We’re in late August and the snow depth is smack on average for this time of year, with a little top up forecast ahead of this weekend, meanwhile the sun is contributing to some ripping goggle tans and any excuse for après is a good one!
The resort has just hosted another successful Kangaroo Hoppet (congrats to all involved), even though the Europeans dominated the senior ranks (two of the Aussie ladies evened up the score in the main event), it was tremendous to see a very strong showing from the next gen of XC superstars in ‘the Birke’ and ‘the Joey.’ Well done to all and especially the organising committee, the sponsors, the 150 volunteers and all who participated. Diarise it now, that is the third weekend in August (every year), because next year, the Hoppet turns 30!... Rumours are very strong that the RMB will have a Board vs. Management challenge.
This weekend in Falls Creek, it’s the downhill young gun speed demons who get the opportunity to shine with the SSA National Children’s Championships.
Good luck to all competitors. With home ground advantage (something Geelong have been robbed of), let’s get behind our Falls Creek Race Club members and cheer the competitors on… and Go the Catters!
This Saturday night, the Leukaemia Foundation joins our community to shine lanterns of hope to cure leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma. As part of the foundations series of Light the Night Walks, Falls Creek adds snow and a slide down Wombats Ramble to help raise much needed donations to fund blood cancer research to improve treatments and find cures. Join us in Slalom Plaza on the evening of Saturday August 31st…more details here: https://www. fallscreek.com.au/listing/falls-creek-light-thenight-falls-creek/
Thanks to everyone who has provided positive feedback on the ‘Drop it You’ll Drink It’ piece… it is great to see others appreciating the fragility of the environment we play in and the consequences of not caring about how actions have consequences.
Want to know what else is on this week, read it here: http://www.fallscreek.com.au/eventsearch/
12noon – 4pm Tuesday to Sunday
Volunteers Needed Ph: Margy 03 5758 1200
Panabode Building, Slalom Street, Falls Creek Map Ref: E4. Look for the Harvey Kat.
To paraphrase a great Gandhi quote (or the Margaret Thatcher version)… ‘Your actions become your habits, your habits become your values, your values become your destiny’… let’s not leave a legacy of failing to care for our environment and make some very simple small changes to actions and habits. Otherwise, the butterfly effect of this complacency will create the next generations’ tsunami.
On that note, Falls Creek Resort is doing its bit… as at the end of June, the Resort has reached a new significant milestone with respect to its recycling and landfill diversion rate. We’ve hit 50%... that’s right - in fact 50.25% diverted from landfill… Thanks to all who’ve joined the program. There’s a lot more we can do… watch this space.
Visitor Information Centre
The Falls Creek Visitor Information Centre is located in the Resort Management Office, up stairs on the corner of Slalom Street and Bogong High Plains Road. Open 8am – 5pm daily for Visitor Information and Gym Memberships. Ph: 03 5758 1202. (Map Ref: E4)
Resort Entry
Resort Entry is located at Howman’s Gap, approx. 4km before reaching Falls Creek. Day and Night passes are $56.50 on arrival per day, (or $51.50 on line). If arriving after 5pm and departing prior to midnight on the same day, entry is free. Visitors over 65 years of age receive a discount.
Season Passes are available at $555 (or $475 on line).
An ‘All Resorts’ permit, valid at all Victorian Snow Resorts is available for $787.00. Enquire at the Visitor Information Centre desk.
Resort Entry Fees fund the essential services of:
• Ski patrol • Car Parking • Snow Clearing • Water Supply • Waste Management
Resort Entry Tickets may also be purchased on-line at www.fallscreek.com.au
Child Care – Hours & Rates
Falls Creek Child Care is located in the St Falls complex, at the base of the Halley’s Comet chairlift – open from 8:30am to 5pm, seven days a week for children from 12 weeks to five years old.
Hours & Rates
Morning: 8:30am – 12:30pm $90
Afternoon: 1:30pm – 5pm $75
Full Day: 8:30am – 5pm $135 Bookings are strongly recommended as places are limited. Make your booking at: www.fallscreek.com.au/childcare.
Accommodation Transfer Service
Operating from the Terminal Building on the Bogong High Plains Road, the Accommodatin Transfer Service will move you, your family and your luggage comfortably to your lodge or apartment.
Hours of Operation Mon – Thurs & Sat: 8am – 10pm Friday: 8am
Finally, I’d like to take the opportunity to farewell Sharon Raguse, the outgoing GM of Falls Creek Ski Lifts. Sharon has made a significant contribution to the resort in her time at Falls Creek. Sharon, Matt, Harry and Joe (the family dog) immediately became valued members of the community and year round residents. Sharon took control of the Lift Company at an extraordinary time following the loss of one of its longest serving senior executives, Lyn Gibbs. The void left by Lyn’s passing was felt in many ways across the resort. To Sharon and her team’s credit facilitating this transition and doing so in one of the busiest seasons on record was testament to Sharon’s leadership and guidance.
On behalf of the resort Board, management, stakeholders and our guests, we thank you and wish you and the family all the very best with your future endeavours. We look forward to seeing you out there on the slopes, getting a few turns over the next few weeks and in the years to come, here at Falls Creek.
Foodie Tip of the Week: x2 – BE Foodstore: Get your Japow fix with the Karage chicken (as good as Japan) and the Katsu Sando (Pork Cutlet Sandwich – sans the crust)…very authentic and delicious… washed down with a Beechworth Pale Ale (FYI – their breakfasts are awesome too!);
The Chophouse: Meat, Meat and More meat…tho the Chicken Wings (boom) – best I’ve had on the hill!, plus Jalapeno
Croquets, double helping of corn bread and the roast corn strips to start, followed with Brisket, Ribs, Macaroni Cheese, Mashed Spuds… (note; party of 8!!!). Full as a sumo’s mawashi belt. To book both: http:// www.fallscreek.com.au/dining/ Now get out there and work on that goggle tan. •
Stuart Smythe, CEO Falls Creek Resort Management
Our Falls Creek Snowsports School offers an extensive variety of ski and snowboard programs, catering to children and adults of all abilities. We’re here to drive your passion for snowsports, develop your skills and get the most out of your on-snow experience!
Paw Patrol Snowclub (3 - 5 years)
Full & half day programs – see your child’s love of skiing grow as their skills progress! Specialised lessons include professional full-time staff, full day or half day options, delicious lunchtime meals, progress cards and all in a word class learning environment. A favourite of the Nickelodeon Paw Patrol puppies!
• Full day: 09:15am – 2:50pm • Half day: 9:15am – 1:00pm
• PM lesson only: 1:15pm – 2:50pm
Registration from 09:15am and 1:15pm, with lessons commencing at 10:00am and 1:30pm.
Junior Workshop (6 – 14 years)
Full day programs – book your child in for a full day of adventure and watch as they learn to master skiing or snowboarding! Specialised lessons include constant supervision, full day lessons, delicious lunchtime meals and progress cards.
Full day: 09:30am – 2:50pm. Registration from 09:30am, with lessons commencing at 10:00am.
Ride Tribe (13 – 17 years)
This year, our full day ride tribe program will commence at blue level and up. This dedicated teen program is designed to further develop the skills and confident of our teenage skiers and snowboarders. High-end Ride Tribe groups will hit
the parks, freeride the mountain and most importantly, have a tonne of fun with other ripping teenagers. The program includes constant supervision, full day lessons and delicious lunchtime meals. Full day: 09:30am – 2:50pm Registration from 09:30am, with lessons commencing at 10:00am.
Adult Programs (15+)
Develop your skiing or snowboarding skills in our group lessons, designed to cater for adults of all ability levels. NEW FOR 2019. Adult group lesson start at 10:00am
The AM Group Lesson features extended sessions and is available daily from 10:00am – 12:30pm.
The PM Super Session guarantees a maximum of five participants and is available daily from 1:30pm – 2:50pm. Enquire about our number of speciality programs, including our Mim Sodergren Women’s Program!
Brand new to snowsports?
If you have never skied or snowboarded before, the Falls Creek Learn to Ski or Learn to Board lessons are for you. With a group lesson in either the morning or afternoon, plus exclusive all-day access to the Halley’s Comet, Mousetrap, Boardwalk and Drover’s Chair beginner lifts, you will find your skills developing in no time! Lessons are available for adults and children and commence at 10:00am and 1:00pm daily.
As a first timer, we want your experience to be as comfortable as possible. Join our Full Day First Timer program and enjoy the guidance and support of your instructor all day, and even over lunch. Get past your second session in the afternoon, and really get moving within Falls Creek’s world class beginner terrain.
For the ultimate in personalised instruction, you can’t go past a private lesson. Receive expert, individualised instruction in a session specially designed to cater to your individual needs and preferences. Advance bookings are essential, so get in quick! For all advance lesson bookings and enquiries, please email snowsports@fallscreek.net.
Save time on arrival and pre-book any of our group programs* online at our Falls Creek E-store: https://shop. skifalls.com.au, or let us guide you through your choices at any resort ticket office, rental store, or the Snowsports School Office in Cloud 9. For any enquiries, please contact us at (03) 5758 1000. ‘All trails lead you home at Falls Creek!’
The regular DWA Sit Ski Camp was held last weekend and with the camp, DWA hosted OAPL, a company that provides innovative orthotic and prosthetic services to Australia and who assist DWA. The Sit Ski Camp provided DWA members the opportunity to Sit Ski, Ski, or Ride independently with their families and with guides.
This was nine year old Molly’s first time at Falls Creek with her family including mum and dad Emily and Greg and her brother Jack. With DWA guide Jane as the primary guide Molly continuously wanted to be on the mountain and threw her hands in the air with great joy when the chairlift brought them to the top of all the runs. Greg stated, “it was the first time as a family we could do an activity together and all could enjoy it.”
Harry could also be seen down Drovers mastering straight skis (parallel) with DWA guides Hagan and Mel. With steady progression Harry started to develop parallel turns and when Sally his mother caught up with him for a ski on Sunday, Sally mentioned that DWA had turned Harry into a racing skier.
OAPL came to Falls Creek in support and in partnership with DWA. OAPL staff were eligible to attend based on a previous experience with volunteering. The aim for the camp was to allow OAPL staff to interact with individuals with disability and the people who support them outside of the clinical setting.
Here are some of the comments made from the OAPL group that indicated what the weekend meant to them.
• “Thanks, DWA for an amazing weekend. It was amazing to see the passion and dedication that DWA has for all its participants. I am beyond thankful for the opportunity to have experienced the snow for the first time with such caring and compassionate people.”
Range of Salomon Ski & Snowboard Boots have just arrived!! 25% Discount for all June Ski & Snowboard Boot purchases!
• “It was such an amazing experience. Highlight for me was meeting the families and the participants and seeing how much they enjoyed the snow.” Rebecca Marshall; Queensland Practice Manager.
• “It was great to get a better understanding of how DWA camps work and getting to mix in with the guides and participants.”
• “I had a fantastic time and I am glad I went. For me going down in a sit ski was amazing - it was the closest thing I could get to skiing myself. Everyone is so inspirational. It has made me more aware of how to treat someone with a disability.”
Thank you to the DWA Guides, DWA members and OAPL for supporting DWA. Without our volunteers, members and corporate support DWA would not exist.
If you would like to know more about guiding, or to support the great work DWA does, then go to: www. disabledwintersportaustralia.com.au for further information. • Ken Payne
Like us grown-ups, the foot has a job to do. Unlike all of us, it’s a damn important job. It holds us up, walks over rough surfaces, has 26 tiny bones and 13 joints that hold the weight of our body plus the extra forces (three to five times the body weight!) put through it when walking, running, jumping, hopping, skipping, dancing and skiing. And yet it is also sensitive enough to feel a tiny grain of sand between our toes. Astounding.
Leonardo Da Vinci said, “the human foot is a masterpiece of engineering and a work of art,” and I absolutely agree. It is amazing, and yet so often we take for granted what it does for us… until it gets sore. Then we freak out about why it’s sore and isn’t working properly. When really, we should just be amazed it can do its usual feats of brilliance without issues!
The human foot is designed for standing, walking and running. But sometimes the loads we’re wanting to put through it can be more than what it’s ready for. When we start running and get sore feet because we’ve increased the load on the foot faster than it can adapt to the changes, we look at reducing these loads with strengthening, stretches or maybe orthotics (and usually better footwear).
The complexity of the foot and its
mechanical function means there is a limit to the absolute understanding of it by humans and it is constantly debated amongst academics and clinicians. When it comes to skiing, the foot was absolutely not designed to be in a ski boot (a honking, great plastic box) or be in the same position all day. The foot is designed to move, to conform, to flex and stretch yet a ski boot prevents these natural motions.
In a ski boot the foot needs some extra help to support the crazy forces that we’re putting through it. The foot needs to be able to allow for pronation (rolling in of the ankle and midfoot) to initiate turns and absorb shock. It also needs to be able to supinate (rolling out) to create a rigid platform with which to hold an edge and go through the middle and end of a turn. And every movement you make, you want it to translate into the ski to control your skiing. So much movement, yet so little space!
Therefore, the first port of call to resolve most ski boot issues is an appropriate ski orthotic. They independently fix half of the problems that pop up and keep the foot stable and secure so the rest of the issues can then be dealt with. Ski orthotics disperse pressure evenly across the bottom of the foot to prevent burning spots, they support and align to prevent muscle fatigue, and improve translation of your movements into the boot and ski with less energy loss.
So, whatever the issue or injury, a thorough understanding of the anatomy, physiology and biomechanics of the foot is mandatory for those attending to your ski boots. •
Krista Sturday, Podiatrist and Bootfitter at Ortho Ski
Open 8 till Late Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Mondays: $20 burger night Plus TRIVIA
Tuesdays: Kids eat dinner free (w purchase 1 for 1 of main meal)
Wednesdays: $25 Steak Night
All day Breakfast Burritos All day coffee | All day smiles $10 Cocktail Hour Daily 4pm - 5pm
Dinner Available from 5pm Ph: 03 5758 3407 Bookings Recommended 4 Schuss Street, Falls Creek. Map Ref: J3
It has been a hugely busy month with multiple competitive events on at home here in Falls and away at other mountains. So this week’s article is a bit of a recap of event results to congratulate & celebrate the athletes who competed.
The ASSSTC (Australian Secondary Schools Snowsports Team Championships… that’s a long one!) event was held over several days at the start of August and involved cross-country, ski & boarder cross and GS events. Congratulations to Cody Allport for coming second in the Men’s Ski GS division on 8 August.
The Rails Under The Lights event was held on Friday 9th August. Race Clubbers Tom Breen & Jasper Wong placed first and second respectively in the Male Grom Ski category. Woohoo!
“Be Food st o re a nd a mo d er n J apan ese t w i s t ”
Falls Creek’s home of fabulous food, specialty coffee, super smoothies, shakes & fresh juices plus eats and all day treats made with love!
The region’s best craft beers & cider on tap + extensive wine & cocktail menu
Fuel up the mornings - recharge the days relax the evenings
Super convenient location at the base of Eagle Chair
Open daily from 8am til late for breakfast, lunch & dinner
Be sure to pop in and sample local goodness with super friendly service
See us on Facebook & Instagram For reser vations call 03 5758 3222
Located in the Village Bowl, below Altitude Apartments. Map Ref: N2
And then we come to the Victorian Interschools competition. I always think Interschools is it’s own very ‘special’ experience: 6am starts so kids can slip a course at 7:30am, lots of standing round getting cold feet in between your kid’s first and second run, skiing or boarding around after your kids with a backpack loaded with snacks, keep warm jackets, hand warmers and spare gloves, trying to keep them motivated when it’s (often) a white out and drizzling and - at the top of the hit paradetrying to get kids changed out of race suits (which requires the removal of boots) and back into the usual snow pants & jackets in a random toilet somewhere while people are queuing for the loo….so much fun!!
I was at Buller for two days with my kids and during that time my cold little heart crystallised with pride as I saw Race Clubbers from Falls Creek Primary School, the Falls Creek Alpine Academy and ten’s of different primary and high schools all cheering each other on and supporting each other. It was beautiful to witness the kids and parents in our Race Club community interacting so positively and supportively during Interschools; even when in direct
competition against each other we are able to encourage and cheer on our friends.
Well done everyone who took part in Vic Interschools and big congratulations to all the kids who made it through to National Interschools. I’ve said it before and will no doubt say it again after this; not everyone who competes can make it through to the final round or onto the podium. But we are proud as punch of all of our Race Club kids who took part. In any competition the hard part is learning to fail, and afterwards to get back out there again and keep competing until you do succeed.
Congratulations to the following Race Club Kids (and their amazingly supportive parents who also deserve a medal for their efforts) who made it onto the podium. Hopefully I haven’t left anyone out!
• Mackenzie Whiteley
Individual & Team Gold Div. 2 Alpine, Team Silver Div. 2 Ski Cross.
• James Houghton
Individual & Team Bronze Div. 2 Alpine, Team Bronze Div. 2 Ski Cross.
• Edward Wilkinson Team Silver Div. 2 Alpine.
• Maddie Hooker
Individual Gold, & Team Silver Div. 2 Ski Cross.
• Archie Shaw
Individual Gold & Team Silver, Div. 2 Ski Cross.
• Jacob Elliot Team Gold, Div. 2 Ski Cross.
couches in front of the fire.
• Sebastian Whiteley
Individual Silver Div. 3 Alpine, Individual Bronze Div. 3 Ski Cross.
• Lachlan Houghton
Team Gold Div. 3 Alpine, Team Silver Div. 3 Ski Cross.
• Hamish Wilkinson
Team Bronze Div. 3 Alpine, Team Bronze Div. 3 Ski Cross.
• Ben Weir
Team Bronze Div. 4 Snowboard Cross.
• Archie Gould
Individual Gold Div. 5 Alpine , Team Silver Div. 5 Ski Cross.
• Archer Buscombe
Team Gold Div. 5 Alpine.
• Jasper Wong
Individual Silver, Div. 5 Moguls.
• Jasper Wong, Darcy Moon & Hamish Pringle - Team Silver Div. 5 Moguls.
• Eric Wang
Team Silver Div. 5 Ski Cross.
• Coco Thomas
Individual Silver Div. 6 Alpine.
• Tiger Ashton
Individual Gold Div. 6 Alpine GS & Team Silver Div. 6 Alpine GS.
• Axel Ashton
Team Silver Div. 6 Alpine GS.
• Louis Sanderson
Individual Bronze Div. 6 Alpine GS. And special congratulations to the Falls Creek Primary School team, which finished in 3rd place overall. For a small team of only 11 competitors this year, it is a great result.
The Kangaroo Hoppet took place on Saturday 24 August with great fanfare and fantastic organisation as always. Lots of Club members took part in the 7km, 21km
& 42km races for the shear joy of doing it. Congratulations to Race Clubbers Ben Weir & Darcy Moon who joined their Falls Creek Primary School mates Beau, Evie, and Tully to make a team and brought home the Primary School Trophy for the fastest mixed team. Well done!
Falls Creek also hosted their Big Air & Slopestyle competitions on Saturday 24th August. In both the Big Air & Slopestyle competitions Jasper Wong came second in the Grom Male Ski category. Woohoo! Jasper you are killing it this season!
That’s all for now. We have the SSA Children’s Carnival coming up this weekend. It is a fantastic event run over three days for our U14 and U16 athletes and is very exciting to watch. Additionally the U8, U10 & U12’s have a fun Agility Race against our closest rival Hotham Race Club on Friday. These two events will keep our kids and us all busy. Good luck everyone and hopefully see you out there on the slopes. Cheers! •
Nyree Fiddes - Falls Creek Race Club
Last Saturday, 24th August, Valerio Leccardi of Switzerland and Iris Pessey of France took out the 42km Kangaroo Hoppet Men’s and Women’s titles for 2019! Valerio made it his 5th Kangaroo Hoppet title and sets the record for most individual victories on this stage. Iris Pessey won for her first time, beating a third place in 2017 and a second in 2018. Perhaps all the World Cup in Mountain Running did the trick. Over 1,100 competitors from 25 countries took part in the 29th running of this fantastic international cross country skiing event.
Conditions were clear, sunny, but windy. The track was firm and fast and set over a full length Hoppet course. Leccardi set the pace early on, leading an elite pack which slowly diminished as the race unfolded. A group of six skiers including Leccardi, Swiss comrade Fabian Schaad, a triple Italian contingent of Giacomo Gabrielli, Enrico Nizzi and Mattia Armellini, and a four time runner up and Mount Beauty local boy Phil Bellingham broke away from a strong international field as the skiers left Sun Valley after 6km. The three Italian men had spent a bit of time being tourists in Melbourne before heading up to compete. Potentially too many pizzas in Carlton meant after a series of attacks, only Gabrielli was able to hang on to the Swiss athletes Schaad and Leccardi.
Leccardi increased the pressure over the final 10km finally breaking Gabrielli and making a small gap over Schaad, going on
to win from his Swiss companion by only five seconds with Gabrielli rounding out an international podium a further 1 min 34 sec back. Bellingham finished strong in fourth place ahead of Nizzi and Armellini.
Valerio Leccardi, a 2010 Olympian, now Mount Beauty local and National Team Head Coach said after the race, “I am very happy to win my 5th Hoppet in such good conditions at Falls Creek.” He then added “it was tough to get away in the fast snow, so I had to use my experience to manage my moves on the course.”
In the Women’s field another strong pack skied together before Pessey was able to utilise her marathon experience over the top of the course into the windy sections. Pessey was able to break the chase pack of local skiers Casey Wright and Aimee Watson and create a comfortable gap as the skiers started the final 16km loop. With Wright and Watson sharing the load into the wind, Pessey did well to maintain her lead through
the middle of the race. It was Pessey’s first win in the event and the first French skier to claim the title in the 29-year history of the event. Watson was able to slowly create a gap from Wright towards the end of the event. Kat Paul skied well into fourth, with Sarah Slattery claiming 5th.
After the race Iris Pessey said “I have been training at Falls during the Australian Winter for three years and it was a strong goal of mine to win this event in 2019. It has been great training on the trails at Falls Creek in the lead up to the event and we are looking forward to great snow and trails.”
A huge thankyou to all of the 150 Volunteers as well as Race Director Ben Derrick for putting on an excellent event. Thank you also to AGL for sponsoring the event as well as Falls Creek Alpine Resort for promoting and celebrating the great sport of Cross Country Skiing.
The weekend before the Hoppet (16 and 17th August) were Round Two of the Australian National Cross Country Skiing Championships and the second weekend of the Aus/NZ Continental Cup, with the Winner of the AUS/NZ Continental Cup awarded extra World Cup starts and funding. Before the weekend, Phillip Bellingham of Bogong Village was ahead with 200 points followed by Seve de Campo on 160. With Kat Paul and Casey Wright even on 180 points each in the Woman’s field before the weekend. Saturday the 16th brought a Freestyle Sprint in a rare case of perfect weather in Perisher (if you know,
you know). Casey Wright won the prologue four seconds ahead of Kat Paul and Swiss Skier Lauro Brandli took the prologue time ahead of Phil Bellingham by one second. It was a different story in both cases though with the sprint title being taken by the ‘underdogs.’ Kat Paul narrowly held off a late surge from Casey Wright in the final to hang on by less than a boot length. Phil Bellingham, as he has done time and time again, flew past everyone on the last hill on the Perisher sprint course to take the gold.
The weather held out for the racing again on Sunday with a shirtless sunny day. The women raced around a hilly 5km course with the Men doing two of those to be a 10km, in Classic style. It was fairly close again in the Women’s field with Casey Wright showing good distance form this season taking home the choccies, thirty seconds ahead of a dogged Kat Paul, young gun Zana Evans rounded out the podium with a strong ski. Wow, she reminds me of her father. In the Men’s field, it was again close. Master-blaster Phil Bellingham got a good start to lead second placed Seve de Campo with 15 seconds after the first lap and finished 17seconds ahead. Mark Pollock pulled out a promising result coming in just under a minute behind Phil in a 33minute long race. Mark raced without a top on.
Overall a great weekend of racing and applying klister. Good luck to those going and competing in the rest of Aus/ NZ Continental Cup in Snow Farm New Zealand, try not to get distracted by all the sheep. • Seve de Campo.
applications are now open
The Community Fund aims to:
• Deliver community wide benefits from the project,
• Support the work of community organisations,
• Develop strong relationships with the local and wider communities
Where can I apply?
Applications for the 2019/20 AGL Hydro Community Fund open on 2 September 2019 and close on 30 September 2019. Applications will be reviewed by an independent panel and applicants will be advised of the outcome of their applications in October 2019.
Visit the AGL website agl.com.au/hydro and download the Community Fund Guidelines and Application Form found under the ‘Community Fund’ tab. Alternatively, you can call AGL on 1800 039 600 to request a form to be sent by mail or email.
Further Information For further information, please contact AGLCommunity@agl.com.au or call 1800 039 600
Bar Open from 12 noon with Bar Snacks available all day.
Call in & enjoy the most comfortable lounge in the resort with the best views up over the Summit.
A great spot to enjoy the spring sun on the balcony!
The 2019 Kangaroo Hoppet attracted over 1100 skiers from 25 nations to Falls Creek to take part in the southern hemisphere’s largest annual international ski festival. With three events covering 42km, 21km and 7km, the Hoppet festival gives skiers of all ages and abilities the opportunity to take part in their event of choice.
Eight AGL Scholarships are awarded at the Kangaroo Hoppet to the first Australian man and woman in the following categories. First Australian man and woman
For relaxed long lunches, exceptional dinners, coffee, snacks and drinks!
Plus, we have a great balcony to enjoy the action in Slalom Plaza!
Every Day Specials
$35 Large Pizza & Dry Long Neck Beer
Saturdays & Wednesdays
$10 Small Pizza 4pm - 6pm
For Menu and further info, visit: www.snowlands.com/thelasthoot
Slalom Plaza (opp Halley’s Comet)
Ph: 03 5758 3088 Map Ref: F3
in the 42km main event of the Kangaroo Hoppet, the first U23 man and woman in the 21km event, and the first U18 and U14 boy and girl in the 7km.
“We recognise that participating in top flight sport comes at a financial cost, which is why we created these scholarships that provide funds for our younger developing skiers to assist with training and development and, for our elite skiers, to offer a reward for the immense effort and dedication needed for these athletes to reach the top of their field.” said Simon Kelley, AGL Head of Renewables.
Ben Derrick, Kangaroo Hoppet Race Director and Ski and Snowboard Australia XC Chair, praised the generous offer from AGL. “These scholarships represent the great community spirit from AGL that has been genuinely appreciated by many of our skiing community over the last
decade, from past Olympians down to the developing skiers coming through our pathway programs. Support from AGL, not just to stage the event, but to also develop and grow our sport is a wonderful contribution to what is for so many people a lifetime sporting and recreational activity.”
Kangaroo Hoppet – First Australians: Phil Bellingham and Aimee Watson.
Australian Birkebeiner – First Australians U23: Bentley Walker-Broose and Ella Jackson.
Joey Hoppet – First Australians U18: John Mordes and Zana Evans. U14: Isaac Spring and Damika Morton. •
Mount Beauty Secondary College competed exceptionally well in can only be described as trying conditions to take out first place in this year Australian Secondary Schools Snowsports Team Championships. Due to limited snow at the beginning of the week, the skier and boarder cross was held at Ruined Castle on a flat course. The blizzard conditions couldn’t hamper the team spirit and Cody Allport, Rhys Cook and Connor Deane achieved the three fastest boys’ times on the course, taking out the Boy’s Skier Cross honours for the school.
Day two saw further strong winds which meant the Giant Slalom events where relocated to NASTAR on a tight course. The relentless snow made for good skiing conditions but a ‘not so ideal’ race course. Cody and Rhys again took out the boys skiing honours for the school and Jonah Cosgriff and Kobe Bell’s times gave the school a second place in the snowboarding. Ayla Armitage and Emma Edward’s combined times also earned a second place in girls snowboarding.
Waking up on the final day at Howman’s Gap to a storm total of 90cm of fresh new snow created some logistical challenges. After digging out the school bus, the school was further delayed when two busses became stuck on the driveway out of Howman’s Gap, leaving the team to hitch-hike up the hill. Most of the team made it to the Nordic Bowl, which couldn’t be said for all schools, including our arch rival Snowy Mountains Grammar School who were snowed in.
The school achieved a clean sweep in the cross country events. On a very slow course, Accacia Benne-Keble, Hannah Gray & Ayla Armitage won the girls skate relay, Tommi Sylvester, Ash Forrer & Rhys Cook won the boys skate relay and Cody, Jonah and Flynn Eriksson won the reserve skate relay. Tommi and Ayla won the classic events.
Other notable contributions to the team were made by Clare Bowring, Amali Keogh, Logan Dickson and Harry Derrick. Well done to the whole team, the Australian champions! Thanks to all the staff and parents involved, especially the rescue party who came to collect the team when the bus became incapacitated due to snow related complications. •
Fully licensed restaurant
Renowned Dining and Wines
Hand-made Pasta ~ Slow-braised meats ~ World’s best Pork Chop ~ amongst other un-worldly delights by Roi!
Hand-churned fruit ice-cream - to die for!
Hand-made Pasta ~ Slow-braised meats ~ World’s best Pork Chop ~ amongst other un-worldly delights by Roi!Hand-churned fruit ice-cream.
AGE Good Food Guide since 1998
Lonely Planet Guide
Open until Saturday February 17th. Then closed for three weeks.
Bookings Please! – Gift Vouchers available
Re-Opening Friday March 9th Ph 03 5754 4495
177 Kiewa Valley Highway, Tawonga
What’s your local Falls Creek CFA been up to recently?
Preparedness and prevention is what your local Falls Creek CFA places great emphasis on. During the snow season, the Falls Creek village transforms into a unique place to live, reside, work and holiday. However in this unique environment, there is an increase in seasonal population and complexity, resulting in heightened risks and consequences of emergencies.
Here is a recap of the dedicated work that your local CFA firefighters have been conducting to support themselves being prepared and ready in the event that they need to ensure the safety of our community:
Fire Warden Information Breakfast: conducted on June 5th, this covered the roles and responsibilities of fire wardens. Thanks to Barry and the team from Elk @ Falls for their hospitality and use of venue.
Fire warden and evacuation training for
lodges/workplaces: following the fire warden information breakfast, and almost on a weekly basis, CFA have conducted site specific training for lodges/workplaces. This has included owners, managers and staff. The focus has been to provide training and exposure for what to expect in the early stages of an emergency, to outline the initial actions that should be taken by the lodge/ workplace, and finally to update emergency site information. This training has been very well received, and thanks to all those who have proactively requested this training
Brigade Training: Every Wednesday, Falls Creek CFA assemble for their weekly brigade training night. This winter, the focus of the training has been on some structural firefighting fundamentals, being hose deployment, water pumping/ hydraulics, breathing apparatus, search & rescue, command & control, and communications.
Multi Agency Exercising: As no emergency can be combatted alone, CFA have taken proactive steps to promote opportunities for emergency partners within the Falls Creek community. In mid-June, a simulated emergency evacuation was conducted on the Summit Chairlift. This required a coordinated and collaborative approach
to emergency management between CFA, FCSL, VicPol, AV, FCSP, SES, FCMC and FCRM. The application of practical skills, as well as emergency management team discussion, ensured that chairlift rescue procedures and processes are coordinated, effective and efficient in the event they are required. Thanks to all the agencies that came together to work through this scenario.
The means slow enough to avoid an mishaps – like losing your steering because your front wheels lock up when you put the brakes on –and you slide in to a ditch (at best!).
Get rid of ALL of the snow from your car – it’s dangerous!
Carry chains (for your drive wheels), gloves (for your hands), mat (to keel on), torch (to see), and knowledge (to know how and when to fit and remove chains).
Angela Stratton, Lauren Cussen, Matthew McAlpine & Lachlan McKeeman
metres so far this week and the conditions are perfect to ‘keep on pumping!’ Falls Creek Museum
Falls Creek Primary School visit: At the end of July, CFA joined VicPol, FCSP and ATS to conduct an emergency services and operations team visit to the Falls Creek Primary School. This provided the school students with reminders on how to be safe within Falls Creek. Thanks to the Helen, the teachers and students for their inquisitive questions (and statements?!).
To maximise your appreciation of the resort, a visit to the museum is a must. Open from 12noon until 4pm on both Saturday and Sunday, the museum is fantastic. There are many relics and some great films from many days back and it presents a fantastic insight into how our village grew.
Speaking of museum, the historical society – and in particular one Karen Smythe –has done a fabulous job of putting this
Structure Fire Exercise: With a simulated fire reported at the end of Telemark Street, CFA conducted a ‘mock’ response to the external rear of The Man building. This provided a realistic scenario for firefighters to practise fundamental firefighting skills, as well as exposure to the dynamic initial stages and actions required during structure fire emergencies. Thanks to Bodean, Josh and The Man staff for providing this training environment for CFA.
Finally, I would like to acknowledge the volunteer firefighters that make up Falls Creek CFA. This team of locals and seasonal workers have a broad range of skills and are dedicated to serving your community, giving up their time, to protect life and property in Falls Creek.
For more information, check out CFA’s complete home fire safety check list at: www.cfa.vic.gov.au/ plan-prepare/home-firesafety-checklist
WINTER EDITION SEVENTEEN
You are invited to the 5th Annual “Falls Creek Meeting” 4:30pm to 6:30pm Sunday 9th June 2019 at Elk. Drinks at bar prices. Nibbles provided.
Kitchen Fire and Evacuation Session: Conducted on Wednesday 14th August, this session provided an opportunity for stakeholders to visually experience a kitchen fire and an evacuation. This was important for both owners and managers, to hear information about kitchen fires and assess their own safe practices, and those of their guests or staff being accommodated. The session provided consistent advice on alpine lodge evacuation and fire safety. Thanks to Martin, Genevieve and the Nelse Lodge team for their hospitality and use of venue. And also April Padbury and CFA Community Safety and Media for involvement.
This is not really a meeting, it’s more about meeting others and catching up with old friends and kicking off the new season with a bang! (read hangover).
Meet Resort Management CEO Stuart Smythe and Falls Creek Ski Lifts GM Sharon Raguse and get an update on preparation for the upcoming Winter. You will also hear about Mountain Film returning to Falls Creek for the 2nd year on Sunday 29 July. Don’t miss it! •
Visit the Bogong Power Station Information Centre For historical & geological exhibits. Now open Sundays 10:30am - 2:30pm Bogong Alpine Village Group Bookings - Phone 03 5754 3318
A family friendly lodge situated in the beautiful Kiewa Valley offering suites for individuals, couples and families, Valley View is the perfect place to kick back and relax after a long day on the slopes A ski lodge atmosphere at off-mountain prices
BOOKINGS: 0409 033 920 info@valleyviewlodge.com.au www.valleyviewlodge.com.au Located only 30km from Falls Creek! Find us on Facebook!
3.0 CM x 1 COL $35.70
SEASON CONTRACT
Website: www.alpineradio.com.au
CFA are available to provide any fire safety information, advice or training to the Falls Creek community. If you have any questions or requests for training, please contact either Commander James Wong Mb: 0402 013 228 or Captain Adam Dannatt Mb: 0439 930 193. •
Travelling to Falls Creek this winter?
Leave the worries of hiring and fitting chains, coping with anti-freeze and icy roads behind you!
Park your car in the secure car-park in Tawonga South and ride our comfortable warm coach to Falls Creek!
FRIDAY 29TH SEPTEMBER 2017
Daily departures from Melbourne, Albury and Mount Beauty will have you on the slopes sooner – without the fuss!!
Arare opportunity exists to acquire one of the most desirable apartments in Falls Creek. Situated in the highest part of the village on Schuss Street, Sun Valley Mansions apartment 5 is a two storey townhouse with basement area which is ideal for the storage of the owner’s possessions whilst the unit is being rented. There is a generous entry lobby and the ground floor contains bathroom, a bunkroom sleeping four with shelving and a large light-filled, front double bedroom with balcony.
Upstairs is an open-plan kitchen/dining/ lounge with another verandah and lovely views of the Summit and International ski runs. There is also a converter double sofa for the unexpected guest.
An interesting feature for an owner that may wish to occupy full-time or in the summer months is that there is an open fireplace, which is a rarity at Falls Creek. As well as this, the property is dog-friendly.
The apartment features polished floorboards throughout and high cathedral ceilings in the upstairs area.
Located just off Ory’s Home Trail, it is true ski-in ski-out and it also has the easiest access to the Nordic Ski Trail of any property in Falls Creek. A shuttle bus stops right out the front and there is off-street parking over summer. There are excellent restaurants and cafes close by.
The body corporate charges are only $8003 per annum and there is efficient hydronic heating throughout the apartment. Works for the new lease have been completed.
The property is currently managed by Mountain Multiservice, the largest booking and management company at Falls Creek and shows good rental return.
As an all-year-round resort and holiday destination, Falls Creek has a lot to offer. World class mountain bike trails have been constructed in the resort adding up to a
total of over 40km of trails. This has led to lots of fun for locals and adds amenity and attraction for visitors.
We then have the fully sealed Bogong High Plains Road giving access to the fabulous high plains, the Mitta Valley on the other side – including the Blue Duck and Payne’s Hut.
A comprehensive suite of events makes summer in Falls Creek a nice time to be here. The Dragon Boat festival; the Alpine Challenge; the Peaks Challenge Falls Creek, the World’s Longest Lunch and the Trails Tales and Tucker guided walks and lunch are highlights of the summer - as are the 12°C cooler temperatures on those stinking 40°C summer days in the city.
At $425,000 this unit is well worth an inspection. Contact Ted Weeks at Falls Creek Real Estate on Mb: 0456 022 211. •
PUBLICATION SCHEDULE:
Ed 14 * 06.09.19 * Mini Series #4. Summit Masters. Australian Juniors XC Wrap. (C)
Ed 15 * 13.09.19 * Falls Freestyle Wrap. McKaos Lead Up, Summer in the Sun. (C)
Ed 16 * 20.09.19 * The McKaos, Spring Activities, Summer Calendar. (C)
Ed 17 * 27.09.19 * The McKaos, Trails, Tales and Tucker, plus other Summer activities. (C)
DISTRIBUTION:
• All accommodation houses, restaurants, businesses, club lodges and apartments in Falls Creek, Bogong Village, Mount Beauty, Tawonga South, Tawonga and Dederang, plus the RMB’s between Dederang and Tawonga and selected venues in Bright and Myrtleford.
ONLINE:
• Available in PDF form at: www.fallscreek.com.au/whatson/
INSERTS: • Not Available
ADVERTISING RATES:
DISPLAY:
CLASSIFIEDS: • Like the Trading Post. Send in your Classifieds and pay when you sell.
BUSINESS
The Upper Kiewa Valley Community Association invites you to join them for their Annual General Meeting. This is scheduled for 7:30pm on Thursday, September 5th at the AUDITORIUM at the Visitor Information Centre.
All members are welcome but we would also welcome anyone who would like to hear what we have achieved in the last year and what our plans are for the next year. When you hear what we have achieved you may consider becoming a new member and bringing forward further suggestions for community improvements. For further detail, Email: kpike@westnet.com.au. • Dementia Explained
Presented by Dementia Australia, this presentation is open to everyone including members of the general public who may be concerned about their memory and dementia and especially those who have been touched by Dementia through a family member or friend.
TRADING POST CLASSIFIEDS
Email your adverts to us and you don’t pay until you sell the goods – or until your Advert achieves the desired results. Em: kencbell@bigpond.net.au
FOR HIRE
Three Tonne Tipper and mini Excavator. Ph: 0427 942 171. FOR SALE
RM Williams Cuban Heel Boots, Bushman Tan, with added rubber protective sole. Almost brand new. Size 9 G. Retail $309.95 will sell for $250. Ph: 0400 350 488.
FOR SALE
Alma Novia Wedding Dress, Size 8, High front neckline with intricate lace and beaded detail, high lace back and buttons, soft tulle A-line skirt that flows in to a beautiful train. Worn once – by mistake. $950. Ph: 0400 350 488
ALTERATIONS, DRESSMAKING & REPAIRS
Call Kerry 0407 814 114 for all sewing needs.
ALTITUDE PHYSIO & MASSAGE
Frueauf Village(below Milch Café) Ground Fl, Rm 2, 4 Schuss St, Falls Creek. Ph: 5758 3766. Em: fallscreek@altitudephysiotherapy.com.au. Wb: www.altitudephysiotherapy.com.au
BUILDING & ELECTRICAL
Duggan & Hanlon, your complete building service, please call Justin on 0458 220 879.
CIVIL CELEBRANT - HEATHER MULL
Quality Ceremonies - All Types. Mb: 0428 993 125. www.celebrant-ne-vic.com.au
SPORTS MASSAGE
Book online. impactmassage.com.au
ELECTRICAL
All Electrical Services. Ph: 0418 698 491. Reg No: 7923.
ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR
Altitude Electrical - no job too big or small. Domestic, commercial & industrial. Contact Ben Svarc 0419 801 109.
When: Monday 2nd September, 1:30pm. Duration: 1.5 hours. Where: Mount Beauty Senior Citizens Hall, Tawonga Crescent, Mount Beauty
The presentation will be given by experts from Dementia Australia and will provide an introduction to dementia including the different types of dementia. It will cover:
• Planning ahead. • Diagnosis. • How to support someone living with dementia. Tea/Coffee/Biscuits will be available for those arriving early
This session is supported by Alpine U3A, Probus Club of Mount Beauty Inc. & The Senior Citizens of Mount Beauty Inc. Further details from: David Wood, Ph: 0419 514 399 or Email: dgwood4@ bigpond.com. •
FOR SALE
One brand new pair of ASICS Tennis shoes, size 46 Euro (11.5 US). Worn once. Too tight for me. Retail Price: $159.95. Will sell for $120. Ph: 0400 350 488
WORK WANTED
Administration all-rounder looking for part-time/ casual work. Proficient with both MYOB and Xero. ABN and references available. Mb: 0478 729 259. Em:raymondroberts255@yahoo.com
MISSING BOOK
A copy of Dr. Ruth Lawrence’s Thesis on the Bogong High Plains was left in the care of Bill and Yvonne Sutton. It has been lent to some-one and not returned. If any knows anything please contact Bill or Ph Ken Bell on 0400 350 488.
FREIGHT - ALB - MTB - FALLS CREEK
Remo’s Transport from Albury/Wodonga to Mount Beauty & Falls Creek Mon to Fri incl. Refrigeration Available. Ph: John or Esther 0417 414 320
HAIRDRESSER
Natalie Raymond, Birds Nest Salon, 26 Hollonds Street, Mount Beauty. Open Six days a week & evenings by appointment. Ph: 03 5754 1177.
LD’S HOME PET CARE
Pet Care & Dog Walking. Ph: Lisa: 0407 541 695
PAINTING SERVICES
Interior/Exterior, Domestic/Commercial. Obligation Free Quotes. Quality & Service Guaranteed. KLM Alpine Painting Services, Ph: Laif 0437 023 921
PHYSIOTHERAPY
Kiewa Valley Sports & Spinal Physiotherapy. 5A Hollonds St Mt Beauty. Out of hours and home visits available. HiCaps. Ph: 5754 1270.
REFRIGERATION & ELECTRICAL
Qualified Refrigeration Mechanic & Electrician available to solve problems in the Upper Kiewa Valley and Falls Creek. DC Electrical & Refrigeration. Ph: 0428 737 273.
Well
4.7 out of 5 - Not a bad rating put up by someone else! And improvements to come this winter!!! Talk to us at: Ariel’s
41 Bogong High Plains Road, Mount Beauty Open 8am - 8pm weekdays 9am - 7pm W/ends & Holidays Ph: 0400 350 488
Do you need linen, TV, or a bedside table, call in to the Hospital Op Shop, 1A Tawonga Crescent. Another option for clothing is the Uniting Church Op Shop on Hollonds Street. Ph: 0419 615 732.
SUMMER EMPLOYMENT AT FALLS CREEK
Position available for reliable person to assist with scaffold construction in the resort area. No previous experience necessary. The applicant should be physically fit and have an ABN. Work will commence midOctober. Good wages and conditions. Please contact Barry on Mb: 0418 578 500.
CLOTHING REPAIRS
Call Marilyn Sparks, Mb: 0411 335 326. Also on Facebook private message.
Caravans, Vehicles, Pallets, Large Lock-up Units. Ph: 0428 361497 www.alpinewarehousing.com
TAXI & 4WD SERVICE
Mt Beauty Taxi Service. Covers Falls Creek & Albury. Ph: 0409 573 909 or 13 10 08.
SOLAR-POWERED SKYLIGHTS
A unique and locally developed product supplied and installed by a fully qualified electrician. Available for all other electrical work. Reg No 20917. Phone Mal: 0419 884 668
CAKE MAKING & DECORATING
Elene Wood at www.studioecakes.com.au in Tawonga – for all occasions. Mb: 0409 673 192 or Em: studioecakestawonga@bigpond.com
BOWEN THERAPY & MASSAGE
Tawonga South. Ph: Heather 0428 993 125.
CARPENTRY & BUILDING SERVICES
Oztek Property Maintenance. Let us look after your home. We do bathrooms, decks, pergolas and all handyman needs. Call Dave 0466 990 862.
Weekly Mount Beauty Park Run. 8am Saturdays. Bicentennial Park, Lakeside Avenue. Ph: 03 5754 1118.
31st Australian Junior XC Sprint Championships. 9:30am Falls Creek Nordic Bowl. Ph: Ann 0427 006 246.
31st TDFNL 2nd Semi Final. Venue TBC.
31st Falls Creek Light the Night – Supporting the Leukaemia Foundation 5pm to 7pm Slalom Plaza. Ph: 03 5758 1200.
1st Australian Junior XC Distance Championships 10am Falls Creek Nordic Bowl. Ph: Ann 0427 006 246.
2nd PROBUS Mount Beauty and U3A present: ‘Dementia Explained’ – a 1.5 hour presentation by Dementia Australia at 1:30pm at the Senior Citizens Clubrooms, Tawonga Crescent, Mount Beauty. Refer write-up on page 15 of this paper. Further details from: Mb: 0419 514 399.
3rd – 8th Gay Ski Week Australia. Australia’s only national Pride event: frosty, fun and fabulous. Would you like to play at Australia’s biggest alpine party? www.pointsofdifference.com or phone: 1300 990 390.
5th Upper Kiewa Valley Community Association Annual General Meeting. 7:30pm at the Auditorium at the Information Centre. All members should attend and other interested folk are welcome to hear what has been achieved in the last 12 months. For further detail, Email: kpike@westnet.com.au
7th Mount Beauty Community Market, 9am – 1pm. Top end of Hollonds Street and Kiewa Crescent. You make it, you bake it, you grow it – you’re
welcome! New stall holders welcome. Enquiries or to book a stall, phone Bev: 0419 289 672, or Em: bevbantick@gmail.com.
7th Snow Trek & Travel Mini Series Four. 11am Falls Creek Nordic Bowl. Ph: Lynn-Maree 0409592 226.
7th & 8th The Summit Masters. Tradition and true roots return to The Summit! This year there will be a solid day of competitive bumps skiing on the Saturday, with the masters Giant Slalom on Sunday. 9am – 3pm each day. Further details @ 03 5758 1026
10th Women’s Adventure Film Tour 19/20. Frying Pan Inn, Village Bowl. From 8pm. Ph: 0413 183 804.
11th Regular Monthly Meeting of the Probus Club of Mount Beauty. 10am at the Mount Beauty Neighbourhood Centre. Regular Guest speakers and plenty of healthy activities. All Welcome. Enquiries to: Mb: 0419 514 399
12th Regular Monthly Meeting of the UKV Community Association. 7:30pm in the Auditorium, beside the Mount Beauty Visitor Information Centre. All Welcome. For more info, phone: Mb: 0428 226 922.
13th
Documentary Movie ‘The Mantra, The Movement and the Swami who started it all!’ at the Mount Beauty Neighbourhood Centre. Two Sessions: 1pm and 6:30pm. Cost: $10 per person. Also features a special introduction by Bhakta Das, who will also answer questions after the documentary. Bookings Essential. Ph: 03 5754 1166.
14th Regular Monthly Meeting of the Mount Beauty Diabetes Support Group. 10am Lakeside Community Centre. All Welcome. Ph: 0427 544 824.
14th The Bandwagon Banked Slalom 10am – 3pm on the Falls Creek XC Course. Snowboarders only – a great spectacle. Ph: 03 5758 1026.
15th The Dreamer – Part of the Falls Freestyle series on Panorama Terrain Park 1pm – 3pm Ph: 03 5758 1026
17th Regular monthly meeting of the Mount Beauty Self Help Anxiety Support Group 7pm – 8:30pm at the Mount Beauty Neighbourhood Centre. Gold coin donation appreciated. Ph: 03 9830 0533.
20th Regular Monthly Meeting of the Mount Beauty Men’s Shed group, AGM, BBQ Lunch and Guest Speaker. From 11:30am. All Welcome. Enquiries to: secretary@mountbeautymensshed.org.au
5th The McKaos – that crazy mountain bike ride through snow, mud and bitumen – from Mt McKay to Bogong Village. Further details at www.fallscreek.com.au/events or Ph: 03 5758 1200.
