he National Gravity Enduro Series acts as the qualifying series for the Enduro World Series. See mention in the article with Ben McIlroy.
I’m not referring to the 1983 comedy romance starring Tom Cruise, but rather for those who’ve not read the sports pages in recent times, or followed your favourite contact sport, you may be oblivious to what many of the ruling bodies are doing to make changes to various sporting codes, in an effort to make these sports safer for participants.
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.
As a parent, the preoccupation of making sure your kids are safe, particularly in their formative years, is an overwhelming presence in the day-to-day parenting toolbox. For a laugh, check out this social media page https://www.instagram.com/ onadventurewithdad/. This inventive Dad has ‘taken the mickey’ out of it, with some creative photoshop edits.
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.
But in all seriousness, risky behaviour can be mitigated. In snow sports, that’s why there’s the Alpine Responsibility
Code (check it out here: https://www. fallscreek.com.au/winter-activities/skiingsnowboarding/alpine-responsibility-code/). The code exists, not to take the fun out of what we all love about skiing/boarding, but rather to establish a set of responsibilities to ensure putting two planks, or one plank on your feet and hurtling yourself down a slope, is as safe as possible for you and as importantly, all those people around you. Anything which can minimise the risk of injury, from whatever activity we might be undertaking, just makes complete sense. So, always ride responsibly, stay in control and avoid other people and hazards. For elimination of doubt, the skier/boarder in front always has right of way.
This leads me to what protective equipment there is for skiing and snowboarding. A recent trend I’m still coming to terms with are the butt/hip protectors that take the shape of turtles, panda’s and Pokémon …to name just some I’ve seen… whatever takes your fancy, as long as it does the job.
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
Point on the Frying
The aim of the game is to ride each section no faster than the fastest time allowed, and no slower than the set slowest time. Then they do the competitive bit, before riding to the start of the next competitive bit without beating or exceeding the times permitted. At the time of going to print, the final course had not been set, but they look like taking in High Voltage and Wishing Well, then heading to Flowtown, completing that before heading to Thunderbolt and then to Generator and Vortex before finishing in Slalom Plaza. Sound like a pretty easy day!!
If drawing attention to your butt, is not your main objective, there are other options. There’s no shortage of equipment available to protect yourself when on the snow - from back protectors, to padded pants, cushioned sports underwear (also known as impact shorts), wrist guards (this is another complete article!), mouth guards (for those going big and hucking it ‘responsibly’), goggles/sunglasses, lip balm, sunscreen, right through to the most obvious one, helmets.
The weekend’s program sort of goes like this.
Locate right beside the bottom station of Halley’s Comet Chairlift! Spend some time and take in the fabulous history that has earned this community so much respect!
Saturday: 9am to 16:00 is compulsory practice. 10am to 18:30 is rider registration and Info Tent open. 17:00 to 17:30 is rider briefing. From 18:00 on there is a social evening at Last Hoot Restaurant and Bar in Slalom Plaza.
Please try to allow 24hours notice.
And, talk to any member of our team about the rewards of volunteering in the Falls Creek Museum.
4 Slalom Street, southern end of the Panabode building. Phone: 03 5758 1202 for further information
Wb: www.fallscreekmuseum.com.au
Em: info@fallscreekmuseum.com.au
Fb: facebook.com/fallscreekmuseum
For further information: www.fallscreekmuseum.com.au info@fallscreekmuseum.com.au Facebook/fallscreekmuseum
Alpha Lodge
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
Altitude Apartments
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
Attunga Lodge
Open for comfortable bed & breakfast accommodation. Fully licensed. Arlberg Street, Ph: 03 5758 3255.
Cedarwood Apartments
Fully self contained apartment accommodation Schuss Street Ph: 5758 3393.
Falls Creek Country Club
Fully self contained accommodation from $135 /dbl/night. Ph: 5758 3391 or www.fallscreekcountryclub.com.au.
Bogong High Plains Road.
Gebi’s Apartments
Fully self-contained comfortable apartments, located at the entrance to Falls Creek. Ph: 1800 45 35 25.
Nelse Alpine Lodge
Sunday: 8am to 9am Rider Briefing and Timing activation. 8:30am to 1430pm Trails Open for GE competition.1500 to 1630 Presentations. If you’re into biking and would like to enjoy some good action, be at Falls Creek this weekend. Further detail from 03 5758 1200. •
Open for Accommodation, with Dinner, Bed and Breakfast options. Group bookings catered for. Comfortable lodge, pool and spa. Fully Licensed. Ph: 03 5758 3263 or Wb: www.nelselodge.com
QT Hotel Falls Creek
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
Snowski Apartments
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
Open for comfortable bed & breakfast accommodation. Fully licensed. Schuss Street. Ph: 03 5758 3800.
Viking Lodge
Self-catering accommodation, all rooms with en suites. On site manager and secure bike storage and workshop. Free Wi-Fi. Ph. 03 5758 3247.
BE Foodstore
Open for dining and drinks from 9am 7 days during Easter, then 5 days. In the Village Bowl. Ph: 03 5758 3222. Refer ad this edition.
Last Hoot Café
Open daily from 4pm for drinks & meals. Slalom Plaza. Ph: 03 5758 3088. Refer ad this edition.
Stingray Restaurant @ QT
Open daily 8am - 8pm for drinks & meals. Slalom Plaza. Ph: 03 5732 8000. Refer ad this edition.
Mountain biking, road cycling, hiking and all other activities, visit the Visitor Information Centre (above the Slalom Street Day Shelter) for maps and info. Open 9am - 5pm weekdays. Ph: 03 5758 1202.
For all licensed supermarket lines - located in lower level, St Falls West. Open 10am - 5pm daily. Ph: 03 5758 3009.
Falls Creek Child Care is open Mon - Fri and is located in Slalom Plaza next to Stingray. The Centre is open to children aged 12 weeks to 5 years old and is run by fully qualified educators and is eligible for government rebates.Booking is essential. Phone 03 5758 1244 or visit www.fallscreek.com.au/childcare.
Upstairs Resort Management Office (above day shelter) Open 9am - 5pm weekdays and 10am - 3pm
Thankfully, the message is getting through in relation to the use of helmets when enjoying snow sports. The 2021 Australian Ski Areas Association report into helmet usage highlighted that helmet use is at its highest ever recorded on Australian snow fields. Well done to all those who’ve championed and promoted this change, because it’s working… with 86% of snow sports enthusiasts putting on a brain bucket. This up from just 57.4% in 2013.
To add a little perspective, I took a wider search of information out there in relation to sports related head injury and some of the sports/leisure activities leading to these injuries surprised me. The most comprehensive report came from the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, who concluded that of all sport related injuries, head trauma accounts for 21% of total injuries.
Interestingly, Cycling is in top spot (I thought gravel rash or road rage would be), followed by football (the US version), exercise equipment (think barbell to the head!), soccer, basketball (not sure how, unless you head butt the ring), then baseball/softball… interestingly, powered recreational vehicles (ATV’s, go carts, mini bikes) is Top 5. But beating most of these… is playground equipment.
Not surprisingly for children aged 14 years and younger, going to the playground is the riskiest thing to do!!! So next time you tell the kids to “go outside and play” think again… that PS5 or Xbox might not be so bad (I’m joking… get them outside –exercise is critical to their development).
All that exercise is bound to make you hungry… so that leads me to…
Feathertop Alpine Lodge, or “The Top” to many locals (https://feathertoplodge.com.au/).
The cuisine is modern Australian, with a twist of Argentina, with head Chef Sergio being a master with the chargrilled meats. Personal favourites - start with the Antipasto to share over a glass of local bubbles. Add another entrée or two (Broccoli is outstanding), then, for mains I genuinely can’t go past the 16hr slow
cooked Duck (I may have occasionally diverted to the 300gm Scotch fillet on occasion) …however, the Duck melts off the bone and the balsamic glaze will have you screaming for a quality regional Pinot Noir to wash it down with. If you’re in for a full night of gluttony, don’t forget to finish off with the Affogato (grab some Churros to dunk in it if you must). The Top has an outstanding list of regional wines too, with many personal favourites of your hosts on the wine list as well as weekly specials and all dietary requirements are catered for.
(Insiders tip…Friday après is Coffin Bay Oysters and Bubbles – tell the kids to go outside and play, then head to “The Top”) Alrighty then – put on that helmet and get out there and shred (responsibly). •
Stuart Smythe, CEO Falls Creek Resort Management
1 Bogong High Plains Rd
1 Bogong High Plains Rd open daily from 8am Coffee, Breakfast & Lunch 03 5758 3615
open daily from 8 am Coffee, Breakfast & Lunch 03 5758 3615
As we’ve evolved over the millennia, humans are asking their bodies to do far more than they ever have.
Gymnastics, ballet, unicycle, hockey, chess boxing and bobsleigh (where your bones don’t break ‘they shatter’) to name a few.
It’s important to remember that skiing and ski boots are not a natural environment for the foot. Nor is it a natural activity or position for your body to be in – humans did not evolve to go skiing and so we need that extra support. Hence the need for a honking, great, stiff, plastic boot to connect skier to the ski –something cave men didn’t have access to.
Skiing recruits the extended use of different muscle groups that everyday life does not. This is why after lunch the muscles feel depleted, fatigued and another hot chocolate is far more appealing. Technique and fitness come into play in this, but boots also have a huge impact on stance on your skis and whether the correct muscles are activating.
So often people confuse the role of the boot and the ski. The choice of boot for a skier or boarder is influenced far more by biomechanics and enthusiasm levels (your boot can’t tell how good the technique is, but it can tell how much energy is being pushed into it) than the type of skiing. Ski choice is far more dependent on the snow conditions and where the skiing will be done. So, it’s a good idea to let someone who knows biomechanics fit a ski boot or introduce the perfect match, as it were.
Orthotics in everyday or sports shoes are for the forces that go through the foot when you walk and run. Dial it up to doing 60km/ hr or more on skis and those forces are exponentially increased and acting upon the foot in a vastly different way. This is not what the foot was designed to do! That foot needs some serious support.
A ski podiatrist (what better way to describe the role?) is also the best person to see when there are some of the more serious niggles like a Moreton’s neuroma, plantar fasciitis, excessive pronation or circulation issues. The management of these in a ski boot is often more effective than in a regular shoe. Pain from boot or body issue can sometimes
be difficult to determine from the initial assessment. A recent client wasn’t sure if their boot pain was caused by a previous leg injury and subsequent muscle issues, or if the boot was unsuitable to their body and biomechanics. A few quick functional muscle tests and it was clear it wasn’t the body, it was the boot. Fast, simple and effective. Move on. It’s also worth seeing a ski podiatrist if coming back from injury to ensure the ski or snowboard equipment is correctly aligned and not going to exacerbate any underlying issues. Or if there are issues that have never quite been figured out. Or just to get ski boots fitted right. •
Krista Sturday Ski Podiatrist at Ortho Ski
The Yuki Birds (pro: YUUKI) were back last weekend to takeover Falls Creek after a two year COVID Hiatus - and it was really like no time had passed. Starting in 2017 the Yuki Birds Sessions came about to bring women together and now also our LGBTQIA+ crew through snowboarding and skiing. The sessions aim to help breakdown the intimidation barriers around entering, riding and progressing in the park and around the mountain, and to facilitate the creation of friendships with like-minded people. The connections created through the events have led to lifelong friendships, new travel buddies and shred buddies. The power of community and the positive outcomes that community brings are the key drivers for the Yuki Birds Events.
A 70 strong crew of turned up to the top of Panorama Park with nine team leaders to support them through their session. Whilst the weather looked promising initially it soon turned to be what could be described as… ‘A blizzard!’ Girls being girls though, this ‘blizzard’ didn’t dampen their spirits, in fact, the vibes were even higher to counteract the diminished visibility. There were skiers and snowboarders with all levels of park and freeride skills and it was so awesome to see that every single one progressed, tried something new and made new friends.
Even the HAB’s (Husbands and Boyfriends) weren’t left out with a special group shred just for them. Roll on to Bob Sugar for the post session party to celebrate the day with prizes for the best vibes, most commitment or simply just overcoming something intimidating.
It was an amazing day all round. Many Thanks to Yuki Threads, Blue Dinosaur
Bars, Sunbum, Bob Sugar and Falls Terrain Parks for their continue support of women’s snowboarding. •
There's a saying that a bad workmen blames his tools, and the best way to avoid having the wrong tool is to talk to the right tradesman!
Now for all you snowboarders out there, the equivalent is having the top snowboard brands at Falls Creek all at once as part of the Twin Peaks demo days.
Talking about boards is one thing but taking them for a spin is so much better! If you're around be sure to try out an assortment so you know what's right for you.
Kasa Bar - Izakaya style specializing in Whiskey, Sake and Ramen
Located next to the Eagle Express Chairlift (listen for the Japanese Hip Hop)
Thursday - Monday.
*Menu & updates available on Insta @ kasabarfallscreek
*Walk in policy
*(03)57583222
OPEN FOR LUNCH
11:30am - 2:30pm daily
Mountain views, friendly staff, reasonable prices & delicious food!
HAPPY HARVEY HOUR!
Tuesday 26th & Thursday 28th 3:30pm - 4:30pm
With the talented Damon Stone!
BOOKINGS RECOMMENDED www.fallscreekhotel.com.au
Ph: 03 5758 3282 23 Falls Creek Rd, Falls Creek. Map Ref: M2
Next Thursday 28th and Friday 29th. Don’t miss this fantastic opportunity.
And for those that don't mind a tasty beverage, the whole team will be at Powder Keg on Thursday night to party the night away with you. •
The Hoppet you do when you are not doing the Hoppet. One of the few nice consequence of the last two years of Covid related travel and gathering restrictions has been the development of ‘Virtual’ events to replace events that have had to be cancelled.
The structure is fairly simple. First you go online, fill in the entry form and pay the entry fee – usually of the order of 10 to 20 dollars or euros, but with sometimes more substantial numbers when you are paying in pesos, crowns or yen. Having selected the distance that you want to cover with your physical activity, the choice of activity is up to you.
You then receive an email with a printable race number and a link to upload your time (and some pictures as well if you are that way inclined) and download your certificate of achievement. And, postal services permitting, you might even get a small souvenir of your achievement in the mail.
In the case of the 2021 Kangaroo Hoppet – Do It Your Way, we ended up with 1200 entries from 31 countries. Along with the expected running, walking, cycling, mountain biking and, for those lucky enough to live in a Victorian Alpine Resort or in the Snowy Monaro LGA, cross country skiing, other activities included exercise machines, paddle boarding, canoeing, swimming and even by wheelchair on the rail trail in the Ovens Valley. Altitudes ranged literally from sea level (one lady swam 7km at Middle Park, taking three days as she stayed within her daily exercise time limit) to 3000 metres (a Swiss skier doing 42km on the glacier at Les Diablerets).
While ‘things’ are definitely heading back towards some semblance of normal, (whatever that is these days), the Covid
Fancy a lift to your restaurant
Oversnow Taxi Service Available Carries up to 10 people.
Pick up available from all accommodation venues on the mountain.
$100 one way or $180 return Last taxi 9:30pm.
pandemic is not over yet and international travel is still something that many folk are avoiding. Also, we have developed a new group of Hoppet participants who, along with those skiers who are unable to get to Falls Creek on the fourth Saturday in August, include a number of folk who have no intention of ever putting on cross country skis, but like the idea of being part of an international sporting event.
Because the Virtual Hoppet- do it your way has been so popular in the previous two years, we have decided to hold it again in 2022 for those who are unable to take part in the actual Kangaroo Hoppet at Falls Creek on Saturday 27 August. Enter online at www.hoppet.com.au
And for those planning on doing the ACTUAL KANGAROO HOPPET the early bird rate is still available so head online to www.hoppet.com.au and get your place on the start line. •
The racing season has well and truly kicked off on the Falls Creek XCTrails with two brilliant weekends of fun and competitive events.
Two weekends ago, the annual Snow Trek and Travel High Plains Tour and Howman’s Gap All Stars Race Weekend ran with great success. With a light dusting of snow on freshly groomed trails to mark the courses, the conditions for the event could not have been better. This was well reflected by an impressive 85 participants in the High Plains Tour, and 5 teams in the All Stars event. Notable mentions in the all-stars events go to teams ‘Ronice’s Boyz,’ and ‘I Ski, Therefore I Am,’ the former being a trio of U20 racers who paid homage to Victorian cross country’s mother of skiing, Ronice Goebel, and the latter being an upcoming group of talented and philosophical female skiers from Ivanhoe Grammar School.
Last weekend, Falls Creek hosted the Victorian Junior Championships, showcasing the incredible junior skiers that have been training hard to take their skiing to the next level. The field for this weekend of racing may have been small, but it was fiercely competitive with many close results across all age groups. Saturday’s sprint event winners included recent Henley Royal Regatta winner Sarah Marriot in the U20 women’s category, Maddie Hooker in women’s U18, Rosie Franzke in WU16, and Carmen Cullen-Croke in the women’s U12 category. In the men’s, our Youth Olympic star John Mordes took the win for U20, closely being overtaken in the final sprint by U18 skier Jayden Spring. The Spring family are certainly one's to watch as Jayden’s younger brother Isaac also
achieved first place in the U16 category. Sunday’s distance event involved a variety of distances depending on athlete’s age groups, ranging from 1.5kms to 7.5kms, with Maddie Hooker, John Mordes, Jayden Spring, Isaac Spring and Rosie Franzke earning double gold’s to take home at the end of a solid weekend of racing.
Coming up this Sunday the 24th of July is the Birkebeiner Classic, hosted by the local Birkebeiner Nordic Ski Club with course options for 2.5km, 5km, and 10km in the Classic style of skiing. For more information about this event, contact Anne Bellingham on 0427 006 246. •
The Windy Corner ski hire and lessons centre is open and ready for business! These guys are your one-stop shop for anything Falls Creek Cross Country, providing ski, boot and clothing rental, ski lessons and clinics, toboggan and snowshoe hire, backcountry ski and snowshoe tours, and ski equipment repairs and maintenance. Windy Corner has two international instructors this season, Anna Abramova and Alessandro Longo. Anna Abramova has experience in Biathlon racing and has done multiday ski tours in Kamchatka. Allesandro has an impressive knowledge base having competed on the Italian National XC Ski Team. The team at Windy Corner also has two returning Australian
instructors as well who manager Jack reports to be Matt Flanigan, instructor with an enthusiastic and passionate training approach, and Peter Holmes with extensive experience and great professionalism. All skill levels are welcome, and if you are just starting out, these lessons can be a great way to introduce yourself to the beauty of XC skiing with the support of experienced trainers to guide you through the process and have a lot of fun along the way.
To enquire about the services provided by Windy Corner Ski Hire, contact Falls Creek Cross Country on (03) 5758 3408, or visit their base at the Windy Corner Day Shelter. •
It has been seven long months since the community of Mount Beauty and Tawonga South submitted a petition highlighting the community’s intense opposition to North East (NE) Water building a weir across the West Kiewa River and pumping infrastructure on Embankment Drive. The petition included over 1300 names and made it clear that the community valued the area immediately below the pondage out-flow and the access to the river at the site. NE Water heard the community’s concerns and as a community engagement effort created a Reference Group to look at other possibilities for placement of the pumping site.
Part-time Position Available
Bogong Information Centre Guide
Four hours per fortnight - rotational Sunday roster AGL are currently seeking a local who is interested in a 12 month* contract based at the AGL Hydro Information Centre in Bogong Village.
Duties include:
• Opening/closing the centre.
• Setting up interactive displays.
• Admin work including recording attendance.
The ideal candidate will have a solid understanding of the AGL Hydro scheme and Centre displays along with great communication skills and ability to work well and interact with people. Training will also be available. If this sounds like the role for you, we would love to hear from you.
Please contact Sarah Kelly on 03 8633 6397 or send your updated resume to: sarah.kelly@chandlermacleod.com
* possibility for this to be extended for the right candidate
· Extensive grocery range
· Bottle shop: beer, wine, spirits
· Fresh fruit and vegetables
· Hot pies and sausage rolls
· Heat and eat meals
·Phone re-charge ·ATM
·Newspapers and magazines Open 8am – 7pm Daily
Located in Slalom day carpark at the bottom of Halley’s Comet Chairlift. Tel: 57 583 009
For pick and pack deliveries please visit www.foodworkshighcountry.com.au
After over four months, four reference group meetings, two technical group meetings and a site visit to key locations, all that remains is for Reference Group members to make their final submissions to the NE Water board on the 25th of July.
While the discussions were robust and a wide range of project details were covered, it became clear to many reference group members that the overriding intent of the meetings were to explain the challenges of the project and justify NE Water’s preference for the Embankment Drive site. Despite positive rhetoric, it has remained evident that NE Water have little appetite to find a different location and have continued to disregard the community’s proposition to find a different location for the project.
A general understanding of the range of challenges is clearly valuable, however a number of the topics were unnecessarily detailed and other key items were left extremely late in the program which left little to no time for the group members
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7AM – 2PM, SEVEN DAYS A WEEK
SOUPS • EGG & BACON ROLLS • COFFEES A CHANGING FEAST!
PH: 03 5754 4888
KIEWA VALLEY HWY, TAWONGA SOUTH
to digest and discuss. A key example of this was indicative costing impacts to consumers of different proposals. This had been requested in the first reference group meeting in March and was finally provided for the final meeting at the end of June, less than an hour before attendees were asked to vote.
The major failing of the process however was the lack of genuine exploration of alternative options by NE Water. Over 150 hrs of volunteer, NE Water employee and technical advisor time over the course of four months was invested in the process. Of this time, only two by two hour meetings were convened to actively explore alternative options. Within this limited scope for exploration, community members and other non-NE Water technical members proposed over 10 new concepts, and while they all had their specific failings, it is notable that NE Water employees, including their project manager, did not raise any alternative possibilities for discussion.
There remain options based around utilising the Tailrace for water pumping that require further investigation and we still encourage NE Water to thoroughly investigate these options before making any decision around selecting a final site for development. If viable, an option of this type would have minimal impact on community usage of the river during construction or into the future.
To the community members representing the over 1300 signatures included in the “Right Project- Wrong Location” petition, it is quite clear that NE Water do not place appropriate value on the impact to community usage of the river in the area around site 2. Nor has the impact to businesses of Mount Beauty and Tawonga South been factored in throughout this process.
We're proud to support our local communities
Each year, our AGL Hydro Communit y Fund awards grants to communit y-based initiatives, projects and events in and around Mount Beaut y and Eildon
Each year, our AGL Hydro Community Fund awards grants to community-based initiatives, projects and events in and around Mount Beauty and Eildon
To see if you are eligible for one of our grants, download our guidelines or call us, then submit your application between 1 September 2022 and 30 September 2022.
agl.com.au/hydro 03 5754 3222 We’re proud to support our local communities
To see if you are eligible for one of our grants, download our guidelines or call us, then submit your application between 1 September 2022 and 30 September 2022.
agl.com.au/hydro 03 5754 3222
Each year, our AGL Hydro Community Fund awards grants to community-based initiatives, projects and events in and around Mount Beauty and Eildon. To see if you are eligible for one of our grants,
Building works at site 2 will render the local swimming area, including the swimming hole at ‘The Park’ un-useable for up to two years required for the build.
The installation of a weir in the immediate vicinity of the pondage out-take, in addition to permanently altering our river access, continues to have un-resolved safety concerns in relation to the weir’s ability to cope with large variations in the volume of water released from the pondage.
In a valley and town built on the river system, the residents of Mount Beauty have very few areas where we can interact with our rivers in an easy and accessible manner. Without relocation, this project will have a significant negative impact on the way the community can enjoy one of the few rivers we have access to.
With the final decision not yet made, we continue to implore NE Water to hear the community’s concerns and invest energy into finding a suitable alternative location for the raw water offtake infrastructure. •
Right Project – Wrong Location Reference Group
Introducing Slides, Slalom Plaza, Falls Creek. A well-known local, Julia Mitas, affectionately known as Jules, has purchased and taken over the 'The Pass’ and given it a name change, a facelift and a revitalised menu for 2022.
For many years Jules had been the face of this bustling business, serving coffee and food items to the thousands of visitors and locals of Falls Creek. It's raging success is due mostly to its reputation for fast service and quality food for those who want to keep moving and enjoying all that Falls Creek has to offer.
The formula has not changed… it has just been expanded to build on the success of the former owners and the staple items that people love about it - the buzzing coffee bar remains on offer with a fresh new look.
With a liquor licence and a space to sit and enjoy the views of Slalom Plaza, Halley's Comet and the vibe of Falls Creek guests coming and going, it is a perfect spot to stop to refuel, revive and have a little
‘tipple’ if that's your fancy. The boozy hot chocolates are famous and the new homebaked food has just improved on the whole experience. It is a one stop shop for coffee, eats and bar.
So next time you are in Falls Creek don't queue and don't miss the chance slide in and slide out of ‘Slides’ - it's fast and it's fabulous.
As Julia said “Being a local of Mount Beauty, I have grown up loving Falls Creek and have worked here for what feels like my whole adult life. I am so excited to be investing in this fantastic community and will continue to do what I love, which is serving customers who are getting to experience the best Falls Creek has to offer” “I look forward to making your favourite coffee!” •
www.fallscreekcoachservice.com.au But remember, the same convenient service applies! Leave the worries of pre-purchasing Resort Entry, Hiring and fitting Chains, coping with Anti-Freeze and Icy slippery roads behind you. Park your car in the Secure Car-Park in Tawonga South and enjoy the comfort of our modern warm coaches and experienced drivers for your holiday at Falls Creek. Check the Website for services from
Every child and adult who goes to the snow for the first time either buys or rents themselves a plastic toboggan and goes out for either a gentle slide down a gentle slope or a screamingly dangerous hurtle down a blatantly inappropriate hill. If you’re lucky, your plastic toboggan doesn’t break and neither do you.
The toboggans I’ve been hunting down over the years are a little different though. Wooden, strong and made to last as opposed to plastic and prone to splitting or cracking. A vintage toboggan is a thing of beauty. Even once it’s no longer viable to continue using a wooden sled, they can take on new purpose as décor items inside and outside our homes.
So, which one is it: is it a toboggan or a
sled? Which is the correct word to use? Well, that depends.
Snowskiing.com writes “Toboggans are probably the simplest form of sled. A toboggan takes the form of a simple sled which is curved in front and is placed directly onto the snow without the use of runners or skis to gain speed and direction on the underside. The sled can carry a single rider, or a group of riders and toboggans are traditionally made of bound, parallel wood slats which are bent at the front to form a ‘J’ shape. Traditionally, toboggans are controlled by means of a crude steering system whereby a piece of rope is fixed to the top of the loop and controlled by the feet of the person at the front of the sled.
The November-project.com states “In 1884, Edward Zamboni, a great Canadian military leader, invented the toboggan as a vehicle for the Canadian military. It proved triumphant in many battles until his opponents moved higher up the hill than his troops were located.”
But sleds have been around for way longer than 1884. From the ancient Egyptians to the Native American Innu and Cree tribes of Canada, sleds have been used to transport goods and people for millennia. In fact, sleds spent most of their history as a tool for labour, only emerging as a toy in the past few hundred years.
Per the Wall Street Journal, the earliest known sleds date back nearly 4,000 years to the ancient Egyptian civilization. Egyptians found that sleds were able to work just as well on sand as we find they do on snow, especially when that sand is watered down first. Wall paintings from 1900 BC depict large teams of Egyptian labourers using sleds to transport massive rocks and other construction materials, including when they built the pyramids. One of the earliest instances of ‘sleds’ being used for human transport was in 103 BC. That year, the ancient Cimbri tribe led a successful sneak attack on the Romans by using their own shields as sleds. This tactic allowed the Cimbri to cross the Alps into Northern Italy. European fur traders operating in Canada in the 1800s took note of the wooden toboggans used by the indigenous tribes
PUBLICATION SCHEDULE:
Ed 07 * 29.07.22
Ed 08 * 05.08.22
Ed 09 * 12.08.22
Ed 10 * 19.08.22
* Australian Open Sprint & Distance Champ’s Snowboard Demo Days (C)
* Snow Trek & Travel Mini Series 1. Ski de Femme. Rails under Lights. (C)
* Ski de Femme. Big Air & Storm the Castle, Rails under Lights Wrap. (C)
* Big Air & Storm the Castle. Rocky Valley Rush & Sun Valley Ramble. (C)
DISTRIBUTION:
• All accommodation houses, restaurants, businesses, club lodges & apartments in Falls Creek, Bogong Village, Mount Beauty, Tawonga South, Tawonga & Dederang, plus the RMB’s between Dederang & Tawonga & selected venues in Bright & Myrtleford.
ONLINE:
• Available in PDF form at: www.fallscreek.com.au/whatson/
WEBSITE: • www.thisweekinfallscreek.com.au
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and adopted them for their own purposes. Similarly, European explorers used sleds and sleighs to travel across the Arctic and Antarctic. Today, dog sleds remain a fairly popular method of transportation in icy countries.
According to the Wall Street Journal, one of the earliest instances of sleds being used for pure fun was in 1650s Russia, when young Russian aristocrats participated in a dangerous game; they built wooden tracks, then slid down them in sleds carved from ice.
Since then, sledding has evolved into a formalised sport. There is a variety of forms of sled racing, including tobogganing, bobsledding, luging, skeleton sledding, and dogsled racing. Each of these sports has a unique history. Bobsledding, for example, is widely held to have originated in the late 1800s in the Swiss Alps, with the first organized bobsled competition taking place in 1898 at St. Moritz. However, there is a counter claim that believes bobsledding was invented in the town of Albany, New York. Local newspaper reports confirmed that Albany held bobsled races at its winter
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.
Stubby series 1000 universal woodturning lathe, as new, $9,000. Ph: 0408 466 790.
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.
ALTERATIONS, DRESSMAKING & REPAIRS
Call Kerry Mb: 0407 814 114 for all sewing needs.
ALTITUDE PHYSIO & MASSAGE
Frueauf Village (below Milch Café) Grnd Floor, Rm 2, 4 Schuss St. Falls Creek. Ph: 03 5758 3766. Em: fallscreek@ altitudephysiotherapy.com.au. Wb: www.altitude.physio
BOWEN THERAPY & MASSAGE
Tawonga South. Ph: Heather 0428 993 125
BUILDING & ELECTRICAL
Duggan & Hanlon, your complete building service. Please cal Justin Mb: 0458 220 879.
CAKE MAKING & DECORATING
Elene Wood at www.studioecakes.com.au in Tawonga – for all occasions. Mb: 0409 673 192 or Em: hello@studioecakes.com.au
CAR DETAILING
Give Steve a call in Tawonga South. Ph: 0423 499 086
Hard Waste Collection
Falls Creek Resort Management will be collecting hard waste on Wednesday 26th April - the day after ANZAC Day.
Please see our Hard Waste Collection guidelines on the website, or if you require any additional information, please contact the FCRM Office on 03 5758 1200. • Summer Debrief
carnival as early as 1885, two winters ahead of the Swiss. In fact, Stephen Whitney of Albany introduced the bobsled to Davos and made the first trial runs there on his one-man sled just before Christmas in 1888. Whitney won the International Shield Race in Davos early in 1889, according to research unearthed in 1997.
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.
Today, more people participate in tobogganing or sledding as a leisurely activity than as a competitive sport. Whatever we call them, todays toboggans are made of wood, aluminium or plastic and are a far cry from the traditional toboggans which were used for transport by ancient Egyptians, Indigenous North Americans or Europeans.
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.
If you have any specific agenda items, please email http://joprothero@fallscreek.com.au. We look forward to seeing you all there. • for to saving To Village will 10am 3rd, Companies Bedding and and Suppliers, suppliers Prepare
UKVRA presents…
My vintage toboggan collection is predominantly made up of European and North American sleds. I’m always hoping to unearth a previously unknown (to me) brand in my searches and adore the thrill of the hunt. I love finding a logo I’ve not seen before and going down the research rabbit hole to find out a piece’s history.
Sunday 28th May 5pm
But for now, my little sled collection brings a smile to my face.
Mount Beauty Information Centre Auditorium. BYO drinks and nibbles.
When I say little, I mean in numbers. These things are chunky, but they look amazing piled with gifts at Christmas!
So next time you’re wondering how to add that alpine feel to your home, which reveals your passion for snow, visit www. idreamofsnow.com
Cheers, Nyree I Dream of Snow.
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. •
Something of an institution since 1982, the Trade Fair @ Falls Creek is an opportunity
Tickets: Mount BeautyNewsagency Ph: 5754 4204
$25, $20 (members), $10 (students)
Helen Mathew m 0419 399 737 Mount Beauty | www.mountaincreekarch com
5A Hollonds Street, Mount Beauty Phone: 5754 1270
Snowmobile 2004 Polaris Trail Touring. Electric start and electric reverse. Only travelled 240km, always housed undercover at Wang Ski Club and regularly serviced. Comes with service manual and supplement. Located Mount Beauty, all offers considered. Contact Chris 0457 410 933.
Affordable skiing in your own backyard!
The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place. George Bernard Shaw VALLEY FUN & FITNESS CLASS
Orbea AVANT M20 DISC road bike, Carbon frame, size 60, colour- Carbon-Blue. $1,950. * Nello Viper 51 kayak. $1,500. * Ph: 0408 466 790.
Take advantage of the value packed* Local Pass - exclusively offered to local residents.
Blade X rollerblades, as new not yet used, men’s size 43, $100. Ph: 0408 466 790.
$250 per Adult + $45 per Day
$140 per Child + $35 per Day **
CARPENTRY & BUILDING SERVICES
Oztek Constructions Pty Ltd. We do local building work, renovations, extensions and maintenance. Email Dave at: oztekconstructions@gmail.com. Or Ph: 0466 990 862.
CIVIL CELEBRANT – HEATHER MULL
All orders in by Sunday 30th April. For further information contact: Falls Creek Ski Lifts P/L Ph: 03 5758 1000
Quality Ceremonies – All Types. Mb: 0428 993 125. www.celebrant-ne-vic.com.au
ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR
Altitude Electrical – no job too big or too small. Domestic, Commercial & Industrial. Ben Svarc Mb: 0419 801 109
FREIGHT – ALB – MTB – FALLS CREEK
Remo’s Transport from Albury/Wodonga to Mount Beauty and Falls Creek Mon to Fri inclusive. 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 and evenings by appointment. Ph: 03 5754 1177.
LD’S HOME PET CARE
Pet Care and Dog Walking. Ph: Lisa 0407 541 695
Every Tuesday at 9am at the Ladies Facility, Dederang Recreation Reserve. All equipment provided. Bring a drink bottle and towel. $6 per session. All Welcome. A great way to keep fit and socialise at the same time. Class usually followed by coffee at the Dederang Shop. Classes by Narelle Jones (Personal Trainer). Note: Classes do not run in school holidays. Enquiries: Sharon McEvoy 0438 289 293 (the6maccas@bigpond.com)
Ph: 5754 3400 for appointments 24 hours for emergencies Drs Mark Zagorski, Jeff Robinson, Libby Garoni, Skye Delaney, Laura Zagorski, Angela Stratton & Anoop Pem.
LOCKSMITH & HANDYMAN
Codi Coutts – servicing the Kiewa Valley & North East Victoria. Ph: 0475 388 990. Em: kiewavalleylocksmith@yahoo.com
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 Therapy, 5A Hollonds St, Mount Beauty. Out of Hours & Home visits available. HiCaps. Ph: 03 5754 1270.
SAFETY SCAFFOLD
Mount Beauty and Falls Creek area. Ph: 0418 578 500.
SECURE STORAGE
From 2m x 2m through to 3m x 7m. Ph: 0418 578 500.
SPORTS MASSAGE
Book On-Line: impactmassage.com.au
STORAGE
Caravans, Vehicles, Pallets, Large Lock-Up Units. Ph: 0428 361 497. www.alpinewarehousing.com
At the Frying Pan Inn. The winner of Australia's first Winter Olympic gold medal, Steven Bradbury is heading to Falls Creek this Sunday 24 July.
Steven John Bradbury OAM (born 14 October 1973) is an Australian former short track speed skater and fourtime Olympian. He won the 1,000 m event at the 2002 Winter Olympics after all of his opponents were involved in a last-corner pile-up.
He was the first athlete from Australia and also the Southern Hemisphere to win a Winter Olympic gold medal, and he was also part of the short track relay team that won Australia's first Winter Olympic medal, a bronze in 1994.
Join the team at the Frying Pan Inn this Sunday between 3pm – 5pm to meet Steven Bradbury in person and hear some of his great adventures.
He will be shouting the bar for a limited time – so come and try his beer Last Man Standing. •
WHERE Bottom of Gully Chairlift.
WHEN Open Daily 10am – 12:30pm & 2pm – 5pm (Map Ref J6)
HOW Ph: 03 5758 3238 all day. 24 hours for Emergencies.
WHO General Practitioners experienced in Family and Snow Sports Medicine.
WHAT First fully accredited snowfields practice in Australia based on 36 years experience.
“You’ve
WHERE Tawonga Crescent.
WHEN 8:30am – 5pm Mon – Friday 10am – 12noon Saturdays.
HOW Ph: 03 5754 3400 for appointments
WHO Mark Zagorski OAM, Jeff Robinson, Libby Garoni, Sky Delaney, Laura Zagorski, Angela Stratton, Lauren Cusson, Damian Heman, Daniel Florisson & Andrew Mason.
WHAT Fully accredited General Practice with 42 years service to the Upper Kiewa Valley.
only got one head – put a lid on
it!”
COVID-19 Restriction changes and weather may impact some of these events. Please check with the organiser for the most up-to-date information.
REGULAR WINTER EVENTS ❆
WEDNESDAY & SATURDAYS
Night Skiing as Wombat's Ramble lights up, 6pm to 8:45pm allowing you to continue your ski and snowboard adventures.
TWILIGHT TUESDAYS
Taking place every Tuesday to late August. 3:30pm to 5:30pm in the Village Bowl – a Street Party for kids and adults alike. Fire pits, marshmallows, games and music and possibly even Pete the Snowdragon. Further details: 03 5758 1200.
THURSDAYS
Fireworks Fiesta – 7pm Every Thursday from July 7th to August 25th Grab the kids or a mate and enjoy watching a magical fireworks show under the stars up close to the action at the Village Bowl near the Frying Pan Inn.
JUL 23, 30 Park Run.8am at Bicentennial Park by the lake in Lakeside Avenue.
JUL 23 TDFNL Rd 14. Dederang Mount Beauty V Tallangatta @ Dederang
JUL 24 Birkebeiner Classic (C) 2.5/5/10km, 10:30am Nordic Bowl
JUL 28 & 29 Twin Peaks Snowboard Demo Days @ Falls Creek. After Party @ PowderKeg Thursday evening.
JUL 30 TDFNL Rd 15. Wodonga Saints V Dederang Mount Beauty
JUL 30-31 Australian Open Sprint (9:30am Sat) and Distance (10am Sun) Championships. Ann Bellingham. Mb: 0427 006 246
AUG 13 Ski de Femme – Fun for the girls. 10am Nordic Bowl. Ronice Goebel Ph: 03 5754 4910.
