Scotch College

Koomerang ready for winter

Keen skiers are hoping for good snowfalls during the coming winter, and with the onset of short days and the first predictions of snowfalls on the mountains, they and their snowboarding colleagues will doubtless be preparing their gear and making plans for the 2000 season.

With work parties carrying out cleaning, maintenance and stocking of the Koomerang lodges with provisions, over the past few months, the club is ready to welcome them.

Minor upgrading has been undertaken, including painting and other works to ensure the lodges meet Koomerang's objective of providing comfortable four-mountain accommodation. Visitors to Thredbo will enjoy roaring, smoke-free fires, now that lodge manager Andrew Wallace-Smith reports that, after extensive flue work, the fireplace is drawing well for the first time in years. The Mount Hotham lodge will also be warm and cosy, with Robin Guymer installing a new heater in recent weeks, replacing the old, difficult to start heater.

The first stage of winter bookings has been completed with strong interest in all lodges from members, their families and friends. Many members are adhering to the pattern of earlier years and focussing their weekend skiing at Mount Buller, and longer stays at Falls Creek, Mount Hotham and Thredbo. Many members have already booked weeks or weekends at two or more of the lodges, while families and large groups continue to favour Mount Buller with its generous living spaces.

Koomerang will again support Scotch skiing, with an intermediate camp being held at the Koomerang flats at Falls Creek during the July school holidays, a beginners camp at Koomerang Mount Buller, and participants in the inter-school competition also staying at Mount Buller. A number of new junior members have come out of the Scotch Junior School, and they and their families hope to utilise the Buller lodge for inter-school training and competition. Tom Fisher and Ms Katrina Stalker in the Senior School and Ms Jocelyn Pride in the Junior School, have been working with Koomerang to co-ordinate club and school activities.

The 2000 committee is settling into the year's work, with a number of initiatives planned. under the leadership of Vice Presidents Wayne Jonas and Rhonda Hoelter, Treasurer Tim Boness, and President Will McCutcheon. The club's website at http://koomerang.com.au has been updated and a range of new links and features added including links to snowcams for those who want to get a 'live' peek at the snow conditions.

Membership enquiries are welcomed - contact President, Will McCutcheon on (03)9598 5783, Leigh McGregor at the OSCA office or email through the website.