Historical information
After World War II, the Kiewa Hydro-Electric Scheme was started in the Kiewa River Valley by the State Electricity Commission of Victoria. On land previously used only for summer cattle grazing in the natural alpine grasslands, the first ski lodge was built in 1948 by workers from the hydro scheme as skiing was a popular recreation. Many of the hydro employees were of European background and had grown up enjoying skiing and snow sports in their homelands and were keen to continue to pursue their winter sports interests. The first lift, a rope tow, was built at Falls Creek in 1951 and the first chairlift in Australia was constructed there in 1957. Two T-Bars were opened in 1961. In 1964, the Victorian Municipal Directory recorded that Falls Creek had 29 ski club lodges and 16 commercial lodges. The area became a popular tourist destination for both winter and summer sports.
Significance
Employees of the State Electricity Commission of Victoria in the Kiewa River Valley were the earliest skiers on the Bogong High Plains and built one of the first ski lodges at Falls Creek. They were amongst those pivotal in the development of the skiing and tourist industry at Falls Creek and on the Bogong High Plains.
Physical description
Black and white photographs of varying sizes mounted decoratively on heavy black
Card. Some pages display a brief description printed in white ink
1. 4 photographs- displayed diagonally across page. 2 pictures of a group of men standing in the snow in front of a car with a loaded trailer behind. 1 photo of skiers. 1 photo of show hanging in tree branches.
2. 2 photographs- showing Upper Kiewa Road with snow in the background
3. 3 photographs- of skiers and 1 photo of 2 of men posing in the snow & 1 photo of 2 men posing shirtless in warmer weather.
4. 2 photographs- arranged diagonally on page showing early buildings and construction at Bogong Village
5. 2 photographs- 1 showing view of Bogong Village from higher up the mountain. 1 showing early Bogong High Plains road
6. 1 photograph- showing view down along Kiewa Valley from higher up in the mountains
Inscriptions & markings
1. Handwritten in white ink – A TRIP TO THE PLAINS
2. Handwritten in white ink – UPPER KIEWA ROAD MT FAINTER IN BACKGROUND
3 – 6. No markings
