Historical information

This item is from the private collection of George Shirling of Red Onion, Falls Creek.

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.
In 1981 he graduated in sport psychology 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 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.

Significance

This item is significant because it includes a wide range of products used to protect skis and improve performance from the 1920s until the present.

Physical description

A variety of brands of ski wax for maintenance of ski surfaces. The brands included are:-
"TOKO", a Swiss company founded in 1916.
The Swix colour wax system which was first marketed on November 28th 1946 in Sweden. ,
Bratlie Wax established in the 1920s. In the early 1970s the company was purchased by Astra, the parent company of Swix.
Wax by Østbye of Norway patented c1920 by Peter Østbye. His company manufactured tar-based waxes until the 1990s.
Australalp Ski Wax made by Danbril Laboratories, Elsternwick, Victoria

Inscriptions & markings

Each item bears its original logo and branding