Historical information

1. These Skis were hand carved in Sweden around 1937 and brought to Australia where they were purchased around 1962 by a Bogong Rover Scout.
They were refurbished with steel edging and plastic soles and saw extensive service on the Bogong High Plains between 1962 and 1968. They performed magnificently, riding out the deepest mogul with ease because of their highly curved tips.
Of particuular interest is the way the Kandahar toe iron has been attached to the ski. The ski was slotted through its width, the tow iron inserted and then folded vertically to give an integral attachment.
In those days skins were used extensively for uphill climbing, hence the yellow plastic patch on the back surface to protect from the skin buckle.
Cable bindings were used to enable the boot to lift for climbing. When ready for a downhill run, the cable was slipped under the side-pulls to anchor the heel.
The beauty of these bindings in those days was that they were composite downhill and touring skis. These particular skis were of lightweight timber (timber unknown) compared to others of their day, which are often made of Hickory which is much denser and heavier.

Significance

Rover Scouts and the Bogong High Plains
The Bogong Rover Lodge started as an SEC (State Electricity Commission) hut near Langford's Gap and was carried on the backs of Rover Scouts across to its present location on the Southern side of the Bogong High Plains around 1937 under the direction of W.F. (Bill) Waters, a skiing pioneer, synonymous with establishing skiing on the BHP.
The Rover Scouts left Melbourne by train to Bairnsdale. They went onto Omeo (bus?) where they stayed overnight at the pub then (bus?) to Fitzgerald's farm on the Omeo Highway. Then on packhorses to the snow line. Then they carried their packs and skis. to the lodge.
The Lodge continues to this day (2026) as a base for Scouts skiing and bushwalking on the Bogong High Plains.
Rovers, the senior branch of Scouting, are aged between 18 to 25 years. The Bogong Rover Lodge / Chalet / or Scout Hut is open all year round.

Physical description

1. 2 pairs of skis: One pair is hand-crafted Swedish wooden skis circa 1937. Quite a thick ski. Tapered shape with a distinctive pointed toe. Coated with dark brown varnish which is lifting in some parts. The ski has a yellow plastic patch at the rear and a re-inforced foot plate. Bindings are metal and leather. 216 cm long and 7 cm wide.
The second pair of skies are red plastic. Possibly Italian with an unusual downhill & touring binding circa 1970. 198 cm long and 7 cm wide
Bogong Rover overshirt (winter). Pure wool, long sleeves, 2 front buttons, pockets with insignia include Box Hill District Boy Scouts Alpine Rovers Badge on right top of sleeve. Epaulettes on the left and right shoulders. Left hand side has 8 pieces of coloured tabs attached. Also, Green triangular cotton neck tie with leather toggle.

Inscriptions & markings

Labels 'pure wool'; 'scout shop' 'size 14'