History

The Race Hut was placed in the Nordic Bowl on 4 May 1989. It was named the Jack Heberle Race Hut at a ceremony attended by 40 people on 18 March 1995. Jack passed away suddenly in 1994 and the Club felt it fitting that his efforts in the development of skiing at Falls Creek over a long period be recognised.

Where did the original race hut come from?

In 1989, Margaret Smith, who was Club treasurer from 1985-1993 (9 years), wrote an article about the Race Hut for the Australian Cross Country News. This is what Margaret wrote:

“Visitors to the Nordic Bowl this winter will notice a new addition: the Nordic Race Hut is finally in place. But one wonders how many are aware of how much work a very dedicated group of people did to get the hut to Falls Creek.

The hut was originally constructed as a reproduction Cattleman’s Hut, with material donated by Mount Beauty Timbers. The Shire of Bright used it as part of their exhibit at the Bicentennial Exhibition in Wodonga, after which its future seemed uncertain. Mount Beauty Rotarian Jack Heberle, who also happens to have connections with cross-country skiing and the Birkebeiner Nordic Ski Club, saw a use for the hut at Falls Creek as a much-needed Nordic Race Hut.

After all the negotiations were concluded, with admirable cooperation between the

*(From left) Jack & Chris Heberle – 1989 timing in the Hut*

various interested parties, [including the Shire of Bright (now Alpine Shire), the Bright Rotary Club, the Birkebeiner Nordic Ski Club, the ARC and the VSA], the hut was eventually transported on 4th May 1989 by a Brae Villa transport, to Falls Creek where it was lowered onto foundations prepared by Birkebeiner members. The real work started, as the hut had to have a new roof and other alterations completed before the winter. Several working bees later, the hut is now ready for use this winter as a race hut and as a store for equipment used on race days.

Although probably not quite the High Plains Hilton (there is no power and no plumbing), the hut will never-the-less perform a vital role, and it is certainly a vast improvement on the previously available facilities (none!).

Jack Heberle deserves a big thank-you for the work he did in getting the hut to Falls Creek. David Chew (site foreman at Working Bees) and Paul L’Huillier also generously contributed to the cause.

The VSA was enthusiastic from the start, and the Alpine Resorts Commission (ARC) not only approved the project but also found some funds, which they made available for the materials needed for the alterations.