Overview

Our Origin
The R.C.H Ski Club was founded in 1962 to give people working in the Hospital an opportunity to ski together and have accommodation for skiing and bush walking at moderate cost.

Debenture holders and an interest free loan from Dame Elisabeth Murdoch supported the club. Members did much of the construction work on the Buller Lodge and the builder was Aurel Forras. The first season was marked by several problems in the lodge, and our pioneers showed great forbearance.

There was no power or mains water available until 1967, since then the amenities on the mountain have rapidly improved. Meanwhile club members maintained the original lodge.An artist’s impression of the original lodge is displayed in the new one; the building consisted of 4 bunk beds and 2 bathrooms.

In 1971 a group of the Committee reported on the advisability of extending the Club’s activities to Mt Hotham, which was just beginning to start a new phase of development, and whose snow was known to be more reliable. Forming a co-operative raised a
substantial loan, and numerous fund raising activities enabled the Club to build a substantial 16-bunk lodge. The builder was Noel Lane.

Subsequently a further 6 bunks were added by converting the generator room into a flat. The road to the mountain was
unsealed, and access was arduous in the early years. Rapid development has since resolved most of the problems, and main gas and electricity was connected in 1985 and sewage in 1986.

In 1980 the Committee conducted a plebiscite to determine whether members wished to upgrade the Buller Lodge, as it no longer meet the needs of the club. It also failed to comply with new building regulations, which meant that it could not be upgraded. A
preliminary plan was drawn up to extend the Lodge, but it was realized that the defects of the original design would be too restrictive, and the architect, John MacDonald, drew up 2
plans for an entirely new building which could be built in two stages as finance became available.

The loan for Mt Hotham has been paid out well in advance of the due date, so it was resolved to raise a further loan, which enable the first stage of 14 beds to be constructed in the summer of 1981 by David Bassingthwaite, who had been Noel Lane’s apprentice when the Hotham Lodge was built.

Club labour was used for all the painting and some internal finishing, and the new and old lodges used together during what
became a bumper season. It was intended to finish the second or southern section 24 months later, but a substantial rise in interest rates and an over-run in costs made this impossible. The mountain
authorities granted the Club a further year’s grace following a deputation, and further loans were sought. A debenture issue to the members was made, and in 1984 Aurel Forras built the second stage from the already completed plans. Members again supplied labour for all the painting, the carpeting and much of the finishing, and the new 18 beds were available for the 1983 season.

The Club has been carrying a substantial interest burden, and
progress is being made to reduce this. The Club is very dependant on the support from members both in using the Lodges and supporting fund raising activities, and it has continued to grow in popularity.

At a memorable weekend attended by several of the Club’s founders the old Lodge was farewelled prior to its being dismantled in December 1983, and the new lodge was celebrated at a dinner attended by many of the voluntary workers in November 1984.
Dame Elisabeth Murdoch came to Buller for this occasion, and graciously agreed to the new Lodge continuing to bear her name.

Work parties carry out Lodge maintenance and repairs as far as possible each summer. New members are encouraged to attend a work party if they can because it introduces them to the running of the Lodges as well as providing them with a great opportunity to
meet other members.

The Club is run by a committee, which is elected annually, and meets each month. The whole organization is voluntary, and can only run with the continued co-operation and 3 goodwill of the members. In this way the Club has remained an informal and friendly group, and this has continued greatly to its success.

Membership is open to employees of the Hospital; together they’re with wives or husbands. Family groups are given preference in booking accommodation for part of the season, and members are encouraged to take guests to the Lodges when bunks are
available.