BOARD Chairman’s Report

To all members and their families

Just a quick update for the end of the year and to remind you to put all the following dates mentioned within the newsletter in your diaries for 2007.

Your board has been busy with renovation plans, new ideas re: on line booking systems as well as ongoing daily running of both lodges.

We have also contracted work out to contractors within Jindabyne to update our fire systems to comply with new council and National Parks regulations. This will be explained in detail at our next AGM.
Also at the AGM we do hope to be able to update members on the ongoing renovation issues.

Even though we had a poor season of snow 2006 the bookings were comparable to the 2005 season. And we are certain of a return for good snow in 2007.

It was disappointing that the Smiggins Bowl was not held due to poor snow conditions but our club was represented at a BBQ at IMBAC lodge by several of our members who travelled down to enjoy the company of others within the Smiggins area.

Please read all reports from various members and officers of the club and if you think you can assist the club in any way your help would be appreciated.

• Especially assistance with work parties would be appreciated.

Emma and Dave are working in the snowfields of France during our summer and have indicated they will return to Snow Country in 2007.

If any members are skiing and holidaying abroad please enjoy yourself.

The following is an extract after an inspection by the Environmental Health Officer.

For the information of members
From Parks and Wildlife Division of National Parks
Subject Premise inspection 29th June 2006 Food Act 2003

Inspection carried out of the Snow Country Ski Smiggins Lodge Kitchen on 29th June 2006
The inspection revealed that the kitchen was well run and in a clean condition. The kitchen hygiene practices set a fine example of the high standards expected of operators within Kosciusko National Park. - Environment Health Officer, Department of Environment and Conservation.

On behalf of the board I would like to wish everyone a very happy and safe Christmas and plenty of snow falls for 2007.

Stephen Matthews
President Snow Country Ski Club

Expressions of Interest in Board Positions

The Board would like to hear from members that have an interest in joining the Board for the 2007 year. We are particularly interested in those that have building works experience, financial management experience, project management experience or administration management experience. If you do not have these skills please do not be discouraged to apply as each member who has an interest in how the Club is managed brings value to the running of the Club. You are invited to contact Kay Buckley on 47 361736 or k.buckley@optusnet.com.au if you want to discuss further.

Diary

AGM 14th April 2007
Forward notice of the 44th 2007 AGM – Please note in your diary Saturday 14th April. This year the AGM will be held at the Engadine RSL and Citizens Club Ltd, 1029 Princes Highway, Engadine.

Snow Nite 28th April 2007

Snow Nite Notice attached. See the Early Bird Specials

 

Accommodation Jindabyne

To all members and their friends and any other interested parties. Jindabyne Lake Lodge is open 365 days a year and we need people to come and stay and see the sights in The Snowy Mountains and use our Lodge. There is plenty to do all year round. Fishing in Spring - mountain walking, swimming and biking in Summer and Autumn and still Skiing in the winter. If none of the above interest you it is nice to just sit on the veranda and watch the Lake in peace and quiet. Please contact Gill Adrian to book your break now. Vacancies still available for Christmas and the School Holidays.
Thanks, Gill

Work Parties for 2007

Weekends
9th February
3rd March
5th May
2nd June

All members are encouraged to plan to try to attend at least one work party a year. You should contact Mark Dobbins if you require transport. Mobile 0438 726 278 or mdo18967@bigpond.net.au if you require transport.

Smiggins Lodge Development: Report

In late August 2006 we submitted our redevelopment plans to the Dept of Planning.
Submitting plans required additional documentation as part of our submission and this included.
• Building Renovation Plans.
• Rural Bush Fire report.
• Environmental Impact Report
• Geotech Report
• Structural engineering details

Initial assessment from the Department of Planning required additional Geotech information - this has since been obtained and submitted. Many members may have not realised that the dollars spent by the club on the back soil stabilization wall in early 2000 turned out to be “money well spent”.
Late October we received a second report from the Department of Planning regarding the Rural Bush Fire Service report that stated, “The entire property within the lease boundaries shall be maintained as an Inner Protection Area”. However the Department of Environment and Conservation has issued a conflicting statement not allowing the removal of vegetation from the North West and South West sides of lodge.
Once this conflict in statements is resolved between the two departments we should be back on track with our submission.

Considering the hours spent by the board in preparing our renovation submission the above abbreviated summary does not do justice to the effort for those members that have assisting in what has at times been a very daunting task.
It is the intention of the current board to keep members informed as we move through the various phases of our renovation plans. Our web site will provide members with any new developments that occur prior to the next mail out.

George Holowinski

 

Stop Press!! Stop Press!! Editor wanted

Our club needs a Newsletter Editor. The Editor will be provided with material from the Board and members are also invited to update the club on their travels, etc. The editor compiles the newsletter and sends out to our membership four times per year.
Please help!!!!!!!! k.buckley@uws.edu.au

Junior Race Training

The club continues to support the training of our juniors, but also needs an ongoing commitment by participants to represent our club in various events.

The Board is seeking expressions of interest for the 2007 Junior Race Training Program

The training will be held in the July school holidays and depending on the numbers involved this may cover the first week and or the second. The Board will review the expressions of interest and allocate dates according to the requirements, taking into account the availability of instructors. For juniors to be eligible they must be proficient skiers. If they have attended the program previously please include their levels of race expertise.

Please send your expressions of interest in writing to Kay Buckley, k.buckley@optusnet.com.au, or PO Box 817, Kingswood NSW 2747.

Perisher Blue year round resort one step closer

Article I. 22 November 2006

Perisher Blue said today that creation of a true four-season alpine resort is one step closer, welcoming the approval of the Perisher Village Concept Plan.

NSW Planning Minister Frank Sartor has made the announcement, allowing Perisher Blue to move to the next stage in the process.

Perisher Blue Chief Executive Officer, Peter Brulisauer, said the Concept Plan is for a Village Centre including a pedestrian plaza, shops, restaurants and bars, recreation facilities and accommodation to be built on part of the area currently used as an open air car park in Perisher Valley.

“A village centre for Perisher Valley has been talked about since the first ski lifts were installed in the mid 1900’s. Skiers and non-skiing visitors, day-trippers and people staying in lodges dotted around the resort and in the new village will all benefit from the development,” Mr Brulisauer said.

The proposal has been honed through a 10-year process of community and stakeholder input and design refinement, including with Aboriginal and environmental groups, stewarded by the National Parks and Wildlife Service as the original development proponent in 1997. Previous approvals for the project include Ministerial approval of the 800 new village beds in 1999.

Perisher Village will incorporate the principles of Ecologically Sustainable Development, from energy and water efficiency to the building materials and use of natural light. Under the plan the existing number of daytime car spaces will be maintained.

“We want to provide world class alpine resort facilities for both summer and winter while minimising the environmental impact. The Perisher Village will provide visitors with a sustainable platform from which Australians can better appreciate and understand the natural and cultural values of the Park,” Mr Brulisauer said.

“The development will deliver a considerable economic boost to the region, providing up to 100 direct and 400 indirect new jobs during the construction phase.”

Construction of the first stage of the village is expected to commence no earlier than in the summer of 2008/2009, pending approval of further Development Applications and the satisfactory completion of leasing and commercial arrangements with the National Parks and Wildlife Service.

Full details and drawings of the Perisher Village Concept Plan can be found at:
http://www.perisherblue.com.au/winter/info/pdf/vision_broc.pdf
http://www.perisherblue.com.au/winter/mountainresort/village_map.html

Notice from the Registrar

Early in 2007 you will receive the 2007 Subscription forms. Please note that the Board at its November 2006 meeting endorsed a policy that Junior members will remain Junior shareholders for the year they turn 18. In particular this will mean that from 2007 the Family Administration Fee will cover Junior shareholders for the year they turn 18. This will also apply to accommodation booking rates. Completion of the subs notice with all detail of family members is appreciated as it makes the work of the Registrar work lighter. Return notices from the Honorary members would also be appreciated.

Regards Kay Buckley, Registrar