COURSE1960 australian downhill championships, downhill ski run falls creek

Ross Milne grew up on his family's tobacco property in Myrtleford, Victoria and started skiing at Falls Creek when he was 13. He went on to win the North-Eastern District Ski Association (NEDSA) Junior Championships for three years in a row. In 1961 Ross was a member of the Australian team which competed against New Zealand in the Inter-Dominion Championships. In 1963, he won the Downhill and Alpine Combined title at the Australian Championships, while placing second in the Grand Slalom event. Ross Milne was selected in the Australian team that participated in the 1964 Olympic Winter Games at Innsbruck, Austria. A few days before the opening of the Games, on 25 January 1964, he tragically lost his life when he crashed into a tree during a training run for the Men's Downhill. He was only 19 years of age. This item is significant because it shows the Olympic Team at Falls Creek and features Ross Milne who died tragically in a training run in Innsbruck, Austria shortly after this photo was taken.A mounted black and white photograph of the Australian Olympic team standing in front of the Falls Creek Ski School sign as well as an article "Ski Champion at 18" from Australian Women's Weekly Wed 9 Oct 1963. The image was taken while the team selected to represent Australia at the 1964 Winter Olympics at Innsbruck, Australia were in training. Left to right: Christine Smith, Simon Brown, Sigi Haberzettl (Coach), Judy Forras, John Wagner (Manager), Peter Wenzel, Peter Brockhoff, Ross Milne.australian winter olympians, winter olympics 1964, ross milne

Over the summer of 1984/85 extensive regeneration work was carried out to establish the “Last Hoot”. It was a big job and took all summer to complete the work which included throwing rocks of the run, digging in cross drains and spreading the area with hay. All work was done manually. Though difficult physical work, those who dedicated their time and labour to the task have interesting memories of that time, including arriving to load up hay bales only to find the cattle from the high plains had walked across the dam wall to come and enjoy a fabulous feast! The Hoot Ski Trail has two sections. Fast Hoot is a 341 metre blue downhill run located near Falls Creek. The Last Hoot is a one km blue ski run (piste) trail which can be used in both directions. It finishes at Slalom Plaza in Falls Creek Village. Snowlands Lodge is near the bottom of the trail in Slalom Street. One of its most popular features is “The Last Hoot” Restaurant.This article is significant because it documents the work carried out to establish a popular ski trail at Falls Creek, VictoriaThis newspaper article reports on the work carried out to prepare for a new ski trail the "Last Hoot" at Falls Creek over the summer of 1984/85.In image L to R Debbie Howie, Larraine Boulton, Nina Frueauf, Rob McEwan, Eric Napierthe last hoot, deb howie

Ross Milne grew up on his family's tobacco property in Myrtleford, and began skiing at Falls Creek at an early age. He was taught by Austrian Sigi Haberzettl, who was chief coach at Falls Creek for 17 years. Ross went on to win the North-Eastern District Ski Association (NEDSA) Junior Championships for three consecutive years. In 1961 Ross was a member of the Australian team which competed against New Zealand in the Inter-Dominion Championships. In 1963, he won the Downhill and Alpine Combined title at the Australian Championships, while placing second in the Grand Slalom event. Ross was selected in the Australian team that participated in the 1964 Olympic Winter Games at Innsbruck, Austria. A few days before the opening of the Games, on 25th January 1964, he tragically lost his life when he crashed into a tree during a training run for the Men's Downhill. He was only 19 years of age. The construction of the Ross Milne Memorial Ski Jump was first discussed and built between 1964 and 1966. It was located at the top of Gully, Site 99, heading down the gully and ending with a run out onto Falls Creek Road. The Jump was constructed by the Nordic Committee of the Victorian Ski Association. Problems plagued the construction of the Jump and continued until 1974 when it was deemed unsafe. Problems such as construction methods and materials, snow loading and soil foundations and footings were some of the issues which the VSA Nordic Committee faced. On top of this there was discontent with Resort Management and the Lift Company of the day with respect to safety of the Ski Jump and its effect on adjoining chair lifts if an emergency should occur. The cost of reconstruction was prohibitive and an order was given that the SkiJump was not to be used during the 1974 ski season. The Jump was dismantled not long after.These items are significant as they document the development of a memorial to an Australian Olympic Skier, Ross Milne.A collection of documents and photographs documenting the construction of the Ross Milne Memorial Ski Jump built at Falls Creek in 1966. A display board including photographs and explanatory text is part of this collection.ross milne, ross milne memorial ski jump