These items are from the private collection of George Shirling of Red Onion, Falls Creek. This poster was a major component of the Victorian Tourism promotion in 1962. 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 was part of a major marketing program for the Victorian Tourism Board to promote the Victorian Alpine Area.A colour poster including a photo of a snow covered mountain in the top section and a group of skier at the bottom. The text is printed in black between the images. The poster is accompanied by an exhibition display sign.Across centre of poster: VICTORIA'S WINTER WONDERLAND ' On Display Card: 'VICTORIA'S WINTER WONDERLAND Falls Creek has a charm all its own, a charm it owes in part to the fact that is within the State Electricity Commissions territory" The Victorian Government Tourist Bureau, 272 Collins Street Melbourne c. 1962victorian tourism board, high country marketing

Colour photograph of the night lights at Sovereign Hill known as Winter Wonderland. sovereign hill, main road, winter wonderland

Colour photographs of Sovereign night lights on a rainy night. sovereign hill, lighting, winter wonderland

Winter Wonderland, 2017winter wonderland, snow, penguin, ballarat

The extensive volume of 432 pages including maps and photographs. The endpapers include maps of the High Plains. A dedication and acknowledgements are included and it has been signed by the author. This history of the Ski Exploration of Victoria's Alpine Area contains descriptions of all the great pioneering tours of the 1920s and 1930s as recorded and documented by members of those parties at the completion of their trips. Every tour story is accompanied by a map of the route and photos taken along the way. This is an historic document, recapturing and recording achievements by the pioneers who cut the first ski tracks across our Alpine Winter Wonderland, and whose names are a "Who's Who" of the earliest years of Victorian skiing. In addition, this book contains sections of superb full-page photographs of the mountains in winter, taken by noted Australian mountain skier-photographers. high plains history, history of skiing victoria, bogong high plains

A large volume of 175 pages features illustrations, maps, portraits and photograph. It includes bibliographical references and an index. non-fictionThredbo is not just Australia's winter wonderland, where the brightly attired soar on crisp white snow beneath clear blue skies. For many it is home all year round. This comprehensive history reveals the trailblazers and characters who carved out a lifestyle from the mountains, living through blizzards, bushfires and landslides. More than just a company town, Thredbo is a pure expression of the multicultural ethos, built by immigrant pioneers, enjoyed by generations of Australians.thredbo history, australian ski resorts, snowy mountains