This item is from the private collection of George Shirling of Red Onion, Falls Creek. The Snowman outside Snowlands was constructed in the 70s after Mr S K Pearce commissioned Polish artist/sculptor Andy Lomini to create it. Mr Lomini is well known for his oil paintings but also created the Big Trout in Jindabyne, one of the 150 'big' things in Australia. The Snowman was carted into Falls Creek in three pieces on the back of a truck. 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 features an iconic symbol of Falls Creek, Victoria.A coloured postcard featuring an image of two children and the snowman at Snowland, Falls Creek Greetings from Falls Creekgeorge shirling, snowman at snowlands, falls creek

Marketing material for Falls Creek from the 1980s. The illustrations were made from photographs of Falls Creek. It was produced by S K Pierce who built Snowland. Fabric tea towel with illustrated snow scenes across the towel, showing the snow fields. These images were mostly taken from photos and include T children making a snow kangaroo and people skiing. One main image with smaller images framed in red. The image of a man looking down the summit is Limi Leitch who owned the Box Hill Ski Hire Shop. The towel was designed by S. K. Pierce who built Snowland.falls creek, souvenir, 1980s advertising, snow, snow fields, snowland

Mrs June Hoffman of Mount Beauty recently donated this beautiful picture. It is the original artist impression of the Snowman outside Snowlands. The Snowman was constructed in the 70's after Mr S K Pearce commissioned Polish artist/sculptor Andy Lomini. Mr Lomini is well known for his oil paintings but also created the Big Trout in Jindabyne, one of the 150 'big' things in Australia. The Snowman was carted into Falls Creek in 3 pieces on the back of a truck.This item is significant because it is the artist's impression of a major artwork commissioned for Falls Creek.A photo of the original artist's impression for a statue of a snowman which is located in Falls Creek. The snowman is wearing a scarf and a top hat and has a belt around his waist. A row of five blue buttons go down the middle of his chest. He is smoking a pipe and holding onto a broom. Three people are in the bottom left corner holding up the snowman's broom. snowman at snowlands, s. k. pearce, andy lomini, falls creek attractions

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 - Trees are being planted in snowland experimental plots on the Bogong High Plains. Tom Mitchell had suggested the plots should be established to ascertain whether suitable species could be easily introduced. Page 3 - Nissen Ski Tow would again be operating with provisions available at the Tow House. Cecil Dobson will be managing Loon's Store. He will be bringing in fresh food two r three times a week by horse sled which will also be used by Bob Hymans.tom mitchell m.l.a., snowland experimental plots, cecil dobson

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

These boots show an early design of ski boots. The design of boots, materials and closures have changed dramatically as technology has evolved. Early ski boots were little more than lace-up work boots. in 1928, the Swiss ski racer Guido Reuge invented a cable binding designed to hold the heel down for alpine skiing. He named the binding after the Kandahar series of alpine ski races. After World War II, custom bootmakers developed the double boot, with a soft and comfy lace-up inner boot protected and stiffened by a thick bull-hide outer casing laced with heavy-duty corset hooks. A solution towards making boots stiffer and more durable arrived in 1954, when Swiss bike racer and stunt pilot Hans Martin patented the ski boot buckle as shown on this pair of boots. The real revolution in boot design occurred in 1966, when the Canadian ski team were equipped with plastic boots for the Alpine World Championships. Since then manufacturers have competed to further refine designs to meet a range of needs from the weekend skier to elite athletes. These boots were donated by DIana and Neville Mashford who owned the Hub and Snowlands at Falls Creek.These boots are significant because they demonstrate a stage in the evolving technology of designs for the ski sport industry.Red leather ski boots with four metal buckles and black lining.SEROC Made in Franceski equipment, ski boot design, vintage ski boots

This vehicle, an Axtrack is located outside the Falls Creek Museum. It was built by Axel Andre who worked in Falls Creek as a mechanic for several years in the early 1970s. Axel was an engineer by trade. He built this small twin track vehicle for Ivan Spargo at the Falls Creek Hotel and then progressed to building bigger and better models. This included one for Ziggy Doer at Koki and Neville Mashford at Snowland purchased two of them. Some of these machines were also exported to America. Axel Andre later established a company Axtrack Engineering in Melbourne. There are still three of these Axtrack vehicles on the hill at Falls Creek in 2024. The vehicles were used for commercial purposes such as transporting supplies and staff around the mountain. The Spargo family from the Falls Creek Hotel used this vehicle for oversnow transport and it advertised Harvey Wallbanger Happy Hour. Ivan and Joy Spargo relocated from Melbourne to Falls Creek in 1965. They purchased a piece of leasehold land and built Spargo Lodge. This was a dorm style chalet built to accommodate large groups and families. Their son Rob Spargo met his future wife Blanche in 1967 when she was on holiday in Falls Creek. They married and purchased the site where the Falls Creek Hotel is today. The steep gradient of the site was a challenge to build on but was the best location available in the village. In 1970 Rob’s sister Leonie and her husband Glenn joined the business, and they started operating the hotel in 1972. The family played a critical role in the growth of the Falls Creek community and were involved in the foundation of Falls Creek Primary School and Falls Creek Search & Rescue. Rob was also involved in the start-up of Ski Victoria and has served as a member of the Chamber and Resort Management Board. Rob’s eldest daughter Lisa competed with the Australian Ski Team from 1985 to 1989 and has worked as a ski instructor in Australia, Austria & Colorado. In 2010 Lisa and her husband Damien Allport joined the family business and her parents retired to Tawonga South in 2014. Their children are now the fourth generation of the Spargo family living at Falls Creek enjoying the alpine lifestyle and providing outstanding hospitality. The 40 year tradition of the Harvey Wallbanger Happy Hour held on Tuesdays and Thursdays continues at Falls Creek Hotel in 2024.This item is significant because it depicts an important form of transport at Falls Creek, VictoriaA coloured photo of a black Axtrack oversnow vehicle decorated with red and yellow advertising.FALLS CREEK HOTEL APRES ENTERTAINMENT HARVEY HOUR TUES & THURS 3.30 PM LIVE ENTERTAINMENTaxtrack, oversnow vehicles, falls creek transport, spargo lodge, falls creek hotel