Our wonderful new spa

Technically it may not be new, but it is unrecognisable from it's previous guise. It really is spectacular now.

Andrew & Justin worked incredibly hard to make it a success so it's only fitting that they got to celebrate.

The shower and toilet cubicles have also been replaced and the sauna woodwork has been restored.

If you haven't used the spa or sauna for a while, now's the time to give them a go.

Games Room TV upgrade

The new 65" TV has been installed in the games room. The old TV has moved next door to the TV room

Rooms 1 and 4 are now doubles

After the successful, and popular, conversion of Room 2 to just a queen, rooms 1 and 4 have been given the same treatment. All 3 rooms have also been given new bed bases with storage.

Justin & Tony finishing the remaining cabinet in Room 4

Harry & Hugh cheesing it up in Room 1

Room 1, complete with new bed

Coffee reminder

We have a Nespresso pod coffee machine for those who prefer espresso style to drip coffee.

Members and guests need to supply their own pods. They need to be Nespresso brand or a compatible style. Piazza D'Oro is a compatible brand stocked by Foodworks at Falls Creek, although choosy coffee-aholics (like me) will probably find thatNespresso pods work better.

What else is new around Falls Creek in 2018

Trial of evening shuttles

There will be a trial of evening shuttles, from 6pm to 9pm from 2nd - 14th July. It will  use the same stops as the daytime village shuttles. This is intended to help people, especially families, get to restaurants around the village. Depending on how this goes, stage 2 of the trial will be another 2 weeks in early August. It would be great to see this as a regular feature, so please consider using it during the trial if it fits in with your plans.

Eateries

The lift company eateries are under new management, the people that run Husky and Astra. Frying Pan Inn and Cloud Nine have been refurbished, with plans for bigger redevelopment after the season. (Had a very nice lunch at Fryers.) Dicky Knees and Maggie's Snacks have been sublet to the Snonuts people. Maggie's has been renamed Blue Brumby and will add Asian fusion dishes to its offerings. Dicky Knees will add Mexican food and drinks.

Snonuts also have a stall at ATS (aka Oversnow)

Gateway Cafe has been taken over by the Easy Eats people who have the stall in the bowl. Menu is burgers, souvlakis, focaccias etc. They also have a stall above Slalom Plaza

Lilli Pilli is a new tea room (and spa) at Pretty Valley

Ski School Changes

Junior Workshop and teenage Ride Tribe are now only available as a full day program. Snowclub is still available as full day or half-day.

On the website there is no price for Junior Workshop or Ride Tribe that does not include a lift ticket. Maybe this just an omission, or....

Beginner transport from Eagle to Cloud 9

As mentioned in the Eagle article, there will be a 9 passenger snowmobile/trailer combination to shuttle beginners between Eagle and Cloud 9. Not sure when it will start

Lift Co Stores/Hires

The lift company shops have been re-branded and in some cases relocated

• Board Lounge is now in the Snowlands building (under Last Hoot)
• Apres Vous has been renamed ālp and movedto the front of QT where Board Lounge was
• Home Base is the main shop at QT
• Base 1 is the village bowl shop
• Base 2 is the shop at Silver Ski
• Peak is the shop at Cloud 9 (in a different location)
• Snowzone is ski valet and school group hire, now where Apres Vous was

New boot fitter

A new business will operate out of the old Gebi's building. Too soon to know much about it.

Personnel

Scott Sanderson is the new head of ski school. Lackie Keavers is the new media manager for the lift co

Working Bee Report

Another productive, and very sociable, working bee was held at the start of May.

Stacking firewood under the lodge has always been a huge task. It's still a big undertaking but we keep finding better ways of doing it with fewer people

John  gets the wood ready

Alan loads the chute

Hope the logs stop in time

and hand over hand

and still at least 4 more pairs of hands from here until it is stacked

The kitchen and all its contents were cleaned

Probably Nikki & Hayley, but hard workers in the kitchen anyway

Final touches were made to the spa area

John B working on partitions for the new toilet

The lockers outside the spa area were given a light facelift

Nigel & Mel transforming the once dingy lockers

Other jobs included

• converting Room 1 and Room 4 to queen beds only (see more)
• 1980s vintage posters in the foyer
• moved the TV in the games room to the TV room in preparation for a new 65" TV and soundbar for the games room (see more)
• storing dry goods (cereal, toilet paper etc)
• neatening shelf in Room 2 and adding more coat hooks
• repaired grout in the hearth tiles
• cleaned bathroom ceilings as needed
• prepare the spa for the season
• update software for lodge internet

If you haven't been to a working bee, or not for a while, we'd love to see you next year. Help keep our lodge in great shape.

Mountain Muster 2018

The Falls Creek Alpine Association (FCAA) is a body that represents ski clubs and other small lease holders at Falls Creek. Every opening weekend they have a get together, known as the Mountain Muster. This year AAC Falls Creek hosted the function.

Over 100 people attended, with catering provided by FCAA. It was a great  chance to showcase our lodge to a broad cross section of Falls Creek regulars and we received many compliments.

AGM and Committee Positions 2018

The AGM went smoothly. All past committee members were re-elected.

The June committee meeting elects the office bearers. There have been a few changes since last year.

During 2017, Garry Hayes and Tony Ryder swapped roles, with Tony picking up Membership and Garry Summer Marketing.

As of the June meeting, Jenny Hughes is the new secretary but will retain responsibilities for IT.

Bronwyn Sigmund is the new Communications Officer.

Lynn Cameron will take up a new Events coordination role and also assist the Treasurer with overdue fees.


President: Nigel Cowie
Secretary: Jenny Hughes
Treasurer: Michal Szkilnik

Lodge Supervisor: Justin Checcucci
Booking Officer: Alan Long
Membership: Tony Ryder
Marketing: Garry Hayes
Communications: Bronwyn Sigmund
Events: Lynn Cameron

This means I am writing my last articles for the blog/newsletter. Please help Bron by providing her with photos, stories and information to share.

Life Member Policy

The committee has formalised the Life Member policy, based on long standing practice. The policy is published on the club website at aacfallscreek.com/rules/32-membership-rules.html.

Life Membership of AAC Falls Creek recognises exceptional service to the club and/or AAC National, usually over many years. The committee relies on members to nominate people who deserve this honour. If you know of someone who you think should be considered for Life Membership, please read the policy and write a submission.