Scotch College

Koomerang offers affordable skiing to Scotch Family

With its membership of approximately 700, Koomerang Ski Club is one of the largest ski clubs in Australia and is the only one offering the option of skiing at four resorts: Mount Buller, Thredbo, Falls Creek and Mount Hotham.

As we start a new century, the club is keen to promote the advantages of membership to eligible Scotch Family members.

Koomerang manned a stall at the 1999 Scotch Family Day where visitors enjoyed a display of skiing and lodge photos. A brochure was distributed that outlines club membership advantages including information about the lodges and eligibility for membership.

With the costs of snow-sports potentially very high, club membership provides a way to access comfortable, affordable ski and snowboarding accommodation. The club was established in the 1950's by a group of Scotch students, old-boys and staff when they constructed the first Mount Buller lodge with volunteer labour. Work parties continue an important role in reducing the costs of maintenance. The cost of membership is not high.

Membership is open to many members of the Scotch Family and provides the opportunity to involve friends and family by taking them to the snow (or to enjoy summer in the mountains) as guests. Old boys are the majority of Koomerang members and there are many junior members (boys still attending Scotch). Wives of old boy members are eligible for membership and the club has a small but committed group of women members. Members' children younger than 18 are able to join as are Scotch staff members.

Scotch parents who may not be eligible for membership themselves are able to use the club facilities by enrolling their son as a junior member and being booked in as guests.

The lodges are conveniently located in prime positions at each resort. Koomerang accommodation is in small family or group rooms, with some rooms for couples. Bed rates are competitive with other similar accommodation. All the lodges have well-equipped kitchens and dining areas to allow for self-catering and there are ample ski storage and drying rooms.

Melbourne members make great use of Mount Buller at weekends, venturing further afield for longer breaks. Sydney and Canberra based members generally use the lodge at Thredbo but, when the new airport operates this winter, Mount Hotham will be within a couple of hours of downtown Sydney and many may shift their allegiance.

The club is keen to see interest in skiing at Scotch further developed. The Scotch College Ski Club has been operating in a diminished form in recent years. The ski club provides a valuable way for boys to try out or maintain an interest in skiing through use of the Koomerang lodges at beginner and intermediate camps or through the annual inter-school competition. Koomerang is keen to work with the school and the teachers in charge of skiing camps to revitalise the club, which is an important feeder to Koomerang.

Membership enquiries can be made directly to the President, Will McCutcheon, through Leigh McGregor at the OSCA office or via Koomerang's own website at http://koomerang.com.au