The SRSC has received an invitation to participate in an inter-club ski competition for Guthega clubs.   It would be held on Saturday 10 September, with the intention being that it become an event held every second year. 

The competition and range of awards is designed to encourage a wide range of member participation:

• the  “race” would be a two-run giant slalom team race down the Lindner run (left hand side of the Blue Calf T-bar as you look up)
• each club would be able to enter a team of 15, each of whom is a member of the club (I will find out whether this includes associates) and at least 18 years old on the day of the race.  The result is based on the best 6 times of the team
• other awards would be given based on a handicap system which the organiser describes as a “work in progress”, and on which our views are sought.  However, the purpose of the system would be to encourage people who wouldn’t normally race to join in and have some fun (e.g. older members etc.), and ensure no single club takes away all the trophies (e.g. other awards for best crash etc.)
• the day would culminate with a BBQ presentation outside at the Guthega Alpine Hotel on the Saturday afternoon of the race.

The organisers would like to know whether we as a club would like to participate.  

Accordingly, would you please let me know as soon as possible:

• Whether you would like to participate?
• If you did, would you like to organise the club’s entry?  (If nobody else has the time or inclination I’d be happy to do this, but of course would appreciate a hand if there is more to it than I contemplate (!)).   

Given the short time period they have to work in,  the organisers do need to know as soon as possible whether there is sufficient interest in order to take this forward with Perisher Race Department. 

I’d like to get back to them this Sunday, so please get back to me by the 7th August if you are interested.   Please feel free to respond on an indicative basis, as there is no need to commit at this stage.

Matthew Barnard
clubsecretary@snowyriverskiclub.com.au
0449 263 521

• 2011 - AGM Meeting Notice & Agenda
• Financial Statements - Year Ended 31 December 2010
• 2011 - Treasurer’s Report
• 2011 - AGM Chairman’s Report

This is just to let you know that one of our long-standing members has decided it’s time to hang up the skis and the walking boots and move on to other things.

The one person currently on the Board’s approved list of purchasers isn’t able to take up the opportunity at this moment, so I am seeking expressions of interest from members who may have family members, friends who are or have been guests at the lodge, or other folk they know who might be interested in taking up a share in the club.

Please let me know if you might be interested or know someone who is.

Cheers,

Paul Isaks
Secretary
SRSC

This is just an early notification of the coming AGM, to be held at ACT Sports House, 100 Maitland Street, HACKETT ACT 2602, on Saturday 21 May 2011. Papers for the AGM will be distributed early in May.

If there are any matters you wish to have raised at the AGM, please contact me by email or by phone after 7pm week days on 02 6291 7006.

I will be retiring from the Board at the AGM and there are four vacancies on the Board. The other sitting Board members (Tony Slatyer, Iris Bramley and Peter Newton) have indicated willingness to stand again for election at the 2011 AGM. If there are any other members interested in participating as a member of the Board, I encourage you to advise me as soon as possible.

Cheers,

Paul Isaks

It’s one of the questions we ask ourselves when planning our annual trip to the snow…which will it be; Perisher or Thredbo?

Up until now, you’ve always had to choose one or the other when purchasing multi-day lift tickets, but in an unprecedented move for the resorts, Perisher and Thredbo have today announced a new lift ticket, that will allow skiers and snowboarders access to both resorts.

The new ‘SuperSki Ticket’; a five day lift ticket; will be available in the peak winter season from 25th June to 4th September and can be used within any six day period.

CEO of Perisher, Peter Brulisauer said, “We’re delighted to be announcing the SuperSki Ticket. In addition to offering greater flexibility and value for money, it opens a multitude of opportunities for skiers and snowboarders who now have access to over 1,700 skiable hectares, over 60 lifts, Australia’s best terrain parks, not to mention the widest choice of terrain in the Southern Hemisphere, all on the one ticket.

General Manager of Thredbo, Kim Clifford said, “Major resorts in Europe and North America have offered similar successful products in the past providing greater value for their guests. To do the same at Australia’s leading resorts is certainly very exciting.”

With the new lift ticket, skiers and snowboarders will get to choose to ski or snowboard at Perisher for a minimum of three days and Thredbo for up to two, or vice versa, with the first day being redeemed at their nominated ‘home’ resort (refer to www.superski.com.au for more details).

The new SuperSki Ticket is available for purchase online from either the Perisher or Thredbo websites; via the new SuperSki website www.superski.com.au, or through select snow holiday agents. The SuperSki Ticket also comes with a bonus - lift ticket holders will be given an extra half day (from noon) on the day prior to their first full day.

The cost of the new five day SuperSki Ticket is $499 for adults and $275 for children, which represents a saving of up to $42 on the purchase of single day tickets across both resorts. For further info, check out www.superski.com.au.

This year’s work party dates are planned to be on the following Sundays:

1. 20 February
2. 20 March
3. 17 April
4. 22 May (if required)
5. 29 May (cleaning only)

Work party dates may need to be modified if the deck is being reconstructed, to fit in which the builders schedule.

Attendees earn a $100 credit on the relevant member’s account with the club which can be used to offset accommodation or subscription costs. This is aimed to help offset out of pocket expenses (fuel, park entry etc) involved in attending. A maximum of two credits can be earned per work party per membership.

If you think you may wish to attend any work party this year, please contact Tony Slatyer, the Lodge Maintenance Officer, by email at slatyer@velocitynet.com.au, who will advise you of the procedures. Tony may already have contacted you directly if you have previously been involved in work parties.

Newsletter of the Snowy River Ski Club Cooperative Ltd
Doorack Lodge at Guthega in the Kosciuszko National Park

December 2010

Hello to all members,
Christmas is almost upon us which means it’s time for an end of year Snobounds.

Board Members

Have you considered making some of your time available to help keep the club running? Paul Isaks, our much valued secretary had decided that come the AGM in 2011, he wants to move onto other challenges, so we will need to replace him. With the increased focus on fire safety in the mountains it is possible that we will need to expand the Board to enable more time to be given to ensuring the Lodge remains safe and compliant whilst not overwhelming our Board.

Accommodation Charges

It has been some years since accommodation rates were adjusted, at the last Board meeting it was agreed that accommodation charges needed to be adjusted to reflect current costs. For Winter bookings made from Jan 1 2011, new rates will apply. You will find full new rate information below, however the quick summary is that the adult winter weekly rate has increased from $70 to $85. While on the subject of accommodation, please remember to advise Paul Isaks of any changes to your associates before 31 December, otherwise they will have to pay the guest rate rather than the lower associate rate.

Ongoing work

As is the case every year, things wear out and need to be replaced. If things go to plan, the following projects are expected to occur this summer:

• Replacement of the oven, David Hogg is looking into this and we are close to making a decision.
• Improving/replacing the deck. Tony Slatyer is working on plans for this and we hope that this summer will see some progress.
• Fire safety. The sprinkler system heads need to be replaced with heads that activate at a lower temperature, this is specialist work and we are currently discussing this work with National Fire Service in Canberra.

Fire Awareness

Although it seems as though the entire east coast is underwater, dry weather is probably not far away. Have you ever had to deal with a kitchen fire, or a small fire anywhere else? Did you know that local fire brigades often run courses to familiarise people with different types of extinguishers and basic fire fighting skills? A little knowledge can make these sorts of situations much less intimidating.
Wishing you all a happy and safe Christmas from myself and the Board,
Peter Newton.

Snowy River Ski Club Co-operative Limited

Board Membership 2010-11

Chairman
Peter Newton - Retires AGM 2011
Email: pdnewton@netspeed.com.au

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Secretary
Paul Isaks - Retires AGM 2011
Email: paul.isaks@optusnet.com.au

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Treasurer
David Hogg - Retires AGM 2012
Email: dhogg@homemail.com.au

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Winter bookings
Iris Bramley - Retires AGM 2011
Email: winter@snowyriverskiclub.com.au
Email: srsc_winter@optusnet.com.au

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Lodge maintenance
Tony Slatyer - Retires AGM 2011
Email: slatyer@velocitynet.com.au

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Lodge supplies/re-cycling
April Henderson - Retires AGM 2012
Email: april@amtechprecision.com.au

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Summer bookings
Tony Adams - Retires AGM 2012
Email: summer@snowyriverskiclub.com.au
Email: srsc_summer@home.netspeed.com.au

Lease Extension

The Board considers that the timing is appropriate to renew our lease until 2025, which with a 30 year option, will secure our lease until 2058. The cost of this will be $22,400, or $224.40 per membership, which, we anticipate will be raised by a membership levy. The following information prepared by Tony Adams sets out the detail of this Lease Renewal process.
Doorack Lodge is located within the Kosciusko National Park and we lease the property from NSW National Parks and Wildlife (NPWS). As the current lease is to expire in 2025, and if we take no action, then we will be obliged to vacate the premises and hand the keys to NPWS in 2025.

NPWS have offered to renew the lease with a new term starting July 2011, terminating in 2028 with a 30 year option for extension. This would take our lease to 2058, which is the current termination date for the Perisher Blue lease. NPWS is aiming to align all Perisher Blue club and commercial leases to this date.

NPWS have provided us with a draft lease for consideration. This lease has been offered to and accepted by other clubs. This new lease arrangement is the outcome of the process undertaken by NPWS in 2006 to renew all club leases and issue additional bed licences. SRSC did not participate as we did not want any additional bed licences and because the form of the lease being offered was not attractive. The lease now offered is more acceptable as some of the more onerous clauses have been removed following a process of negotiation with other clubs.

The Club Board has given careful consideration to the terms of the lease and the general circumstances of our tenure of the property. The Board has determined that the offer being made by NPWS should be accepted. This will secure our tenure over the lodge until 2058.

The previous round of offers, of which SRSC did not take part, was done under special legislation. We are now outside the gamut of that legislation and our new lease must go to the relevant NSW Minister for special consent. NPWS are happy to facilitate this.

The costs associated with the new lease include payment of a Lease Extension premium. This is a one off cash payment, the amount being fixed by NPWS. The amount varies between resorts and Guthega has the lowest rate at $935 per bed. This would put the total for Doorack Lodge at $22,440. The Board considers this to be a reasonable investment for members to protect the value of their shareholdings for the foreseeable future.This amount will need to be raised by way of a membership levy, equating to $224.40 per membership.

The new lease is in most respects similar to the current lease. A key requirement is the accommodation maximum of 24 beds (as is currently the case), and an increased emphasis on occupational health and safety and fire risk issues. There is also a limit on the total time that any person can occupy the lodge in a season as follows: “No person, other than bona fide on-site managers and/or staff of the premises, shall occupy the accommodation for more than six weeks in any snow season nor for more than twenty-six weeks in any year”. All of these requirements either are already, or will be integrated into the lodge operating procedures.
Any members who wish to discuss this matter or who have any questions are encouraged to contact a Board Member. Notification of the membership levy will be issued shortly with the 2010 annual subscription notice.

Attached for your records is a copy of the club rules, with the changes approved to the limits on annual subscriptions (see Rules 12 (b), 15A and 75) by the Registrar of Cooperatives

• SRSC Rules - Approved December 2010