August 2008

SHOULD YOU WISH TO RECEIVE REGULAR XC GROOMING REPORTS, SEND YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS TO:

nswxc@bigpond.com

Provided by Bert Sheridan

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Snow Country competed in the 37th anniversary year KAC Cross Country Classic on August 13, 2008.

The 11 member team, consisting of seasoned competitors with a sprinkling of unknown talents, were Phil Bookalil, Adele Fraser, George & Cesia Holowinski, Julie Larcombe, Maxine Morphett, Theresa Ockenden, Warren Stoyles, Deb & Barry Whitton & Ian Woods.

For more Info & photos click here.

Cesia Holowinski

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NEWS FLASH 1

Ex-president, George Holowinski and his wife Cesia are thrilled to let everyone know that they are proud first time grandparents to a healthy baby boy, Alexander Edward to their son Justin and daughter in law Dalya. Born on Wednesday 13th August at 2.56pm.

This is union of two lodges - Snow Country Ski Club and Illawarra Alpine Club.

NEW FLASH 2

More news from the Holowinski clan. An engagement on 1/8/08 on The Telemark lift of Julie and Kenny. Adele Fraser is expecting her first child on Christmas Eve and this will be our second grandchild this year. Adele and her husband Shannon are now living in Japan. We now have a perfect excuse to try skiing in Japan.

Cesia Holowinski

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The SCSC May 2008 Newsletter is now online.

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Workparty May 31-June 1, 2008

A HUGE thank you to the following people for their efforts on the last work party for the year. With many jobs having been completed throughout the first few months of this year there was a lot of cleaning up to do to get the lodge ready for the season.

Ferro Fabbri for his expertise in finishing off a BIG painting job which now looks FANTASTIC!
Dianne and Bill Elliott for their efforts in getting the lodge looking spick and span in the cleaning department as well as Gavin Boyd who got the bathrooms sparkling, particularly the ladies after a major overhaul.

Carl Bradwell and Steve Matthews for their signage, cleaning and electrical prowess.
A very big thank you to our new managers Jade and Marcus for their assistance in not only cleaning but assisting with food preparation for the group. Your assistance was much appreciated!!!!

We are very sorry to say that Morris Dalla Costa had to be retrieved from Williamsdale by his wife and a tow truck after hitting a kangaroo on the way to the lodge on Saturday morning.We hope you and your car are okay Morris. Thanks for intending to assist. We will catch up up on a work party again next season.

A final thank you to everyone who has taken the time throughout the summer months to assist on work parties. Without you the club would find it very difficult to keep in the condition that it is.

Hope there is plenty of snow! Have a great season!

Thank you!!!!

Steve Matthews

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The 2008 Ski Season is less than a week away and snowmaking has started at Perisher Blue and Thredbo. Vacancies are still available in the Jindabyne and Smiggins' lodges. Ring the booking officers NOW and make a booking.

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Snow Country Ski Club welcomes the Smiggins' Lodge Managers -

Jade Rawlinson & Marcus Sullivan for the 2008 Ski season.

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Perisher Blue is now offering the Perisher Card that appears to be similar to the Thredbo Club Card. Both enable discounts off lift tickets and other benefits to Skiers & Boarders.

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Click here to view the Perisher Blue 2008 Ski Season opening weekend program

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Congratulations to Bob Smith, 2007 Club Member of the Year.

Bob Smith receives the Horrie Pring & Ray Marchant - Founders' Trophy, for the Club Member of the Year. The trophy was presented by Steve Matthews at the AGM.

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Click on Snow Country Ski Club 2008 Brochure to download or view the new advertising brochure (approx. 1MB).

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AGM Special Offer - Smiggins Lodge room special for the first two weeks of the season. Commencing Friday 6 June (long weekend) to last night Sunday 22 June. Available from first in basis at the AGM.

Members $150 per room night.

Non members $300 per room per night.

Come along to the AGM and save on June accommodation!

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Click on the SCSC President's Report for 2007. Come along to the AGM at St George Leagues Club, Kogarah and join in the discussions and vote.

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Click on Information from Nordic Shelter Update March 2008

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The 2008 Annual Subscription and Annual Administration Contribution Form was mailed to all members January 1, 2008. Payment is due before April 5, 2008. If you have any queries please contact the honorary secretary at secretary@snowcounty.com.au.

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BACK TO PERISHER APRIL 12-19TH 2008

THE FIRST WEEK OF THE SCHOOL HOLIDAYS IS APRIL 12-19TH IN 2008

All of us who have been to Perisher in Summer or Autumn have loved it, but it is often lonely. We have 1600 Club Beds in Perisher and we hope to achieve at least 1000 visitors enjoying themselves at the same time and saying G’day.

Activities will include:

1). A 6.2km Fun Run from Perisher Gap to Charlottes. The run will start at the top of the hill near Eyres Tee Bar, so the run does NOT include the heartbreak hill. Charlottes Chalet will be open for the runners to revive. Paramedics will be there. Water stations on the way. Buses to return the runners to Perisher. IT IS SHORT ENOUGH TO WALK IT. For those who bring bikes, a bike fun run from Spencers gap to Charlottes and return.

2). Catch a Ski tube ride to Blue Cow from Perisher and walk down the road , or over the top where you usually ski.

3). Organize a car driver swap, half go to Thredbo, half to Rawsons, and then walk TO THE SUMMIT over the top 13 ½ km,( or including the summit 15 ½ km) from Thredbo to Rawsons or vice versa. Down or up the Thredbo Chair lift. Australia's highest and most expensive toilet has been installed near the summit!!

4). The Porcupine walk, and the old cattle stockade.

5). Walks at Guthega to Illawong , 1 hr each way or longer. Guthega Hotel will be open.

6). Inter Club Tug of war!!! Fire Brigade demonstration.

7). The Basil bar will open in Perisher as a watering hole for everyone to get together for a beer. Milk, papers and bread and coffee will be available at Gingers in the Ski Tube building.

8). Clubs will be paired, and each Club should have the other club over for a drink during the week so as to see how the other half live.

9). Visit Rainbow 2km Walk at Dainers gap and see the original wooden water pipes used in the 1800’s.

10). Take a day and drive to Cabramurra or other parts of the Snowy scheme.

11). All insurances supplied by Snowline Insurance gratis.

Click here to contact Steve Matthews by email and register your interest.

If enough interest is received within a couple of weeks, the board will consider how we can get this up and running.

2007 Junior race clinic members (L-R) Nathan Schwartz, Michael Koerner, Tom Koerner & Oliver Smith.

 

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September 2007

Combined Illawarra Ski Clubs End of Season Party

Steelmakers Alpine Club Would like to invite you to Combined Illawarra Ski Clubs End of Season Party

When: 27th October 2007
From: 7.00pm to midnight

Where: Portofino Function Centre 26 Atchison St. Wollongong

Cost: $65.00 per person includes a 3 course meal with beer, wine and soft drinks for 5 hours

Entertainment by Graham Wilson from the Four Kinsmen

Dress neat casual

Contact: Lesley Matthews
Phone: 42286460

Interclub Race Days

Snow Country are the organisers of this years Senior & Junior Interclub race days. We urgently need both competitors and helpers as follows:

Members aged 16+ to compete in the Senior Interclubs on the 18th of August in any or all of Alpine ski GS, Snowboard and Cross Country events.
Junior members up to and including turning 16 years of age this year to compete in the Junior Interclubs on the 1st of September in any or all of Alpine ski GS, Snowboard and Cross Country events.

Helpers to assist Bob Smith in the organising of the events on either or both of the days - can be either non-competitors or competitors, no experience is necessary.

All interested please contact Bob Smith on 99186143, or 0439819602, or at robertwsmith@optusnet.com.au as soon as practical.

June 2007

 

Work Party News

The June workparty was another great success with Stephen and Lesley Matthews, George Holowinski, Gill Adrian, Marty and Gary O'Sullivan, Bill and Diane Elliott, Coletta Hobbs and prospective new member Mark Scott and friend Loren attending. Also, working in Jindabyne were John and Joan Reid who joined up for dinner on Saturday night.
Everyone worked well and enjoyed the weekend. Click here to see the photos.

A big thanks to the following people who attended the May work party:

David Bartley, Meg Bartley (15), Kate Bartley (15), David Grace, Lennea Grace, Caleb Grace (7), Eric Nordstrom, Gwyn Nordstrom, Colin Ramsey, Callum Ramsey (11), Will Ramsey (7), Steve Matthews, Peter Rodda, Jeff Pring & Pam Pring.

Much very necessary work was carried out and an enjoyable time was had by all.

April 2007

The Snow Country AGM will be held on Saturday April 14, 2007 at the Engadine RSL and Citizens Club Ltd - 1029 Princes Highway - Engadine. Further information will be advised closer to the meeting.

December Newsletter is available here.

Snow Nite - The annual dinner dance ,beginning with pre-dinner drinks and canapes followed by a three course sit-down dinner is to be held on Saturday April 28, 2007. Click here to download the invitation.

November 2006

International Day of Action on Climate Change - November 4, 2006

WALK AGAINST WARMING

In your major city

Ensure your Australian skiing future by getting a message to the Australian Government that they must act NOW to combat climate change

Click on ecoaction web link for more informatiom

 

 

The annual Perisher Clean-up Day will be held on Wednesday 15th November. Perisher Blue staff will commence at 07.30am and NPWS will start at 9.00am at the Perisher Ranger Station. Garbage bags will be provided as will a BBQ lunch (approximately 12.30pm).

There will be another opportunity for people wishing to participate in cleaning up sections of Kosciuszko National Park during the Clean-up Australia Day on Sunday 4th March 2007.

Interested persons should contact Dave Woods on 64505616 or 0418689250 or email: dave.woods@environment.nsw.gov.au

 

August 2006

How not to park at the Jindabyne Lodge: Click here for details.

 

Combined Illawarra Ski Clubs Sydney Harbour Cruise:- October 28, 2006 . Click here for details.

 

Sawpit Creek Parking:- NPWS has confirmed that parking will definitely be available at Sawpit Creek for people staying at Smiggins. A new access road to the car park has been created a little way above Sawpit (near the Education Center). Total parking capacity is slightly less than before - some spaces are gone from the upper level, but the lower level is
unchanged.

Ad hoc shuttle arrangements through Sawpit Mick ( Mike Taylor -Tel 6456 2321 or 0412 045 894, booking required) and others will carry on as before, but the NPWS hope that a regular service may be viable down the
track.

SLOPES:- Background on NSW Government's proposal to change lease conditions for Perisher and Smiggins' lodges. Click here.

JUNE 2006

NEWS FLASH - The board is going to give Non members the opportunity to stay at the Smiggins Lodge and enjoy all the benefits of staying on the snow at MEMBERS RATES.

This will be for the dates commencing Friday 16th June to Thursday 23rd June 2006 The rate will $45.00 per bed per night.

The usual booking rules will apply i.e. min 2 nights booking is required.

Jan 2006

 

Skiers to pay for alpine upgrade

Rosslyn Bee – Canberra Times 5 Nov 2005. A massive $250million environmental program and overhaul of Kosciuszko National Park's tourism facilities will be partly funded by a hefty increase in visitor fees to the park's ski fields.

The NSW Government announces plans today for the alpine overhaul, paid for from an $11 increase in park entry fees during winter, a $105 increase in the price of an annual pass to the national park, and a developer levy on new ski-resort beds.

ACT ski enthusiasts can expect to pay more to visit Kosciuszko in winter, but residents across the border in Queanbeyan and Bungendore will be exempt from the increased winter entry fees.

Leading alpine ecologist Roger Good praised the Government's announcement as "a long-awaited recognition that more funds need to be poured into the park to successfully manage it".

The park upgrade is the biggest project of its kind ever announced in NSW, and will roll out next year with a $12million improvement program.

This will include upgrades to walking tracks, camping areas, lookouts, horse camps and the Yarrangobilly Caves. Nine historic huts destroyed during the 2003 bushfires will be rebuilt.

The new visitor charges will increase winter entry fees to Kosciuszko from $16 to $22 in 2006, plus a further increase to $27 in 2007.

The winter charges will apply from June to the October long weekend. There will be no rise in summer entry fees.

The cost of an annual pass to enter Kosciuszko will rise from $85 to $145 in 2006 and then to $190 in 2007.

ACT residents will pay the winter surcharge, but local NSW residents including those from Queanbeyan, Jerrabomberra, Yass and Bungendore will be exempt.

The Kosciuszko ski fields are a favoured winter destination for Canberrans and the city is promoted by ACT business and tourism organisations as a gateway to the alpine resorts.

But NSW Environment Minister Bob Debus says the state's taxpayers should not be expected to subsidise the ski industry.

He said the winter surcharge on park entry would bring the cost of entering NSW ski fields in line with Victoria's.

Today's announcement follows an investigation by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal into the cost to NSW taxpayers of funding essential infrastructure such as roads, sewerage, water and waste disposal for the Perisher Range ski resorts.

"After careful consideration of IPART's report, the NSW Government has determined that NSW taxpayers should no longer be asked to subsidise commercial operations in the ski field," he said.

The Government will invest $250million in park improvements over the next 30 years, including $32million from the Snowy Hydro Authority to rehabilitate about 400 environmentally degraded sites within the park that were damaged during the construction of the Snowy Mountains Hydro Electricity Scheme in the 1950s.

Essential infrastructure such as roads, water, sewerage and waste management at the Perisher Valley, Guthega, Smiggin Holes and Mt Blue Cow ski resorts will also be overhauled.

The Government also has announced 520 new beds for smaller resorts and lodges in the Perisher Range.

Other improvements will include measures to reduce traffic congestion at the entry to the park in winter and "a major program to rehabilitate the rooftop of Australia" with alpine revegetation schemes.

Mr Debus said the NSW Government already spent $15million a year managing Kosciuszko, and the rise in fees would lift the taxpayer burden of funding essential sewerage, water, waste and road infrastructure for the Perisher Range resorts by $159million over the next 30 years.

NSW National Parks and Wildlife chief Tony Fleming said the increased fees would also fund control of foxes and feral cats, rehabilitation of alpine ecosystems, roadkill mitigation and enhanced protection of the endangered mountain pygmy possum.

"It is a big spend, a huge spend, and it will allow for a focused effort within the park over a significant period of time," he said.

Call for Kosciuszko park fee spending to be identified

Graham Downie – Canberra Times 17th Jan 2006

With the annual entry fee to the Kosciuszko National Park more than doubling to $190 by next year, NSW Labor Member for Monaro Steve Whan is seeking annual statements on how the winter surcharge is spent.

Having successfully argued for most people in his electorate to be exempt from the winter surcharge, Mr Whan has asked NSW Environment Minister Bob Debus to provide annual statements on how the money is spent.

Mr Whan said he believed Mr Debus had agreed. "I am waiting to get this in writing."

He had had reservations about the surcharge and had worked hard to ensure locals were exempted.

"But I also recognise that a big investment is needed in our park."

The financial statement should include the amount collected and how the funds were spent.

A spokesman for Mr Debus said the minister was happy to comply with Mr Whan's suggestion. "In any case, it would be recorded through the National Parks and Wildlife Service's annual report."

The surcharge had not been applied outside the snow season because of concern tourists would go elsewhere. "The summer tourism market is a lot more price-sensitive."