Kosciuszko Huts Association in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory | Non-profit organisation

Kosciuszko Huts Association

Locality: Canberra, Australian Capital Territory

Address: GPO Box 2509 2601 Canberra, ACT, Australia

Website: http://www.khuts.org

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25.01.2022 Some good news on the reopening of Namadgi Park; no word yet on the rebuilding of Demandering and Max & Berts Huts though! https://www.abc.net.au//majority-of-namadgi-nati/13045556

24.01.2022 Monitoring proceedings; do you have a house or shop lizard!

24.01.2022 The loo at Seamens hut is completed and open. This will relieve a lot of congestion during the winter months for skiers visiting the area.

24.01.2022 Waterhole Hut Photo courtesy of Narelle Irvine, 2014 Waterhole is located upstream on Grassy Creek, from Westermans homestead, almost on the southern ACT border with NSW. It cannot be seen from the fire trail, so following the creek upstream from the old yards, is the easiest way to find it.... Waterhole Hut is on the Namadgi Historic Homestad Triangle. Also known as Upper Grassy Creek Hut or Oldfields Hut. Brief History Waterhole hut was built by the then owner, Thomas Oldfield, his son Jack and Henry Tyrie in 1939, to support grazing. Stones were used from the old homestead nearby, for the base to the chimney. the old homestead had been occupied by Thomas Westerman's mother with her second husband, Francis Dwyer. The stock yards nearby, are of note, incorporating large granite boulders. In 2004 and 2005, the hut was fully restored by KHA and the caretakers. Construction Waterhole is a simple iron hut with a dirt floor. The pole and iron chimney had fallen over and was re-built. The floor was originally timber, and will also be replaced. The door and verandah were both missing, but KHA has rebuilt them using photographs showing how it originally looked. References M Sexton - pers comm Matthew Higgins - pers comm. KHA Reference Number is 1704

23.01.2022 Welcome to 2021 !

22.01.2022 Tim the Yowie Man agrees with Klaus Hueneke. Rebuild the historic huts burnt in the 2020 fires. Also if you are looking for a good read over the Festive Season Klaus has a new book out!

22.01.2022 Bushfolds No.6 Hut Year Built: 1965 Alternate Name(s): Dr Pearsons, Reads Hut Condition: Some minor damage after 2020 Orroral Valley fires... HMO: Namadgi Photo: Olaf Moon 2006 Located in the newer part of Namadgi, at the southern end of the Bushfold Flat, behind Mt Tennent. The other hut, also referred to as Reads or Bushfold or McMahons sat at the northern end of Bushfold Valley. There is much debate over the correct naming of this hut. "Reads" is generally considered the historically correct name, but local farmers and personalities more commonly refer to it as "Dr Pearsons". Bushwalkers tend to call it Bushfold. History Bushfold sections 110, 111, 112 and 113 were first selected in the 1880s by members of the McKeahnie Family, who held Booroomba Station nearby. The original hut was built in 1884 and sat to the south-east of the current structure where only stones remain today. McKeahnies later built a tin hut south-west but stones from the chimney have not been re-located since the 1970s. After 1902, Martin and Tom McMahon took up some sections and Martin built a slab hut at the current location. There blocks became part of Booromba until John Hyles bought the station in 1952. Hyles then sold Bushfold to George Read in 1953. George's son Russell paid off the northern section, known then as McMahons. In 1954, George and Russell built this hut. In about 1965, the section and hut were sold to Dr Hugh Pearson and his wife, Peg. Pearson later died in a car accident near by and the property passed to Brian McCormack until the lease expired in March 1994. The hut was built in two sections. The southern end had a concrete floor and the northern end, added by Pearson, was left as a garage wtih dirt floor. Subsequently, the hut was slightly damaged by the 2003 bushfires. The Parks Service and NPA volunteers subsequently pulled the building down and cleared this site and Reeds. On September 19, 2003, the Namadgi Park Board agreed to allow KHA to rebuild the hut on the same site. Rebuilding commenced in May 2004 and three workparties, one during light snow, had completed it to "enclosed state" by September 2004. The new hut is identical in size, but the timber framing is slightly heavier. See the second page, Reeds, for details on the huts at the northern end of Bushfold. Construction Iron walls and roof, over a concrete slab. Two rooms with a brick fireplace. The chimney is unusual in that it was made from a ships boiler in welded steel. References Matthew Higgins Namadgi Sites 1994 p7. Val Jeffreys - pers comm Steve Angus - pers comm.

21.01.2022 There are lessons to be learnt from every catastrophe, and it is important that procedures and practices are reviewed and changed as necessary. https://www.abc.net.au//defence-caused-orroral-va/12933306

21.01.2022 Looks like the Bobeyan Road will be closed for a bit too!

21.01.2022 Major Clews Hut Year Built: 1960s Alternate Name(s): Back Creek Condition: Good... photo G. Swift - Range Rover Club of NSW, year unknown Located at the western side of the park, a few kilometres west of the Geehi Flats area. While this hut survived the 2003 bushfires, it was damaged by visitors and the toilet collapsed. From 2007-2009 substantial restoration was done by the Range Rover Club of NSW, with help from the Land Rover Owners Club of Sydney. Brief History This hut was built by Major Clews in the early 1960s as a retirement home and for farming. It once had a substantial flower garden surrounding the house. Nearby, there stood an original cottage, that was only re-discovered in 2001 (as a ruin). Major Clews extensive story with the military and SMA is the subject of a recent book by Noel Gough. Noel was the longest HMO for this area until his death in January 2010. The hut was resumed in 1977 by the National Park. Extensive restoration work on Major Clews hut was primarily carried out by the Range Rover Club of NSW, with help from the Land Rover Owners Club of Sydney. Club members rebuilt walls both externally and internally, removed the concrete render which was causing the hut to deteriorate and re-rendered the outside and some of the inside with locally-sourced mud that the original mud bricks and rammed earth walls were constructed from. Construction The house is unique in that it is built of pise or mud brick. There are three rooms above a cement floor and cement and stone fireplace. References Gavan Swift RRC NSW Pers. Comm. Hueneke Pp 244 KNP POM is L.86.

20.01.2022 They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old; Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them.

20.01.2022 A seminar on dieback of SnowGums for interested citizen scientists.

19.01.2022 More areas of Namadgi National Park have opened after the devastating fires of 2020. Some road access and areas are still closed, but the Australian Alps Walking Track (AAWT) is now open. Good work everyone involved. Next step is to get the two huts, Demandering and Max & Berts', that were burnt rebuilt.

18.01.2022 Please sign this petition for the rebuilding of the Historic Huts burnt in the Orroral Valley fires of 2020.

17.01.2022 Coree Fire Tower Year Built: 1960s Condition: Unknown... Located at the summit of Mt Coree, Namadgi National Park. Brief History Built for bushfire spotting Construction Steel frame and panel boards. Floor of wood. References This hut is not listed in the KHA register currently.

15.01.2022 It's NAIDOC week, so a good time to reflect on the life of Indigenous stockmen in the high country.

15.01.2022 Glass artist Holley Grace has donated two works for the KHA raffle. You can see her latest exhibition of High Country inspired works https://mailchi.mp//exhibition-opening-holly-grace-thursda and get tickets in the Round Mountain Hut raffle here https://www.rafflelink.com.au/kha-kosciuszko-huts

15.01.2022 Murphys' law and fieldwork!

15.01.2022 Doctor Forbes Hut Year Built: 1940s Alternate Name(s): Doctors No.2, Nicholsons Hut. Condition: Good... HMO: Snowy Photo of the rebuilt hut - Bob Guy, 2010 Located in the Geehi River Flats area, and is the one stone hut on the north side of the Thredbo to Khancoban road. Accessible from a short 4WD track just before (east side) of the Geehi River bridge, plus a "jump" across the creek. Brief History This hut may be known as Doctors No.2 Hut as it was built on the site of an earlier hut that burnt down in the 1939 bushfires. It is one of five river stone huts located within the Geehi area along the Swampy Plains River. The local environment heavily influenced the materials fron which a hut was built, and river stone is in plentiful supply. It was built by Ned Nicholson and Dr John Forbes (John Forbes married Peggy Nicholson, one of Ned's daughters.) and used by a wide group of friends. Neil Forbes has written his memories of the hut: "Ned continued to use the hut until his death in the mid sixties, and I remember flying into the Geehi airstip with him in a light aircraft from Khancoban on his last trip. No fishing was done but it was a great trip for Ned sitting in his chair at the end of the table, with a whiskey at hand. I don' t recall any mention of a caretaker, unless it was one of the Forbes Boys (4), we spent as much time there as possible. There was an arrangement with the national parks rangers (Peter Ingram, I think was the main contact to use the hut as a base until they were told to distance themselves from the private huts before they were taken over by the parks. Originally we never locked the hut however, it became a necessity after theft and vandalism became a continuous event. The Park Rangers had keys. And I recall some lost walkers broke in one year used what they needed, repaired what they could, left their names and address with $5.00(I think it was a Sydney address). That was what the hut was for." Construction This hut is built of river stones on a concrete floor, with a stone and concrete chimney. It includes a sleepout and verandah, covered by an iron roof. There was an external toilet, but it is yet to be rebuilt. The structure including stone walls was badly damaged in the 2003 fires, and has been rebuilt by NPWS and KHA volunteers. It is now in excellent condition, and a tribute to the workers.

14.01.2022 Meet a dragon this weekend at Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, and see the wonderful work they do in preserving our unique wild life. (Booking Required)

13.01.2022 KHA 50th Anniversary Raffle Round Mountain Hut Illuminated Glass Work Raffle Tickets $10 Buy tickets online from https://www.rafflelink.com.au/kha-kosciuszko-huts... 1st Prize Round Mountain Glass Hut is a spectacular piece created by award winning Glass Artist Holly Grace $6,600 RRP https://www.hollygrace.com and donated to KHA. This beautiful work of art can be illuminated internally and projects the huts details onto the surrounding room with spectacular effects. The works will be displayed at the Canberra Glass Works and then the Jindabyne NPWS visitors centre. $6,600 RRP Tickets are priced at $10 each, 2 tickets for $18, 3 tickets for $25, 6 tickets for $50 1st Prize $6,600 Round Mountain Hut illuminated Glass Work 520 x 520 x 420 (w, d, h, in mm) 2nd Prize $3,300 Round Mountain Hut Billy Glass Work 320 x 420 x 355 (w, d, h, in mm) Prizes drawn at the KHA 50th Anniversary 6 November 2021 @ Jindabyne Sport & Rec.

12.01.2022 Hope you enjoyed your Easter weekend!

12.01.2022 Happy International Mountain Day; here are some crackers from Tassie.

11.01.2022 Namadgi Park closures due to the inclement weather.

11.01.2022 After the rain... Namadgi partial reopening and Boboyen road open again!

10.01.2022 Old Currango Homestead Year Built: 1873 Alternate Name(s): Currangorambla Condition: Good... HMO: Tantangara Old Currango Homestead is located just below the tree line at the NW end of Currangorambla Plain, with fantastic views across the plains to the Brindabella Ranges in the east. It is accessible via the Mosquito Creek Firetrail or by walking from Currango Homestead or the Port Phillip Firetrail. If you take the latter, stay on the trail, as short cuts can be very wet. Brief History The primary building was built in 1873 by Tom O'Rourke, who had been grazing on the plain since 1834. It is the oldest remaining building in the Kociuszko National Park. An old slab and bark hut had stood a few hundred metres to the south east until the current building was constructed. The kitchen, bedroom and fireplace were built in the 1880s and the store room added in 1900 by Fischer. The army removed the decaying store room in 1981 with? major restoration on the remaining building commencing in 1986 by a select number of former members of the LRC, Talbingo Bushwalkers and KHA . Construction The building is 10m x 7.5m consisting of 4 rooms (living, kitchen, office and bedroom) and a hallway.? The building is constructed entirely of hand split mountain ash, with the interior walls originally lined with hessian and wall paper.? The living room and bedroom have unique coffered ceilings made of milled baltic pine, while the roof is split shingled covered by corrugated iron, which was added at the beginning of the 20th Century. There is a wide verandah to the east and north, and mud mortared stone fireplaces and chimneys. The living room and bedroom has the original 4 pane sash windows, while the kitchen and office have 2 pane windows.

09.01.2022 Round Mountain Hut Year Built: 1930s Condition: Burnt... HMO: Jagungal Photo: Michelle Watson, 2006 Located about three kilometres from the Round Mountain carpark, west of Selwyns Quarry. Brief History The hut was first built in the early 1930s and burnt to the ground in the early 1940's. This one replaced the first, and was built right beside the old shell. It was rebuilt in the 1940s by Faulkner and Whitehead, and used for grazing purposes. The hut was burnt in the 2020 fires, after 80 years, and is being assessed by Parks for a rebuild.If you walk out the back to the dunny, you will be rewarded with a spectacular view of Mt Jagungal. Construction A large hut at 7m by 4.2m, it is built of sawn timber, with a roof and walls of corrugated iron. The floor is timber. There is an iron chimney on an external timber frame, and one window. An external toilet also exists. References Hueneke Pp140-141

09.01.2022 Mawsons Hut Photo Stefan De Montis With spectacular views to Jagungal in the North... Year Built: 1930 Alternate Name(s): Valentine, The Grand Condition: Good HMO: Jagungal Located at the northern end of the Kerries ridge in a glade of large snowgums with views to Mt Jagungal to the north. Some old yards sit below the hut and footpads lead to it (in summer!) Brief History Mawsons was built by Herb Mawson (the manager of "Bobundra" Station) , plus Lindsay Willis, Con Bolton and Jack Bolton in 1930. The ceiling and linings were put in, in late 1930 and the chimney in 1933. For decades, the Exclusive Squirrels Ski Club maintained the hut, and were renowned for keeping a good library. More recently, the new 'Inclusive Squirrel's' members have undertaken replacement of the lining of the hut. The hut also has a fearful reputation for internal wildlife, but its size and location makes it a favourite with XC skiers. It can be a devil to find in a white-out. There is a stream 50m down from the hut. Construction The hut is large at 7m by 4m, with two rooms with windows and a woodstore. The roof and walls are of iron and the floor of wood. The chimney has a concrete base and an iron flue. There is an outside toilet. More Information: Mawsons Hut Historical Background References Hueneke Pp xvi, 37, 49-51, 128, 151. KNP POM Number is L.87. KHA History notes exist for this hut.

08.01.2022 Cootapatamba Hut It was recently rebuilt by Parks and KHA volunteers. Photo by Graham Scully... The hut was originally built by the SMA as a survey shelter. It is unique in that the snow entrance is via a roof top tunnel. There is a summer entrance into the side of the "tower". The fireplace is external to the hut. Cootapatamba is a genuine survival shelter, designed to catch people leaving the summit of Kosciusko during poor weather. The path down this valley would appear to head to safer areas, but in fact heads deep into wilderness. Along with Seaman's this is the only other remaining survival hut above the tree line in KNP. Recently 19 people survived a storm inside the hut, a number it is almost impossible to imagine actually getting in!

07.01.2022 Demandering Hut Year Built: 1940s Alternate Name(s): Curtis Refuge, Mt Clear Condition: Burnt awaiting rebuild... HMO: Namadgi The hut is located a few kilometres down the fire trail from the Mt Clear homestead site, in the Naas Valley. Brief History Curtis was built by Bill Cotter and Jack Simpson, and named after the Cotter family property, Demandering. After the sale of land in 1956, it became and outstation hut to the Mt Clear Station, owned by the Curtis family. Garrett Cotter lived in the area and became a successful landholder after initially being "banished beyond the boundary of civilisation" across the Murrimbidge River during the early days of colonisation. Since becoming part of the National Park, it has become better known as Curtis Hut, but the Curtis's called it the Mt Clear Hut. Unfortunately the hut was badly burnt in the January 2020 bushfires. Construction Curtis Hut is small and built from sawn timber, clad in corrugated iron. The attached water tank is often a welcome site on a summers day. The hut is well off the ground, and the base is clad with stone, making it more than durable. References KHA Reference 2103 (1997). Mathew Higgins

06.01.2022 Merry Xmas and a Safe and Relaxing Festive Season to you and yours!

05.01.2022 Looking back to last years 2019 KHA Heritage Wood Skills event. Covid put paid to this years event; lets hope that 2021 brings more opportunities to get together.

05.01.2022 KHA stalwart Klaus Hueneke was so moved by the loss of the High Country Huts in the 2020 fires that he came out of retirement to write a book on one of his favourite huts 4 Mile Hut, and to raise awareness and support for the hut rebuilding program. Hi, My name is Klaus, I’m the author of Huts of the High Country, first published almost 40 years ago. I’m what some call an old timer. No, not ancient like Alan Andrews, Ted Winter, Elyne Mitchell, Paddy Pallin, Harry... Hill or other mountain legends grew to be, but inching towards 80. I’ve just had a few days paddling and surfing at Tomakin on the Tomaga River. Arriving home I was greeted with a pallet of books wrapped in enough shiny gladwrap to cover a thousand lunches. It was No 14 of my books. No 13 seemed an unlucky end to my book writing so I pressed on with the life story of the hut that is closest to my heart Four Mile near Kiandra - and not far from Mt Tabletop, the name I coined my little business in 1987. Please order here if you don’t wish to read further: WWW.Tabletoppressbooks.com. I started ‘The Life of a Mountain Hut’ about ten years ago, wrote much more of it last year but was stopped dead in my tracks when a wild fire razed 4 Mile in January this year. I was devastated, big time. So was the spirit of the hut. But the spirit would not die, no way. It roared back into life about April and told me in no uncertain terms that I had to finish cum hell or high water. ‘Okay, okay, I hear you, fair crack of the whip.’ It also told me it wants to be rebuilt just as it always was and in the same place. No doubt about it.

04.01.2022 Brown Mountain road restrictions and closures due to land slip.

04.01.2022 If you're looking for a challenge this is the largest vertical gain hike in Australia. Thanks to all of the staff and volunteers who have contributed to maintaining it!

03.01.2022 Where have all the Bogons gone; and how did they find their way?

03.01.2022 Disappointment Spur Hut Photo Anthony Hunter Located above Munyang on a fire trail that is part of the Australian Alps Walking Track (AAWT), north of Guthega.... Also known as Aqueduct Shelter Number 2. Brief History This hut was built as a survey shelter by the SMA in the 1950's and, unusually, they used two modules to build the one hut. The surrounding snowgum forest was burnt in the 2003 bushfires and the toilet destroyed but miraculously the only damage to the hut was a slight bowing of a perspex window pane! NPWS are yet to replace the toilet. Construction The hut is made of weatherboards and lined with a wooden floor. It has a flat roof of iron and two windows. There was a toilet nearby.

02.01.2022 Year Built: 1937 Alternate Name(s): Hughes Condition: Burnt, awaiting rebuild HMO: Jagungal... Photo J. Nockles, 2009 Four Mile Hut hut is located about 5Km south south east of Selwyns Quarry, and is an easy ski or walk from there, or 7Km from Kiandra. Unfortunately the hut was burnt in the 2020 bushfires. The hut is easy to find in an open plain, unless buried by snow. 4 Mile Hut is a delightful camping spot with the hut providing shelter if the weather turns bad, with a table to eat on and room for 2 to sleep on the floor or bench. There is a nice permanent fire place outside with large logs for a seat. Permanent water is in the creek 50m to the east. Brief History The hut was built by Robert Hughes in 1937, and used as a mining residence for gold panners. It remains the only complete mining hut on the Kiandra gold fields. For many years (until about 1981) there was a box of very live dynamite under one of the bunks, presumably to give any resident silly enough to light a really big fire in the hearth, a night to remember! Four mile is a very popular ski destination, and has saved the lives of a number of people over the years. However, skiers should be aware that it is very small, and therefore not reliable shelter for parties un-equipped with tents. Unfortunately the hut was burnt in the 2020 bushfires. Construction This hut was made from anything left lying around, but its main elements included slab walls and floors and corrugated chimney and roof. Many of the from materials from former Elaine Mine which Hughes managed from 1926 to 1936. Use of flattened five gallon cans is a feature. There is an external toilet and a pot belly type heater, in the old stone hearth fireplace. A unique feature is that a small leather washer was put under every nail used to hold the roof (and much of the timber work) together. A recent renovation team had to duplicate this work. Caretakers were The Bogong Group in the early 1970s who undertook the first clean up and found the first dynamite. In 1978, Klaus Hueneke organised the first major restoration with members of KHA. Value - Four Mile is one of the most critical huts in the KNP, both for historical reasons, and survival shelter. References Hueneke xviii, Pp 89, 91, 101-103 A conservation history has been completed

02.01.2022 Good work from all involved in caring for these beautiful creatures!

02.01.2022 International Mountain Day - 11th December Today is celebrated worldwide as an occasion to create a large social movement that can bring mountain issues to th...e table. Mountains bring freshwater for everyday life to half of humanity and host about half of the world's biodiversity hotspots. Mountain biodiversity is the theme of this year's International Mountain Day. Mountains are some of the most fascinating landscapes in the world. At this time every year special attention is given as all mountain and nature lovers engage to discuss and act on how to best conserve the fragile mountain environment - it's flora and fauna. It is a United Nations designated day to celebrate the rich biodiversity, as well as address the threats mountains face. Happy Mountain Day and enjoy these magnificent landscapes from all over Tasmania #InternationalMountainDay

02.01.2022 The Batlow area, like Kosciuszko Park, is still recovering from last Summers devastating Dunns Road fires. Why not visit the area and support them getting back on their feet! https://www.canberratimes.com.au//never-forget-12-months-/

01.01.2022 Seamans Hut Year Built: 1929 Alternate Name(s): Laurie Seaman Memorial Hut Condition: Good... Photo: Jerry Nockles Located on the Summit road, about two thirds of the way to the summit of Kosciusko, above the Snowy River. Also known as Laurie Seaman Memorial Hut or Seamans Memorial Chalet. Brief History This hut was built in 1929 by the NSW Tourist Bureau, having been financed by the American parents of Laurie Seaman. Seaman with Evan Hayes, perished in a blizzard on 14 August 1928. Seaman was found on 9 September, very near to the current hut site, where he had waited for Hayes. Hayes body was found above Lake Cootapatamba, lying on his skis. The spot is marked by a cairn. The hut was renovated after a fire in 1938, and has saved the lives of countless people since. Construction The hut is 7m by 3m in the interior and consists of two rooms. The walls are massively built of granite stones, and lined with fibro. The floor is wooden and the walls are pierced by small windows. A wood stove is installed, despite a scarcity of firewood. The roof is made of flat iron sheets. A toilet is currently under construction as this site sees many visitors in all seasons.

01.01.2022 Kosciuszko granite on Gurrangorambla.