Antique Ski Collection and Ski Memorabilia
When gold was discovered at Kiandra in 1860, the miners and their families used fence palings as a means of skiing on the abundant snow.
This was the birth of skiing in Australia. Within a year, the Kiandra Ski Club was formed, which ranks as one of the first ski clubs in the world. Tom Mitchell, local identity, represented Victoria and Australia at national and international levels. His wife, Elyne Mitchell, joined her husband Tom in representing Australia at home and abroad in skiing. Tom Mitchell was able to use his position and expertise as a skier to encourage successive governments to set up ski villages and resorts in Victoria, and promote skiing as a family activity.
The historical collection of antique skis suffered a terrible blow when the Mt. Kosziouscko chalet burnt down in 1952, and later the Kiandra chalet in 1969.
Fortunately Tom Mitchell had a collection of historic skis, which he donated to the Man from Snowy River Museum. This collection was recognised in 1984 by the Australian government, who borrowed the collection to send to the World Expo in New Orleans (U.S.A.).
They include:
Skis and poles that belonged to Very Jackson (nee Haugh¬ton) who was one of the first women to compete for Australia in skiing competitions.
The skis used by Elyne Mitchell when she won the Inter Dominion Slalom Race for Australia in 1937 and other international competitions.
Stocks used by Tom Mitchell when he won the National Ski Championship of New Zealand in 1948.
Skis from the Junior Ski Club of Australia that was formed by Tom Mitchell and Graeme Austin in 1935;
A pram on skis constructed by Tom Mitchell so he and Elyne could ski with their four young children;
Several framed photographs of Tom Mitchell and with team members in competitions.