2020 Ski Season to Open on Monday 22nd June
It has been announced that the 2020 ski season will open on Monday 22nd June. What this means as far as access and social distancing is concerned we will need to wait for further information from the Government and Resort.
AGM Committee Elections
The following make up the 2020/21 committee.
Executive
- President — Ewen Silvester (3rd term)
- Vice President — Michelle Forrer
- Treasurer — Jeanette McLaren
- Secretary — Ronice Goebel
General Committee Members
- Nick Wright — membership secretary & snowmobile steward
- Ann Bellingham — race secretary
- Warren Sanders — search & rescue co-ordinator
- Paul L’Huillier — website administrator
- Peter Smith — clubhouse steward
- Alan Marsland — Hoppet representative
- Mal Oldis — all-rounder!
- Paul Gray — junior committee
At the first meeting of the new committee on Tuesday 16th June, other portfolios, convenors and subcommittees will be formed. Other members are welcome to join subcommittees – we encourage members’ involvement
2020/21 Membership
Dear Birkebeiner Nordic Ski Club Members,
With the uncertainty surrounding how the winter ski season at Falls Creek will operate this year, which has a direct impact on the use of our club facilities and XC events, the committee has thought of how we can support our members during this period of Covid-19.
We feel it’s important that our financial members were not left to make the choice whether to renew their membership. At the BNSC AGM (Tuesday 18th May) a motion was put (and supported) to waive all membership fees for 2020. As a result, if you and members of your family were financial members of Birkebeiner in 2019, you are now automatically members of Birkebeiner Nordic Ski Club in 2020. You do not need to take any further action.
As many of you will be aware, BNSC supports the development of our sport through junior development programs and the awarding of travel grants to Australian National Team members (Junior and Senior). In light of this, a second motion was put (and supported) at the AGM to allow our 2020 BNSC members to make a financial contribution to the club that will be directed exclusively to club development programs (junior training and athlete grants). While we do not expect all of our members to be in a position to make this contribution, if you would like to make a voluntary payment to Birkebeiner, that facility will be made available. How are we doing this?
If anyone wishes to join Birkebeiner in 2020 for the first time, they will be able to request to become a new member, using the usual application and to pay the same fees set in 2019. Note – Online membership payments will be set up soon.
Thank you for your ongoing support of being a member of Birkebeiner Nordic Ski Club.
Regards
Nicholas Wright
Membership Secretary
<membership @birkebeiner.org.au >
Overseas Athlete Grants
Birkebeiner has always supported athletes that make National Cross Country Ski Teams. For season 2019/20 a number of senior and junior members were provided with a club grant to assist them with their trip costs. A requirement for receiving a grant is that the athlete has to submit a report to club members on their experience.
Kangaroo Hoppet Press Release!
Well, we have some bad news and then we have some good news.
The bad news is, we will not be staging the 30th Kangaroo Hoppet at Falls Creek in 2020. The Organising Committee has delayed this decision as long as possible, but even with the potential easing of the coronavirus restrictions, we are not in a confident enough place to proceed with the essential planning and commitment of funds that are required in May. The OC genuinely apologises to all of our participants and supporters. With the outstanding weather that we have enjoyed for the last three years, perhaps this year will be a howling blizzard (just to get it out of the cycle) and we will be back again with a perfect day in 2021.
However, with the bad news comes an opportunity…
2020 will be the year of the Stay at Home Hoppet, or probably more accurately, a DIY version – Hoppet Your Way. On June 1 we will be releasing details of a participant based event that Hoppeteers can take part in as a substitute for the 2020 Hoppet. As all XC skiers can attest, we’re a pretty fit and well-rounded group of people and participate in a range of different sports and activities. To recognise this, we will be offering a remote Hoppet event where you can ride, run, paddle, backstroke, walk, rollerski and yes, even ski the 2020 event wherever you are.
An exclusive collection of limited edition memorabilia will be available for those wanting a memento of the Covid-19 Winter of 2020.
More information will come soon, but in the meantime, lace-up, push-off, strap in or dive into whatever your favourite activity is in preparation for the Stay at Home Hoppet 2020. Keep checking the Hoppet website <https://www.hoppet.com.au>.
Stay healthy and happy!
Kind regards
Hoppet Organising Committee (22/5/2020)
