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.These images are significant because they depict aspects of the life of a pioneering family of Falls Creek and the founders of "Skyline", the first lodge at Falls Creek.Images of Joan Meyer near Fitzgerald's Hut on the Bogong High Plains. The original Fitzgerald Hut was built in 1903 by George Silas Fitzgerald. Destroyed by fire in 1991, it was rebuilt using salvaged and recycled timber. It is located in a large clearing, three to four hours hike from the Bogong High Plains Road These images document Joan's first trip on skis carrying a pack on her back.The trip took about two weeks to complete.falls creek, victorian snowfields, joan meyer, fitzgerald 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.These images are significant because they depict aspects of the life of a pioneering family of Falls Creek and the founders of "Skyline", the first lodge at Falls Creek.A collection of photos related to a sledge trip between Fitzgeralds Hut and Shannonvale in September 1937. 1. L - R:- Cyril Louder, Eileen McEvoy, Bill Burrows (?), Dad Fitzgerald, Olive Sandell (standing in front of Marie Hatters) 2. Little Jimmy Wheeler 3. Fitz's Hut - leaving for Shannonvale 4. Looking down Middle Creek valley from SEC Camp Bogong High Plains 5. Tom Fitzgerald has a nap at Fitz's Hutfalls creek, fitzgerald hut, shannonvale, sledge party 1937

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.These images are significant because they depict aspects of the life of a pioneering family of Falls Creek and the founders of "Skyline", the first lodge at Falls Creek.Three photos showing Ray Meyer and other family members. 1. Ray Meyer and Campfire on Eskdale Spur. This is now the location of the MItchell Hut. 2. Ray Meyer on Eskdale Spur with his dog, Jock. 3. Elsa Martin and John Meyer outside the Meyer's house at Bogong, 1948. Elsa is Joan Meyer's mother and John Meyer's grandmother.falls creek, joan meyer, fitzgerald hut, shannonvale, sledge party 1937

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.Two black and white images of friends at Fitz's Hut 1. Near Fitz's Hut. Ray Meyer at lower left. 2. Bringing in the woodfalls creek, bogong high plains, fitzgerald hut

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 features a photo of the Chair Lift and Slopes of Frying Pan Spur by Eric Burt. Page 130 again included an advertisement for Snow Crystal Inn managed by Milan Kovacic and page 133 advertised vacancies at Grand Coeur Chalet. A memorial notice for the death of George Fitzgerald of Shannonvale, a pioneer of Omeo, Victoria, builder of Fitzgerald Hut is on page 137. A brief description of the beauty of Bogong Township in Autumn is on page 140 and a short article describing Falls Creek - Gateway to the High Plains is found on page 155. On page 166 developments made in Falls Creek since the previous winter are explained.schuss journal, the ski club of victoria, george fitzgerald of shannonvale, frying pan spur, falls creek 1958

Swedish snow shoes for horses were imported by Martin Romuld in 1937. They were used by Tom Fitzgerald's packhorses but not on the State Electricity Commission of Victoria's horses as a S.E.C.V. 'horse expert' claimed the horses would break their legs.Tom Fitzgerald lived on the Omeo Highway near Shannonvale and brought cattle up to the Bogong High Plains. He would have travelled in the snow during the year visiting his hut and maintaining his equipment. The S.E.C.V. worked on the Bogong High Plains all year round during the construction of the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme. Copy of a black and white photo glued onto cardboard showing a "Swedish snow shoe for horses" followed by further information re their uses on the Bogong High Plains. On the back stamped in blue 'Rescent'swedish snow shoes; horses; bogong high plains

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.Three images taken on the King's Birthday weekend in 1936. Kelly's Hut and stockyards were built by Patrick J Kelly in 1901. In 1956 the hut was burnt down and replaced with a State Electricity Commission (SEC) hut moved from a nearby site. falls creek, bogong high plains, kelly's hut, kelly's stockyard, tom fitzgerald, perc semmens

1. These Skis were hand carved in Sweden around 1937 and brought to Australia where they were purchased around 1962 by a Bogong Rover Scout. They were refurbished with steel edging and plastic soles and saw extensive service on the Bogong High Plains between 1962 and 1968. They performed magnificently, riding out the deepest mogul with ease because of their highly curved tips. Of particuular interest is the way the Kandahar toe iron has been attached to the ski. The ski was slotted through its width, the tow iron inserted and then folded vertically to give an integral attachment. In those days skins were used extensively for uphill climbing, hence the yellow plastic patch on the back surface to protect from the skin buckle. Cable bindings were used to enable the boot to lift for climbing. When ready for a downhill run, the cable was slipped under the side-pulls to anchor the heel. The beauty of these bindings in those days was that they were composite downhill and touring skis. These particular skis were of lightweight timber (timber unknown) compared to others of their day, which are often made of Hickory which is much denser and heavier. Rover Scouts and the Bogong High Plains The Bogong Rover Lodge started as an SEC (State Electricity Commission) hut near Langford's Gap and was carried on the backs of Rover Scouts across to its present location on the Southern side of the Bogong High Plains around 1937 under the direction of W.F. (Bill) Waters, a skiing pioneer, synonymous with establishing skiing on the BHP. The Rover Scouts left Melbourne by train to Bairnsdale. They went onto Omeo (bus?) where they stayed overnight at the pub then (bus?) to Fitzgerald's farm on the Omeo Highway. Then on packhorses to the snow line. Then they carried their packs and skis. to the lodge. The Lodge continues to this day (2026) as a base for Scouts skiing and bushwalking on the Bogong High Plains. Rovers, the senior branch of Scouting, are aged between 18 to 25 years. The Bogong Rover Lodge / Chalet / or Scout Hut is open all year round.1. 2 pairs of skis: One pair is hand-crafted Swedish wooden skis circa 1937. Quite a thick ski. Tapered shape with a distinctive pointed toe. Coated with dark brown varnish which is lifting in some parts. The ski has a yellow plastic patch at the rear and a re-inforced foot plate. Bindings are metal and leather. 216 cm long and 7 cm wide. The second pair of skies are red plastic. Possibly Italian with an unusual downhill & touring binding circa 1970. 198 cm long and 7 cm wide Bogong Rover overshirt (winter). Pure wool, long sleeves, 2 front buttons, pockets with insignia include Box Hill District Boy Scouts Alpine Rovers Badge on right top of sleeve. Epaulettes on the left and right shoulders. Left hand side has 8 pieces of coloured tabs attached. Also, Green triangular cotton neck tie with leather toggle.Labels 'pure wool'; 'scout shop' 'size 14'rover scouts, cross country skiing, bill waters, swedish skis, scouts uniform