This Week in Falls Creek & Mount Beauty - 10 January 2025
The fantastic Aurora in the Southern Sky captured by Phil last week. Phil. Pic – Phil Rumpff Photography Left: Mile High Dragon Boats on Australia Day weekend. Don’t miss them. Pic – Courtesy FCAR
Centre: Next weekend sees a heap of talent take to the tracks around Falls in the Victorian XCO Championships. Pic – Courtesy FCAR
Right: Next Saturday 18th will see a heap of dedicated runners head from Mountain Creek over the top to Mt Hotham in the annual Bogong 2 Hotham run. Pic – Courtesy Bogong 2 Hotham
DRAGON BOAT REGATTA
A Mile High
Five competition dragon boats and over 200 paddlers will be racing on Rocky Valley Dam this Australia Day long weekend in the 2024 ‘Mile-High’ Falls Creek Regatta. This annual regatta is a Dragon Boat Victoria (DBV) member favourite, as it is one of the most scenic venues for competition and brings paddlers together after the days racing.
The weekend is also an opportunity for the local community to experience the thrill and physical challenge of participating in the sport of dragon boat racing where the focus relies on teamwork for success. Community teams have registered to compete through the
Falls Creek Alpine Resort. At preliminary training on Saturday local teams learn paddling techniques and safety protocols as well as tips for a race winning performance on the Sunday race day. Experienced dragon boat members lead the training and then steer them in their races.
Victorian and interstate clubs will also be competing in a full day of events. A large
number of clubs from around the state as well as from NSW and the ACT will be present on the weekend.
Visitor Information Centre - OPE N F OR BUSI N ESSMon to Fri: 9am – 5pm W/ends & Pub Hols: 9am – 3pm Closed Christmas Day HARD WASTE COLLECTION Located upstairs in the Resort Management building, cnr Slalom St, & Bogong High Plains Rd.
The next Hard Waste Collection will be Sunday 26th January Drop Off Location: Snow Clearing Depot, Howman’s Gap.
Contact: 4 SITE Mb: 0437 306 799
Ph: 03 5758 1200
Em: info@fallscreek.com.au
Wb: www fallscreek.com.au
Paddlers in this fun filled yet highly competitive regatta will participate in series of races held in a variety of categories over a 200m course, with crews completing the course in around 50-70 seconds. Dragon Boat Victoria President told ‘This Week’ that “paddlers competing do so for a variety of reasons ranging from those participating purely for recreational reasons to others who are elite athletes, recently selected to represent Australia in the World Championships to be held overseas later this year. A number of these are from our two strong teams drawing paddlers from the Albury Wodonga region.”
Whilst all races will have their highlights, a couple of significant races in the regatta include the Cancer Survivors and Supporters Race involving seven crews and watching a local Junior team of under 18 year olds from Brave Hearts competing against adult teams.
“No matter what your reason is for getting in the boat,” Adrian said, “it is a sport which requires superb teamwork, with all paddling in time together, and from a health perspective, gives the heart rate a good workout and relies upon using your core and upper body strength.”
Despite this, the event is well known in the dragon boat community as one which always takes place in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere. Many teams use this event to sharpen their skills and test out their boat combinations in preparation for the Victorian Championships which are to take place at Nagambie Lake in March and then the Australian Championships in April.
This is an exciting picturesque event with great viewing for spectators on the banks of the Rocky Valley Dam and for locals paddling, an amazing opportunity to experience the thrill of dragon boating.
Spectators will be well catered for with food and drinks available on the foreshore. •
Organisers are expecting around 200 paddlers to take part in the annual Mile High Dragon Boat Regatta at Falls Creek on the Weekend of 25th & 26th. Pic – Courtesy FCAR
Falls Creek hosts Rounds 5 & 6
Big Hill Events is excited to be running rounds five and six of the Falls Creek Victorian Mountain Bike Championship Series on 18 - 19 January 2025 at Falls Creek Resort.
TUp to 200 riders are expected to be racing across the weekend in what is always a highlight on the calendar.
“It’s fantastic to be up here racing at Falls Creek again, Not only do we beat the summer heat up there but year after year we always have fantastic feedback from the riders on the great courses and it’s all possible thanks to the support of Falls Creek Resort,” said Big Hill Event’s founder Rohin Adams. He added, “We got two days of fun and fast cross-country racing lined up and we’re expecting to see the main series contenders there to defend their places weekend as round 5 is worth 1.5 x points.”.
Both junior and adult riders at all levels and abilities are welcome to ride and Big Hill Events encourages anyone who’s been thinking about giving cross country a go to line up and have some fun with your friends and family.
The trails at Falls Creek have been built with the rider in mind and are accessible to the newest bikers and enticing to the most experienced, both rounds start and finish in the resort so pack up the bike and come for a ride!
For more information and to enter, head to the Vic Champs Website https://www. bighillevents.com.au/vic-champs-series/ About The Series
VICTORIAN MOUNTAIN BIKE XCO
is focused on rebuilding and bringing back XCO racing to Victoria
A race series held over multiple weekends of summer, the season aims to help provide pathways for riders of all levels and backgrounds to come together, compete and have a fantastic time in a positive environment.
You can either aim to battle it out with the best, or come riding and plug away to achieve the rewarding feeling of finishing the ride.
After Falls Creek, the series heads to Bendigo for the finale to crown the Victorian cross country champion. •
JANUARY TRADING
Open 8am – 4pm Daily for Brekky, Lunch, Snacks & Drinks
OPEN FOR DINNER Thursday to Sunday in January Bookings Advised Ph: 03 5732 8000
17 Bogong High Plains Road, Falls Creek https://stfallsresort.com.au
Talk to us about your wedding, function or corporate event!
The Falls Creek Victorian XCO MTB Series
Lots of action on the trails
BOGONG EXHIBITION
A Rewarding Experience
B–CSC Launches an exciting new gallery in the Alpine Shire. The Bogong Centre for Sound Culture (B–CSC) is set to open its new gallery space in Bogong Village with the inaugural exhibition ‘Above the Snow Line.’ Launching on January 17, this debut show features striking photographic works by Melbourne-based artist and B–CSC alumna Sarah Lynch.
Sarah, who is known for exploring the botanical world and the intricate connections between plants, people, and ecosystems, conceived the series during her residency at B–CSC. Over two years, she documented the snow gums of Mount Hotham and Falls Creek, deepening her connection to the landscape and contributing to Save Our Snow Gums (www.saveoursnowgum.org), a citizen science initiative monitoring snow gum dieback across the Australian Alps.
Exhibition Details
Dates: January 17 - February 23, 2025
Time: Friday - Sunday, 10:30 am - 4 pm
Location: B–CSC Gallery, Bogong Village
The first half of 2025 at B–CSC promises an exciting lineup, featuring further exhibitions showcasing the works of Lesley Duxbury (February 28 – April 6) and Justas Pipinis (April 11 – May 18). Duxbury's art captures the fleeting qualities of light and weather, while Pipinis’ interdisciplinary practice examines the human condition through spontaneity and shifting perspectives. Additionally, six artists - Emily Kotos, Jessica Raschke, Anne Scott Wilson, Pia Johnson, Emma Ikin, and Jacob Raupach - will undertake residencies. This vibrant
program is further enriched by public events, including artist talks and workshops, fostering deeper connections between art, the Alpine environment, and the local community.
The public programme series kicks off with Artists in Conversation: Sarah Lynch. Lynch will join B–CSC curator Madelynne Cornish for an engaging discussion on art and ecology. This event invites attendees to explore Lynch's photographic series, ‘Above the Snow Line,’ through an engaging conversation that delves into her creative practice and the work's ecological themes.
Date: Saturday, February 18, 2025
Time: 3 pm – 4 pm
Location: B–CSC Gallery, Bogong Village Stay Connected!
Discover updates on new exhibitions, artist residencies, and public programmes celebrating the intersection of art and the Alpine environment. Visit B–CSC’s website at www.bogongsound.com.au or follow them on Facebook(facebook.com/ bogongsound) and Instagram (instagram. com/bogongsound).
Get Involved!
Interested in volunteering? Join the B–CSC Gallery's volunteer team! Volunteers play a key role in supporting exhibitions and programmes while gaining valuable experience and making meaningful connections within the arts community. Call 0424-095-554 or email info@bogongsound. com.au to learn more. •
Sarah Lynch: Above the Snow Line
Photo Credit: Anna Kiparis
Emma Ikin: studio portrait
Photo Credit: Adrian Flynn
DEDERANG PICNIC RACES
For the Community,
By the Community
Get ready for a day of thrilling action and community spirit as the Dederang Picnic Race Club hosts its iconic six-race card on Saturday, 22nd February 2025. The highlights of the day are the prestigious Milestones Chemicals Dederang Cup and the Lloyd Refrigeration Flying Handicap, with the entire day sponsored by the Mount Beauty & District Community Bank. This much-loved event is a celebration of all things local, living up to its motto, "for the community, by the community."
Beyond the track, the entertainment is set to impress. Enjoy live music with “Me and The Girl”; a dedicated kids’ area packed with fun activities, and a variety of delicious food trucks catering to all tastes. Adults can relax with a drink from the fully stocked bar or take advantage of full BYO. We even have free camping spots with toilets and shower on-site for 2025. All bookings are available on line.
Held against the breathtaking backdrop of the Kiewa Valley, this event offers something for everyone. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this unforgettable day. Grab your tickets, marquee, or umbrella packages online now to secure your spot. Gates open 11am, so join us for a fantastic day of racing, music, food, and community pride.
Go to the Country Racing webpage or check out our Facebook page for more information.
Two things that will help really enjoy the day. 1/. Make sure you have a designated driver. Don’t even think of getting behind the wheel if you’ve had one!
2/. Dave and the team at the Dederang Hotel have entertainment from 6pm through until late.
The Dederang Picnic Race Club extends its deepest condolences to the family and friends as we reflect on the incredible legacy of Neville Seymour, whose unwavering dedication to the Dederang Picnic Race Club and the broader Picnic Racing Community spanned an extraordinary 58 years.
Neville’s contributions are nothing short of remarkable. Joining the executive committee in 1969, serving as Vice President for an impressive 18 years and President for 17 years, Neville's leadership, passion, and commitment were instrumental in shaping
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the Dederang Picnic Race Club into what it is today. His tireless efforts and vision have left an indelible mark on our club and the wider community.
At our 2024 meeting we were proud to announce the naming of the Judges’ Stand after him, a fitting tribute to a man whose influence and dedication will be remembered for generations to come.
Neville’s love for picnic racing went beyond roles and titles; it was a lifelong passion that inspired all who had the privilege of knowing him. His unwavering support will be deeply missed.
Rest in peace, Neville. Your race was long and well run. •
Kiewa Valley Highway, Tawonga South Ph: 03 5754 1118 Em: info@rockyvalley com.au Wb: www rockyvalley com.au
LOCAL HISTORY
Tom MitchellSki Champion & Visionary.
In the annals of the history of Falls Creek, there is one man who is often overlooked. He did not set up the first ski tows or lifts; he did not operate a commercial lodge; nor was he a ski instructor. Nevertheless Tom Mitchell played a significant role in the development of the village and is deserving of recognition for the role he played, if not as a ‘founding father’ but as a guiding ‘godfather.’
The Mitchell family were among the early settlers in the Upper Murray area and it was at the family property Towong Hill that Thomas Walter Mitchell was born in 1906. Tom Mitchell first learned to ski on a family holiday at Klosters in Switzerland when he was seven years old. It was fourteen years later while studying law at Cambridge University that he developed his passion for skiing. In the 1930’s he was four time Australian champion
in slalom, twice in downhill events and four times combined champion. On a number of occasions he captained the Australian team in inter-dominion competitions with New Zealand. He made a strong impression when he won the 1932 NZ national championships on Mt Ruapehu, “his high standard of skiing an inspiration to the local skiers, demonstrating techniques not previously seen on the mountain.” In 1937 Tom published Ski Heil, the first Australian handbook on skiing technique. The same year he was instrumental in establishing the Australian National Ski Federation. Tom Mitchell married in 1935 and taught his wife Elyne to ski. She, too, became a champion - winning the Canadian downhill championships in 1938. However it was as an author that she is most remembered, especially for her ‘Silver Brumby’ series for children set in the Snowy Mountains.
At the outbreak of World War II Mitchell joined the AIF. After the fall of Singapore he became a prisoner of war; one of the founding members of the ‘Changi Ski Club’. Interest in skiing had not diminished during the war years; in fact membership of the Ski Club of
EMERGEN C Y
Victoria (SCV) had grown from 459 members in 1940 to 1,000 by 1945. Of this number 200 were serving in the armed forces.
The November 1945 edition of the SCV’s magazine, Schuss, included an article about the Changi A.I.F. Ski Club of which “Capt T.W Mitchell, with his usual enthusiasm for all skiing affairs, was president.” At a meeting of the club on 5th February, 1943, the subject was about “increasing and improving accommodation and conditions in the snow areas of Australia.” Mitchell led the discussion proposing the development of alpine villages, suggesting that ski clubs should adopt one particular resort and spend their energy in developing that particular resort.”
After the war Mitchell returned to the family
2024/25 PUBLICATION SCHEDULE & RATES
PUBLICATION SCHEDULE:
Ed 05 * 24.01.24 * Australia Day Celebrations. Mile High Dragon Boats. Vic Gravity Enduro
ADVERTISING RATES:
DISPLAY:
•
•
Ed 06 * 07.02.25 * Victorian Gravity Enduro – Falls Creek. Vic Interschools. Falls Creek. Ed 07 * 21.02.24 * Aus Grand Traverse. Dederang Picnic Races. Mt Bogong Conquestathon Ed 08 * 07.03.25 * Peaks Challenge, Falls Creek. Longest Lunch, Falls Creek
ONLINE:
WEBSITE: • www.thisweekinfallscreek.com.au
• Available in PDF form at: www.fallscreek.com.au/whatson/
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.
CLASSIFIEDS: • Like the Trading Post. Send in your Classifieds and pay when you sell.
BUSINESS DIR.: • $6.50 per line per Edition.
DEADLINE: • Friday 2.00pm
ENQUIRIES
Tony St Elmo and Tom Mitchell ski out across Bakers Spur to plant a flag on Mt Hillary in 1953, north of Mt Nelse, and which now seems to have been lost off the map. Pic – The St Elmo Collection.
property near Corryong, becoming a member of the Victorian Parliament in 1947. His passion for skiing had not waned, nor had his vision for the development of alpine villages. In her memoirs, Skippy St Elmo writes about Mitchell’s visits to Falls Creek and the discussions held about the potential for the area to develop as a ski resort. By this time the members of two ski clubs, Bogong Ski Club and the newly formed small Skyline Club, had become enthusiastic about ski racing and joined the North Eastern District Skiing Association (N.E.D.S.A). In 1948 Mitchell organised a bus trip for the other member ski clubs (from Albury, Bright, Myrtleford, Wangaratta and Beechworth, Tallangatta and Benalla) to visit Falls Creek. Shortly thereafter Albury applied to build a club lodge followed by Myrtleford.
During his time as a politician (1947 to 1976), and as Victorian Attorney General (1950-52) Mitchell was able to have a direct influence on the development of Falls Creek. Indeed,
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) THOUGHT OF THE DAY
Never regret a day in your life! Good days give happiness; bad days give experience; worst days give lessons – and the best days give memories! FOR SALE
ROLA Roof Racks to suit Commodore VB, VC, VH, VK & VL. Were anodized but faded, so they’ve been powder-coated. $295. Ph: 0400 350 488 FOUND
Gold Band wedding Ring picked up near Ariel’s Laundrette. Give me a call & describe it. 0400 350 488. MISSING BOOK
A hard-bound copy of Dr Ruth Lawrence’s Thesis titled ‘The Interaction between Land Use, the Environment and the Hydrology of the Bogong High Plains between 1850 and 1985’ was given to this community in the care of the late Bill Sutton. It has been loaned out –and not returned. This is a vital piece of the history of this area and it would be fabulous to have it returned. Any news, please call 0400 350 488.
he was instrumental in the easing of barriers placed by the SEC powers-that-be on accessing the ski fields, be it on receiving permits to build lodges or permits to use the road. By 1951 the village as had been envisioned by Mitchell as a POW was taking shape. He too had committed to building a small Dawn Ski Club lodge with Dale Crookes.
Mitchell continued to encourage and support the trans-Tasman ski competitions and in the early 1950’s visits by local clubs became more commonplace. In 1953 a team from New Zealand visited Falls Creek for the first time. This was some months after Edmund Hillary and Nepalese Sherpa Tenzing Norgay became
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LOCAL HISTORY
the first climbers confirmed as having reached the summit of Mount Everest.
Aware of this, Tom Mitchell and Toni St Elmo had proposed that an unnamed mountain to the north of Mt Nelse be named Mt Hillary to honour the event. (Although the naming was apparently gazetted it has been lost over time in reproduction of maps of the area).
‘Ski Heil! Tom Mitchell, ski champion and champion of skiing!’ •
This Article kindly provided by Diana Patterson, member of the Falls Creek Historical Society and previous member of the Falls Creek Resort Management Board.
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.
CAR DETAILING
Give Steve a call in Tawonga South. Ph: 0423 499 086.
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
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
A young Tom Mitchell preparing to load the rope tow beside the Nissen Ski School. Pic – the Griffith Collection
Resorts Victoria
Falls Creek summer
FALL LINES
Bee Problems
Ijust received a call, concerning a swarm of bees at Red Bank, that caused a bit of a drama for mother and daughter out swimming.
I checked the area, for the swarm but they had moved elsewhere, not having settled as yet.
If you find a swarm, have a hive of bees causing you some concern, please feel free to give me a call and l will try to relocate them.
I am a Registered Bee Keeper with twentysix years of experience, with bees and wasps.
Two of my recent exploits involve a hive in a fallen limb in Tawonga South and another hive in Koo Wee Rup, inside an abandoned sofa.
Steve Gardiner. Mb 0417 583 976 •
Trees Down
It has become apparent that many people don’t know who to call in different scenarios with fallen trees. So here is a summation of who to call in the following fallen tree situations.
Firstly, trees on the Kiewa Valley Highway, Bogong High Plains Road or the Gap roads call VicRoads 13 11 70.
Trees on all other roads, call Alpine Shire 03 5755 0555
Trees on houses, call SES 13 25 00
As always, Tru Tree Care have a crew on call through the night and tomorrow for any other urgent tree related situations. Mb: 0409 958 591. •
Wild Life Care
It comes up on Facebook a lot, people trying to find who can look after sick and injured wildlife in the area. Here are some numbers that you may like to put in your phone, or on the fridge – instead of constantly relying on FB.
All Shires in the North East
Danni Townsend O’Neil 0405 193 807
Chris Lehmann 0434 479 459
Alpine Shire Area
Jody Michelle 0416 166 775
Jo Ingram 0412 553 527
Liz Swinton 0407 511 686
In the next Edition, these numbers will be listed in the EMERGENCY NUMBERS notice, usually around page 6 or 7. •
WHO Doctors: Jeff Robinson, Libby Garoni, Skye Delanay, Laura Zagorski, Angela Stratton, Lauren Cusson, Damian Heman, Daniel Florisson and Jacinta O’Neil. Your local practice –
WHAT'S ON IN 2024/25
JAN 11, 18, 25 Park Run. 8am at Bicentennial Park, Lakeside Ave. All welcome. Enquiries to: mountbeauty@parkrun. com
JAN 17 Above the Snowline Art Exhibition, Bogong Village. See Write-up this Edition
JAN 18 Bogong to Hotham Rooftop Run – the 34th running of the event – from Mountain Creek to Mt Hotham Summit. www.bogong2hotham.com.au
JAN 18 & 19 Victorian Mountain Bike Championships Round Five & Round Six. Falls Creek. www.entryzone. com.au
JAN 25 & 26 Mile High Dragon Boat Regatta on Rocky Valley Lake, Falls Creek. www.dragonboatvictoria.com.au
JAN 26 Australia Day Celebrations in Hydro Park, Mount Beauty. Breakfast courtesy the UKV Lions from 8am. Celebrations and Presentations from 9am.
FEB 8 & 9 Round One Victorian Gravity Enduro Tour, Falls Creek. www.victorianendurotour.wordpress.com
FEB 14 Victorian Interschools MTB Championships, Cross Country Olympic format. Falls Creek
FEB 22 Australian Grand Traverse – a 30km trek with 1400 m elevation from Falls Creek to Mount Hotham. www.peakadventure.com.au/agt
FEB 22 The fabulous Dederang Picnic Races – a day not to be missed. From 11am. https://country. racing.com/dederang/calendar/dederang-cup see write-up this edition.
FEB 28–MAR 2 Feastival Falls Creek – an extraordinary music fest with heaps of other activities. www. fallscreek.com.au/events
MAR 1 Mt Bogong Conquestathon – your chance to conquer Victoria’s highest mountain. This year will be the staging of the 45th Conquestathon. Be there. www.hoppet.com.au/conquestathonevent-details
MAR 9 Peaks Challenge Falls Creek. 2000 cyclists take on the 235km ride around the High Plains. With lots of other activities. Ph: 03 5758 1200. Visit: www.fallscreek.com.au
MAR 14 The fabulous Longest Lunch – wining and dining in the High Country around Falls Creek. Ph: 03 5758 1200. Visit www.fallscreek.com.au
MAR 22 & 23 MTB de Femme returns to Falls Creek in 2015. Mb: 0449 229 008.Em: jo@allridemtb.com.au For further details on coming events, go to: https://www.fallscreek.com.au/whats-on/events/
WHAT Fully accredited General Practice with 42 years of service to the Upper Kiewa Valley.
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.
