News Lost Huts / Historic Buildings

[Total Whiteout]

Thought I'd start a thread to collect news on which huts and historic buildings have been lost / saved:

Here's what I know so far

NSW

Kiandra Courthouse / Chalet - lost
Wolgal Hut (Kiandra) - lost (has been some conjecture the hut was only damaged but sadly it is gone)
Pattison's Hut (Kiandra) - lost
Matthew's Cottage (Kiandra) - lost
Sawyers Hill Hut (KNP) - lost
4 Mile Hut (KNP) - lost
Delaney's Hut (KNP) - lost
Happy's Hut (KNP) - lost
Round Mountain Hut (KNP - Jagungal Wilderness) - lost
Boobee Hut (KNP) - safe
Mackeys Hut (KNP - Jagungal Wilderness) - safe
Bradley and O'Briens Hut (Cabramurra) - lost
Brooks Hut (Cabramurra) - safe
Cabramurra Ski Club House - lost
Tantangara Hut (KNP) - safe
Broken Dam Hut (KNP) - safe
Brayshaw's Hut (Sth Namadgi) - unknown but I think I saw firebreaks were put in around it
Yarrangobilly Caves House - safe (just)
Witzes (KNP) - safe
Hains (KNP) - safe
Patons (KNP) - safe
Wheelers (KNP) - safe
Tin Mine (KNP) - safe
Cascade (KNP) - safe
Gooandra (KNP) - safe
Long Plain (KNP) - safe
Ingeegoodbee Hut (KNP) - safe
Schofields Hut (KNP) - safe
Gavel's Hut - safe
Valentine's Hut - wrapped and safe
Wheeler's Hut (Jagungal Wilderness) - appears safe on RFS map

Under Threat (unknown but possibly affected):
Circuits Hut (KNP)
Black Jacks Huts (KNP)
Vickerys Hut (Tumut District)
Bill Jones
Old Currango
Currango
Long Plain
Cooinbil
Millers
Hainsworth
Coolamine Homestead
Pedens
Townsend
Oldfields
Pockets

VIC

Towong Hill Station (home of Tom and Elyne Mitchell) (Corryong) - lost
Wallace's and Cope Huts (near Falls Creek) have been wrapped and are safe.
Lovick's Hut (near The Bluff / King Billy) has had a fire retardant drop over it and is safe.
Bluff Hut has also been marked safe with clearing work around it done
Have heard Spargo's Hut (near Hotham) is ok and being wrapped tonight.
JB Hut and Dinner Plain CRB Huts (Dinner Plain) have escaped the flames at this stage.
Cobungra Station - apparently mostly safe but 1 building lost.
Large dozer dropped off today near Moscow Villa hut and Bentley Plain hut to do a fire break.
McNamaras Hut on Buckety Plain has had clearing work done around it and been marked safe.
Vallejo Gantner Hut (Mt Howitt) - safe
Howitt Plains Hut - safe
Guy’s Hut (Howitt Plains) - safe
Craig's Hut (near Mt Stirling) - safe
Upper Jamieson Hut (near Mt Buller) - safe

Have also heard CFA is working with VHCHA to protect and wrap a number of other huts in Vic...

Please keep adding to this thread (or correct anything I'm wrong about).

Note: I will keep editing and updating this first post as a consolidated list.

 

[zapruda]

From Adaminaby Notice board on FB. Sad pic

 

[ecowain]

Sad news...

I'm a bit sad now that we skipped dropping by 4 mile and Happys a couple of weeks ago. Many good memories of them.

 

[zapruda]

 

[skifree]

Think of it as a time of renewal for the better.

The new Ropers is much better than the old.

Timber & corro was never going to last forever.

 

[Total Whiteout]

Think of it as a time of renewal for the better.

The new Ropers is much better than the old.

Timber & corro was never going to last forever.

So long as they're rebuilt!

 

[skifree]

So long as they're rebuilt!

I think the mood will be positive so long as folks put their hands up. Both NSW & VIC Parks have been receptive to supportive of hut rebuilds in recent years.

 

[Untele-whippet]

Thought I'd start a thread to collect news on which huts and historic buildings have been lost / saved:

Here's what I know so far

NSW

Kiandra Courthouse / Chalet - lost
Wolgal Hut (Kiandra) - lost
Pattison's Hut (Kiandra) - lost
Sawyers Hill Hut (KNP) - lost / damaged
4 Mile Hut (KNP) - lost
Delaney's Hut (KNP) - lost
Happy's Hut (KNP) - lost
Tantangara Hut (KNP) - safe
Broken Dam Hut (KNP) - safe
Brayshaw's Hut (Sth Namadgi) - unknown but I think I saw firebreaks were put in around it
Yarrangobilly Caves House - safe (just)

VIC

Towong Hill Station (home of Tom and Elyne Mitchell) (Corryong) - lost
Wallace's and Cope Huts (near Falls Creek) have been wrapped and are safe.
Lovick's Hut (near The Bluff / King Billy) has had a fire retardant drop over it and is safe.
Have heard Spargo's Hut (near Hotham) is ok and being wrapped tonight.
Cobungra Station - apparently mostly safe but 1 house lost.

Have also heard CFA is working with VHCHA to protect and wrap a number of other huts in Vic...


Please keep adding to this thread (or correct anything I'm wrong about).

Bugger and damn

 

[KylePee]

This thread was started yesterday for a slightly broader version of the same - maybe combine them?
https://www.ski.com.au/xf/threads/snowy-region-towns-locations-huts-survival-rollcall.86662/

 

[Chaeron]

This thread was started yesterday for a slightly broader version of the same - maybe combine them?
https://www.ski.com.au/xf/threads/snowy-region-towns-locations-huts-survival-rollcall.86662/

Best in one thread I reckon. Maybe @skifree can provide some guidance here...

 

[Total Whiteout]

Best in one thread I reckon. Maybe @skifree can provide some guidance here...

Up to the mods. Other thread is area/ resorts focused. Not as helpful on specific hut / building damage.

 

[Chaeron]

Up to the mods. Other thread is area/ resorts focused. Not as helpful on specific hut / building damage.

Fair enough

 

[ecowain]

From Adaminaby Notice board on FB. Sad pic

Can really see the gold earthworks well in the photo.

 

[skifree]

I think there is merit in a huts only thread. A lot of the issues are different.

 

[Total Whiteout]

Can really see the gold earthworks well in the photo.

Four Mile Hut History

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.

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, one of the key reasons it still stands. 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 - In the early 1970's The Bogong Group undertook the first clean up and found the first dynamite. In 1978, Klaus Hueneke organised the first major restoration with members of KHA. Since then the NSW Nordic Ski Club maintain it.

Value Four Mile is one of the most critical huts in the KNP, both for historical reasons, and survival shelter.

Source: https://khuts.org/index.php/the-huts/kosciuszko-national-park/704-four-mile-hut

 

[Sean Sunley]

Thought I'd start a thread to collect news on which huts and historic buildings have been lost / saved:

Here's what I know so far

NSW

Kiandra Courthouse / Chalet - lost
Wolgal Hut (Kiandra) - lost
Pattison's Hut (Kiandra) - lost
Sawyers Hill Hut (KNP) - lost / damaged
4 Mile Hut (KNP) - lost
Delaney's Hut (KNP) - lost
Happy's Hut (KNP) - lost
Tantangara Hut (KNP) - safe
Broken Dam Hut (KNP) - safe
Brayshaw's Hut (Sth Namadgi) - unknown but I think I saw firebreaks were put in around it
Yarrangobilly Caves House - safe (just)

Unknown but possibly affected:
Circuits Hut (KNP)
Schofields Hut (KNP)
Boobee Hut (KNP)
Round Mountain Hut (KNP - Jagungal Wilderness)
Mackeys Hut (KNP - Jagungal Wilderness)
Bradley and O'Briens Hut (Cabramurra)
Black Jacks Huts (KNP)
Gavel's Hut
Vickerys Hut (Tumut District)

VIC

Towong Hill Station (home of Tom and Elyne Mitchell) (Corryong) - lost
Wallace's and Cope Huts (near Falls Creek) have been wrapped and are safe.
Lovick's Hut (near The Bluff / King Billy) has had a fire retardant drop over it and is safe.
Have heard Spargo's Hut (near Hotham) is ok and being wrapped tonight.
Cobungra Station - apparently mostly safe but 1 building lost.

Have also heard CFA is working with VHCHA to protect and wrap a number of other huts in Vic...


Please keep adding to this thread (or correct anything I'm wrong about).

Hospital Creek Hut would be ACT possibly affected.

 

[climberman]

Four Mile Hut History

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.

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, one of the key reasons it still stands. 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 - In the early 1970's The Bogong Group undertook the first clean up and found the first dynamite. In 1978, Klaus Hueneke organised the first major restoration with members of KHA. Since then the NSW Nordic Ski Club maintain it.

Value Four Mile is one of the most critical huts in the KNP, both for historical reasons, and survival shelter.

Source: https://khuts.org/index.php/the-huts/kosciuszko-national-park/704-four-mile-hut

Robert Hughes is older than I thought.

 

[Huts]

VIC huts
see pic of Lovicks hut in pink retardant

Towong Hill Station (home of Tom and Elyne Mitchell) (Corryong) - lost
Wallace's and Cope Huts (near Falls Creek) have been wrapped and are safe.
Lovick's Hut (near The Bluff / King Billy) has had a fire retardant drop over it and is safe
Bluff Hut has also been marked safe with clearing work been done around it
Have heard Spargo's Hut (near Hotham) is ok and being wrapped tonight or in the morning
Cobungra Station - apparently mostly safe but 1 building lost.
Large dozer dropped off today near Moscow Villa hut and Bentley Plain hut to do a fire break.
McNamaras hut on Buckety Plain has had clearing work done around it and been marked safe.
JB Hut and Dinner Plain CRB Huts have escaped the flames at this stage.
There are several huts inside the burn zone that I'm worried about but no official word yet... I am waiting on confirmation

Have also heard CFA is working with VHCHA to protect and wrap a number of other huts in Vic...


Please keep adding to this thread (or correct anything I'm wrong about).[/QUOTE]

 

[Huts]

Wallaces Hut in wrap

 

[Bogong]

... Towong Hill Station (home of Tom and Elyne Mitchell) (Corryong) - lost...

Tom Mitchell's ancestral home was a splendid example of a traditional old style homestead in its own right, but it was also the home of the man who did far more to promote skiing in Australia than anyone else. From memory, here's just some of what he did:

• Captain of the Australian ski team and four times national ski champion in the 1930s.
• The first to systematically ski explore the Western Faces of the Main Range. His wife Elyne's book about their experiences published during the war was the main stimulus to post war interest in skiing the area and the construction of things like Albina Lodge. He was also the first person to ski at many other places like Mt Pinnabar.
• Promoted skiing across Victoria and NSW, both privately and publicly. For example in 1936 he discreetly paid for the construction of Australia's biggest ski jump at the then ski resort of Mt Donna Buang.
• Wrote the first ski instruction book in Australia.
• When he married Elyne, she had never skied, but within a few years he had trained her into an expert who won international ski races including the Canadian downhill championship in 1938 (?).
• Being the super gung-ho type he was, he joined the army as soon as World War 2 broke out. He was captured in the fall of Singapore and detained in shocking conditions in Changi Prison. There he founded the Changi Ski Club which became famous for talks and lectures that boosted the morale of the prisoners of war and for being the only ski club in the world where no member ever saw snow during the existence of the club.
• It took him a couple of years after the war to recover, but he was soon elected to parliament, where he rose to become the Attorney-General of Victoria. He was also infamous for knitting when parliament was in session to stop him falling asleep. But of most interest to us, he was always lobbying for ski interests, pushing ski friendly legislation through parliament and interfering where bureaucrats were about to thwart ski projects. He was probably responsible for pressuring the Forests Commission to make the 1949 subdivision at Buller and forcing Kiewa hydro to allow skiers to use their road to access Falls Creek as well as doing literally dozens of other important things for skiers when he was an MP.
• After he retired from parliament he continued to support skiing, wrote heaps of stuff and established the Corryong Museum which had the first collection of ski material of any museum in Australia.

So if you ski, you owe a lot to Tom Mitchell. In some ways Buller, Falls Creek and Thredbo partly owe their existence to him and backcountry skiers owe him just as much. So when you drive past what is now the ruin of Towong Hill Station on the Victorian side of the Indi River on the Corryong - Khancoban road, spend a few seconds acknowledging what Tom did for all of us.

 

[Total Whiteout]

 

[KylePee]

I assume OP will keep the original post updated with latest info?

Some info I've picked up at this stage:
Lost: Happys, Brooks, Round Mountain, Bradley O'Brien
Intact so far: Tin Mine, Witzes, Hains, Patons, Wheelers, Cascade, Gooandra, Long Plain
Many of these have had breaks cut around them

 

[climberman]

VIC huts
see pic of Lovicks hut in pink retardant

Towong Hill Station (home of Tom and Elyne Mitchell) (Corryong) - lost
Wallace's and Cope Huts (near Falls Creek) have been wrapped and are safe.
Lovick's Hut (near The Bluff / King Billy) has had a fire retardant drop over it and is safe
Bluff Hut has also been marked safe with clearing work been done around it
Have heard Spargo's Hut (near Hotham) is ok and being wrapped tonight or in the morning
Cobungra Station - apparently mostly safe but 1 building lost.
Large dozer dropped off today near Moscow Villa hut and Bentley Plain hut to do a fire break.
McNamaras hut on Buckety Plain has had clearing work done around it and been marked safe.
JB Hut and Dinner Plain CRB Huts have escaped the flames at this stage.
There are several huts inside the burn zone that I'm worried about but no official word yet... I am waiting on confirmation

Have also heard CFA is working with VHCHA to protect and wrap a number of other huts in Vic...


Please keep adding to this thread (or correct anything I'm wrong about).

[/QUOTE]
Terribly sad to hear of Towong.
Thanks for the update, and welcome to the board.

 

[currawong]

VIC huts
see pic of Lovicks hut in pink retardant

Towong Hill Station (home of Tom and Elyne Mitchell) (Corryong) - lost
Wallace's and Cope Huts (near Falls Creek) have been wrapped and are safe.
Lovick's Hut (near The Bluff / King Billy) has had a fire retardant drop over it and is safe
Bluff Hut has also been marked safe with clearing work been done around it
Have heard Spargo's Hut (near Hotham) is ok and being wrapped tonight or in the morning
Cobungra Station - apparently mostly safe but 1 building lost.
Large dozer dropped off today near Moscow Villa hut and Bentley Plain hut to do a fire break.
McNamaras hut on Buckety Plain has had clearing work done around it and been marked safe.
JB Hut and Dinner Plain CRB Huts have escaped the flames at this stage.
There are several huts inside the burn zone that I'm worried about but no official word yet... I am waiting on confirmation

Have also heard CFA is working with VHCHA to protect and wrap a number of other huts in Vic...


Please keep adding to this thread (or correct anything I'm wrong about).

[/QUOTE]
hope they are protecting faithful while they are at macnamaras. I know mittagundi use the later but faithfuls is one of my favorites - idyllic setting.

 

[zapruda]

Quite a few that are still unaccounted for in KNP that haven’t been mentioned. These are close to or within the fire line

Boobee
Lineman’s hut on 15 Mile Spur
Gavells
Schofields
Circuits
Vickerys

Plenty more further north as well.

 

[Total Whiteout]

 

[telecrag]

I seem to remember a story from the 2003 incident, went something like

~Some weeks later~Didnt that hut burn? Guess not, its right there.....amidst fears it may not be rebuilt.

Could be a myth. but was connected to the way parks sometimes decide that one should not be rebuilt. An argument that goes both ways I guess. @zac150 would know a heck of a lot more about this topic currently than me, I imagine KHA would lobby hard to rebuild every one? My involvement through my dad was back in the 70's, and we did quite a few things that would likely not be permissable now, or at least not so easy to do.

 

[Telezacski]

Ok so I will correct a few on here as I have now had it from the horses mouth so to speak (and seen pictures of all but round mtn).

four mile and happys are gone,

somehow brooks, Boobee, mackays, broken dam have survived. The email we received (via alps committee +1) suggests round mtn survived as they are worried it will go in The next front coming over, this would likely also put patrons and wheelers at risk then.

In terms of the rebuild, I’ll keep my thoughts on KHA out but I’ll say the care takers do a great job.

I don’t think there will need to be any lobbying as the insurance money will kick in and parks will facilitate. I know several historians are already started on putting stuff to make sure the huts are rebuilt correctly. +1 is already fielding emails on timber selections etc (her field).

 

[zapruda]

I got some pics sent to me from Greg H courtesy of David Scott.

 

[Chaeron]

@zapruda @NeoSamurai - any news on Hannels Spur Track.

 

[art]

@Chaeron no fires particularly close to Hannels at this stage

The Geehi fire is close to Opera House Hut but based on the last mapping its safe.

 

[Total Whiteout]

I got some pics sent to me from Greg H courtesy of David Scott.

amazing photos

 

[Telezacski]

I got some pics sent to me from Greg H courtesy of David Scott.

these are from an email the boss is included in, she is speaking to David directly as they are both really concerned about Currango.

 

[zapruda]

@zapruda @NeoSamurai - any news on Hannels Spur Track.

No word yet but It should be safe for now. Although, seeing Tantangara Mountain hut with burnt bush all around it makes me question the accuracy of the fire maps.

 

[Telezacski]

@Total Whiteout

to update your list for NSW

Kiandra Courthouse / Chalet - lost
Wolgal Hut (Kiandra) - lost
Pattison's Hut (Kiandra) - lost
Sawyers Hill Hut (KNP) - lost / damaged
4 Mile Hut (KNP) - lost
Delaney's Hut (KNP) - lost
Happy's Hut (KNP) - lost

Round Mountain Hut (KNP - Jagungal Wilderness) - unconfirmed (but at this stage beloved safe)
Boobee Hut (KNP) - safe
Mackeys Hut (KNP - Jagungal Wilderness) - safe
Bradley and O'Briens Hut (Cabramurra) - lost
Brooks Hut (Cabramurra) - safe
Tantangara Hut (KNP) - safe
Broken Dam Hut (KNP) - safe
Brayshaw's Hut (Sth Namadgi) - sage
Yarrangobilly Caves House - safe (just)
Witzes (KNP) - safe
Hains (KNP) - safe
Patons (KNP) - safe
Wheelers (KNP) - safe
Tin Mine (KNP) - safe
Cascade (KNP) - safe
Gooandra (KNP) - safe
Long Plain (KNP) - safe

Unknown but possibly affected:
Circuits Hut (KNP) sage
Schofields Hut (KNP) safe
Black Jacks Huts (KNP) ?
Gavel's Hut sage
Vickerys Hut (Tumut District) unknown

to add to the list at threat

Bill Jones
Old Currango
Currango
Long Plain
Cooinbil
Millers
Hainsworth
Coolamine Homestead

 

[zapruda]

@Total Whiteout

to update your list for NSW

Kiandra Courthouse / Chalet - lost
Wolgal Hut (Kiandra) - lost
Pattison's Hut (Kiandra) - lost
Sawyers Hill Hut (KNP) - lost / damaged
4 Mile Hut (KNP) - lost
Delaney's Hut (KNP) - lost
Happy's Hut (KNP) - lost

Round Mountain Hut (KNP - Jagungal Wilderness) - unconfirmed (but at this stage beloved safe)
Boobee Hut (KNP) - safe
Mackeys Hut (KNP - Jagungal Wilderness) - safe
Bradley and O'Briens Hut (Cabramurra) - lost
Brooks Hut (Cabramurra) - safe
Tantangara Hut (KNP) - safe
Broken Dam Hut (KNP) - safe
Brayshaw's Hut (Sth Namadgi) - sage
Yarrangobilly Caves House - safe (just)
Witzes (KNP) - safe
Hains (KNP) - safe
Patons (KNP) - safe
Wheelers (KNP) - safe
Tin Mine (KNP) - safe
Cascade (KNP) - safe
Gooandra (KNP) - safe
Long Plain (KNP) - safe

Unknown but possibly affected:
Circuits Hut (KNP) sage
Schofields Hut (KNP) safe
Black Jacks Huts (KNP) ?
Gavel's Hut sage
Vickerys Hut (Tumut District) unknown

to add to the list at threat

Bill Jones
Old Currango
Currango
Long Plain
Cooinbil
Millers
Hainsworth
Coolamine Homestead

That’s pretty good all things considered.

I’d like add the following to the threat list.

Pedens
Townsend
Oldfields
Pockets

 

[Telezacski]

That’s pretty good all things considered.

I’d like add the following to the threat list.

Pedens
Townsend
Oldfields
Pockets

can’t believe I forgot old fields great hut!

 

[zapruda]

That’s pretty good all things considered.

I’d like to add

Pedens
Townsend
Oldfields
Pockets

can’t believe I forgot old fields great hut!

It’s one of my favourites.

So many to remember. Goes to show how historically rich the park is and this is only the top half.

 

[telecrag]

Well, most of the huts in the business end have been removed. The northern end is much more rich in that regard!

 

[Bogong]

can’t believe I forgot old fields great hut!

The thinnest hut I've ever visited. It's fairly long, but it's very narrow.

Also the place where I was the coldest I've ever been. I was there one combined late Easter - Anzac weekend with a sleeping bag rated to minus 8 that I'd comfortably used for light snow camping. I wore all the clothes I had, but I still froze my ****'s off that night.

 

[Telezacski]

Round mtn is now confirmed as having been lost.

 

[Telezacski]

Rat ate my hiking boot in that hut, best view from a toilet in all of Kozzie.

 

[Bogong]

Round mtn is now confirmed as having been lost.

I got a crush on a rather hot girl there once.

Gosh, so many of those NSW huts bring back fond memories. Perhaps it's something in the water up there that reminds me of the fun (and freezing cold) times I had.

 

[warrie]

A short anecdote about Delaneys. Called in there for a lunch stop on Sat 28th Dec. A gentleman was also lunching in the hut, having a break from removing graffiti and re-oiling the weatherboards which he does every year. The place was immaculate inside and out and a credit to his skills and enthusiasm. Turns out he was a 5th generation descendent of the original Irish Delaney - convict stock sent out to the penal colony of Oz in 1834/5 for putting a note on some toffs plough. He had helped with the 2007 rebuild and we had a friendly discussion about the original hut and rebuilding process. A week later and it's burned to the ground!!
Sawyers just up the road has been a starting point for a lovely walk through the forest while snow falls and a welcome stop while enjoying the scenery enroute to the east or west.

 

[climberman]

Round mtn is now confirmed as having been lost.

looking at the map it's hard to see otherwise

 

[Telezacski]

I got a crush on a rather hot girl there once.

Gosh, so many of those NSW huts bring back fond memories and I mostly hike in Vic and Tas. Perhaps it's something in the water up there that reminds me of the fun (and freezing cold) times I had.

just a little gutted, Rnd Mtn, Okeefes and Jagungal are kind of how I met my wife, I looked in at her room at uni and saw pictures on the wall, we got chatting and the rest is history. Our first hike together was in round mtn hut, first ski trip four mile. Just a little gutted.

And to hear Currango is at risk... would be devastated if that goes.

 

[Telezacski]

A short anecdote about Delaneys. Called in there for a lunch stop on Sat 28th Dec. A gentleman was also lunching in the hut, having a break from removing graffiti and re-oiling the weatherboards which he does every year. The place was immaculate inside and out and a credit to his skills and enthusiasm. Turns out he was a 5th generation descendent of the original Irish Delaney - convict stock sent out to the penal colony of Oz in 1834/5 for putting a note on some toffs plough. He had helped with the 2007 rebuild and we had a friendly discussion about the original hut and rebuilding process. A week later and it's burned to the ground!!
Sawyers just up the road has been a starting point for a lovely walk through the forest while snow falls and a welcome stop while enjoying the scenery enroute to the east or west.

I have a feeling this may be the family member we met on site during the build. He oiled and stained the hut then put a varnish on the hut that made it really easy to remove graffiti.

 

[Huts]

I seem to remember a story from the 2003 incident, went something like
Things have changed a lot since 2003
~Some weeks later~Didnt that hut burn? Guess not, its right there.....amidst fears it may not be rebuilt.

Could be a myth. but was connected to the way parks sometimes decide that one should not be rebuilt. An argument that goes both ways I guess. @zac150easy to do.

 

[warrie]

And to hear Currango is at risk... would be devastated if that goes.

The NPWS has plenty invested in Currango, and we have enjoyed our visits and drives there. But will they attempt to save it? How about a big dump of retardant over it? If the fire map is to be trusted then the front is still at the Snowy Mtns Hwy about 15 km to the west. They've lost Kiandra Courthouse and had sunk plenty of $$ in that. Still, I'm just an armchair critic 500 km away.

 

[Huts]

Things have changed a lot since 2003 in Victoria with the communications between parks and the huts association strengthening over the years. The huts are all in the public eye now, they are more known and loved by everyone now. Before 2003 they were secret that locals wouldn't talk about, so much history was lost before people started sharing the stories, importance and history of the huts in Victoria. Now they are a state asset