Historical information

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.

Significance

This letter is significant because it documents the procedures followed by the Management Committee to develop services in Falls Creek.

Physical description

A letter to Bob Hymans from the Management Committee dated the 9th February 1961. It is informing him that the SEC has not received an application from Mr Hymans for connection of electricity supply to his lodge or other installations at Falls Creek. It states that supply cannot be guaranteed for the winter if applications were not received before 13th March, 1961. The SEC had been assured that there would be adequate consumption of electricity to warrant extension of the service.