FALLS CREEK ROPE TOWS Toni St Elmo brought back plans for a Hamilton rope tow from New Zealand. He had a rope tow built in the summer of 1950-51 and it went into operation the following winter. Skiers were charged 10/- per day to use it. Skiers held onto the rope with a locking device called a ‘nutcracker” attached to a webbing belt. This tow, known as the Nissen Tow, continued to operate until 1960. Bob Hymans installed a shorter portable rope tow for his guests at Skyline from 1954. Other tows included the Village Tow and the Nursery Tow. Eventually most of the tows were taken over by Alpine Developments. From 1960 onwards they were gradually replaced by T-bars and then later on by chairlifts. This belt is from the original rope tow used between 1951 and 1960 in the Falls Creek ski lifts. These items are significant because were part of the earliest rope tows constructed at Falls Creek.A canvas waist belt with leg hoops and metal joining and hook used to attach skier to the rope tow. The wheel is also a damaged component of the Rope Tow.falls creek, nissen alpine club, rope tows, toni st elmo

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 issue include:- Page 2:- Tonl St. Elmo (Nissen Alpine Club) had been appointed as a Justice of the Peace. Climatologists with the CSIRO reported that the mean daily temperature of summer in Victoria and NSW had fallen by 3°F since 1880 whilst in the Northern Hemisphere summers were becoming warmer. Page 5: There was to be no Queen's Birthday holiday this year but Tuesday 2nd June would be a public holiday for Coronation Day. Page 11: Featured "They're Busy in the North-East" - nothing has been heard of the Sydney Clubs which had proposed building at Falls Creek and Beechworth seems to be in danger of losing its site. Nissen Alpine Club has had plans for extension approved. A new rope was being installed for the Nissen tow. Falls Creek was undoubtedly the most progressive centre in the North East. For a slightly rougher experience Cleve Cole Memorial Lodge was recommended.tom mitchell m.l.a., toonallook, fred griffith

Nissen Lodge was built by 1953 at Falls Creek. The first lodge at Falls Creek was built in 1947 by SECV staff members. By the 1954 Ski Season, Falls Creek Alpine Village had 10 club lodges, plus a ski tow house and a commercial lodge that both provided skier accommodation. Several other club lodges were under construction. The Nissen Alpine Club operated a rope tow with a 240m rise in altitude..Ski lessons were also available. Re: Tony and Skippy St Elmo Beveridge See KVHS 1113 By 1953, the SECV was issuing entry permits for private cars used by skiers with bookings in a Falls Creek lodge.The Nissen Ski Lodge was one of the early ski lodges at Falls Creek. Toni St Elmo Beveridge was involved in the early development of skiing at Falls Creek including assisting with the building of the early lodges, and establishing the Nissen Ski School. See KVHS 1113. The book was later used for visiors to the KVHS museum located in the old Tawonga South School.Deep red, bound, thick cardboard book with gold outline of Australia and 'Visitors" on the centre front. Many pages each with a column for Date, Name in Full and Address in Full. Written in ink and pencil both sides of each page with the first date being 14 - 6 - 1953 to 17th September 1960. Entries follow from 1985 to 1994 when the closure of the display at the old South Tawonga Primary School is noted by the KVHS Secretary. The book also has 'Tony & Skippy St Elmo Beveridge' on its cover page. nissen ski lodge, visitors book falls creek, nissen school

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 issue include:- Page 2 - 3:- Rations for working bees at Myrtleford Lodge have been supplemented by large quantities of trout- source undisclosed. Many lodges have taken on new colours. Skippy and Tonl St. Elmo have chosen red and yellow for the Nissen Alpine Club Tow House at Falls Creek where they will be living this year. Intervarsity races were to be held at Falls Creek. Page 5 - Myrtleford and Toni St. Elmo have set up a short tow for beginners beside the big tow at Falls Creek. The Bogong Ski Club will accommodate skiers from other clubs at the cost of 10/- per night (not including food)tom mitchell m.l.a., bogong ski club, toni st. elmo

Skippy and Toni St Elmo were responsible for early developments at the Falls Creek resort and for promoting a love of skiing. They left Melbourne in 1945 and settled at Falls Creek and moved into the first building constructed of corrugated iron and timber at Falls Creek in 1946. They were Falls Creek’s first workers with Toni employed by the State Electricity Commission to record weather-related data up to the construction of the Kiewa Hydro-Electric Scheme. In 1957, Toni was involved in building the first rope tow called Nissen on the same route as the Summit Quad. He also established the Nissen Ski School with ski instructor Milan Kovacic and was involved in the building of the resort’s first ski club Bogong in 1949. Toni taught Skippy to ski and she practised on the High Plains where she and her husband lived. Skippy St Elmo won many ski races during the 1950’s and represented Australia in New Zealand.Skippy and Toni St Elmo were pioneers of the Falls Creek area, promoting local ski sports and tourism. The played an important role in opening up the Falls Creek area and developing its sporting potential by establishing the first ski school, ski lifts and early lodge facilities. Skippy and Toni St Elmo were honoured at the Alpine Village at Falls Creek on November 17 2006, with the spreading of their ashes at the place which played such an important part in both their lives.Set of 8 black and white photographs of Skippy St Elmo and other skiers 1. Skippy and 3 others in New Zealand 1951 2. Skippy and 5 others Falls Creek 1955 3. Cake celebrating 20 years of sport at Nissen Lodge 4. Skippy and friend outside Nissen Lodge 5. Skippy on the ski slopes 6. Skippy on the ski slopes 7. Albury Ski Club team New Zwealand 1957 8. The Bogong Ski Club 1950 Written on back of photos 1. Bob Howe Albury, Skippy New Zealand 1951 – 942H 2. Falls Creek 1955. Skippy St Elmo: H Devonassore; Margaret ?; ?; Tony St Elmo; Olive? 3. Written on cake Nissen Alpine Club. 20 years of sport. FRED 4. Skippy St Elmo 5. Skippy 6. Skippy 7. Bob Howe (Albury) Skippy New Zealand 1957. Albury Ski Club Team raced in NZ 8. The Bogong Ski club, Coronet Park, 1950. M Denham (Capt); B Wiltshire; R Roberts; Skippy St Elmo; Gwen Morris; J Frazer; J Smith; L Piera; Manager & Coach Toni St Elmo. J D Knowles Photographer Box 188, Queenstown. 744B falls creek, skiing, bogong high plains

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 2: Reference to ski instructors and Ski Schools in Victoria including Bob Hymans' School and Ernst and Auriel Forras who operate the Nussen School with Max Denham. Page 5 Bogong High Plains locality map, with construction areas and power lines marked. It is accompanied by a notice regarding safety and access from H. H. C.Williams, Construction Engineer. Page 12 An article referring to Tom Mitchell's stallion "Debtor" and Ernest Forras, Ski Instructor. Page 13: Continuation of Ernest Forras' profile. Page 22 Comment by Toni St. Elmo and the Myrtleford Ski Club Tow. ski history victoria, federation of victorian ski clubs, ernest forras, nissen ski school

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. Reference to association between Tom and Elyne Mitchell and prominent American skier, Mr. Averell Harriman. Also members of the Albury Ski Club fined for swearing. Page 5 A half page advertisement for Nissen Ski School with instructors, Ernest and Aurel Forras and Max Denham. It includes the slogan "Speed is the Thrill, Control the Art".ski history victoria, federation of victorian ski clubs, ernest forras, nissen ski school, tom mitchell m.l.a.

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 issue include:- Cover - Rudi Wurth, winner of the National Slalom and Downhill titles at Kosciusko, 1954. Page 2 - Dawn Ski Club is a great place for families as it was designed specifically to cater for children. Toni St. Elmo is writing a book about skiing to be illustrated by Mollie Hill. The introduction will be by a well known Australian skier. Page 3 - A new standard downhill course is to be cleared on the Frying Pan Spur by Myrtleford Ski Club. In honor of the work he has done for the Falls Creek Village and for skiing in that area, it is to be named the "Tom Mitchell Course." Falls Creek Alpine Village is to be enlarged. Three new club lodges have been started, including Snowden and Nissen. Holbrook Ski Club will also be building at Falls Creek this summer.tom mitchell m.l.a., toni st. elmo, downhill courses, falls creek alpine village

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. Items related to the Falls Creek Area in this issue include:- Page 304 - A meeting held at Bogong to which all clubs with Permissive Occupancies in Falls Creek were invited has agreed to form an Advisory Council. This body would be known as the "Falls Creek Alpine Village Advisory Committee. Each club was to have one representative and one vote. Suggested matters to be dealt with by the Committee included (a) Development of the village, (b) General Conduct and (c) Safety. Page 316 - An advertisement for Nissen Ski School with the slogan "Speed is the Thrill, COntrol the Art."schuss journal, the ski club of victoria