A new cafe in the bowl

We have a new food business in the bowl - Cafe Max (briefly @1542) is now under new management and renamed "be foodstore". They have been open over summer holidays and quickly become very popular with the locals for coffee, cakes, healthy juices and afternoon drinks. (Not sure about their opening hours now)

New proprietors Jason & Melissa have been running Altitude Apartments for quite a while. Initially they are just doing drinks and treats but they plan to serve meals in winter. What's more they plan to stock bread and milk as well as specialty groceries and packaged grog. Hooray!

Room Conversions

The member survey showed that many respondents put a high priority on remodelling more rooms to be twins or doubles rather than the double plus single bunk configuration. The upgrade to Room 5 (twin) has been very popular. There seems to be an increasing demand for twin rooms, especially for members who are less nimble than they once were. Many couples are also not keen on the overhanging bunks.

The committee will move very carefully in converting rooms. We do not want to lose the great flexibility provided by the double plus single bunk configuration. However, data from the booking system shows us that in the last 2 seasons we could still have accommodated the same bookings with less 3 bed rooms, and made staying at the lodge even better for some guests.

Before the winter, Room 12 will be converted to a twin like Room 5, with under-bed storage bins and a wall unit. Sound insulation and lighting will also be improved.

Planning is also underway to convert another 3 bed room, (most likely Room 2) to just a double. Hopefully this can be done this autumn too.

When you go to book online the third beds in those rooms will be not be visible.

The committee will analyse booking data and consider member feedback before considering any further conversions.

AGM Email Communications - Reminder

Don't forget to check that we have your correct email and mobile phone numbers so that you can receive AGM and other notices.

Thanks to those who have already updated.

Summer Special Offer

At the AGM, there was discussion about visiting the lodge in summer. For some members, the $300 minimum fee is a deterrent. Ideas were floated about helping members to get together for summer visits so that the minimum fee was not a burden.

The reason for the minimum fee is twofold:

• even with only one person in the lodge, there is a significant cost for hot water, lighting and sometimes heating
• a summer manager often needs to be engaged to open and close the lodge (eg turn on hot water; check that dust etc has not built up too much since it was last occupied; replenish coffee, toilet paper etc; check that guests have cleaned up properly; turn off services and lock up)

The committee has decided on a trial of a small number of times in 2016 where no minimum fee will apply. We hope that this will make it easier for members to visit in summer.

The no minimum fee times will be:

• Thur Jan 7 to  Tue Jan 12: Inaugural AAC Falls cycling weekend
• Fri 12 Feb to Sun 14 Feb: one of the weekends when mountain bike shuttles will operate
• Thur 24 Mar to Tue 28 Mar: Easter

As well as avoiding the minimum fee, we hope that there will be more of a sociable buzz in the lodge at these times.

Mountain Biking at Falls Creek

Stage 3 of the mountain bike trails opened in November. This brings the total to 20km of  cross country mountain bike trails (mostly single-track). Even more are planned for next summer. The Bogong High Plains offer longer rides too.

For those who enjoy down more than up, there are a many opportunities.

• The Blue Dirt company are running shuttles roughly every second weekend over summer. For $50 per day ($90 per weekend) they will transport you and your bike from Slalom car park to the top of the trails. We've timed one of the no-minimum-fee lodge weekends to coincide with this.
• The summit chair also operates on some peak summer season days and can take bikes. Keep an eye on the fallscreek.com.au website for specific dates

Trail descriptions
Download a mountain bike trail map

AGM Communications by email

Sending out notices and other material to all members by post is an expensive exercise, in labour as well as actual postage costs. For some years we have tried to keep this to just AGM notices and annual subscription notices. The committee has decided that in future, AGM notices and reports will be sent by email. Annual subs notices will continue to be sent by post.

This means that it is even more important to keep your contact details up to date. You can do this online or contact ProAcct jnoye@proacct.com.au or 0398809600. Please make sure that your mobile phone number and your email address are correct.

Vale Marg Sewell

Many members will remember Marg Sewell who was lodge manager for 3 years, from 2006 to 2008.

Marg died recently after a long illness.We understand that she wished to be buried in Tawonga Cemetery in sight of Mt Bogong and the high plains.

AAC Inter Club Race

The 2015 AAC inter club race was held at Hotham

AAC Falls Creek excelled once again

A team 1st
B team 2nd
Masters team 3rd

Congratulations to all our racers.

Next year's race will be held at Thredbo, hosted by Southern Alps Ski Club.

Inaugural AAC Falls cycling weekend - Updated

Join us for for a special summer weekend of cycling and enjoying Falls Creek.

The mountains are beautiful in summer as well as winter. Many of us have great intentions of getting up to the the lodge to enjoy Falls Creek in "green season", but somehow don't quite get around to it.

Angie and John have suggested that we give some focus to summer fun with a long weekend of mountain bike fun.

Key dates are Friday 8th Jan to Sun 10th Jan, but you might prefer to come up on Thur 7th or stay a little longer.

Range of riding

• flat for families
• hilly for high heart rates
• scenic for social
• Falls Creek mountain bike tails
• choose your own adventure
• ...

Feature rides

Friday afternoon: wide game (easy)
Saturday morning: climb from Mt Beauty to Falls Creek (hard ++) or ride the local trails
Sunday: The Summit, Mt Nelse, Mt McKay (hard++) or ride the local trails or enjoy a picnic


BYO bike or hire in Mt Beauty or on the mountain

Download flyer with full details

Locker Fees

The annual locker fee has remained at $10 since it was introduced in 2010. The committee has approved a small increase to $12 which will be reflected in the subscription invoices that will be sent out shortly.

The committee endeavours to provide sufficient lockers to meet growing member requirements. Acquiring new lockers has involved significant expense. This small increase in locker fees will go some way to meeting this cost.