CROSS COUNTRY NEWS
the Electricity Commission.” According to Skippy, “Williams gave instructions that a permit had to be applied for at the office of the SEC in Mount Beauty and presented at the gate-house, a mile up the road. No club, to my knowledge was informed of this arrangement. When the Albury Ski Club members arrived at the gate they were told it was necessary to produce a permit. It is understood the fact that all SEC operations closed down for the weekend had been completely overlooked. The gate?? Oh I almost forgot to mention it! Someone dismantled it and threw it over the bank!
It was a few years later, in 1958, that it was reported in Schuss magazine that “Access to Falls Creek has been facilitated for the coming winter. Permits can now be obtained at the Gatehouse without prior notification, although an authority from the club secretary or a booking voucher should be produced. The road will be kept open to Howman’s but cars staying longer than the weekend will need to be parked at Turnback Creek.” However, would-be skiers still had to walk or ski from Howman’s Gap to Falls Creek. Carrying their gear and food this trip would take one to one and a half hours.
Various locals saw this as a business opportunity. In 1955, Bob Hymans trialled the use of a horse and sled to overcome the problem of transporting stores and personal gear - but it was not a success. At the same time Cec Dobson (builder of Winterhaven) resorted to manhauling from Howman’s,
using old skis attached to platforms to carry the loads. Reportedly, it was while hauling a load, he encountered Ory Frueauf (builder of Snowhaven) who volunteered to assist. This became the start of a partnership which in 1956, saw them run an oversnow service to Falls Creek. Luggage was weighed on a fish scale and was 4 pence a pound per pack weight. It was loaded onto a sled behind a track-driven tractor, ‘Leaping Lena’, while guests walked from Howman’s Gap. A year later the SEC began clearing the road and the long walk became a memory of the past. In 1960 access to Falls Creek was further improved, the area immediately below the
Village “enlarged almost beyond recognition” to provide for an immense number of cars and buses - (the Gully Car-park).
By 1960 the foundations of the village had been laid. A village management advisory committee had been established and Falls Creek was acknowledged as a destination for tourists. Its place on the map of Victoria was further confirmed with the opening of the Bogong High Plains Road to Shannon Vale by the Country Roads Board, in conjunction with the State Electricity Commission, the Tourism Development Authority and the Forests Commission on the 3rd December, 1966. •
A skeleton service will operate until late June, when the full time-table will come into operation. Refer to our website: https://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 Melbourne, Albury and Mount Beauty Group bookings and Private Transfers are available throughout the entire 2024 season.
5754 4024
Hauling supplies into the Village Bowl past Bogong Ski Club. Pic – Courtesy FC Museum.
PROPERTY OF THE WEEK
aqueducts and management vehicle tracks around the Bogong High Plains and your exploring, whether on foot 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 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 Network Peaks Challenge Falls Creek; the Easter Festival as well as regular mountain bike shuttles. Huski 104 has established rental returns and is on the market for $399,000. Properties in Falls Creek are exempt from the new Vacant Residential Land Tax. For further information or to arrange an inspection, contact Christa Smit on 0402 277 808 or email christa@zirkyrealestate. com.au. •
MEDICAL SERVICES - Upper Kiewa Valley
WHERE 2D Tawonga Crescent. WHEN 8:30am – 5pm Mon – Friday 10am – 12noon Saturdays. HOW Ph: 03 5754 3400 for appointments
WHO Doctors: Jeff Robinson, Libby Garoni, Skye Delanay, Laura Zagorski, Angela Stratton, Lauren Cusson, Damian Heman, Daniel Florisson and Jacinta O’Neil.
WHAT Fully accredited General Practice with 43 years of service to the Upper Kiewa Valley. CONTACT Ph: 03 5754 3400
Em: enquiries@mbmc.com.au
Wb: https://www.mbmc.com.au/
If you need to see a doctor please contact Mount Beauty Medical Centre on 03 5754 3400. You may be directed to a doctor for a tele-health appointment. Our Doctors are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week from Mount Beauty.
Your local practice – supporting the community!
CLASSIFIEDS
VALLEY FUN & FITNESS CLASS
Every Tuesday at 9am at the Ladies Facility, Dederang Recreation Reserve. Bring a drink bottle and towel. $10 per session. Classes by Narelle Jones. Enquiries: Sharon McEvoy 0438 289 293 (the6maccas@bigpond.com)
FOOD IS MEDICINE!
If you give a child's brain junk food, you get back junk behavior, junk learning, junk mood, and junk health. FREE PUPPIES
Mother is a Kennel Club registered German Shepherd. Father is a Super Dog, able to leap tall fences in a single bound. Ph: 0400 350 488.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
"There are people sitting there who are deliberately waiting for the trill of being offended. They want to be offended because it gives them a sense of moral superiority!" John Cleese MISSING BOOK
This ‘Missing Book’ advert has appeared for quite some time now. Your Journo has purchased a digital copy from Melbourne University. But, the book itself is important – because it was given to a member of the community to be kept in perpetuity for the community. Titled “The Interaction between Land Use, the Environment and the Hydrology of the Bogong High Plains between 1850 and 1985” it is a vital piece of local history. If anyone can help us, call 0400 350 488.
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 BLACK 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 0437 306 799
www.4siteaustralia.com
BUSINESS DIRECTORY
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.
CARPET CLEANING
Call Nathan of NatWest Home Maintenance, your local Carpet Cleaning Service. 0429 933 492.
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
Quality Ceremonies – All Types. Mb: 0428 993 125.
COLLECTABLES & HOMEWARES
I Dream Of Snow - Vintage snow collectables & brand new homewares. Open on-line all year round. www.idreamofsnow.com
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.
LANDSCAPING
Design and landscaping - quality work. Contact Hamish at External Solutions: Em: admin@externalsolutions.com.au. Mb: 0400 160 532.
LD’S HOME PET CARE
Pet Care and Dog Walking. Ph: Lisa 0407 541 695.
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.
PILATES
Reformer, Group or Individual for a better quality of life. Wildflower Pilates Ph: 0433 017 660.
REMEDIAL MASSAGE
Altitude Physio, Massage & Myotherapy. Ph: 03 5758 3766
STORAGE
Caravans, Vehicles, Pallets, Large Lock-Up Units. Ph: 0428 361 497. www.alpinewarehousing.com
