Historical information
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.
Significance
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.
Physical description
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
Inscriptions & markings
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
