Photographs – Set of 21 colour photographs of the Opening Ceremony and commemorative torch lighting to celebrate the first Official Hoppet race run at Falls Creek in 1991, 1991

Historical information

In 1977 a group of Mount Beauty cross country skiers formed the Birkebeiner Nordic Ski Club. In 1979, a version of the famous Birkebeiner race, the first Australian Birkebeiner was held at Falls Creek. In June 1990 representatives from Australia put their case for a southern hemisphere race in the series. Following a trial event in 1990. Australia became the 12th member of Worldloppet in the winter of 1991, with the first Kangaroo Hoppet. In 1991 a parade and commemorative torch lighting ceremony were organised in Mt Beauty as part of the celebrations to mark the first official Kangaroo Hoppett with participation from local community groups and commercial organisations, the Chamber of Commerce, local government representatives and individuals.

Significance

Kangaroo Hoppet caters to diverse interests by offering a 42km and 21km event. It also offers a 7km event that attracts skiers, ranging from elite juniors to parents, grandparents, babies and first time skiers. It is recognised on the world cross country ski race calendar. It brings large numbers of participants and spectators to the area which support tourism, local businesses and employment. The 2018 event will be the 28th Kangaroo Hoppet, with cross country skiers travelling from across the country and overseas to compete.

Physical description

Set of 21 colour photographs of the Opening Ceremony and Commemorative
Torch lighting to celebrate the first Official Hoppet race run at Falls Creek in 1991
1-3 - John Konrads (1956 Olympic Swimmer) lighting the Commemorative Torch with the original torch
used at the 1956 Olympics at the MCG in Melbourne.
4-13 – Official opening ceremony and torch lighting by Liberal representative for Indi Mr Lou Leibermann.
MC’d by Mr Ken Bell, representing the Chamber of Commerce
14 – Parachute fly over by Mr Ross Schult
15-18 – Photographs of the Multi National flags displayed in the commemorative garden in front of the SECV
administration buildings. Flags represent the countries participating in the Kangaroo Hoppet. Snow-capped
Mt Bogong in the background.
19-21 – Commemorative torch, erected by SECV to commemorate the first official Kangaroo Hoppet held at
Falls Creek.

Inscriptions & markings

No markings

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