This Week in Falls Creek & Mount Beauty - 1 September 2023

Left: And Ruined Castle Park is still holding up very well! FCSL (Royce/Arthur/Matthews)

Right: Secrets of the Bogong High Plains - eg The old Wilkinson’s Lodge, formerly SEC Cottage, built in 1933 and burned down in January 2004. Pic – Ken Bell

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.

memorable regardless. Memorable for what is subjective and highly influenced by your experiences.

Round One of the GE National Series will be staged this weekend, beginning with practice sessions from 11am Friday.

SPRING HAS SPRUNG A LITTLE EARLY From the Chief Operating Officer

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.

Judging by the blossoms erupting in the valley, I think the weather may have turned, albeit a few weeks ahead of schedule, however the pre-frozen snow is ‘dampening’ everybody’s enthusiasm.

Can we ‘hang in there?’ Now, that phrase, or idiom rose to popularity after a prominent 1970’s poster featured a cat hanging on a bamboo pole (bit of useless trivia), how you interpret it depends on the context and tone. But the statement is generally one of encouragement, meant with good intentions.

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.

It is also an apt way to describe this year’s snow season. It’s just ‘hanging in there’. As I’ve repeatedly said in this column many times, and paraphrasing local legend Rock de Marchi “all snow seasons are great, some just greater than others!” And all are

This year, season 2023 felt almost normal. “What?” I hear you say, “what rubbish!”

Exhibit A – “Definition: subjective 1. Based on or influenced by personal feelings, tastes or opinions.”

After having come through some very challenging times, i.e bushfires (2019/20), COVID lock downs and written off snow seasons (2020), fragmented snow seasons (2021), then landslides (2022/23) the relative lack of disruption for season 2023 has been a welcome relief, but one that for its lack of tumultuous commotion resembles a more normal season. Granted, the snow has been less than ‘normal’, actually way less than normal, however to date visitor numbers have been above average, events despite a few have gone ahead, with a few having been

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

modified yet they still progressed, and then thanks to the damper than usual weather, for a large part of the season, Falls Creek resembled a UK summer - wet, foggy and everyone had an opinion on the Ashes cricket (FWIW – the stumping was legit, get over it Piers Morgan - Australia retains the urn)!

But there is one thing that can’t be denied and that a day in, on or just surrounded by snow, is still better than any number of alternatives. The wonder on kids’ faces when they see snow for the first time, the thrill of that first toboggan ride, or mastering how to point wooden planks down a slippery slope and stop! All create wonderful memories associated with coming to the snow.

No time to be smelling the roses during this weekend’s Gravity Enduro. Pic - Jiri Cech.

Point on the Frying Pan Spur. 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!!

RESORT ENTRY PERMITS

Open by Appointment

WHEN THE BRIGHT YELLOW FLAGS ARE OUT

– WE’RE OPEN Usual Hours 12noon – 4pm

For Groups, Clubs etc

As such, ski resorts are unique villages, each has a personality of its own too, each a distinguishing character that differentiates it from another, yet they are all visited by a tribe of people for whom skiing is more than just an activity. It’s a way of life, not just a hobby. The commitment needed to master the sport, whether that be snowboarding, downhill or cross

Phone: 03 5758 1200

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!

The weekend’s program sort of goes like this. 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.

For further information:

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

www.fallscreekmuseum.com.au info@fallscreekmuseum.com.au Facebook/fallscreekmuseum

A Resort Entry Vehicle Permit is required for your vehicle when entering the resort between 10th June and 1st October 2023. The entrance to the resort is at Howman’s Gap, approximately 4km below the village. Permits can be pre-purchased and printed at home prior to arriving at the resort, or purchased at the resort entrance ticket office. The day rate is $56 if you purchase your entry permit on-line. An additional $7 applies to purchases at the ticket box. If arriving after 5pm and departing the resort prior to midnight on the same day, resort entry is free!

Season Entry Permits are available for purchase on-line for $550 and can be collected at Howman’s Gap Ticket Office or the Visitor Information Centre.

Resort Entry Fees fund the essential services of:

• Ski Patrol

• Water Supply

• Waste Management

• Car Parking

• Snow Clearing

• Visitor Information Services

PLAN YOUR TRIP

Pre-purchasing Resort Entry Tickets and printing at home makes it faster and easier for you to get in to the resort.

Visitor Information Centre

The Falls Creek Visitor Information Centre is located upstairs in the Falls Creek Alpine Resort office, on the corner of Slalom Street and Snowgums Lane. Open Daily from 8am – 5pm for visitor information and gym memberships. Ph: 03 5758 1200.

Map Ref: E4

Accommodation Transfer Service (ATS)

Operating from the Terminal Building on Bogong High Plains Rd, the Accommodation Transfer service will transport you, your group and your luggage to your accommodation in the village. Tickets can be pre-purchased online or at the ATS terminal.

Hours of Operation: Saturday – Thursday: 8am – 10pm Fridays: 8am – 12 midnight

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. •

For More Information

St Falls West. Open 10am - 5pm daily. Ph: 03 5758 3009.

For more details about Falls Creek Resort, please visit: www.fallscreek.com.au

are now closed to traffic.

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

Upstairs Resort Management Office (above day shelter) Open 9am - 5pm weekdays and 10am - 3pm weekends

activities, visit the Visitor Information Centre (above the Slalom Street Day Shelter) for maps and info. Open

For all licensed supermarket lines - located in lower level,

SPRING HAS SPRUNG A LITTLE EARLY

country, each requires hours of painstaking determination to conquer, not to mention the investment in equipment, lessons, lift tickets, parking, accommodation etc etc. It’s not just the village vibe, it’s also about the mountain. At Falls Creek, we’ve long been referred to as being ‘progression perfect’, suitable for all members of the family regardless of ability. Which explains why so many people keep on coming back and why so many people call Falls Creek ‘their’ mountain. And with that, the regulars have their coffee spots, their favourite lunch venues or menus, their best place for a cheeky end of day tipple, where to get the best burger, pizza, steak, Asian fusion, best night life etc…this all contributes to the overall mountain experience which creates the association and affiliation. Of course, you can cheat and get the low down from the ‘Winter Insiders Guide’ (https://www.fallscreek.com.au/ whats-on/) and feel like a local. •

FOODIE TIP OF THE WEEK:

Lakeside Eatery & Bar (https://lakesidefallscreek.com.au/food-drinks/)

Sitting at the top of Schuss street, Lakeside boasts a great vantage point for a host of Village Bowl activities (i.e. Fireworks on a Thursday night), but is also a ripper spot for après and then rolling into dinner. It’s huge fireplace and cosy lounge is popular with locals as much for the ambience and cocktail list as for the outstanding local selection of wines and spirits to warm up after a day on the hill.

The food offering has something for everyone. Personal favourites the Jalapeno poppers and deep fried camembert. Parmy’s, a Jaeger Schnitzel (winner!), pastas, bangers & mash, plus alternative food choices are available. All on the generous and delicious side. Kids (under 13) are sorted with a fixed price offer including mains, dessert and a drink.

Take your time and peruse the well thought out selection of locally grown Victorian wines, heavily influenced by North East offerings and representing some real local gems. If nothing else, the wine list is a reason to visit often! Bookings essential. https://lakeside-eatery-falls-creek.resos.com/ booking. •

Stuart Smythe, Falls Creek Alpine Resort

SUMMER’S COMING

Beautiful Green Season

Falls Creek as a destination is very fortunate to have on our doorstep one the highest bodies of water, Rocky Valley Dam at 27000 megalitres, Mt McKay, one of the highest public driveable viewing points in this country and approximately 1600 square kilometres of undulating high plains which is criss-crossed with management tracks and old miners and cattlemen’s tracks.

The village itself has a wonderful range of accommodation, bars and eateries and the ski slopes inside the resort boundary now boast in excess of 40km of fabulous mountain bike trails.

As mentioned, outside the resort, the Bogong High Plains has an extensive network of management vehicle tracks, old miners and cattlemen’s trails and another 30kilometres of aqueduct trails, which to all intents and purpose are flat – great for walking and cycling.

Add to this the fabulous profusion of wildflowers that dominate the landscape during the better part of summer and the crystal clear air and skies – and you could probably call it ‘paradise.’

Then we have the events – a full calendar to satisfy all visitors. The only one we might be struggling to help with is a request received recently “Do you have a shopping mall for the kids to play in?” My answer “No, but we do have 1600 square kilometres of wonderful nature for the kids to learn from and enjoy!”

Our first major event is ‘Ignition’ –Mountain Bike Festival over the weekend of Friday 17th to Sunday 19th of November 2023. After last year’s road closed debacle, everyone is pumped to get on the bikes and the shuttles and check out the new tracks.

Ignition is presented as a mountain bike festival hinged on the core social elements of the rider lifestyle. Beers, bikes, shuttles, bands & much more! Come and celebrate all things MTB with us. Plans for 2023 are bigger and better than ever including:

• 11km of never before shuttled gravity trails;

• Friday night rolling live mc gigs across five venues;

• Mini brewery bars scattered across the event village

• More local produce vendors

• Larger band playbill on Saturday night! Go to: https://ignitionmtb.com.au/ for so much more detail and to get your tickets. •

OPEN 7 DAYS IN WINTER

WEEKENDS: 11:30AM - LATE

LUNCH: (SAT & SUN) FROM 12 NOON

WEEKDAYS: 4PM - LATE

DINNER: FROM 5:30PM

HAPPY HOUR: 4PM - 6PM DAILY

• Open 7 Days • 11am to around 9pm Full

Slalom Plaza, Falls Creek

Bottom of Wombat’s Ramble. Map Ref: F3 www.facebook.com/TheLastHoot

03 5758 3088

You don’t have to go far to appreciate the natural beauty of the Bogong High Plains. Pic - Ken Bell

Falls Creek

SUMMER’S COMING

The Alpine Challenge

Next on the agenda, and also keen as mustard to get the event up and running again, the organisers of the Alpine Challenge are well and truly on their game – this year set down for the weekend of Saturday 25th to Monday 27th November.

This could be termed as one of the toughest cross-country runs in this country with 160km route taking runners to the summits of some iconic Victorian mountains with approximately 7000 metres of climbing and descending.

Other route lengths are: 10, 16 and 25 km; the 42 km marathon length; the 60 km course, the 100 km course and then (if you’re up to it) the 100 mile (160 km) course taking in the summit of Bogong, Mt McKay and Feathertop. Not bad for a weekend’s outing.

Runners come from all over the world to take part in this gruelling event and some of our keen locals get involved.

For further information, or to enter, go to: https://www.runningwild.net.au/alpine-runs/ alpine-challenge.html.

Fox Superflow MTB Competition

This event is set for the weekend of December 9th and 10th and will take place on the world-class tracks of the Falls Creek Mountain Bike Park offering more than 40km of gravity and flow in the Victorian High Country – ‘Race the way you Ride’ with Rocky Trail - not only on our classic Falls Creek trails, but also on the brand-new trails, which officially open this summer!

There’s one race with uplift shuttles, there’s one race to ride uphill and you can pick which race you do on what day!

Drop in with your buddies on each other’s tyre or leave a space to spin. It’s about doing party trains, railing berms and sending it! Get ready to have an awesome day out as you smash down our Fox Superflow race tracks to hunt down those precious seconds for the win!

If you are new to Superflow racing, check out the Event Guide for everything you need to know.

J.B.’S RESTAURANT

OPEN: Monday to Sunday Dinner from 5.30pm

Pre-Booking is a must

Cheese, meat and chocolate fondues

German and Czech theme nights

JERRY’S STALL OPENS EVERY DAY

Great Cofees, cakes and pastry!

Goulash pies, Austrian apple strudel! …and more served throughout the day!

9 Parallel Street. Map Ref: H2 Ph: 03 5758 3278

OPEN FOR LUNCH

11:30am - 2:30pm daily

Mountain views, friendly staff, reasonable prices & delicious food!

BOOKINGS RECOMMENDED

HAPPY HARVEY HOUR!

Tuesday 5th & Thursday 7th 3:30 – 4:30pm

He’s back – the fabulous OOZ!

www.fallscreekhotel.com.au

Bookings recommended

Jump on our Venue Guide for location and parking info. Hit the Stages Guide for info on all the tracks. Go to: https:// rockytrailsuperflow.com/event/fallscreek-2023/ •

One of the best places to ride a mountain bike, the fabulous Falls Creek Mountain Bike Trails – and there are plenty of events to suit! Pic – Matt Rousu

SUMMER’S COMING

Victorian Cross Country Mountain Bike Championship

The Falls Creek round of this popular series is set for the weekend of January 13th & 14th.

XCO or Cross country Olympic Format is one of the most common disciplines of mountain biking. Cross country MTB became an Olympic sport in 1996 and is the only form of mountain biking practiced at the Olympics. The rules for cross country mountain biking for the Olympics are actually pretty simple. The race has a mass start, with all of the riders starting at the same time, and the riders then have to finish a set amount of laps around a course between 4km and 6km in length. The number of laps to be completed is dependant on the category entered.

There are nine rounds in this series and your best five results will be counted towards your series result. Meaning if you miss a race or have a mechanical etc you still have a chance. The Falls creek round is pretty early in the calendar and is therefore certain to see plenty of riders travelling to Galls Creek for the event. For more detail, go to: https://vicchampseries.com.au/ •

Mile High Dragon Boat Regatta

This is another iconic event set to take place on Rocky Valley Lake over the Australia Day weekend Friday 26th and Saturday 27th January 2024.

As the highest dragon boat event in Australia (1,600 metres above sea level), the Falls Creek Dragon Boat Regatta has been held at Rocky Valley lake since about 2012, bringing together visitors, residents and dragon boat enthusiasts from all over to compete and join in the festivities.

The grassy banks of Rocky Valley Lake are a beautiful place to spend the day with the family and soak in the excitement of the races. Food and drinks will be available on the foreshore, plus on Saturday night the action continues with post-race dinners and parties throughout the village.

If you have not paddled in a dragon boat before there is no need to worry as a range of safety and skills training sessions will ensure you are ready to race. The Victorian Dragon Boat Association provide experienced helms and instructors, they have paddles, boats and buoyancy vests. For further information, go to: https://www. fallscreek.com.au/listing/dragon-boat-milehigh-regatta-falls-creek/ •

And that is only the first part of green season. We haven’t got into February, March, April or May yet – so yes, there is plenty to look forward to this summer. Stay tuned!! •

Most Clouds Have a Silver Lining.

There were a lot of very disappointed international cross country skiers around Mount Beauty and Falls Creek last Wednesday, (not to overlook a few more who were still in transit from the northern hemisphere), when they received the following email.

“Following an inspection of snow conditions on the course today (Wednesday), and taking into consideration the expected weather conditions on Saturday, the Jury for the Kangaroo Hoppet has decided that it is not possible to hold a fair and safe competition and that the event should be cancelled.”

However, by lunchtime Thursday these gloomy feelings had turned to smiles as organisers were able to announce that some quick overnight negotiations with the Worldloppet Secretariat in Estonia had come up with a plan that would enable skiers to be credited with taking part in the Kangaroo Hoppet by completing a selftracked 21km ski anywhere at Falls Creek over the next two days.

So, what is the big deal about getting credit for taking part in this Hoppet ski race anyway?

The Kangaroo Hoppet is part of the annual Worldloppet series of 19 long distance ski marathons spread across five continents and has a special Worldloppet Master award that is given to skiers who have completed ten different events of the series and recorded this achievement with stamps in a special Worldloppet Passport. And there is a special clause that requires at least one of these to be from outside Europe, which makes an out of season ski holiday in the southern hemisphere a very appealing option for skiers from Europe, North America and Asia.

In this context, one can appreciate how you would feel on receiving the cancellation news having outlaid a few thousand euros or dollars (and if they were Icelandic crowns or Japanese yen make that hundreds of thousands) on what might well be your trip of a lifetime to Australia with the aim of getting that elusive Kangaroo Hoppet stamp in your passport. Or even worse, if you were Massimo Presotto from Spilimbergo in Italy and had a passport with nine stamps and only needed one more to become a Worldloppet Master. But as the headline says with regard to silver linings, on Saturday afternoon Massimo arrived at the Hoppet race office in Mount Beauty with his Strava record of 21m skied earlier in the day to receive his Kangaroo Hoppet stamp and his Worldloppet Master Diploma. •

Your editor spoke with a lovely couple from Minnesota who had already completed 25 American Birkebeiner Worldloppet events, This was their first trip ‘down under’ and you can imagine their disappointment when

hearing of the cancellation. The silver lining was that they did go for a decent ski and where able to get their passports stamped –makingtheir trip that much more enjoyable. •

Kangaroo Hoppet chairman Allan Marsland presenting Massimo Presotto with his Worldloppet Master Diploma. Pic – Courtesy KH committee.

*Frock Hudson Presents: RuPaul's

Gather 'round, snow bunnies! The one and only Frock Hudson is taking over PowderKeg for a couple of special FREE screenings of RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under. With their infectious energy and iconic charisma, Frock Hudson will guide you through the fierce runway moments, lip sync battles, and all the drama Down Under has to offer. Get ready to start your engine and cheer for your favourite queen of the runway! With screenings at 5pm, Friday 1st and 6pm Friday 7th September in PowderKeg, St Falls Resort, it’s a viewing

*Queer Shorts Film Fest: 2 Nights of LGBTQ+ Cinematic Magic*

This year the festival is rolling out the pink carpet for two spectacular sessions of Queer Shorts Film Fest, a cinematic celebration of LGBTQ+ storytelling. This year, they’ve extended the love across two fabulous nights Tuesday 5th and Wednesday 6th September, giving you more chances to

Presented by Bendigo Queer Film Festival and Queer Screen (Sydney), the program is rich and broad in it appears and provides something for everyone, no matter how you identify.

Highlights include:

• Dykes on Bikes: An Origin Story (a love letter to Australia’s longest running LGBTIQ+ community group).

• Unicorn: A bisexual man meets an attractive couple to explore the possibilities of life as a unicorn: a dramafree, emotionally non-threatening third.

• Mab Hudel: A fantastic rugby player and hapless farmer leads his local rugby team to the final where he must face off against the love of his life.

• The Beginning and the Middle: Two queer best friends are reunited at a house party during a break from college and debate the pros and cons of finally hooking up.

• Tank Fairy: Once upon a time, the magical Tank Fairy delivered tanks of gas (with plenty of sass) to the home of a kid in need of a glittery godmother.

The Queer Shorts Film Fest promises to be a rollercoaster ride of emotions. Grab your popcorn and cocktails, and let the screen ignite your imagination.

*About Gay Ski Week Australia at Falls Creek*

Gay Ski Week Australia at Falls Creek is the ultimate LGBTQIA+ winter destination, where skiing and snowboarding meet fabulousness and inclusivity. Whether you're a seasoned pro on the slopes or a first-time skier, there's a place for you in our diverse and welcoming community.

This year's festival promises a dazzling array of events, from wild parties to cozy après-ski gatherings, bingo, 80’s trivia, cabaret and much more, all set against the stunning backdrop of Falls Creek's alpine environment.

Come for the skiing and snowboarding, stay for the camaraderie, and leave with memories to last a lifetime.

POSITION VACANT

Cook/Chef Mount Beauty

(15 hours per week)

Hospitality/Cooking experience essential. Applications close of business 4th September 2023.

Apply via email trish@mountbeauty.org.au Or phone 03 5754 1166 for more information.

Travelling to Falls Creek this winter?

Enjoy the comfort and safety!

A skeleton timetable will operate until Friday 25th June – when the full timetable will come in to operation. Refer to our website for further details. 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 Melbourne, Albury and Mount Beauty Group bookings and private transfers are also available for the entire 2021 winter season.

*Ticket Information*

Don't be left out in the cold! Tickets for Gay Ski Week Australia at Falls Creek are available now, and they're selling faster than glitter in a drag queen's dressing room. Secure your spot for the most fabulous week on the mountain! Visit pointsofdifference.com/ snow to purchase your tickets, explore the full event line-up, and get ready to slay the slopes in style! •

Our intimate personal dinners for small group are proving to be a favourite with regulars and visitors. Please feel free to contact us and discuss your requirements and timing. Regards, Roi and Sue.

Take-Away Pasta Dishes Saturday & Sunday Evenings! All your favourites - Call ahead to order!

233 Kiewa Valley Highway, Tawonga South Phone: 03 5754 4024

For pick and pack deliveries please visit

Frock Hudson and DJ Cliterally raising the flag at Falls Creek! Pic – Sam Purdie

TEAM MOUNT BEAUTY

Continued Success

The Team Mount Beauty AGM was held on Sunday, August 27th at the Big Hill Mountain Bike Park trailhead. The outgoing president Rob Vandenberg highlighted what a great year TMB has had with a number of cracking events.

Spoke Sisters, whilst a little quieter than previous years, are still presenting some exciting opportunities close to home for all our female riders. The DH and Enduro races were a great success on many fronts. The rider feedback was overwhelmingly positive and spectators had lots of entertainment too. It was a real highlight to have so many people back in the park supporting and cheering on riders from the sidelines.

Rob thanked the volunteer trail crew, old and new for all their incredibly hard work maintaining the Big Hill trails and Markee

Mark's efforts in leading the trail crew and keeping the enthusiasm for trail work alive with regular working bees was recognised. Also, Scooter recently completed an extensive trail audit paving the way for a new era of licensing and park management had his efforts acknowledged.

Hydroflow, which is a new kids trail and skills development area, will hopefully be completed this year with further additions to come in the near future. It will be exciting to see this area develop and we can all look forward to seeing our new and developing riders grow in their skills and bike control.

The Pump Track is go! Fun for young and old! Jamie Armitage has put long hours into this project and a huge community push to get this up and running has added to the already awesome precinct, together with the skate park and the BMX track. This will be so beneficial to rider participation, development, and socialising, for years to come. Thanks to the financial support of AGL and the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources Bushfire Recovery Grant. Well done to TrailScapes for executing a great design and build, it’s

Team Mount Beauty has a well-deserved reputation going back 25 years or more for running great events.

Credit

fantastic! Also, thanks to the Alpine Shire Council for approving this project on their land, and for their contributions both along the way and ongoing. Thanks were given to the outgoing committee members of Lisa Bowring, Tom Courtice, Leighann Gnyla, Matt Rousu, Jamie Armitage, Rob Vandenberg. Every small club lives by the contributions of volunteers and the appreciation for their efforts is enormous.

The TMB Committee for the coming year includes our executive as Carly Emond as president, Xena Pahina as vice president, Neil Bryden as treasurer and Scott Vercoe as secretary. TMB general committee members are Jarrod Quinn, DC Cunningham, Sue Wharekawa, Tim Mckechnie, Scotty Travers, Mark Pausler, Blair Hume and Brad Edwards.

TMB looks forward to another great year ahead hosting ever popular events, delivering for our club members and looking after our iconic trail network. •

Sue Wharekawa

to the volunteers and the great work done by everyone creating fabulous tracks that allow riders like Ben McIlroy to make the most of them. Pic – Matt Rousu

October 21st and 22nd

Amusic jam is generally understood to be a gathering or performance in which musicians play together informally without any preparation – and that’s what’s planned for the weekend of October 21st and 22nd in Mount Beauty.

Based on the long running and highly successful Chiltern Jam, the weekend will include mentor sessions, acoustic jam sessions, plugged in jam sessions, open mic performances and the ever amazing ‘Hat Band’ (more on that later).

West Peak Hotel in Mount Beauty have kindly offered the whole venue for the Kiewa Valley Jam weekend which means there is space aplenty for the various sessions that will happen.

This is a free event! Free to come and jam, to come and perform, to be mentored by musicians with skills and talents that they are willing to share, and free to come and listen – all weekend.

A professional band equipment setup, including a drum kit, will be available at the Plugged In stage in the Brewers Lounge while in the Acoustic area favourite songs will be beamed up onto a big screen so that everybody can have a good crack at getting the chords and lyrics. The singing quality will be up to the participants.

Who is invited? Well, if you are aged between one and ninety nine, have a musical penchant, or are just starting out on your musical journey, or you have some serious talent and have just finished a world tour supporting one of those big names, and everyone else in between, you are definitely invited to come along and make some Kiewa Valley Jam. And, of course, if you just like to listen to some organic, home grown, spontaneous, quality music, please come along and make up the crowd. And now, a snippet on the ‘Hat Band.’ Over the weekend musicians who are keen will put their names in an event hat. Five names will be drawn and those people will form a band, pick a song to perform and have an hour only to practice it, then they will perform it to the audience at the end of the Open Mic Session on Sunday afternoon. The Chiltern Jam Hat Band was just amazing – and they had so much interest they had two Hat Bands!

Keep an eye out for updates on this great community event. Tune up your tuba, clean your clarinet, fix up the fiddle, squeeze they keys on your accordion and mark the weekend of October 21 and 22 as taken up with Kiewa Valley Jam. Guitars are also welcome, and double bass’s, uke’s, sax’s, trumpets, recorders, oboes, voices and, well, anything that makes music.

FEATURE PROPERTY

Lifestyle Living

201 Reids Lane, Tawonga

Imagine waking up to wonderful valley views everyday!

A stunning property that offers comfort, space, and tranquillity on a sprawling 1.25 acres.

Featuring a well-defined layout with high ceilings and large window’s providing plenty of natural light!

The kitchen features stainless steel appliances, electric oven and cooktop, dishwasher plus ample storage.

The spacious lounge-room is perfect with a big open window provides views of farming land snow-capped Mt Fainter!

Offering three spacious bedrooms with built in robes and a fourth room potentially a home office or playroom.

Don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity! Ph: 03 5754 4999 7 Hollonds Street,

Specialising in Alpine Body Corporate Management.

For professional personalised service, please contact Annelies Zirknitzer Mb: 0422 773 895

mail@alpineassetadmin.com.au

Over 15 years experience as Alpine Industry Insurance Brokers

CROSS COUNTRY NEWS

A Touch of Hoppet

It was a devastating loss to the community this week when we heard that the Hoppet was unable to go ahead this year due to the poor snow conditions. This has been the first time this event has been cancelled in its 31 years of running, (aside from when we were all in lockdown during covid) and we hope it will be the last. Well done to the Hoppet Organisers for all of the tireless work that has gone in over many months towards running the Hoppet, including the recent sleepless nights leading up to the decision of cancellation.

Thanks to the organisers, there was still a great day of activities planned in lieu of the race with a reception and social gathering in Mount Beauty, and an impressive deal was made with International Federation to allow all of international skiers who were hoping for a Worldloppet passport stamp were still able to earn these by recording their own personal race on the Hoppet course on Saturday morning.

Australian Nationals

Amazingly despite the recent snow conditions, we were still able to hold the Australian National XC Ski Championships the weekend before the Hoppet. We had huge numbers competing this weekend, with 31 male and 30 females coming to the start line on Saturday, with slightly more men appearing again for Sunday’s distance race. It was quite remarkable that the organisers were able to make a FIS homologated course with the extremely thin coverage that was on the lower Nordic trails that weekend, and after an unexpected snowfall overnight the organisers were also able to drastically change the course to something much more exciting, steeper, and more technical on the morning of the race. The course was a 1.1km in the skating style, looping in and out of the Hoppet start hill several times before making some sharp turns around the aqueduct into the finish straight. The men’s course was particularly close this day and with only 4 seconds different between the top skiers in each quarter final, we were in for a good show. We also had a big turnout of experienced international racers in attendance, but three Aussie’s were able to make it through the quarter finals into the semi’s, and two impressive junior skiers made it into the finals alongside two of the internationals. In a devastating turn of events, it was an early knock out for Falls Creek alumni and Olympian Seve De Campo when the 25year old was

unfortunately disqualified for obstructing another competitor in the final push to the finish line in the quarter final. Our juniors were very strong today though, and had no intentions of taking it easy out there on the other competitors. Among these strong skiers was our Australian Champion Jayden Spring, who has shown his extemporary sprinting legs on several occasions now and has given many men his senior quite a run for their money, today not excluded! Jayden was the first Australian skier and third overall skier of the day, coming through the final sprint line five seconds after German and Czech skiers Christian Winker and Fabien Stocek. It was not an easy Aussie win for Jayden today however, as another junior skier Noah Bradford finished only 0.3 of a second behind him over the line, proving himself well and truly as a skier to be watching out for.

The women’s field had a lot more depth this weekend in the time trial, but the top 16 athletes who made it through to the qualification round were all incredibly close

National Team member Kat Paul heading off on her sprint. Kat ended up 3td overall and 2nd Australian. Pic – Courtesy Finn Marsland

skiers where, much like the men, only had 4 seconds separating the finalists among the four qualification heats. The semi-final and final heats were thrilling among these women as siblings Darcy and Damika Morton both qualified through their same semi-final heat against each other, with Olivia Shubert just missing out by less than two seconds. In the other semi-final two predominantly distance skiers qualified for the final with Falls Creek local Katerina Paul and Swiss skier Flavia Lindegger crossing the finish line only 0.058 seconds apart. This gave us our final four women to go head to head in the sprint final, with Darcy Morton taking the Australian Champion title, Flavia following Darcy 0.5 seconds later, and Katerina Paul took the place of 2nd Australian and 3rd overall skier. An honourable mention is also deserved for the 3rd Australian skier of the day Damika Morton, who fought hard the whole way and now gets to share the Aussie podium with her older sister, who she has been looking up to on the podium for many years now.

Sunday’s classic style distance race was 10kms for both genders, consisting of 3 x 3.3 km loops around the sheltered trails of BHP Road and Panorama Corner where the only snow of this altitude level remained. The organisers at the Birkebeiner Nordic Ski Club did an incredible job at setting up this course, and the race was off and running at 10am. Despite the sun only just rising over the trails the course was already quite slow and slushy by the start of the race, providing the athletes with a really physically tough course as the hills were tough to glide up, and the downhills gave very little relief.

In the women’s race, Katerina Paul started off strong leading the first lap, followed by

Flavia and Aimee Watson, who is coming back from a severe leg injury that occurred in last year’s Falls Creek National Champs. By the second lap the podium places had formed and stayed consistent until the end of the race with Flavia holding first position, Katerina taking second place, and Darcy Morton speeding up the ranks into 3rd place, closely followed by Aimee in fourth overall.

Notable mentions go to Kathy Ismail who competed for Malaysia in this national champs and who is continuing to improve each year in this sport, and also to Taryn Dickens who is a low-vision athlete competing in this extremely challenging course while maintaining confident and smooth technique the entire way.

It was a clean sweep for the international ski-classic’s endurance skiers in the men’s race where the podium featured Christian Winker (GER) again in the winning spot, Fabian Stocek (CZH) in second, and Lauro Braendli (SUI) in third position, all finishing within the same minute. Matthias Leibundgut from Switzerland closely followed the men in fourth position, and then the first Aussies began to roll in. The top three Aussie men also finished within the same minute of each other, which in such slow conditions represents a really close battle between the men, as the times are usually more spaced out when this is the case. In first place we had Seve DeCampo, getting his retribution from the previous day and showing us some of the beautiful classic striding that he is known for. In second position came the upand-coming skier Noah Bradford, solidifying

MOUNTAINSIDE GALLERY & COFFEE

From humble beginnings, operating out of container in the Kiewa Valley Snowsports car park, Charlie Brown’s ‘Mountainside Gallery’ has moved up in the world and has taken over, what used to be ‘Nourish Wholefoods’ on the corner of St Bernard Drive & Wonnangatta Ave, Tawonga South. His Gallery has a large range of photography, ranging from his range of postcards to large canvas and framed prints of the local mountains. Charlie can also make you a beautiful coffee from local coffee roasters, Honeybird coffee.

Drop in, say Hi, have a look at Charlie’s work & grab a coffee.

Open 8am till 1pm Friday, Saturday, Sunday & Monday. Ph: 0414 543 937

that his results are rapidly and consistently on the rise, and in third position was Bentley Walker-Broose, shortly followed by Fedele DeCampo also in this same finishing minute that showcased our leading Australian men.

For more results check out: https://www. alpinetiming.com.au/. Thank you to the organisers, and congratulations to all of the competitors and support crews this weekend!

• Ella Jackson

FALLS CREEK HISTORICAL SOCIETY - Membership Application Form

Your support is very much appreciated. Your membership subscription will go towards maintaining the museum collection and establishing a fund to digitize the museums records. In return for your support, we will place you on our newsletter mailing list. Business / Clubs members will receive a DL sized window sticker to display on your premises.

2023 Falls Creek Historical Society Membership Application Form

Membership Categories: Single - $30 | Family - $40 | Club/Business - $60

Name: ................................................................................. Email: ................................

Address: .......................................................................................................... Postcode: .

Direct deposit details: BSB 633 000 Account 145918009

Please reference your name and/or business and then email application form to info@fallscreekmuseum.com.au

The top four men in the A Final Sprint with the placegetters being 1st: Christian Winker (GER) #4, Fabian Stocek (CZK) #1, Jayden Spring (AUS) #2 and Noah Bradford (AUS) #10. Pic – Courtesy Finn Marsland

PROPERTY OF THE WEEK

An Iconic Falls Creek Lodge

Zirky Real Estate is excited to present the opportunity to own a quintessential Australian alpine lodge ‘Nelse Lodge.’ There are very few privately owned lodges that come onto the market, making this a unique offering.

Located in the heart of the Falls Creek Village at 17 Slalom Street, it is a position of envy. Nelse is beautifully nestled on a site of 1016sqm, featuring easy ski in ski out access, with excellent natural light and views from its favourable central position. The alpine head lease is lengthy until 2056 and there is unlimited potential for a lucky new owner.

Nelse Lodge is licenced for 47 beds and contains a mix of 12 comfortable lodge style

WELCOME TO ❀ SPRING ❀

PUBLICATION SCHEDULE:

rooms all with private en suites which work for a range of configurations. Then, as well, the lodge has a stunning top floor three bedroom, two bathroom self-contained Penthouse Apartment and a three bedroom, two bathroom manager’s residence on the ground floor with separate entrance.

it is the growing suite of summer activities that adds untold value to a purchase in the village.

FALL LINES

Hard Waste Collection

Nelse features a stylish alpine restaurant and bar area with high ceilings, open fireplace and has a beautiful rustic feel. There is also a commercial kitchen, ski room, drying room, laundry and a large communal kitchen for guests to use with the lounge area. Another ‘Plus,’ there is plenty of future storage areas. 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. While the quality of your enjoyment of Falls Creek as a winter resort is undoubted,

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

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.

Therefore you are invited to join the and other members of the community for a

around 11:30am in the Boardroom above

If you have any specific agenda items, please email http://joprothero@fallscreek.com.au.

41 Bogong High Plains Road, Mount Beauty · Ph: 0400 350 488

BUSH GOTHIC

Sunday 28th May 5pm

Mount Beauty Information Centre Auditorium. BYO drinks and nibbles.

Tickets: Mount BeautyNewsagency

Ph: 5754 4204

$25, $20 (members), $10 (students)

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 easy access to and from the trails from Nelse. Add to these the many kilometres of aqueducts and management vehicle tracks 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 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 Network Peaks Challenge Falls Creek; the Easter Festival as well as regular mountain bike shuttles.

A Life to Remember

This ever-improving range of summer activities simply adds enjoyment for those that elect to make an investment in the village. Nelse Lodge is that investment.

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 Fair @ Falls Creek

Something of an institution since 1982, the Trade Fair @ Falls Creek is an opportunity

5A Hollonds Street, Mount Beauty Phone: 5754 1270

2023 WINTER PUBLICATION SCHEDULE & RATES

2017 LOCAL PASS

Ed 14 * 08.09.23 * Oakley Freestyle Series. Spring Ski Touring Adventure. School Holidays. (C)

Ed 15 * 15.09.23 * Oakley Freestyle Series - Bandwagon Banked Slalom 16th & The Dreamer 17th (C)

Ed 16 * 22.09.23 * End of Season Pond Skim and Oktoberfest. Summer Activities & Ignition. (C)

Ed 1 * 03.11.23 * Summer 23 – 24 Edition One. Melbourne Cup Weekend. Ignition MTB Festival

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

ADVERTISING RATES:

DISPLAY:

MEDICAL

MOUNT BEAUTY

• 1 column (6cm wide) = $16.00 per cm. 4cp = $21.00 per cm.

• 2 column (12.5cm wide) = $26.00 per cm. 4cp = $37.00 per cm.

Tawonga Crescent

• 3 column (19cm wide) = $36.00

CLASSIFIEDS:

Take advantage of the value packed* Local Pass - exclusively offered to local residents.

$250 per Adult + $45 per Day

$6.50 per line per Edition.

8:30am - 5:00pm Mon - Friday 10:00am - 12:00pm Saturdays

Like the Trading Post. Send in your Classifieds and pay when you sell. BUSINESS DIR.:

Ph: 5754 3400 for appointments

24 hours for emergencies

ENQUIRIES

$140 per Child + $35 per Day

** More Benefits in 2017**

All orders in by Sunday 30th April.

For further information contact: Falls Creek Ski Lifts P/L Ph: 03 5758 1000

Drs Mark Zagorski, Jeff Robinson, Libby Garoni, Skye Delaney, Laura Zagorski, Angela Stratton & Anoop Pem.

Steve Killalea from Milestone Chemicals - just one of the many Falls Creek. Pic - Elle Shaw.

Price is on application and will be sold as a going concern, with 10% deposit & settlement mid-October 2023.

For further details, contact: Christa Smit at Zirky Real Estate, Mb: 0402 277 808. www.zirkyrealestate.com.au. •

FOR SALE

Stubby series 1000 universal woodturning lathe, as new, $9,000. Ph: 0408 466 790.

Cane Armchair and footstool. $30. Six metal framed dining chairs upholstered in burgundy vinyl $30. Ph: 0477 443 964.

Championship Billiard Table 12x6’ excellent condition complete with Belgian equipment, cover and light. Handcrafted by ACE Billiard Tables for Kasman Billiards. One owner. $5500 ono. Ph: 0414 318 043. Blade X rollerblades, as new not yet used, men’s size 43, $100. Ph: 0408 466 790.

Complete set of Encyclopaedia Britannica, 45 volumes. Excellent condition, $200 or best offer. No longer needed, got married, wife knows everything. Ph: 0400 350 488.

ARBORISTS

A fully insured, GST Registered, ethically minded local business. Alpine Valley Arborists. Call Kane 0428 287 814 or Hayley 0427 272 777 – for all things trees!

ALTITUDE PHYSIO & MASSAGE

Frueauf Village (below Ory’s Falls Creek), Ground Floor, Room 2, 43 Schuss St Falls Creek. Ph: 03 5758 3766. Em: fallscreek@altitude.physio

BONNIE LUVE BEAUTY

Exciting new business opening in Yackandandah and servicing the Upper Kiewa Valley, Bright and Myrtleford. Offering services such as Massage, Waxing and Lash and Brow Tints. In the coming weeks Facials, Body Treatments and Nails will be available also. Call Bree on 0438 680 440.

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.

CARPET CLEANING

Call Nathan of NatWest Home Maintenance, your local Carpet Cleaning Service. 0410 480 697.

TRADING POST CLASSIFIEDS

VALLEY FUN & FITNESS CLASS

Every Tuesday at 9am at the Ladies Facility, Dederang Recreation Reserve. Bring a drink bottle and towel. $6 per session. Classes by Narelle Jones (Personal Trainer). Enquiries: Sharon McEvoy 0438 289 293 (the6maccas@bigpond.com)

POSITION VACANT

Public Relations and Social Media Manager - Traverse Alpine Group. An outstanding opportunity has become available for a talented and creative Social Media & Public Relations Manager to join the Traverse Alpine Group Family. If you have a passion for the alpine environment, and love to work in a fast paced and dynamic role, please visit the TAG website: https://traversealpinegroup.com.au/join-our-team/

BUSINESS DIRECTORY

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. www.celebrant-ne-vic.com.au

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.

ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR

Electrik Charge – Cade Piera – Licensed Local Electrician. Mb: 0400 827 060.

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.

GARDENING TIP

I was digging a hole in the garden when I found some gold coins. I was about to run and tell my wife, then I remembered why I was digging the hole...!

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. If you are going through your old bookshelves, keep an eye out for it. Fortunately your Editor has obtained a Digital Copy form the Melbourne University for reference. Any news, please call 0400 350 488.

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.

PROPERTY INSURANCE

With over 15 years experience as Alpine Industry Insurance Brokers, we are very happy to help you and your business. Call Tim on 0429 852 452, or Em: tclarke@northeastib. com.au

SPORTS MASSAGE

Book On-Line: impactmassage.com.au

STORAGE

Caravans, Vehicles, Pallets, Large Lock-Up Units. Ph: 0428 361 497. www.alpinewarehousing.com

TECH SUPPORT

For anything tech related home or business, call Ray! Ph: 0412 812 263 or Em: ray@raystechsupport.com

Nelse Lodge is well located and an ideal lifestyle investment with untold character. Pics – Courtesy the Agent

AUSTRALIAN WATTLE

There’s a wattle blooming every day, somewhere in our land

From the misty alpine passes to the burning desert sand

From the Eastern coastal fringes where the wattle grows the best

To the lonely rugged gorges of the Kimberley out West.

The wattle is our symbol, and a hundred years before Henry Lawson wrote of the shearers’ strikes he saw---

“We’ll make the tyrants feel the sting o’ those that they would throttle

They needn’t say the fault is ours if blood should stain the wattle.”

Of all the native trees the wattle wins the test For it blooms in golden trusses and the wild birds make their nest High up in the canopy, well in from the borders Snug and safe from mankind and aerial marauders.

Sprigs of wattle went along when Aussies left for war

To the poppy-fields of Flanders, beneath the cannons’ roar

The Diggers kept the wattle close --- those brave and hardened men, And the wattle was their talisman, to get back home again.

Australians love the wattle, and the mighty river gums, That grow up on the Murray, and no matter what fate comes, No matter where we travel, no matter where we roam

It’s the Wattle and the Redgum that draw our hearts back home.

▼ Falls Creek

MEDICAL SERVICES

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 37 years experience.

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, Skye Delaney, Laura Zagorski, Angela Stratton, Lauren Cussen, Damian Heman, Daniel Florisson, Andrew Mason, Jacinta O'Niell & Matthew McAlpine.

WHAT Fully accredited General Practice with 43 years service to the Upper Kiewa Valley.

“You’ve only got one head – put a lid on it!”

VILLAGE DIRECTORY

WHAT'S ON IN 2023

COVID-19 Restriction changes and weather may impact some of these events. Please check with the organiser for the most up-to-date information.

SEP 2, 9 Park Run. 8am at Bicentennial Park 16, 23, 30 beside the library in Lakeside Avenue. All Welcome. Enquiries to 03 5754 1118. No Park Run on 26th because of Hoppet.

SEP 1-10 Gay Ski Week Australia. Refer Advert and article in this publication.

SEP 2 Mount Beauty Community Market. 9am –1pm. In Hydro Park, beside the West Peak Hotel Car Park. You make it; you bake it; you grow it – you’re welcome. To book a stall or for further enquiries, Ph: 03 5754 1118.

SEP 2 Night Skiing and Boarding. Every Saturday & Wednesday at 6pm - 8:45pm, on Wombats Ramble.

SEP 3 Father’s Day Park Jam. 10am to 12noon Panorama Park

SEP 5 Twilight Tuesdays – taking place every Tuesday from now through 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, Pete the Snowdragon and during August. Further details: 03 5758 1200

SEP 7 Rudi Pendl Cup. During the day on Father Fosters. Honouring a much loved local resident.

SEP 7 Fireworks Fiesta. Thursday nights at 7pm, in the Village Bowl.

SEP 15 Alpine Blue Light Disco 6:30 – 9pm Mount Beauty Community Centre. For Primary students.

For further details on coming events, got to: https://www.fallscreek.com.au/whats-on/events/

~ Phantom

Mount Beauty ▼