Bob Hymans Collection Bob (Herman) Hymans (a former member of the Royal Netherlands Navy) was born in Bloemendaal, Holland on 30th September 1922. During World War II he fought against the Japanese in the Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia) and was imprisoned in Changi and on the Burma Railway. After gaining qualifications as a Ski Instructor, Bob arrived in Falls Creek in July 1950. Working as an Instructor and Supervisor at Bogong Lodge, Bob decided his future was in accommodation. He was successful in negotiating an indenture for land from the State Electricity Commission (SEC). It took Bob two years to build his Grand Coeur Chalet but, tragically, it was burned down in August 1961. Bob also built the first Chairlift in Australia. This was a single chairlift and the structure was built from wooden electricity poles. He was constantly full of new ideas and proposals for the village. Bob Hymans died on 7th July 2007. This Collection of documents and letters tells the story of Bob's endeavours to develop Falls Creek into the ski village it is today.This letter is significant because it documents plans made by Bob Hymans to develop Falls Creek Tourist Area.This letter was written to Bob Hymans by Vladimir Hájek from Australasian Ropeways 05.02.1960. It discusses plans for a chairlift at Arthurs Seat on the Mornington Peninsula, Victoria. The chairlift was built by Vladimir Hájek, a Czech engineer and opened on 21 December 1960. australasian ropeways, chairlift falls creek, vladimir hájek

Bob (Herman) Hymans (a former member of the Royal Netherlands Navy was born in Bloemendaal, Holland on 30th September 1922. During World War II he fought against the Japanese in the Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia) and was imprisoned in Changi and on the Burma Railway. After gaining qualifications as a Ski Instructor, Bob arrived in Falls Creek in May 1950. Working as an Instructor and Supervisor at Bogong Lodge, Bob decided his future was in accommodation. He was successful in negotiating an indenture for land from the State Electricity Commission (SEC). It took Bob two years to build his Grande Coeur Chalet but, tragically, it was burned down in August 1961. Bob also built the first Chairlift in Australia. This was a single chairlift and the structure was built from wooden electricity poles. He was constantly full of new ideas and proposals for the village. Bob Hymans died on 7th May 2007. This Collection of documents and letters tells the story of Bob’s endeavours to develop Falls Creek into the ski village it is today. This map is significant because it documents plans being proposed by Bob Hymans for Falls Creek.This diagram is part of Bob Hymans documents. It contains design drawings, measurements and cross sections for one of the pylons for a chairlift proposed by Bob Hymans. The design has been drawn up by Australasian Ropeways. It has been signed by Vladimir Hájek, a Czech engineer who Mr Hymans had consulted on several projects.Top right: AUSTRALASIAN ROPEWAYS with signature V. Hájek Bottom right: 204-01 PYLONmap of falls creek, falls creek leases, falls creek 1980s