Draft Copy of Progress – July 1993

A brief history of Beachcombers Alpine Retreat Ltd

“The Early Days”

by Brian Marshall

List of Foundation Members

Rob and Beverley Grantham Carl and Dorothy Martin

Les and Kay Genner Ian and Libby Boydell

Earl and Marcia Gough Peter and Diana Winkworth

Arnold and Judy Boydell Danny and Berry Thompson

Dave and Connie Clare Dick Vale

John and Adele Walker John and Patsy Allen

Ray and Phyl Loveday Morrie and Cathy Kotsuki

Mick and Dora Dolphin Ken and Billie Brown

Wick and Joan Beeston Ken and Gwen Marshall

Bob and Rosemary Oatley Steve and Ruth Jedlin

David and Mollie Shannon

The Early Days – Beachcombers Alpine Retreat Ltd (est. 1961)

A brief history of the Club’s formation

Submitted at 30 year celebration – November 20, 1992

Beachcomber’s Alpine Retreat Limited is now a third generation, 100+ member ski club. The name Rob Grantham, deservedly should be the initial words to commence this story. As Foundation President and prime mover of Beachcombers, Rob’s enthusiasm for the snow country, his inspiration of close friends and their combined opportune persistence in securing our site and expanding a member/capital base – together with Rob’s practical and determined building expertise, were the catalysts in establishing Beachcombers. Most families can now reflect on 30 years of great association – effort, investment, trauma, and enjoyment – but a valuable experience and asset that has greatly influenced many individuals.

Rob Grantham, who retains unbroken service on the Board and long-time Building Officer, first experienced the joys of skiing in 1953. Rob was working on a building job at Lindfield with friend John Gardiner, when they heard from an acquaintance of his recent ski trip to the Kosciusko Hotel. As a keen surfer, Rob was eager to try this new winter sport and see the Snowy Mountains area. John and Rob soon ventured south and stayed at The Creel – a well known trout-fishing camp hut.

They began skiing behind what is now known as Sponar’s Lakeside Inn – on the Kerry Slope and Grand Slam. These “runs” are still visible today from the smooth bitumen highway! Primitive skis were hired from the Hotel’s former timber slab stables, complete with dirt floor. This “ski centre” doubled as entertainment and shelter area, also housing the bar. An old ropetow and plenty of climbing did not prevent Rob from succumbing to one of life’s best incurable diseases. Other trips followed, his ability and interest in the sport and its environment increased; the Smiggins ropetow operated by John Abbotsmith was sampled and on to Perisher!

In 1956, friends Carl Matthes and Carl Martin accompanied Rob to Thredbo to stay in a lodge for a weeks skiing. 1957 saw Danny Thompson and Ian Boydell join the ski trek. Ambitions to build a lodge of their “own” for families and friends strengthened. Comparisons between Perisher and Thredbo were discussed as the group assessed the potential opportunity to form a club and construct accommodation within the Kosciusko State Park Trust – on the slopes! Regulations, costs and site availability were evaluated, and Perisher was a clear favourite for the minimal resources envisaged.

Thr original Sundeck Hotel in Perisher Valley had opened in 1958 with Rob and Beverly visiting before fire destroyed the structure. Other sundeck guests and keen skiers of the time were Les and Kay Genner. By chance the Granthams and Genners met the following July, 1959 when both couples were among the opening week guests at the Man from Snowy River Hotel. Ideas were exchanged further strengthening a resolve to form a club. Les later provided the “Parramatta linkage”, inviting fellow Rotarians Ken Brown, Mick Dolphin, Steve Jedlin, Ken Marshall, and John Thomas to become members.

More formal meetings of the enlarged group commenced later that winter of 1959, with a resolution that Carl Martin lodge an application for a site in Perisher Valley.

Correspondence over this period remains ‘missing’, however Carl wrote seven letters over many months to which no reply was received. According to Les Genner, a reply finally arrived on a Thursday in May, 1961 – inviting application for a Site 12, Stage 1.

Early the next evening Ian Boydell, Carl Martin and Rob Grantham ‘took off’ in Rob’s Volkswagen for Perisher. They surveyed Site 12 and other allocated sites – taking a liking to a Site 8, which had already been previously allotted to “Yarrandoo” club – however no commencement of Building was evident. They drove down to the Waste Point office of Kosciusko Sate Park Trust (KSPT) to meet with Superintendent Neville Gair.

It was revealed tat 8 weeks had passed without response from Yarrandoo. A request suggesting that since “Beachcomber’s” were enthusiastic and ready to proceed, the Supt. may consider reversing the allocation of Sites 12 and 8! The supt. agreed “subject to approval of the Trust.” The survey party triumphantly returned to Site 8 – in atrocious cold wind and rain to allow photographs to be taken and for architect Ian to take measurements and draft a site plan – under the inadequate protection of a ground sheet.

It is necessary to add at this point that the name Beachcombers Alpine Retreat was coined by Eric Wright of Radio 2UE – a prospective member at the time

Ian Boydell had drawn a comprehensive plan to submit with the original application. Ian kindly wrote the following recollections in April ’91. It is appropriate to include this excellent letter.

149 High St. North

Sydney 2060

April, 1991

How did the design of Beachcombers Lodge evolve. Well, looking back 30 years to our earliest discussions, enquiries and head-scratchings, our design criteria (if we had ever written them down) would probably have looked something like this:

1, 2 & 3: It has to be very economical

4: Maximum 16 beds (that’s what was allowed in our lease)

5: Self-contained rooms (all other lodges being built at the time has dormitory-style accommodation)

6: Plus an extra toilet (subsequently expanded to include a shower) for visitors and Loft-dwellers.

Thanks to the original survey team having niftily swiped the site from another club to which it had already been allocated, we were fortunate in being able to nestle the lodge up to a lovely stand of snow gums – which led to the layout having to be given a rapid mirror-reversal, as a sacred tree had somehow got in the way of the entrance!

Structurally, there weren't many decisions to make – the building was mostly timber-framed (because amateurs can work in timber, and because the K.S.P.T. preferred timber cladding as being harmonious to the Park environment). The wall and roof framing, being built and assembled in Rob Grantham's Sydney workshop, was in Oregon – the rest of the timber (floors and cladding) was loval hardwood (splinters and all) because that's what was available.

It was certainly a "no-frills" lodge, but a group of 20 odd (mostly) unskilled families, aided by great enthusiasm and persistence, and Rob's experienced guidance, put it up in six months, in all weather, in the weeks and weekends that could be spared from their other lives, and it opened for business in the winter of '62!

A few lessons were learned along the way, from grazed knuckles when bedmaking against concrete block walls, to the Rugby scrums that tended to develop in the kitchen. In 1975-76, an extra Living Room was added to the eastern end of the Lodge, by popular demand as the crush in the original space was starting to make the walls bulge: other alterations have occurred since then as needs change, and no doubt more will follow.

What does the architect think about it, 30 years on? I have to say that if I were facing the same problems and difficulties again, there isn't very much that I would alter from that original sketch.

Ian Boydell

The first recorded minutes – in our present possession, arise from a meeting on 15 July 1961. President Mr Grantham opened the meeting by giving prospective members an outline of the Site, proposed building of the club, explanation of "plan layout", and a suggestion to elect a Social Committee. Slides of the site were shown and the general Perisher area. Questions by prospective members related to: working parties, supply of materials, financial arrangements, a future fireplace, food arrangements, and bookings. (Nothing much has changed in 30 years!) Discussion followed on transport of materials and the need to purchase a truck. Next meeting was set for 12 August 1961.

Present at this initial meeting were:

Mr and Mrs Rob Grantham Mr Barry Andrews

Mr and Mrs Ian Boydell Mr and Mrs Barry Lovegrove

Mr and Mrs Cal Martin Mr and Mrs Brian Lovegrove

Mrs J Devine Mr Bob Heap

Mr and Mrs Carl Matthes Miss Joyce Casey

Mr and Mrs Peter Winkworth Mr David Lyle

Mr and Mrs Paul Salmon

On 4 August 1961 Hon.Sec. Carl Martin received a timely conformation from K.S.P.T. Sec. (name unreadable – signature only!)

Dear Sir,

I wish to advise that the Trust has approved in principle the allocation of Site 8, Stage 1, Perisher Valley, to your Club for the erection of a ski lodge subject to the following conditions.

1. Final approval to be conditional on the furnishing of detailed plans and specifications, articles of association, certificate of registration as company limited by guarantee, etc.

2. That the loft showing the living room may be used for emergency accommodation on a casual basis only, and not used as regular sleeping area.

3. Payment of ₤450 contribution to community services to be made before commencement of project.

4. The Club to be responsible for stabilisation of ground surface and vegetation around each lodge to the satisfaction of the Trust, and as directed by the Trust.

5. Final location of building, septic tank, drainage lines, etc. shall be subject to the approval of an authorised Trust officer.

6. The project shall not commence before notification of the proposed commencement is given to the Park Superintendent.

7. During the course of the project the Club, or its contractors shall comply with all reasonable requirements of an authorised Trust officer or with Park regulations.

The Trust Architect has made the following comment on the sketch plan which accompanied your application:

"This is in our opinion one of the best conceived designs we have had the pleasure of checking. Provided all caution is taken with the waterproof membrane to the Lower Floor this should be a most liveable and attractive hut. The only criticism that can be made is the steepness of the stairway, but we do not consider this to be critical.

We congratulate this Club and its Architect and recommend the approval of the design."

When submitting plans and specifications please forward 5 copies of each. It is now necessary to obtain Council approval of building plans, and this will not be given without a correctly stamped and approved plan from the Trust.

Attention is invited to the fact that building operations must not commence until approval in writing is received from the Trust, and a Building Permit issued by the local Council.

Signed Secretary K.S.P.T.

The October 14 meeting appointed Directors as Rob Grantham, Carl Martin, Ian Boydell, Carl Matthes, and Peter Winkworth. Larkham & Goward were appointed as Hon. Auditors.

A complete election of Office Bearers was decided to be deferred until the Club was fully subscribed.

Les Genner moved that members pay subscriptions in full (₤50?) and a further optional ₤50 as a Debenture to the Club entitling them to use the Club facilities at a basic rate as the Board may decide. This further debenture to be repayable when the original loan on the Club house has been paid. Seconded Carl Martin and carried.

Also present at this meeting and not mentioned above were Mrs R Grantham, Mrs I Boydell, Mrs C Matthes, Mr and Mrs A Boydell, Mr and Mrs A Cortissos, Mr and Mrs R Green, Mr and Mrs R Pollard, Mrs L Genner, Mr and Mrs K Lush, Mr and Mrs A Smith, Mr and Mrs D Thompson, Mr and Mrs J Walker, and Mrs C Martin.

The next meeting was held on November 11 and the pace began to lift. discussions on individual insurance cover while working on the building, and the number of truck occupants to remain within legal limits. Work parties for concreting the foundations were arranged for mid-December. Drainage excavations had already commenced. John Walker, Dave Clare, Mick Dolphin, Peter Winkworth, and Stan Michael nominated for the weekend – with 3 prepared to stay longer to finish if necessary. The loan from several members of concreting tools and equipment is documented – mixers (3), barrows, shovel and floats.

More volunteers were required to work on prefabrication of wall and roof framing at Rob's Warriewood home. Mssrs A Boydell, Gordon Standing, R Grantham, S Michael, C Martin, I Boydell, L Genner, K Marshall, Russ Pollard, and C Matthes – were rostered.

Erection of this frame was estimated to take 12 days in January and require 4 men.

"The meeting noted with satisfaction that the members had undertaken to pay a total of ₤2,650.0.0 in Debentures and Subscriptions and ₤1,000.0.0 by way of loan, and in addition the Mutual Acceptance Co. Ltd. had undertaken to provide a loan of ₤1,500.0.0."

Present at this meeting were :

Rob Grantham Carl Martin

Mr and Mrs I Boydell Mr and Mrs D Clare

Mr and Mrs P Winkworth Mr and Mrs S Jedlin

Mr and Mrs A Boydell Mr and Mrs G Standing

Mr and Mrs L Genner Mr and Mrs K Marshall

Mr and Mrs M Dolphin Mr and Mrs S Michael

The 12 January 1962 meeting saw a few more new faces and the organisation of transport and 3 construction-site working parties.

13th January 25th January 3rd February

Arnold Boydell Ian Boydell Ashton Gough

Mick Dolphin Arnold Boydell Rob Grantham

Steve Jedlin Ashton Gough Les Genner

Earl Gough John Allen Ken Marshall

Carl Martin Dave Clare Bob Oatley

Rob Grantham Ray Loveday John Thomas

Ian Boydell

Frame and materials were transported by Earl Gough in his truck and the two Carls, in the BAR truck.

Intermediate Members – it was decided members of 16 years pay ₤20 debenture, Subs of ₤1.10.0 and at 21 years a further ₤30 debenture.

Further on finance, Ian Boydell asked for volunteers to lend the Club ₤100 pounds at 7% interest.

Les Genner suggested name cards for members should be worn at meetings! It is also noted that the minutes secretary has relaxed to first names – even for the wives!!

Present were:

Ian and Libby Boydell John and Adele Walker

Les and Kay Genner Dave and Connie Clare

Rob Grantham Mick and Dora Dolphin

Arnold and Judy Boydell Diana Dolphin

Earl and Ashton Gough John and Pat Allen

Ken Marshall Bob Oatley

Peter and Diana Winkworth Ian and Margaret Perkins

Carl Matthes Carl and Dorothy Martin

The next meeting on 22 February 1962 called for further volunteers in an effort to complete all outside work – "such as septic tank and stone facings". Work parties were as follows:

Weekend 24th February Weekend 3rd March

Rob Grantham Ken Brown

Ian Boydell Earl cough

Arnold Boydell John Thomas

Ashton Gough Ken Marshall

Danny Thompson Bob Oatley

Plumbers: Don McFarlane and Ian Woods

Weeks commencing:

17th March 18th April

David Shannon Les Genner

Ken Brown Bob Oatley

John Walker John and Pat Allen

John Thomas Arnold Boydell

Wick Beeston

A discussion concerning an outside loan for ₤2000 followed with Les Genner to instigate proceedings with The Bank of NSW.

A Director's Meeting on 22 March further discussed this loan for ₤2000, with 10 guarantors required – who will in turn be guaranteed by all members of the Club.

- Kay Genner and Libby Boydell supplied prices for the wholesale purchase of furnishing for the lodge.

- Les Genner put forward an offer by Carl Raymond of Ski Sports, Strand Arcade, Sydney to handle bookings for the club – free of charge for members and a 5% fee for non-members. Discussion followed and while the idea of non-members booking did not appeal, financial commitments determined acceptance. However a members preferential booking period until 24th April 1962 was decided.

- Decision was made to send a circular to all members who had not served allotted working time asking them to contact the Secretary "as to when their time could be served or otherwise pay their forfeit of ₤40 weekly". The minimum time served by members was fixed at two weeks – or one week and four weekends.

- Earl Gough was elected to Directorship.

An Extraordinary General Meeting was held on 30 March 1962. Minutes, Building and Finance reports were followed by:

- a motion from Les Genner that 6 April be the final date for deciding work time or forfeit.

- an explanation by Steve Jedlin of the preferential booking scheme; revised to members closing 14th April, friends of members on 30th April.

- a suggestion from Libby Boydell that members donate utensils – and that a Club dinner be held.

- further discussion on furnishings.

The final recorded meeting before the opening ski season was a Directors' Meeting on 25th April 1962. General business is recorded as:

- Bookings to be Saturday to Saturday

- Moved Les Genner that school holiday bookings be confined to one week.

- Child up to 16 years staying with a member family be charged ₤2 per week.

- Discussions on a possible hut manager.

- Each room to have a schedule of House Rules

- June 1962 to have only members booked, as lodge will be incomplete

- Store only to be open when member present.

- House Captains to be notified of their appointment before holiday period.

- Phone calls to be paid for at the lodge.

- Food to be paid for at the lodge – later altered to be paid to Dave Clare (Stores Officer) in Sydney.

- Truck to be registered for another 3 months.

- Food to be railed to Cooma, then be picked up by Club truck. Truck then returned to Sydney.

- Secretary to prepare schedule of House Rules and Duties of House Captain. These to be sent to the lodge to put up in prominent position.

Steve Jedlin elected to Directorship.

This completes the pre-season survey of the Minute Book.

I had hoped to intersperse anecdotal evidence from "many" Foundation Members as the above events unfolded. For example, Rob tells me the story of his old car with serious radiator problems, forcing work party occupants needing to return for work in Sydney to take the plane from Cooma. they were still in work clothes and carrying hand tools as they boarded the aircraft and really looked the part at Mascot!

Please forward your contribution for an expanded re-draft.

Libby Boydell contributed this special summary of her memories:

Formative Days at Beachcombers for the Boydells

Rob's wife Bev was a school friend of mine, and it was at her 21st party that we first met Rob. After they married and Rob was bitten by the skiing bug, he sounded us out about forming a Club. We had skied a little at Kiandra, Falls Creek and Perisher – and were equally "bitten", but poor.

Our first meeting numbered six of us. Rob, Bev, Carl, Dorothy, Ian and myself. This was to decide the philosophy and requirements for form a club. On looking around the room it seemed a pre-requisite to membership was pregnancy – all three of us in an advanced state with Doug, Murray and Janet respectively. But seriously it was to be a club where a couple could afford to take their children – and no extra charge for them.

But the 2.2 child average family didn't exist at Beachcombers, and the loft was to take the extras on mattresses, and the occasional body sheltering from the blizzard.

The number of members was calculated so that no family would miss out on a weeks skiing each season – so the limit was 25 families (50 members). The original membership cost a ₤50 debenture (2 per family) AND two weeks labour by each male member.

This quickly sorted out prospective members who were keen enough to participate in the building and it also proved a wonderful way to get to know and appreciate the strengths and weaknesses of our fellow members. Friendships were made, broken and re-made during this period.

The choosing of the site was another story – of which you already have an account.

Christmas 1961 saw Ian and me with Douglas (6 months), watching the building rise from the slab as we laboured for the bricklayer and his wife. The frame was built with members help in Rob's garage at night and after purchasing our famous, but ancient truck, which was sold for a profit at the end of the job, was transported to the site by work parties. A form of transport quite unique to most.

The organisation and enthusiasm was terrific, and the many adventures and humorous events over this time welded not only a lodge, but firm friendships.

- phrases like "Never had to put a spanner on this car" invariably spelt doom. The inevitable running out of fuel late on Friday night short of the Four Mile station near Cooma.

- the picture of the enthusiastic Dave Clare riding the ladder through the kitchen window, when it slipped from the roof – and then bouncing and riding it back into the bushes, only to be asked "Had he bent the roofing sheet?"

- the patient preschooler David Genner, while Kay and I tramped through warehouses to outfit the interior.

These memories – the weekend with the sanding machine – ugh! the dust. The days it snowed when outside work had to be done – brr!

Precious memories – and all before the enjoyment of a skiing holiday in the finished lodge.

I could write a whole chapter on staying in the lodge and later work parties.

Libby Boydell.

My thanks to Libby and Ian Boydell, Rob Grantham, Carl Martin, Les Genner, Ruth Jedlin and Michelle Vale – for their response, contribution and assistance.

Brian Marshall, AGM 2nd April 1993

July 1993: This copy placed in the lodge may stimulate further contributions. Please take the time to add your memories. I have obviously a lot more to write to get us through the 60's.