Ivan Spargo was a builder in Melbourne. In 1965 he and his wife Joy leased piece of land in Falls Creek and built Spargo Lodge. It was a dormitory style chalet designed to accommodate large groups and families. Their son, Rob and his wife Blanche purchased the site where the Falls Creek Hotel is today. In 1970 Rob’s sister Leonie and her husband Glenn joined the business, and they started operating in 1972. The family has been actively involved in the Falls Creek Community including the establishment of the Falls Creek Primary School and Falls Creek Search & Rescue. Rob also served as a member the Chamber and Resort Management Board. As the next generation stepped into the family business, Rob and Blanche retired to their home in Tawonga South in 2014 and Leonie and Glenn retired to Melbourne in 2017.This brochure is significant because it is linked to a prominent business and family in Falls Creek, Victoria. A small brochure publicising Spargo Lodge, Falls Creek. It is printed in brown text on buff coloured light card. When unfolded, one side shows a sketch of Spargo Lodge. The reverse side gives information about facilities and services, the tariff for regular and peak season, booking details and transport information.On front: Spargo Lodge FULLY LICENSED Falls Creekspargo lodge, falls creek accommodation, falls creek hotel

1. Falls Creek ski resort is on the Bogong High Plains 2. Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme (late 1940s to early 1960s) was constructed by the State Electricity Commission of Victoria and included the townships of Bogong and Mt Beauty. The photos were taken by Wally Howell.Falls Creek is at the head of the Kiewa Valley and a major tourist attraction. Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme was constructed by the SECV and included the creation of the Mt Beauty township.1. 16 Coloured photos of Falls Creek - not dated or labelled. Includes Malony's Ski Hire & Restaurant and Sundance Inn 2. 162 Coloured Photos not dated or labelled. Includes Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme and Mt Beauty. Some multiple copies. 1. "Processed by Kodak Oct. 85 M" on printed in red ink on the back of one photo. Also, later labels were added in ink to identify each photo.falls creek, snow resort, skiing, ski lodges, sundance inn, malony's ski hire, spargos lodge, t-bar lifts, mt beauty, tourism

This outfit was donated by Hayley Martin. It was worn by two generations of the family, Hayley's mother and later by Hayley herself. Throughout the 1960s and early 1970s the six members of the Martin Family generally spent at least a week each year at Falls Creek, staying at Spargo's Lodge. The Martins then bought a share in Diana Lodge and stayed there frequently until the late 1970s. The sweater (HEAD brand) was purchased at Molony's at Falls Creek.This item is significant as it is indicative of the apparel worn by skiers at Falls Creek in the 1960s and 1970s.Black woollen stretch pants with white line pattern. A woollen cap completes the outfit.women's ski attire, molony ski shop, cuming's ski hire

"The Australian Ski Year Book" was first published in 1928 by the Kosciusko Alpine Club and the Ski Club of Australia, which with the Kiandra Ski Club, were the oldest organisations for skiing in Australia. In later years organisations from Victoria, Tasmania and New Zealand were included. It was published on behalf of N.S.W. Ski Council, Ski Club of Victoria, Ski Council of Tasmania, Ski Council of the Federated N.Z. Mountain Clubs. It aimed to provide an annual record of the sport of ski running in Australia, and of events elsewhere which would be of interest to Australian ski enthusiasts. This publication was a guide to all major resorts operation at the time in New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania. Information about Falls Creek included a description of its location describing geographical features, its 12 ski tows and available services. The accommodation advertised included Winterhaven Lodge, Falls Creek Motel, Spargo's Lodge, Attunga Alpine Lodge, Nelse Alpine Lodge, Les Chalets, Julian Lodge and Koki and Karelia Alpine Lodges.This item is significant because it is an issue of a long-running Australian ski publication which includes items about Falls Creek, Victoria..The Australian Ski Year Book Resort Guide of 1981 includes information and advertising about resorts throughout Australia. Falls Creek information and Accommodation Guide featured on pages 10 & 11 of this issue.australian skiing, accommodation falls creek, falls creek resort

This medallion was donated by Hayley Martin. Throughout the 1960s and early 1970s the six members of the Martin Family generally spent at least a week each year at Falls Creek, staying at Spargo's Lodge. The Martins then bought a share in Diana Lodge and stayed there frequently until the late 1970s. Medallions such as this one purchased at Cuming's Ski Hire, were commonly worn by skiers attached to an item of their ski apparel with the leather strap. The reverse side features an image from Nordic mythology. Ullr was the God of Snow, Patron Saint of Skiers, the son of Sif and stepson of Thor, the God of Thunder. Ullr was said to be an expert skater, skier and hunter who would glide around the world and cover the land with snow. Skiers hoped Ullr would ensure them of a good snow season and also protect them from injury.This item is significant because variations of medallions such as this were worn by many skiers and also advertised Falls Creek.A metal medallion decorated with wildflowers on one side and the image of Ullr, Patron Saint of Skiers on the reverse side.ullr patron saint of skiers, cuming's ski hire, spargo lodge, diana alpine lodge

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

This publication was compiled by the Falls Creek Business Community to advertise events and businesses during coming weeks. It contained results for the Giant Slalom event held the previous week at Mt. Buller where John Stokes took out the title of Combined Victorian Champion whilst the female Champion was Carol Gadsden. This issue also reported the visit of Dr Dietmar Kettle, Director of the Austrian Tourist Board who was a Member of the Organising Committee of the 1964 Olympic Games in Innsbruck. Venues advertised in this issue included Molony's Ski Hire, Falls Creek Ski School, Big Julians Lodge, Koki Alpine Lodge, Snow Haven Lodge, Naarilla Flats, Spargo, , Apartments, 4 Seasons Chalet and Southern Cross Flats and the Frying Pan Inn.This newsletter is significant because it documents routine activities and events in Falls Creek in the 1970s.A newsletter printed on both sides, including results of recent ski events, visitors to the community, upcoming events and entertainment. Short headlines of news are included, as well as advertising for several guest houses and accommodation at Falls Creek.HEADLINE - FALLS CREEK VILLAGER NEWS IN BRIEF with the compliments of the Falls Creek Business Communityaccommodation falls creek, falls creek business community, falls creek newsletter

dr. spargo, mr marrows