XTM calls for individuals to donate their old ski jacketsGot an old ski jacket or ski pants that’s accumulating dust and taking up space in your closet? XTM has a solution to your problem. Mount Hotham RMB is proud to seek the opportunity to be part of XTM’s “Heat the Homeless Initiative” by providing large donation boxes around the resort for people to drop off their old jackets. Last year, XTM announced the new initiative and with the help of many businesses on board, more than 2,500 jackets where given to those in need as a result. Due to its successful outcome last year, XTM have decided to launch the campaign again in 2017 by partnering up with Facebook Group Humans In Melbourne and charity Anonymous X to get the message out there. Sales and Marketing Manager for XTM, Alan Dower, said that the initiative was created to give back to people in a way that their brand could do so. “We looked at what we do, and what we could do, to be a benefit to somebody and it was warm waterproof outwear that we are all about, so the idea became to keep people warm with ski jackets,” Mr Dower said. “We want to give people clothing that can help out their day-to-day lives because it gets so cold in winter, and just to really show the scale that it’s at and to get the word out to people. “A lot of people didn’t really come to our stores to drop off their jackets, they actually went to the charity to donate and that’s what we want to see – people being active. “The ski industry is very well-off, so many people in the ski industry have two or three jackets in their wardrobe and its really nice when they can give back to people that haven’t had that advantage. “Homeless is an issue that can’t be solved very easily, but the more people become aware of the issue then we are already one step further in the right direction,” he said. What happened to Mother Johnson’s old ticket box? I bet your wondering what has happened to the beloved Mother Johnson’s ticket box at Mount Hotham? For many years, the Mother Johnson’s ticket box has been the entrance to Mount Hotham Resort from the Omeo side during the winter period. The old ticket box has recently been removed from its spot as it no longer serves its purpose. A newly installed sensor camera system allows for better traffic management by reducing traffic build-up on busy days and encourages visitors to purchase their resort entry online. The ticket box has been an integral part of the resort since its introduction in the winter of 1977, as the original Buckland Gap ticket box. Geoff Sherwood and Richard Shaw were the first Control Office attendants to work in the box before it’s relocation to Mother Johnsons about six years later. The hut was too small for the dense traffic moving through the North-East side, and so a larger ticket box was created for Buckland Gap. The Mother Johnsons ticket box was named after Mother Johnson, an entrepreneurial woman who managed a roadside hostel somewhere near the Brandy Creek Picnic area and where the Mother Johnson’s ticket box was located. The hostel provided accommodation, meals and sly-grog for passing mining traffic, businessman and early tourists along the route during the goldrush era of early 1880s. Cobungra Organics and Landfill Facility Open Day (27 July) The Mount Hotham Alpine Resort Management Board is inviting the community to participate in an OPEN DAY at the Cobungra Organics and Landfill Facility. The site is operated by the Board to manage recycling of organics (food) waste collected within Mount Hotham and Dinner Plain villages, biosolids from the sewerage treatment plant, and disposal of general waste to landfill. Learn about the process of what happens once the Board collects your food waste and general waste bags, and how the site is managed to reduce environmental impacts. Management and staff will be providing a tour of the site and be available to answer questions. A bus will depart from Mount Hotham at 1.00pm sharp and return to the Mount Hotham village by 3.30pm. RSVP by Monday 24 July essential for transport arrangements. Please email executiveassistant@mthotham.com.au. Diamond Pattern Snow Chains Vehicles travelling up to Mount Hotham during the winter period must carry diamond pattern snow chains with them at all times. Vehicles which do not carry diamond pattern snow chains will be prohibited entry into Mount Hotham Alpine Resort. This regulation came into effect in 2013 as part of the Controlled Management Traffic Plan to increase the safety of travellers on the Great Alpine Road. The diamond pattern snow chain regulation was successful in its first year, which saw a 60% decrease in severe vehicle accidents. Since its introduction, traffic accidents and closures along the Great Alpine Road have continued to decline and have reduced by up to 70-80%. Diamond pattern wheel chains are constructed of high-quality steel which criss-crosses around the whole surface of the tyre and offers more traction and contact with the road surface compared with other chain patterns. For more information on snow chains at Mount Hotham, visit http://www.mthotham.com.au/plan-my-trip/travel-to-hotham/by-road/chain-fitting-info/. Ski Patrol received finance for new Ambulance Mount Hotham Ski Patrol recently received grant funding to help purchase a new ambulance for use at Mount Hotham during the winter season. A total of $120,000 was raised with Emergency Management Victoria (EMV) contributing $80,000 of a 2 for 1 grant funding arrangement and the Ski Patrol raising funds of up to $40,000. The new vehicle purchased is equivalent to those used by Ambulance Victoria and has been decked out, sign painted and fitted to ski patrol purposes. The Patrol has been active with their fundraising through sausage sizzles, raffle tickets and their “Big Gig” fundraiser event at The General. Last year at the “Big Gig” Volunteer Patrol raised $16,000 which significantly contributed to the new purchase. Items donated by members of the Ski Patrol, including a handmade guitar and surfboard, were donated for the auction and sold for a generous price. Full-time Mount Hotham Ski Patroller and Volunteer Ski Patrol Captain, David Wilson said that the hard efforts of the ski patrol volunteers and the support from everyone had been a big reason behind the successful fundraising. “Randy, who is one of our long-term volunteer ski patrollers, made a surfboard for the fundraiser. One of our trainees bought his surfboard for way above market price. The trainee wanted to show his appreciation for the time Randy had spent training and getting him up to speed," Mr Wilson said. “People pay money just to support us, it’s not just about what they are getting from these fundraisers. In previous years, ski patrol has used an older vehicle to transport passengers within the resort and Dinner Plain. Three years ago, they saw the need to upgrade the ambulance vehicle due to its decrepit state. Mr Wilson said that the new vehicle would play a major role in the performance of the ski patrol and would be “much more reliable than the old one”. “A big part of receiving the funds was a result of our fundraising event at the “Big Gig” which we hold every August and auction off a variety of goods,” Mr Wilson said. “The new ambulance means a much better and more reliable vehicle to transport our passengers, it will be more economic for the Resort Management Board to service and look after, and much easier for patient transport due to more room and greater accessibility. “It will also give us the opportunity to look at fundraising throughout the summer period and we have a few ideas in mind. “If the Ambulance Victoria vehicle has to go off the hill for a critical emergency, we are the only ones on the hill to provide the ambulance transport to the medical centre within the resort,” he said. This year’s “Big Gig” event will be held in the evening at The General on Saturday 12 August 2017. Highest Land Auction ever held at Mt Hotham This September, Castran H. Real Estate will break records holding the highest freehold land auction in Australian history. John Castran, Managing Director of Castran H. Real Estate explains, “It (Mount Hotham) is the only mountain in Australia where you can buy vacant allotments and the only place in the southern hemisphere that you can buy freehold at this altitude.” He goes on to say, “This is the largest auction ever held of freehold and leasehold land in history and they are going to be the most affordable blocks ever sold.” “Reserves start at $100,000 and with an extended 12-month settlement this should be a bonanza for individuals and families wanting to take advantage of buying in this premier location.” Currently owned by Mount Hotham Skiing Company, on offer will be 21 Freehold and Leasehold vacant land allotments making this the most significant land auction ever held across the Australian Alps. The auction will be held at The Olsen (637 Chapel St, South Yarra), Thursday 7 September at 12pm. Funding received for Mount Hotham Medical Centre Mount Hotham Medical Centre received funding for its after hours medical services last Friday. The funding enables a daily after-hours medical service throughout the winter period from 5pm onwards and on weekends. Mount Hotham Ski Patrol and Ambulance Victoria are on hand to assist with medical attention on the mountain. Craig Jenkins of Ambulance Victoria said that the funding would help keep the ambulance service on the mountain to respond to the most severe medical emergencies, while the medical centre will be able to relieve minor injuries. “It helps us out in terms of having a facility available so we can take patients there to be seen afterhours, rather than taking patients through to Wangaratta which might need something as simple as an x-ray and would take us off the mountain for a minimum of five hours. “It gives us the ability to keep local for things and injuries up here, rather than leaving the mountain, so it’s a lot of pressure off us as a service. “So many things happen after hours, whether its people slipping on ice or people with illnesses that come out overnight, and all sorts of things that we can deal with here if we have the doctors and medical centre available,” Mr Jenkins said. The Mount Hotham Ski Patrol will also respond to emergencies in Dinner Plain if called on by ambulance to assist. Resort entry fees play a vital role in keeping services like the ski patrol, the Mount Hotham Medical Centre and resort bus service running throughout winter, so that guests have access to the most essential facilities. Doctor Paul Duff said that the grant would “support emergency cover for night skiing and early morning ski racing - especially on weekends.” “It enables a service in the off-peak season when the facility would otherwise be non-viable.” “Any skier would expect that there would be a medical service on a Sunday, which is what this after-hours funding will support.” “The clinic is open during daylight hours, 7 days a week and the doctors and nurses are available 24/7 for emergencies,” Dr Duff said. |