memberships available

In 2010 a small number of memberships will be available:

• up to 6 Full Memberships
• up to 8 Intermediate or Junior Memberships

Anyone who wishes to apply for a membership in any category should fill in an application for consideration in February 2010. To download a membership application and get other information about membership of AAC Falls Creek, visit www.aacfallscreek.com

locker policy

A locker policy has been implemented to make best use of the lockers available at the Falls Creek Huette. The next stage in implementing the policy is the introduction of a $10 Locker Fee from 2010. If you have a locker, you can expect an invoice for this fee.

The Locker Policy in full:

AAC Falls Creek
Policy : Lockers
Date : November 2009
Objective:
To allow the equitable use of the 98 lockers across the membership and to allow the responsible transfer of use of the lockers as a club asset occupying space in the FC Huette.
In general:

• 1 membership debenture will entitle the debenture holder to a request for 1 locker.
• Lockers will be returned to the club on relinquishing a debenture.
• Lockers will be transferred with the debenture if the debenture is transferred to a family member.

Records:
The committee will maintain a register of lockers with Member Names and Debenture Numbers. To be reviewed annually at the Working B and/or the Committee weekend.
If a locker is unclaimed then it will be reallocated by the locker sub committee or the full committee.
Initial Implementation:
A $50 credit against future locker fees will be attributed to each member holding a locker as at 2000 as per the register held at that time and still a financial member.
Implementation:
From calendar year 2010, additional invoices will be sent to each member for the sum of the “Locker Fee” for each locker held.
As at 2010 the “Locker Fee” is set at $10 p.a.
Review: this policy is subject to Committee review from time to time.

bookings closure over Christmas

Bookings will be closed for AAC Falls Creek from Thursday 24 December, re-opening Monday 4 January

new rates have been set for 2010

The committee has agreed rates for Falls Creek Huette for 2010. As the Treasurer's Report explains, the increase will allow us to start the planned building works.

The new Falls Creek rates can be viewed at the www.aacfallscreek.com website.

Treasurer's Report

The Club has again performed well from a financial standpoint in 2009.Your Committee has taken the view that if we are to have adequate funding to be able to undertake the substantial redevelopment of the lodge that is required for our Lease renewal, the Club had to be able to operate at a recurrent profit for years in advance of major works being undertaken.To this end the rates for subscription, accommodation, both Winter and Summer including guest rates, must increase a little ahead of inflation in order to ensure that we are able to commence the major project that will include the re securing of our Alpine Lease.Occupancy rates are higher now that the "Blog" has been able to show when rooms are available and our Summer bookings are increasing steadily as Falls Creek increases its attractions in the high Summer period.  

The Committee is pleased to advise that the Club has again delivered a strong "cash" profit,  but this will be reduced as a "reported" profit after capital items and depreciation are deducted. However, our bank balance has increased strongly in the year and broadly speaking we are optimistic about the likely financial position for 2010.

DW Stogdale
Treasurer

fox baiting around Falls Creek

Parks Victoria are continuing their programme of fox baiting to protect native fauna, including the mountain pygmy possum. Baits will be laid in the Alpine National Park and some parts of the Alpine Resort area. Of course, dogs are not allowed in the National Park, but anyone with dogs in the area needs to be aware of the risks. Parks Victoria have provided the following information.

• Baiting will continue through to the 30th June 2010. 
• Foxes may sometimes carry  baits to a different location and cache them (store them). These baits are still poisonous.
• 1080 may remain active in poisoned animals and/or baits for several weeks dependent on prevailing environmental conditions.
• Your animals may be poisoned if they eat baits or carcasses of poisoned animals. It is unusual for domestic pets to ravage fox carcasses.
• Steps (eg. muzzling, restraint) need to be taken to ensure that domestic dogs do not gain access to 1080 pest animal baits or poisoned animals.
• Closely monitor the health and behaviour of your domestic pets. If you notice any unusual or uncharacteristic behaviour contact your local veterinarian immediately. Do not disturb sand mounds or bait stations.
• A map of bait stations is also available
  

For more information on fox baiting at Falls Creek, contact Iris Curran from Parks Victoria, Mt Beauty on 03 5754 4693 or Ben Derrick from Resort Management on 03 5758 1235 or benderrick(at)fallscreek.com.au

dragon boat races

Dragon boat racing has been an important summer event at Falls Creek for a few years. It is a fund raiser and awareness raiser for the Cancer Council, as well as being a fun weekend. There are 6 titles up for grabs including the Club Lodge Challenge, Corporate Challenge and Women's Challenge.

If you are interested in an AAC Falls Creek team please reply to aacfallscreek(at)gmail.com You can also download an entry form and more information from Falls Creek website.

booking patterns for 2009

Booking numbers for winter 2009 have been tallied and analysed. This chart shows the weekly occupancy rates during the winter season. Weekends often pushed occupancy higher.

end of winter season resort survey

Falls Creek resort is now conducting a survey on the 2009 winter season. In addition to providing the resort with feedback, there is the incentive of entering a draw to win two five-day Adult lift passes at Falls Creek in 2010. To see or complete the survey, please click here.

end of winter

The lifts stopped turning at Falls Creek this afternoon and the official 2009 winter season has ended. In summary, the season had a great start, a fairly average middle period in August and finished with major snowfalls in the final week of the season, demonstrating once again that winter isn’t over at the end of August. A pleasing aspect of the 2009 winter season was the lift company providing some flexibility in their ticket pricing according to the snow conditions, with significant discounts offered at both the start and end of the season.

bookings
Bookings have been at record levels this season, despite what were sometimes ‘character building’ weather conditions. Details of our bookings during the season should be posted on this weblog soon. Thanks to lodge managers Greg and Jenny for all their hard work and wonderful hospitality during the season.

Falls Creek resort also shifts into its summer mode, with a series of events scheduled over the next few months. While we are members of a snowsports club because we participate in snowsports, some of us also like to use the lodge during the summer, often bringing a group of friends and family. Details of the summer bookings to date.

membership
Membership of AAC Falls Creek is currently ‘full,’ with a small waiting list. It is likely that a limited number of new members will be admitted in 2010 (both as full members and as intermediate or junior members).

lodge development plans
The AAC Falls Creek committee has also been considering lodge development plans associated with lease renewal and bushfire protection requirements. It is also in response to the views expressed in the membership survey conducted at the end of last season. In the spirit of ‘continuous improvement’ this will include a renovation of the dining area of the lodge and changes to the balcony. A detailed proposal, including cost and timing will be presented at the Annual General Meeting in May 2010. See some of the lodge development plans. Members are also encouraged to contribute ideas and suggestions to the committee.

lodge development plans

The AAC Falls Creek committee is working on lodge development plans associated with the lease renewal and bushfire protection requirements. Pictured is a front and side elevation showing a combination of colourbond and timber cladding, new double-glazed windows and revised entrance.

The plan view shows the proposed extension of the dining area and changes to the balcony. A detailed proposal including costings and timing will be presented at the Annual General Meeting in May 2010. Members are encouraged to contribute ideas and suggestions to the committee.

If you have any specific questions please use the Comments facility below and the committee will respond to them.