Mogul Ski Club

A group of people all working for IBM at the time got together with the common thought to purchase a beach house which could be used for family holidays on a time share basis. Almost simultaneously the Victorian Government announced that it would guarantee loans to promote recreational facilities within Victoria. This announcement immediately lifted financial horizons and a high country ski-club resort quickly came into focus (thoughts of a beach house but a mere memory).

The first treasurer Ian Scott (dec.) performed the financials which demonstrated insufficient interest from within IBM alone to generate sufficient income to meet the demands of the mortgage. It was ascertained that an initial membership of 100 would be required. The barometer at Mogul was purchased after Ian’s death and acknowledges the early financial steering he demonstrated.

An advertisement was placed in the Age newspaper inviting interested parties to attend a formal meeting. A copy of the advertisement hangs at Mogul today. The response to this advertisement proved to be very encouraging. Ian Penman and Ian Scott (both then of IBM) were initially driving the project, but it was felt that someone outside IBM was needed to attract others and to help move the membership figure towards the 100 required.

Ian Scott asked Bill Cheek (dec.) (then of Shell) to step into the position of Chairman. With club rules, formation of the Co-operative, lodge design, appointment of architect and builders, negotiation of a bank loan, securing of a lease, etc not yet finalised, Bill Cheek and the team had a challenging task ahead of them. One thing that can be stated is there was no lack of enthusiasm or commitment from the team to see it through.

One of the first tasks tackled was the securing of an architect and builder. Graham Gunn (then fashionable architect) and Merchant Builders were used in an attempt to attract an early high profile. Interestingly Mogul was a first for both parties as Graham Gunn had never before designed a ski-lodge and Merchant Builders had never before built on mountain.

The call then went out to all who had signed up, requesting payment of an initial $200 (a fair ask back then) to demonstrate to government guarantors that the founders were fair dinkum, and prevail on the financial institution to release loan money. One of the major requirements for commencement was the formation of the Co-operative which was then quickly established, followed by placement of additional people onto the committee and responsibilities delegated. Simultaneously a 45 year lease was confirmed for what was described as “The last available site on the mountain” (at that time the village was about half the size it is today).

Soon after, lodge design was finalised, building contracts were drawn up and construction commenced. Photographs of the original construction hang at Mogul today. An early January site visit proved adventurous in itself with the road from Mt Beauty unsealed and laid with rock. Like the main road, none of the roads in the village were sealed and Schuss Street was piled high with building materials.

The site visit demonstrated feverish building activity with massive treated-pine stumps (some of over six metres) being manhandled into position, great anguish being experienced in digging stump holes on the rocky slope, and corrugated iron sheets pegged to the slope as a slide for concrete blocks to be brought down from the road. These just a few of the activities sighted by the visiting party.

Construction continued with fit out closely following. Bathroom fittings were basic with plastic shower curtains and no wash basins in the toilets. The manager’s room contained a door which opened onto a balcony overlooking the sitting / dining room, a then area where children played as the downstairs games room was non existent. This sitting room also contained a sliding door through which you had access to an open veranda, an area which now forms part of the current sitting / dining room area. The kitchen extended only as far as the line of the dining room wall, the timber deck did not exist and the timber lining to the sitting room was originally plasterboard. Further, only a wooden ramp led you to the front door of the lodge.

Amazingly all shortcomings and jobs had been attended to by the time the first work party was called. This work party however proved to be quite challenging with many unexpected obstacles being encountered by all members involved. By the end of this tiresome work party great satisfaction was felt by all. Mogul had arrived on the mountain.

Many improvements have been made to Mogul over many years. Much of this must be attributed to Gordon Rushman, architect and one of the original founding members, who has played a key role in changed design and providing all working drawings.

Clearly Mogul is a different place today and will continue to evolve over many years to come. Much work is still required to further strengthen our club and to ensure its longevity. The existing committee is working through re-development plans which will take Mogul into its next stage of life. A key component to success will be the ongoing support and involvement of all members.

Mogul was originally established as a family orientated holiday destination, and through hard work, dedication and ongoing commitment by its members, continues that tradition today.

(A large thank you goes to David Taylor for his recollection of Mogul’s history)

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