• Top: Fresh snow, lots of fresh air, making Shaun Belmore’s day. Pic - Lachy Keevers.
•Bottom: The kids absolutely loved Paw Patrol last weekend. Pic - Simone Dowell.
FROM THE CEO
Snowsports, no matter what the discipline - be it: skiing, snowboarding, cross country, snow shoeing, back country touring etc, all are an amazing way to enjoy the great outdoors. However, occasionally you may need the assistance of the men and women in black and red.
Aside from the many other roles they perform, it’s also what you don’t see and what they do when you’re still
• Cross Country Lessons & Hire
• 1 Hour Free Rental after 1pm
• XC Ski & Snowshoe Tours
• Clinics with French National Champion, Iris Pesseyette
• Café - ski in/ski out
• Toboggan Hire
Upper Car Park Windy Corner Map Ref B3
Ph: 03 5758 3408 fallscreekxc@ymca.org.au howmansgap.ymca.org.au/winter/
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 at $54 on arrival per day, (or $49.50 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 $525 (or $450 on line).
Contributions please contact:
An ‘All Resorts’ permit, valid at all Victorian Snow Resorts is available for $740.00 Enquire at Visitor Information desk.
kencbell@bigpond.net.au kseaver@own.net.au
Resort Entry Fees fund essential services of:
Ski patrol • Car Parking
Snow Clearing
Waste Management
asleep that is just as important and vital to ensuring your safety when on the mountain.
newest edition - the Hakuba Valley in Japan.
Water Supply
Visitor Information Services
Round One - Falls Creek
The National Gravity Enduro Series acts as the qualifying series for the Enduro World Series. See mention in the article with Ben McIlroy.
Falls Creek is extremely fortunate to have a dedicated and highly experienced core team of patrollers, many of whom have a long association with Falls Creek and a tremendous knowledge of not just the resort, but the high plains that surrounds it. The team are regularly called upon by emergency services to assist in search and rescue call outs, not just for their man power, but because of their unmatched expertise and intimate knowledge of the terrain.
2017 GRAVITY ENDURO NATIONAL SERIES
FRIDAY 28TH JULY 2017
Mountain Bike Australia in conjunction with Falls Creek Resort Management are pleased to present Round One of the 2017 Gravity Enduro National Series. The series is Australia wide with Round Two being held at Stromlo Forest ACT in May. Round Three will be at Balingup WA in June; Round Four will go to Rockhampton in July and the final round will be held on Woodford Island, on the Clarence River in northern NSW in August.
The teams’ expertise, gained from years of experience, also benefits the volunteer program where aspiring crew learn the essentials, hoping to eventually meet the stringent requirements to attain professional recognition.
The popularity of mountain biking continues to grow. From the great efforts of some Mount Beauty locals in the 90’s - to hosting the Nationals in Feb 2000 - to the point where we have some of the best tracks in the country - both in Mount Beauty and in Falls Creek. The growth and the success means we can continue to host fabulous events.
Contributing to the teams’ broad experience is an active exchange program with resorts across the world – USA, Canada and Italy. In resort, for the whole season this year we have exchange patrollers from Squaw Valley (CA-USA) and Keystone Resort (CO-USA) and the
This years’ program with the Hakuba Valley, is a new joint effort with Mt Hotham hosting too. The visiting Japanese team members will arrive on the 12th and will be spending two weeks across both resorts to better understand the activation of ski patrol in Australia and to increase their understanding of practises undertaken here, and transfer these to their teams in Japan. Whilst for our team, it is an opportunity to understand what is different from the Japanese Alps perspective. Obviously, terrain and snowpack vary in all resorts, however, with parts of Japan receiving up to 15m cumulative snow in a season, and with mountainous terrain formed by the tectonically active islands, both create different response strategies and risk mitigation tactics.
Round One of the GE National Series will be staged this weekend, beginning with practice sessions from 11am Friday. During the course of the weekend, several of the trails will be closed to general riders although Blue Dirt will have shuttles running on Friday from 11am to 6pm and again on Saturday from 9am to 5pm. Cost is $50 per day or $90 for 2 days. Go to www.bluedirt. com.au to book. On Sunday the trails will be closed to the general public, but will progressively open as the different sections of the event are completed. Pretty Valley Road will also have closures and be subject to delays should anyone be travelling back from the horse yards or Pretty Valley Pondage. Now this Gravity Enduro is a different sort of mountain bike racing to what we know as Downhill or Cross Country. The Gravity Enduro is both. The athletes will start with a warm up ride from Slalom Plaza, out the Bogong High Plains Road, up the Pretty Valley Road and then across to the Trig
With many foreigners or ‘Gaijin’ (especially ‘Aussies’) heading to Japan, the program facilitates skill sharing, enhances ‘cultural understanding’ and hopefully opens the formalisation of patrol exchanges providing professional
Open by Appointment For Groups, Clubs etc
Opening Hours
11am – 3pm Tuesday - Sunday
Panabode Building, Slalom Street, Falls Creek
Phone: 03 5758 1200
Map Ref: E4. Look for the Harvey Kat.
No time Gravity
For Further Information:
Please try to allow 24hours notice.
Wb: www.fallscreekmuseum.com.au
For further information: www.fallscreekmuseum.com.au info@fallscreekmuseum.com.au Facebook/fallscreekmuseum
Em: info@fallscreekmuseum.com.au
Fb: facebook.com/fallscreekmuseum
Ph: 03 5758 1200
Accommodation
Child Care – Hours & Rates
Alpha Lodge
QT Hotel Falls Creek
Point game fastest slowest before bit without permitted. final taking heading heading and Sound The Saturday: 10am Tent From Hoot Sunday: activation. GE competition.1500
If you’re some weekend.
Open 365 days a year. Self cater accommodation $56 p/p p/n twin/dbl. $42 p/p p/n bunk room. Parallel Street. Ph: 5758 3488 or visit: www.alphaskilodge.com.au
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
Altitude Apartments
Morning: 8:30am – 12:30pm $85
Afternoon: 1:30pm – 5pm $60
Full Day: 8:30am – 5pm $130
Spacious fully self-contained accommodation open all year round. Bike storage and free wi-fi. On site bar & restaurant - Be Foodstore. Ph: 03 5758 3811 Wb: www.altitudefallscreek.com.au
Bookings are strongly recommended as places are limited. Make your booking at: www.fallscreek.com.au/childcare.
Attunga Lodge
Apartment style luxury rooms, Pool & Jacuzzi, Sauna & Steam Room. On-site restaurant and bar. Open all year round - available for group bookings and functions. Ph: 03 5732 8000 Wb: www.qtfallscreek.com.au
Under Five:
Snowski Apartments
Luggage Allowance
Self contained accommodation open all year round with on-site management. Located in the Village Bowl. Ph: 5758 3356, or visit www.snowskiapartments.com.au
Summit Ridge Lodge
Two pieces of luggage, one pair of skis & boots or snowboard & boots and one piece of hand luggage per person.
Excess Luggage: $7 per item.
Ticket Sales – On Mountain & On Line
Open for comfortable bed & breakfast accommodation. Fully licensed. Schuss Street. Ph: 03 5758 3800.
Accommodation Transfer Service
Open for comfortable bed & breakfast accommodation. Fully licensed. Arlberg Street, Ph: 03 5758 3255.
Cedarwood Apartments
Viking Lodge
From 28.06.18 until 10.09.18 all visitors will be required to use the Accommodation Transfer Service. Visitor vehicles will
Self-catering accommodation, all rooms with en suites. On site manager and secure bike storage and workshop. Free Wi-Fi. Ph. 03 5758 3247.
Fully self contained apartment accommodation Schuss Street Ph: 5758 3393.
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
Falls Creek Country Club
Mon – Thurs & Sat: 8am – 10pm Friday: 8am – 12 midnight Sunday: 8am – 10pm
Fully self contained accommodation from $135 /dbl/night. Ph: 5758 3391 or www.fallscreekcountryclub.com.au. Bogong High Plains Road.
A Taxi Service is available in the Village during these hours. Ph: 03 5758 1203
Gebi’s Apartments
Fully self-contained comfortable apartments, located at the entrance to Falls Creek. Ph: 1800 45 35 25.
Nelse Alpine Lodge
Open for Accommodation, with Dinner, Bed and Break-
Dining & Bar
BE Foodstore
Open for dining and
development opportunities and the chance for both patrol associations to knowledge share into the future. Ultimately, all this contributes to enhancing the guest and resort experience.
Foodie Tip(s) of the Week: Pulled Pork Taco’s for lunch at Milch – sensational… (also the Duck Confit for Dinner rates an ‘excellent’). The following day I dropped into Easy Eats Brewhouse in the Gully – the mixed souvlaki (or some might call it gyros) is outstanding (with garlic sauce – of course) and their enormous nachos plate couldn’t be finished by two very hungry boys. If you’re over 18, try a few ales whilst there… the eclectic collection has some doozies… like the Hanalei Island IPA… but not too many…remember the Alpine Responsibility Code –rule No.9 (www.fallscreek.com.au/ alpineresponsibilitycode/)
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!
Daily departures from Melbourne, Albury and Mount Beauty will have you on the slopes sooner – without the fuss!!
Kiewa Valley Highway, Tawonga South www.fallscreekcoachservice.com.au
Ph: 03 5754 4024
Ski Patrol can not only fix you up and transport you to the Falls Creek Medical Centre (stacked with expert awardwinning doctors), but patrol may cancel your pass - so be safe out there! Respect gets respect - from the lift line, to the slopes, through the park and in resort. Now get out there and hit the corduroy…•
Stuart Smythe, CEO Falls Creek Resort Management
“Now get out there, find those stashes and have some fun...” Pic – Lachy Keevers
New Range of Salomon Ski & Snowboard Boots now in stock!!
• Expert Master Boot Fitters on site to fit you up!
• Open Daily: 8am – 6pm.
• Free Pick-Up & Delivery for all ski and snowboard rental!
In the Village Bowl at the Falls Creek Hotel Map (Ref: M2) Ph: 03 5758 3819
Be part of the team!
As a member of the Falls Creek Race Club, young members can...
• Learn life skills in a wonderful rewarding environment.
• Make friends for life – with opportunities to travel the world.
• Learn to ski and board in a family friendly surroundings.
Programs from primary to late teens – including tertiary tuition for full-time athletes.
‘An integral part of Falls Creek and its history!’
Wb: www.fallscreekraceclub.com.au Em: ski@fcrc.com.au
Adventure your way with Falls Creek Snowsports School!
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, half or full day lessons, delicious lunchtime meals, progress cards and the chance to meet the Paw Patrol puppies!
• Full day: 9:15am – 2:50pm.
• Half day: 9:15am – 12:50pm.
• PM lesson only: 1:15pm – 2:50pm. Registration from 9:15am and 1:15pm, with lessons commencing at 10:00am and 1:30pm.
Spongebob Squarepants Junior Workshop (6 – 12 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, all-day lift access, delicious lunchtime meals and progress cards.
Full day: 9:45am – 2:50pm Registration from 9:45am, with lessons commencing at 10:00am.
TMNT Ride Tribe (13 – 17 years)
Full day programs – book your child in for a full day of inspiration as they engage with exciting and challenging
purpose built programs that cater to teenagers. Specialised lessons include constant supervision, full day lessons, all-day lift access, delicious lunchtime meals and progress cards.
Full day: 9:45am – 2:50pm Registration from 9:45am, with lessons commencing at 10:00am.
Adult Programs (18+)
Develop your skiing or snowboarding skills in our group lessons specifically designed to cater for adults of all ability levels.
The AM Group Lesson features extended sessions and is available daily from 10:30am – 12:50pm.
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 Coffee Club and 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 10:30am and 1:30pm daily.
Private Lessons
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.
Booking Details
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!’
*Learn to Ski, Learn to Board and Coffee Club cannot be booked online.
DISABLED WINTERSPORT AUSTRALIA
DSR Camp
Disability Sport and Recreation (DSR) held their winter camp at Falls Creek last weekend with DWA hosting the camp and supplying on and off snow support and guides. All told DWA hosted 30 people including eight participants (aged between 8 and 16), 15 volunteer Guides and seven carers/support staff who all enjoyed the new Howman’s Gap Alpine Accessible Accommodation building, including the meals and the assistance from staff immensely, with the whole weekend covered in some very challenging weather. The weather once again put challenges in front of us but DWA are experts at adapting. On arrival at Falls Creek the day started with snowboarding and skiing lessons organised through the Falls Creek Snowsports School with their adaptive instructors for those participants who were new to the snow and needed professional
adaptive instruction. Fiona, Nik-Nok and Charlie are Snowsports School instructors who excelled in delivering expert advice to our new beginners, while the DWA guides were also there to assist in the lesson and then take over for the rest of the weekend.
On Saturday and Sunday sit-skis could be seen all over the mountain with the DSR children smiling, laughing and planning their next turn or their next run, whether it was Drovers, Highway 83 or Milky Way. Of course, falls do occur but while it was stated when it happened the very first time that “I cannot get up” every fall after that he slowly managed to raise himself up to start again and continued snowboarding with prosthesis. Seeing this one of the DWA guides stated “The participants don’t realise what they are capable of!”
All of the DSR participants had so many little wins with each being different and unique for everyone over the weekend. From becoming independent and developing confidence to meeting new friends and realising a dream not thought possible. “I love that I can be a normal kid again and break the routine” was one fabulous comment.
DWA assist with adaptive on snow involvement with experienced guides and planned improvement for all participants in all camps throughout the winter season. The camps are continually growing with 10 more to be completed this season – with more are expected and more planned for next winter.
Elise is one of the participants and when interviewed about the day’s events summed up her feelings with the following statement - “I was extremely sporty previously, before my injury but now I am able to find other things I can do again – that is really amazing, today I just I loved it”
Finally it is appropriate to finish with a quote from Freya who captured the overall feeling of the DWA camp “It was amazing, I have never had so much fun.”
We must all remember - as DSR policy says: ‘Health is a basic human right. Everything we do is to help Victorians with disability live happier, more active lives. Let’s all do it!’
If there is any information you would like on DWA, contact via email info@ disabledwintersport.com.au or kpayne@ disabledwintersport.com.au. •
Celia and Elise being fitted in their sit skis before their first run. Pic – Ken Payne
It’s SASKI Week!
For the third year in a row, Falls Creek is preparing to host the influx of South Australian families, most of whom have made the nine hour pilgrimage to reach our beautiful mountain for a week of skiing, time trials, friendly racing competition in a hope of qualifying for the National Interschool Championships and a whole heap of family fun… better known as SASKI Week, or to the uninitiated, the South Australian Interschools Snowsports Championships.
We love this inclusive event which welcomes beginner right through to advanced skiers and snowboarders. At the time of writing, over 170 individual children ranging in ages from 6yrs to 17yrs have already registered to participate - a number which has grown year on year since the inaugural event in 2016. It’s a big deal! There are medal ceremonies, and photos, and prizes, and serious bragging rights for schools at stake!
Registrations are still open until midnight on Monday, so if you’ve arrived in resort, are reading this and you’re an SA family with school aged kids and you think you might like to take part in the fun, you absolutely can – just take time to visit www.snowracer.com.au/events for all the information.
Trust me, you’ll never look back and nor will your kids as they establish new friendships and grow their confidence on snow!
That’s not all we have for you in the week ahead however.
This weekend, Saturday 14 & Sunday 15
July, Falls Creek is also hosting the Ski Industry Association (SIA) Demo Days. From 8:30am daily you can test the best range of skis and boards from a plethora of companies and chat directly with the experts on which ones are right for you. All you need to do is register for the day you’d like to test either skis or snowboards and then turn up at the SIA test camp based in the village bowl. Visit ‘www. skifalls.com.au/events/sia-on-snow-demoweekend’ for more information.
Without a shadow of doubt, Falls Creek is experiencing some of the best skiing conditions the July School Holidays has seen in decades. It would be a crime not to get out there and make the most of it! #adventureyourway - on a new set of ‘demos’ perhaps? •
Sharon Raguse, GM Falls Creek Ski Lifts
20th: The Man Trivia - $600 in Prizes
Smiling SASKI Winners - a great event to be part of. Pic - Courtesy SASKI
A FABULOUS NIGHT
The Race Club Auction
Saturday 7th July saw the Race Club hold our annual major fundraiser for the year, which is the annual auction held in the QT Boardroom. With loud and silent auctions being enthusiastically embraced by all attendees, everyone had a ripper of a night. Some honourable mentions must go to:
• Fraser and Megan Wilkinson for seemingly buying half of the loud auction items and being such cool bidding cucumbers.
• The amusingly monikered Truly Scrumptious who won several silent auction items.
• New members Emilie and Cam Fary for bidding on and winning eight auction items including the traditional half day lesson with the new Director of Ski School Scott Sanderson – what a great effort for your first Auction!!
However far and wide winner of the night goes to life member and Race Club brains trust Noelene Lee who won 12 auction items! Noelene – we love you! Thank you for being such a great supporter.
Thank you to Barry Iddles once again for providing his delicious food which keep us all from teetering too far over the boozy edge, and to Life Member Steve Lee for once again acting as our Auctioneer for the night and managing to keep the crowd in line when they got rowdy and distracted by their own gossip!
And lastly, thank you to the following donors who provided products or vouchers to the club to auction off. We could not do this without you and your support is greatly appreciated.
Donor Individual/Business Name
4 Site - Accommodation Transfer Service; Altitude Apartments; Altitude Physiotherapy & Massage Falls Creek; Attunga Lodge & Apartments; Auski; Aussie Skier
We are still counting our cash and reconciling our receipts, but we’ll let you know the total amount fundraised in the coming weeks.
Snowracer
The other Race Club event that happened on Saturday the 7th was the Snowracer Series, this being the first racing event for the season. While it was a proper race, the focus was less on competition and more on the kids focusing on their skills and getting used to the race environment. It also gave some kids their first taste of medal metal for the season. The race results are as follows…
An exciting new leisure experience at the top of the mountain!
Boasting a bistro, wood-fired pizza, waffle station, bar & café.
Wood-fired Rotisserie, Deli and kitchen providing: • Café & Deli selections • Bistro meals • Wood Fire Pizza • Waffle delights
Ph: 03 5711 9109 At the top
Barry Iddles of Elk @ Falls Restaurant; Birdsnest Hair Salon; Bumps; Central Snowsports Falls Creek; Chorki Ski Club; Donna Howlett & the Howlett Family; Elk @ Falls Creek; EMC at Snowski; Evergreen International Ski School; Falls Creek Coach Service; Falls Creek Hotel; Falls Creek Post Office; Falls Creek Resort Management; Falls Creek Ski Lifts; Falls Creek Snowmobile Tours; Feathertop Alpine Lodge; FoodWorks Falls Creek; Halley’s Ski Hire; Kiwi’s Market – Voucher; Koki Lodge & Ski Hire; Le Bent; Leanne Howard; Lido Cinema Hawthorn; Lilli Pilli Day Spa & Café; Macca (Mark McDonald); Milch Café Bar; Molony’s Ski Shop; Mountain Film On Tour - Aspire Outdoor; Nelse Alpine Lodge; Ortho Ski; Paul Bram; Pension Alpenblick Kirchberg, Tyrol Austria; Rapunzel’s Gallery; Remote Equipment Repairs; Roof Carrier Systems; Seco Sparkling; Simon Whitely; Ski Plus Ski Hire; Skiing with Steve Lee; Skindepth Dermatology; Smidge Wines; Stephen Green; Summit Ridge Lodge; The Ark; The Boot Lab; The Fiddes Group; The Marriner Group; Tiger & Coco; Top Shots Photography; Traverse Alpine Group: Astra, Cloud 9, Frying Pan Inn, Huski Kitchen; XTM and Yogi’s Ski Hire.
Ski U8 Girls: 1st Coco Thomas; 2nd Annabel Gould; 3rd India Peters.
Ski U8 Boys: 1st Tiger Ashton; 2nd Louis Sanderson; 3rd Ethan Howlett.
Ski U10 Girls: 1st Grace Breen; 2nd Paris Miller; 3rd Holly Grant.
Ski U10 Boys: 1st Archie Gould; 2nd Oscar Peters; 3rd Hamish Pringle.
Ski U12 Girls: 1st Pepper Bowes; 2nd Abby Lloyd-Bostock; 3rd Olivia Smith.
Ski U12 Boys: 1st Jack Breen; 2nd Samuel Shaw; 3rd Austin Wells.
Ski U14 Girls: 1st Lily Spice; 2nd Kayala Cornwell; 3rd Isabelle Bond.
Ski U14 Boys: 1st Charlie Shaw; 2nd Hamish Wilkinson; 3rd Louie Elliott.
Ski U16 Girls: 1st Danielle Ellis.
Ski U16 Boys: 1st Archie Shaw; 2nd Jowett Edward; 3rd Ashton Govenlock.
Snb U14 Girls: 1st Jessica Paterson.
Snb U14 Boys: 1st Marko Sugden; Alexander Smythe; Harrison Smythe.
Snb U16 Boys: 1st Andy Deans; 2nd Will Weir Cheers, Falls Creek Race Club. •
Winners of the fabulous Milch Caramel Slice, the skis and a hotly contested Astra voucher. Pic – Courtesy the FC Race Club
Clear Communications
Even though the first lodge was built in 1947, there were no telephones in Falls Creek until 1960. The only access to a phone was at Rocky Valley Camp where the SEC had an extensive network to Mount Beauty, Bogong and the other camps such as Clover power station, the West Kiewa, Howman’s Gap, McKay Creek and Lower Bogong (now known as Clover Arboretum). There were test points with a phone beside the road where contact could be made to the office in Mount Beauty and in extremes, could be contacted elsewhere.
Part of Julian Newton-Brown’s job in the test laboratory at Rocky Valley was to read the weather instruments, put the details into groups, then call head office in Melbourne and give them the details. The tower on Mount McKay had a radiotelephone link to head office.
The SEC was unconcerned about Falls Creek, so no power was connected until 1960 when Tom Mitchell, then politician, aired the matter in parliament. Tom was a keen skier. He applied to the Post Master General who was then responsible for telephones as well as mail until the telephone part of the PMG was sold off as Telecom, then to become Telstra.
The PMG staff came up from Bright and installed an exchange in Diana Lodge. There were only about 15 lines to a post across the road uphill about 20 metres. It was from here that you could put a line from the building into a box where connections were possible. You had to buy a cable from the disposal store. It needed to have an alloy of copper and steel in the wire similar to what the army had used during the war. If the phone failed the owner
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For Menu and further info, visit: www.snowlands.com/thelasthoot
FALLS CREEK MUSEUM
would have to find the break in the wire, not an easy task in the heavy snow.
Then came the telephone itself. Direct dial phones were common in the cities but not in remote areas so Falls Creek got the oldfashioned sets with a hand wound magneto to ring the bell at the exchange. When the operator answered, she could then plug a line into another phone line or the exchange in Bright. In the phone were two dry cell batteries that carried the spoken word to the other phone connected.
Trunk lines were expensive then, so each trunk was timed by the minute. The operator would disconnect you after a minute if you did not reply to here question “are you extending?”
At Falls Creek, most of the bulk supplies came from Albury so that was classified as an interstate trunk call. Bill Griffiths would do a freight run on Thursdays to McKulloughs, Bishops Cool Stores and
Arnold Brothers Fruit and Veges - so orders had to be placed on Wednesdays.
Falls Creek had ‘Post Office Annie’ on their exchange. Annie would get each of the wholesalers on the line then connect each of the Falls Creek lodges in turn to give the orders. The cost of the call was then split up between the businesses.
This article was written by Julian NewtonBrown for the Falls Creek Museum. Julian’s Lodge ‘Arundel’ was known as Falls Creek 11, ‘Nelse’ was Falls Creek 6 and ‘Pretty Valley’ was known as Falls Creek 10. Two of these phones can now be found in the Falls Creek Museum with a third being returned to its original home at Diana Lodge. The phones were donated by Julian Newton-Brown, builder of the lodge known as Arundel, which then became ‘Julian’s’ and has recently been totally renovated to become Elk @ Falls Creek. •
THURSDAY
Slalom Plaza (start of the bike trails) Ph: 03 5758 3088
Slalom Plaza (opp Halley’s Comet) Ph: 03 5758 3088 Map Ref: F3
Several of the old hand-wound telephones kindly donated by Julian Newton-Brown. Pic – Courtesy Falls Creek Museum
OUR COMMUNITY
And its People
The week we talk with Chris Davis
TW: “Chris, you seem to have a great job. What exactly do you do?”
Chris: “I fly helicopters for a company called Forest Air Helicopters. In winter we fly the Falls Creek Heli-Link, which is the shuttle between Falls and Hotham. We also offer scenic flights to Feathertop or Bogong, or wherever people want to go. We do shuttles from Melbourne or elsewhere. In summer we also do fire work, agricultural work and utility work, such as power lines.”
TW: “How did you come to be flying choppers?”
Chris: “It was always a dream. I was always interested in them through skiing, heli-skiing through the years in Alaska, NZ and Canada, and having as much fun in the helicopters as I was skiing. It made me want to do it. I was a plumber for 15 years and it got to a point where I said I’d go and do it. I did my
17 Slalom St, (03) 5758 3263
Nelse Bar Open from 3:30pm daily. Welcome!
Enjoy our Apres ski drinks, evening get-togethers and daily specials! Restaurant open for bookings off ering a well-priced hearty Winter cuisine
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The region’s best craft beers on tap + extensive wine list & cocktail menu! Open daily 8am till late PM for breakfast, lunch & dinner
“Be sure to pop in and sample local goodness with super friendly service!”
See us on Facebook & Instagram. For reservations, call: 03 5758 3222
the
licence, and I’ve been flying since 2012.”
“My parents used to fly a bit privately as well, so I flew around with them in aeroplanes and gliders. I guess there is flying in the family blood. My dad was mad on it. I’ve always loved helicopters and been interested in them, and then mostly through skiing and getting in them, thinking this is amazing. It’s good fun being in the air and looking at the world from another perspective.”
TW: “Where are you from?”
Chris: “Albury. Actually I grew up on the Mornington Peninsula down in Mt Eliza, then moved to Albury when I was 15 and really been there ever since. I did a stint down in Melbourne as well, and then started flying down Port Campbell way, Great Ocean Road. Then I moved back home to Albury and got a job with Forest Air Helicopters.”
“I grew up skiing here with all the crew that are still ripping around Falls and Hotham, so it’s good to be able to fly around a place I know pretty well. It’s pretty cool.”
TW: “How is it flying in the mountains?”
Chris: “Everyone loves it up there. People love the ride, the view, the feeling of being
in the helicopter. Coming into Hotham over the hills and bowls we land on the rooftop of the snowmaker’s shed, so that’s a good experience, flying onto a rooftop pad.”
“Up here the weather can be daunting. Doing the Heli Link where we drop people off in the morning and it’s only partly cloudy, and all of a sudden the clouds come in. Some days it happens so quickly, and all of a sudden you’re on the phone getting them to race back to the helicopter. So we break a few hearts there sometimes. We’re pretty careful on the days we choose to do it.
TW: “How does someone become a pilot?”
Chris: “You need to train for 105 flying hours minimum with an instructor, depending on whether you can complete the syllabuses in that time. It could take longer, depending on your skill level. I did my course full-time in eight months, but two months of that is theory. The theory was pretty painful. Very painful!”
TW: “What’s the best part of your job?”
Chris: “The places you get to see. You see some amazing things from the sky – the terrain, the valleys, the hills. It’s great, flying from here into the Ovens Valley, over the top of Buffalo, into the next valley, and all those little towns and bushland. There’s some amazing bushland out there that you just would never get to see. It’s pretty cool.”
TW: Thanks for your time Chris and keep looking after our wonderful guests. Check the Advdrt is this publication to book your next scenic flight. • Struan Jones
Sunday: Carvery Roast
Our Forest Air pilot, Chris Davis in front of the fabulous Aerospatiale AS.350B2 Pic – Struan Jones
Two of The Best
This weekend at Falls Creek there will be two very enjoyable days of XC ski racing with the Snow Trek & Travel High Plains Tour on Saturday 14 July and the YMCA Howman’s Gap Victorian Relays on Sunday 15 July. These fun races are great preparation for later races in the season. They are run by Howman’s Gap Allstars Ski Club Inc for Ski Cross Country Victoria.
The Snow Trek & Travel High Plains Tour is freestyle, offering course distances of 2.5, 5 and 10 km, as well as a 1 km fun event to encourage participation by skiers of any age to have a try of going around an easy race course. HGA races are well known for lots of spot prizes as well as age category prizes.
The YMCA Howman’s Gap Victorian Relays of 2.5kms and 5kms are for three person teams (one classic and 2 freestyle skiers). It is fun to ski in a team, encourage your team mates and challenge other teams.
NEW in 2018, to encourage everyone to enjoy the fun of relay racing any three people can form a team. No age, club membership nor single sex requirement (except if you want to be eligible for a Championship certificate). Form a team with three friends or family members of any age.
Everyone who enters, pays the entry fee
and completes the relay race will be eligible to win one of the many spot prizes which include SWIX poles (value $165) and accommodation and meal vouchers for two at Howman’s Gap (value $204).
All the races are scheduled to start at 11am, with the exception of Saturday’s 1km fun event which will start at 12 noon, and it will only cost $5 to enter. Race entry fees for all the other races are also low cost and are still the same entry fees as they were in 2012. Entries will be taken in the Windy Corner Day Shelter between 9 and 10am on race day, but anyone racing in the Snow Trek & Travel High Plains Tour are encouraged to please pre-register online at http://www.dbstrategies.com.au/hga_races/ up to 8.00pm this Friday 13/7/18. See you there. • Len Budge, Mb: 0417 352 845
We are open from 7am to 11pm. Bookings: 03 5758 3673
Some of the kids ready to have fun in the 1km event. Pic – Courtesy Len Budge
CROSS COUNTRY NEWS
“What
is the best Language for XC Skiing?”
Irecently had to use the Falls Creek bus to get to Mount Beauty and I found myself sitting in the front passenger seat talking to the driver (there were a couple of other passengers but they went to sleep at the back because they were hungover) and the Bus driver was telling me about when he was young he went to France for a few years, learnt French and that learning French was basically the best thing ever. Being the inquisitive boy I am, I thought what is the best language actually to learn as an XC skier.
If I am a native English speaker, what language is the most handy to learn to allow me to get the most out of XC skiing globally? Now let’s work this one out, where are the best places to XC ski in the
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world? Places that have both great culture and great skiing. The home of skiing of course is from Scandinavia, particularly Norway, where the famous Birkebeiner ski race is held each year. The culture here is authentic and pure, it is a culture which celebrates skiing and the outdoors, a place for someone who loves a trip out to a cabin in the woods to ski all day, catch a fish for dinner from a frozen lake and watch the stars. Scandinavia of course has great skiing as well. So what language is that? Well I would say learning Norwegian is the go, because then you can understand Swedish if you’re good and can maybe understand some Danish if you’re really good. From
experience, learning Norwegian, whilst you may say only 6million people come from Norway, teaches you a lot about the history of Scandinavia and can definitely help you make some good connections when you go there to ski.
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But it can’t be that simple, perhaps there is a better XC language to learn. Italian? French? German? Russian? Estonian? As an English native speaker, I think it could be smart to rule out Russian or Estonia basically because they will take too long. This could be a toughie between Italian, French and German. The subtle differences could come down to whether or not you have a predisposed connection to one of them (say you have a French girlfriend). But looking impartially, the German language is spoken across Germany, Switzerland, Austria, even parts of Northern Italy like Toblach. So German wins the
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Bookings Please! – Gift Vouchers available
Re-Opening Friday March 9th Ph 03 5754 4495
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FALLS CREEK MEDICAL SERVICES MOUNT BEAUTY
Bottom of Gully Chairlift.
Open Daily 10am – 12:30pm & 2pm – 5pm (Map Ref J6) Ph: 03 5758 3238 all day.
24 hours for Emergencies.
General Practitioners experienced in Family and Snow Sports Medicine.
First fully accredited snowfields practice in Australia based on 33 years experience.
WHERE WHEN HOW WHO WHAT
Tawonga Crescent. 8:30am – 5pm Mon – Friday 10am – 12noon Saturdays. Ph: 03 5754 3400 for appointments
Drs Mark Zagorski, Jeff Robinson, Libby Garoni, Skye Delaney, Laura Zagorski, Angela Stratton & Lauren Tanzen. Fully accredited General Practice with 39 years service to the Upper Kiewa Valley.
“You’ve only got one head – put a lid on it!”
• Bar and grill in the heart of Falls Creek’s famous Village Bowl.
• Enjoy classic craft beers and superbly prepared BBQ dishes in an elegant rustic-inspired pub atmosphere.
Our New Frying Pan… AT THE BOTTOM
Located in front of Karelia Lodge on Parallel St
Best Glühwein in Falls. now also serving coffee!
A nice view over Seefeld in Sudtirol, Austria – where knowing German may come in handy. Pic – Seve de Campo
Geography game, but culturally I think it also wins. Whilst you may argue parts of France and Italy have much better skiing culture than say places in Germany and the Black Forest. For example the town of Bessans in France is one the most complete cross country towns there is. However, I would still say learning German is more handy here because of the amount of places that you can use it. Think Saint Moritz, Seefeld in Austria, Cortina in Northern Italy, and even impress Donald Trump in Davos, Switzerland each January at the World Economic Forum.
So Norwegian or German then? I myself can speak Norwegian which I learn in nine months whilst being over there, and I am now starting to learn German. I will admit Norwegian is much easier than German, but if I have to choose one to summarise this article, I think I would want to speak German first. I think just the sheer popularity of the language in Europe means there is more chance you might meet someone or do something that will burst your XC world right open. I might be wrong, but have a chat to the person next to you and see what they think.
“Trail Report”
Now there is well and truly enough snow to groom everything. The XC groomer has worked his/her way around the network and I know you’ll have as much choice as you’ll ever have. Favourites of mine in the last few days have been a nice ‘gentle’ skate ski up to McKay then down all the way deep into the Pretty Valley (I feel like the groomer went further down there than he/she ever has). Another one was reacquainting myself with the infamous Langford’s Loop, that was last Thursday, when the storm was rolling in, it was still quite lovely and sunny out at Langford’s but very stormy over the Falls Creek Village. Of course your classics are still in good nick like Sun Valley and Paralyser. My mum actually made it to the top of the Paralyser the other day, she is a ‘freshman’ to the XC skis but doing very well actually. Lucky she took a photo when she got to the top of the paralyser though because otherwise we may
Lilli Pilli
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‘Grab & Go’ Juice and Smoothie Bar
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Bookings:
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CROSS COUNTRY NEWS
not have believed her… (haha that’s a bit mean).
“Upcoming events, recaps and what not”
Last weekend was the Fast and Female on Sat, then the Birkebeiner Club’s ‘Birkie Classic.’ From most reports both events went well. However, there was one little glitch – one of the only ‘classic’ races on the race calendar didn’t even have classic tracks around the Panorama loop. I’d like to have a Tantrum on behalf of others; I tested my skis before the race in the tracks up BHP road and they worked, but didn’t work out on the tracks on Panorama, thus forcing me to double pole pretty much the whole course, and my arms got sore.
This weekend we have a couple of events again. On Saturday the 14th we have the Snow Trek & Travel High plains tour which is a skate citizens’ race with distances of 2.5/5/10km. This will be another good chance to clean out the cobwebs. On Sunday the 15th (that’s my birthday) will
be the Howman’s Gap Vic Relay Champs 2.5/5km event, both races are sign up on the day at Windy Corner, contact Len Budge for more deets on 04117 352 845.
What else is happening, This week we have had the Victorian XC ski team and the development team training here at Falls for the Winter training camp. The team stays down at Bogong Village. Athletes are preparing for Victorian Junior Champs later in July here at Falls Creek and some are preparing for Aus Junior Champs later in July as well. • Seve de Campo
The Good News…
Refuse and Recycling
Falls Creek is one of the first resorts to recycle organic matter! We recycle:-
• Cardboard – baled and sold for re-manufacture.
• Co-mingles – plastic, glass and paper – in the clear plastic bags with the RED print.
• Organics – anything that has ever lived – food, paper, oyster shells, bones – in the clear plastic bags with the GREEN print – all sent to be composted.
Falls Creek Garbage is collected seven days a week during winter. If you require supplies of bags, have a question, or see a problem, Phone us on:
Mb: 0437 306 799
Fantastic back country ski touring in Norway - and a grasp of Norwegian is handy. Pic – Courtesy of the journo’.
FALL LINES
This Is Home
To Celebrate the SIA Ski Demo days this weekend, the Frying Pan Inn is screening Faction Skis’ latest movie “This is Home” on a large screen projector this Friday night, 13 July at 8pm.
‘This Is Home’ – A Film by The Faction Collective as they return to their homes around the world to show us how they get it done on home turf.
From Europe to the US and back again –
via old playgrounds, new challenges, secret spots and favourite lines – ‘This Is Home’ chronicles what it means to be a free-skier today: where the conditions are what you make of them, and the search for that perfect ride starts in your own backyard. Showing at the Frying Pan Inn, Friday 13 July. 8pm. The movie features incredible cinematography, skiing, humour and reminds us what makes our home resorts so special. Entry is free, there will be drinks specials and Faction Skis prizes to be won on the night. Suitable for all ages including children & families. •
(commonly known as Windy Corner). The exhibition will feature local photography and is titled ‘Painting with Light.’
An example of the work is the associated photo titled ‘Ice Cornice.’ Rosemary describes the shot. “It was taken at Falls Creek on the hill opposite the dam wall. A snow cornice often builds up there and on this day I asked Aliena to ski up the hill and to kick the snow into the air at the top of the hill. This created the snow flurry which I shot with the sun behind it.”
Local hirer of steel KWIKSTAGE SCAFFOLD
alls Creek Resort Management will be 26th April - the day after ANZAC Day.
Domestic & commercial use. Our professional team is fully licensed and offers a competitive rate for hire, transport, erect and dismantle of local scaffolding jobs. For a free quote, call 0418 578 500
Photography Exhibition
As an added bonus for the skiing fraternity, local photographer, Rosemary Oldis is presenting and exhibition of her work in the Falls Creek Nordic Hire and Café
The Exhibition will run from this Saturday the 14th through until next Friday 20th between 8:30am and 4:30pm. Enquiries to Rosemary on Mb: 0421 340 939. •
Wombats Rambler Night Race
guidelines on the website, or if you require any additional information, please contact
MYRTLEFORD SKI CLUB
LODGE MANAGERS
It has been a record year for visitation this summer and Resort Management would like to get your feedback on events, visitor demographic, mountain biking and general observations.
2019 SEASON
Myrtleford Ski Club lodge is a 38 bed facility, with a long term reputation of offering members and their guests a family oriented holiday experience when staying at Falls Creek.
Truly an event not to be missed – a ski/ snowboard race, but not your USUAL race! The Wombat Rambler Night Race is one of the longest ski races in Australia, and the only race under lights, and it will turn legs to jelly and get hearts racing! This year’s Rambler will be held on Friday 27th July and we can’t wait!!
3.3km of GS gates and obstacles, teams of 4 (including one member of the opposite sex) will take on each other for ultimate bragging rights and some awesome prizes! Register online via https://www. revolutionise.com.au/fallscreek/ events/21845/
be as this
Trade
Therefore you are invited to join the relevant Resort Management personnel and other members of the community for a summer season debrief meeting. This meeting will take place on Wednesday 26th April from 9:30am to around 11:30am in the Boardroom above Foodworks in QT.
A lodge manager’s position is available for the 2019 ski season, with the potential for extension.
If you have any specific agenda items, please email http://joprothero@fallscreek.com.au. We look forward to seeing you all there. •
Ideally the role requires two people and the Managers are responsible for the operation of the Lodge so that members and guests enjoy their holiday in a safe, clean and relaxed atmosphere.
UKVRA presents…
Duties include welcoming guests, in season winter bookings, basic cleaning and maintenance, and other day-to-day jobs.
Successful applicants will ideally have experience in a similar role in an Alpine environment. An attractive package is on offer including on-site en suite accommodation (suitable for a couple) and remuneration.
Sunday 28th May 5pm
Please contact the Secretary at: myrtsec@gmail.com and request a role statement, selection criteria and details of application process.
Mount Beauty Information Centre Auditorium. BYO drinks and nibbles.
Tickets: Mount BeautyNewsagency Ph: 5754 4204
$25, $20 (members), $10 (students)
Send your application, including Covering Letter, CV and contact details of three referees to the Secretary at the above email address. All applicants must hold a current Working with Children Check and be able to provide their National Police Check. Applications close Friday 27th July 2018
A Life to Remember
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 celebration of Lyn’s Life will take place on Friday the 28th April 2017 in the Village Bowl at Falls Creek for anyone who wishes to attend and pay tribute. Commencing at 12 noon, the afternoon will reflect Lyn’s enormous contribution to Falls Creek. Some wine and a light BBQ will be provided, but we ask that you bring other beverages and also a plate to share. In the case of wet weather, a contingency plan will be in place. Friends are welcome to pass this invite on and it is understood that members of Lyn’s family will be in attendance. • Trade
Falls Creek Alpine Association (Inc.)
We are a not-for-profit organisation representing individuals, apartment owners, club lodges and commercial operators on alpine issues to FCRM and the Victorian government.
Fair @ Falls Creek
Visit www.fcaa.org.au to join and discover the benefits.
Something of an institution since 1982, the Trade Fair @ Falls Creek is an opportunity
5A Hollonds Street, Mount Beauty Phone: 5754 1270
Big Cash Prizes… but for first prize only. Go home a winner, or go home empty handed!! •
@
for all members of the hospitality industry to prepare for winter and do some serious saving on product needs for the season.
To be held at the Frying Pan Inn, in the Village Bowl at Falls Creek, the Trade Fair will take place on Tuesday 2nd May from 10am to 5pm and again on Wednesday 3rd, from 9am to 4pm.
Hour: Fridays 5-6pm Community Raffle: From 6:30pm Open Mon-Thurs: 3pm-close Dinner: 5:30-8:30pm Fri-Sun: 11am-close Lunch: 12noon-2pm Dinner: 5:30-8:30pm
Companies invited to exhibit include Bedding Suppliers, Linen, Manchester and Window Furnishing suppliers, Wine and Spirit merchants, Wholesale Food Suppliers, Chemical, Cleaning and Toiletry suppliers and equipment suppliers.
Prepare for the season and save money. Visit the Trade Fair @ Falls Creek. Further details from: Mb: 0400 350 488. •
03 5754 4985 1 Lakeside Avenue,
Steve Killalea from Milestone Chemicals - just one of the many exhibitors that will
year’s
Fair
Falls Creek. Pic - Elle Shaw.
And Having a Go!
Having just finished the Snow Racer Series last weekend which saw almost 90 young athletes, from ages 8 to 16 skiing and boarding on the NASTAR course, we now have several other events coming up. See results with Race Club Auction Article.
As well as providing the opportunity for individuals to train and compete in Alpine and Snowboard GS, the Snowracer Series is also ideal for schools wishing to conduct training-up event or preparation for Interschools.
The Snowracer Series is an initiative of Ski and Snowboard Australia and is supported by the Australian Sports Commission and Snow Australia. Entry into the Snowracer Series includes free registration with Snowracer! Registration to the event is via www.active.com and search ‘Snowracer Series’ Falls Creek.
By the time you are reading this, the Rossignol Cup will have been run and won and everyone should be at the Race Club for the presentations and BBQ. Results will be published next week.
Then, on Saturday, the 14th we have the ‘King of the Mountain’ race, the second in the series that makes up the Snowracer events.
SA Interschools
Now in its third year at Falls Creek, The South Australian Interschools Snowsports Championships will take place next week. Already loved by South Australians, Falls Creek is the official home of the South Australian Interschools, and this year’s event is looking to be even bigger, better and more fun than ever!
The SA Interschools is a perfect event for both schools and families – earn points for your school no matter your ability, make new friends and even reduce Mum and Dad’s holiday bill just by being involved on your family holiday. Huge discounts are offered for registered participants and their parents thanks to the generosity of the Falls Creek community. Discounts are offered on Resort Entry, lift, lesson and equipment hire, food and drinks and retail. Any child currently attending school in South Australia is eligible to enter, regardless of skiing or boarding level. Even if you are a beginner, have a few lessons and have a go!
The SA Interschools is part of the National Interschools programme. Successful athletes at the SA Championships can qualify for the National Interschools Snowsports Championships to be held in September.
The event will run from Monday 16th July through to Friday 20th of July, with the official races on Wednesday and Thursday during the week, and a fun race on the Friday for everyone to get involved! On the
Wednesday is the Snowboard Giant Slalom Race, running on the Nastar Racecourse with Division 6 (year 4 and below) through to Division 1 (year 11 & 12). On Thursday will be our Alpine Giant Slalom Races, set on Extended Nastar for Divisions 1, 2 & 3, and then back to regular Nastar for Divisions 4, 5 & 6.
Along with the Snowboarding and Skiing races, there will be several other activities provided for parents and children throughout the entire week, including an Opening and Closing Ceremony, cocktail party, Night Skiing, Friday Fun Racing (challenge your parents, your teachers or your mates) and the famous Falls Creek Night Show on Thursday night in the Village Bowl.
For registration and more information visit www.sainterschools.com.au. We welcome all our SA friends. We look forward to seeing you there and trust you have a great week! •
DINING OUT
Feathertop Alpine Lodge
Each new winter at Falls Creek brings new faces to the mountain. Every year some of the local businesses change hands and a fresh bunch of potential accommodation managers, bar managers and restaurateurs take on the challenges of running a venue in the snow. This winter we returned to Feathertop Alpine Lodge to see how Dannielle and Steven Bond were travelling after their first twelve months and how they were shaping up to their second winter. The news is all good! Dani and Steve are enjoying their lifestyle choices and Feathertop has never looked so good - offering accommodation, a bar and a restaurant.
The décor of the restaurant certainly lives up to the lodge name. The space is a mix of wood and leather with antique ski paraphernalia on the walls, animal hide covered stools and exotic cushions. There is a large open fireplace in the middle of
the main dining area. It reminds me of the rustic hut/restaurants that can be found in the Alps of Austria. You can perch yourself at the bar and let Tucker and Edwin take care of you, snag a spot on the stools by the fire or cozy up in one of the comfy couch nooks around the room.
Like many venues at Falls the Bonds
WHAT’S ON – JULY
13th Rossignol Cup Children’s Race. From 9am on the NASTAR Course. Ph: Race Club on 03 5758 3663. Followed by BBQ and Presentations at the Race Club. Em: ski@fcrc.com.au
14th Regular monthly meeting of the Mount Beauty Diabetes Support Group. 10am. Lakeside Community Centre. All Welcome. Ph: 0427 544 824.
14th Snow Trek & Travel High Plans Tour 11am, Nordic Bowl. Len Budge 0417 352 845. 14th TDFNL Rd 13. Dederang Mount Beauty V Chiltern.
15th YMCA Howman’s Gap Vic Relay Champ.s 11am Nordic Bowl. Len Budge 0417 352 845.
15th – 20th South Australian Snow Sports Championships. Ph: 03 5758 1026. 17th Regular monthly meeting of the Mount Beauty Anxiety Self Help Support Group, 7pm –8:30pm at the Mount Beauty Neighbourhood Centre. Gold coin donation appreciated. Phone the Anxiety Recovery Centre Vic on 03 9830 0533.
19th Falls Creek fabulous Summit Night Show Spectacular. From 8pm on the Summit –features skiing/boarding and equipment demos and a fabulous fireworks display.
PUBLICATION SCHEDULE:
20th Regular monthly meeting and BBQ Lunch at the Mount Beauty Men’s Shed, Tennis Court Avenue, Mount Beauty – from 11:30am. 21st Vic Junior Sprint Champ.s. 9:30am Nordic Bowl. Ben Derrick 0400 110 046.
21st TDFNL Rd 14. Tallangatta V Dederang MB 22nd Vic Junior Distance Champ.s 10am Nordic Bowl. Ben Derrick 0400 110 046.
26th Falls Creek fabulous Summit Night Show Spectacular. From 8pm on the Summit –features skiing/boarding and equipment demos and a fabulous fireworks display.
27th Wombats Rambler Night Race from 5pm on Wombats Ramble. Ph: 03 5758 1026.
27th Friday Night Karaoke @ Zak’s Wine Bar (Allamar Motel) from 7:30pm. All Welcome. Mb: 0403 163 622
28th TDFNL Rd15. Barnawartha V Dederang Mount Beauty.
28th Champagne Club SNOW BALL – a Black Tie Mid-Winter Ball – from 8am at the Mount Beauty Community Centre. Theme – B&W Masquerade. Tickets at Eventbrite.com
29th Bridal Show – in the Function Room at West Peak Hotel. 1pm – 4pm. Involving all of the businesses that will make your wedding in this area a great success. Ph: 0407 797 228
Ed 07 * 20.07.18 * Vic Junior XC Champ.s; Wombats Rambler Night Race. (C)
Ed 08 * 27.07.18 * Aus Police Winter Games; upcoming ASSST Championships. (C)
Ed 09 * 03.08.18 * Falls Creek Sled Dog Classic. Board Lounge Throwdown. ASSSTC. (C)
Ed 10 * 10.08.18 * Ski de Femme; Rocky Valley Rush/Sun Valley Ramble. Plus the BLT. (C)
DISTRIBUTION:
• All accommodation houses, restaurants, businesses, club, 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
kencbell@bigpond.net.au
have put together a wine list that features mostly Australian wines. It is a well-chosen selection that includes some of my favourite local wines including the wonderfully named “Ladies Who Shoot Their Lunch” Chardonnay 2016 from Avenel, a bold, honeyed white I sipped at the bar while we waited for our table.
Danni and Steven found a new chef this year while spending time in Hakuba. John Silva, a self-described South American
SCHEDULE & RATES
ADVERTISING RATES:
CLASSIFIEDS: • $4.90 per line.
BUSINESS DIR.: • $5.90 per line.
FORMAT: • Logos and images 300dpi> as jpg attachment
DEADLINE: • Friday 2.00pm prior to publication date
CONTRACT: • A Season Contract
The Feathertop Team: Edwin, Zoe, Crispin, Esther, John, Tucker and the boss, Steven Bond. The real boss Danni was too busy to get into the photo. Pic – Ken Bell
Aussie, (parents from Chile) is not unfamiliar with a ski resort having spent two seasons at Mount Buller. John has also spent three years working in Japan and the menu has very obvious Asian influences. John accepted his role at Feathertop on condition that his right hand man Crispin Vermonden (a Kiwi) came too. John and Crispin had been working together at “The Rabbit Hole” in Hakuba. What a great story, a Kiwi and a South American meet in Japan and come to work in Australia. This is the sort of team that provides a wonderfully different menu that includes flourishes stolen from a range of cultures. A prime example is the Tempura Broccoli entrée, sold to me by Dani as ‘to die for.’ I am pretty sure no one ever said broccoli and ‘to die for’ in the same sentence but I gave it a chance. While the presentation of the meals at FT is generally gorgeous, this dish is not the most eye-catching. It comes as a small mound of brown battered green balls sitting in a lake of yellow with some white flakes gracing the summit. It
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 touch base with Bill or phone Ken Bell on 0400 350 488.
MINI EXCAVATOR HIRE
Boldly goes where no other excavator goes! Post holes, trenches, landscaping etc. Ph: Mike: 0417 438 450.
FOR SALE – SNOWMOBILE Red BRP V800. New Condition, 1,100kms, regularly serviced, many options. $7795 Ph: 0447 583 255.
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 $200. Ph: 0400 350 488.
ALTERATIONS, DRESSMAKING & REPAIRS
Call Kerry 0407 814 114 for all sewing needs. Services include hems & complete design solutions.
ALTITUDE PHYSIO & MASSAGE
Frueauf Village, (below Milch Café) Ground Fl, Rm 2, 4 Schuss St, Falls Creek. Ph: 03 5758 3766. Em: fallscreek@altitudephysiotherapy.com.au. Wb: www.altitudephysiotherapy.com.au
BOWEN THERAPY & MASSAGE
Tawonga South. Ph: Heather 0428 993 125.
BUILDING & ELECTRICAL
Duggan & Hanlon, your complete building service, please call Justin on 0458 220 879.
CIVIL CELEBRANT - HEATHER MULL
Quality Ceremonies - All Types. Ph: 03 5754 4395. Mb: 0428 993 125. www.celebrant-ne-vic.com.au
COMPUTERS & SERVICE
Custom built computers, Upgrades, parts, laptops, troubleshooting, virus removal, data recovery, back-ups. Ph: Michal Trnka 5754 4637 or Mb: 0417 163 601
DRIVING INSTRUCTION
Summit Driver Training. Tawonga based driving instruction and re-assessment. Ph Craig 0427 722 287.
is however exactly as described, ‘to die for!’ The yellow lake is curry mayo, the white flakes are salted ricotta and the tempura broccoli balls are a wonderful mix of tasty, salty lusciousness. The whole unusual mix just works!
Every night the menu has a theme at FT including an old fashioned Sunday Roast. We dined on a Thursday, Ramen & Gyoza night. Unfortunately there were too many other amazing dishes to choose from so I will definitely have to do another Thursday for the Ramen special. Ribs and Rump on Mondays to Italian on Wednesdays and Curry in between on Tuesday – how could you go wrong?
To round off an evening at FT There is generally a selection of two desserts and a cheese board. I make my own recommendation here, the chocolate and fig fudge cake with whipped cream and candied orange is… ‘to die for!’ If you are looking for a venue that is welcoming and warm, that offers wonderful food,
CLASSIFIEDS
FOR SALE
Super King sized Supreme Quilts Doona, Baffle Box stitched, Four blanket warmth, Hungarian goose down. Brand new, never been used. $390. Ph: 0400 350 488 HOUSE TO RENT
Three bedroom, massive master bedroom, large bathroom, R/C heating and cooling, quite location, huge yard, gardener and water included. $275 per week. Existing tenant needs to break the lease for personal reasons. Contact Alpine Valley Real Estate Ph: 03 5754 4999 NEW MOUNTAIN STAFF
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.
BUSINESS DIRECTORY
ELECTRICAL
All Electrical Services. Ph: Rick 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.
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 5754 1695.
PAINTING SERVICES
Interior/Exterior, Domestic/Commercial. Obligation Free Quotes. Quality & Service Guaranteed. KLM Alpine Painting Services, Ph: Laif 0437 023 921.
especially for the adventurous (try the grilled provolone or the ham hock with quince ketchup) Feathertop Alpine Lodge is a must. For those who have enjoyed the hospitality at FT I am happy to say that furry mascots Ginger and Louie still lurk around the bar on occasion. • Kim McKeown
SkiFit Yoga
All levels welcome
& Thursday @ 5:45
*If you require a mat please call in advance.
$15 Follow us on Instagram #skifityoga
HOUSEKEEPING SUPERVISOR
Experience needed. Full board & lodgings available. Good wage & conditions. Please call Barry Jones on Mb: 0418 578 500. Em: barry@prettyvalley.com FOR
HIRE
Three Tonne Tipper and mini Excavator. Ph: 0427 942 171. POSITION VACANT
The Snonuts Group has casual day work availableparticularly on Friday, Saturday and Sundays across Slalom Plaza, Dicky Knees and Blue Brumby. Female accommodation also available. Day shifts only and an awesome crew as our cohort. Please email snonutsau@ gmail.com or call Janette on 0400 770 034 or Deb on 0417 572 228
PHYSIOTHERAPY
Kiewa Valley Sports & Spinal Physiotherapy. 5A Hollonds St Mt Beauty. Out of hours and home visits available. HiCaps. Ph: 5754 1270.
PLUMBING & GASFITTING
David Batson – Servicing Mount Beauty, Tawonga and beyond. No job too big or small! Domestic, commercial or industrial. Ph: 0488 552 239.
PODIATRY
Ortho Ski Sport Podiatrist. Gebi’s building, 3 Bogong High Plains Rd, Falls Creek. Ph: 03 5758 3662 or book on-line at: orthoski.com.au
PROPERTY MAINTENANCE
Mowing, Painting, Carpentry, Roof Repairs and Landscaping. Ph: 0415 545 646.
REMEDIAL MASSAGE/NATUROPATH
38 St Bernard Dv, Tawonga Sth. Ph: 0419 519 275.
STORAGE
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.
PROPERTY OF THE WEEK
QT E604 Penthouse
Unique QT penthouse apartment featuring two bedrooms, two bathrooms and huge deck of 94sqm with northerly aspect and private spa. This property is the ultimate for location to the slopes with 5 star ski-in and ski out access.
E604 is one of only two penthouses in the complex with this layout. It is on level six of the east complex and has stunning views down the valley. The approximate size of this apartment is 90m2 internally with a 94m2 balcony. This apartment is sold ‘free of any management agreement’ so owners can keep the property for private use only. Or if they want rental income, they can rent with any management company.
Sold fully furnished and accessorised by ‘Move-in’ this apartment features:
-Stone bathroom and kitchen bench tops.
-Stainless steel fittings.
-Fully self-contained kitchen including European appliances and excellent storage.
-European laundry and drying cupboard.
-Master bedroom with en suite.
-Private terrace and large hot tub.
-Lockable owner storage.
Amenities of QT include both private and common area drying rooms, boot room & ski locker, on site Spa Q, Hamman pool,
sauna & steam room. Plus two restaurants and a bar, supermarket, ski hire and an upmarket fashion boutique.
In the summer months, (which we describe as everything not winter), the location can be easily accessed by car with adequate parking out front or nearby. Also, right outside your front door for the duration of the summer months is the mountain bike centre of Falls Creek.
While the quality of your enjoyment of Falls Creek as a winter resort is undoubted, it is the growing suite of summer activities that adds untold value to a purchase in the village.
Over the last decade, much work has gone into developing and securing summer trade. The resort now boasts in excess of 40km of mountain bike trails – with most being accessed from Slalom Plaza. Add to these the many kilometres of aqueducts and management vehicle tracks and your exploring, whether on foot, on a horse or on your bike is endless. The Falls to Hotham Alpine Crossing is an iconic Australian walk of international standard being promoted by Parks Victoria.
The afore-mentioned suite of summer activities includes Ignition – the launch of the mountain bike season; the Alpine Challenge; the Mile High Dragon Boats; the regional Longest Lunch; the Bicycle
VILLAGE MAP
Challenge Falls Creek; the Easter Festival as well as regular mountain bike shuttles.
At $695,000, this property at the very least deserves an inspection. Contact the agent, Christa Zirky on 0402 277 808 to book an appointment. •
Network Peaks
QT E604 Penthouse offers fabulous comfort, plenty of light, open plan living and exceptional views. Pic – Courtesy of the agent