Classic Tasmanian Autumn weather greeted the volunteers who travelled up to Mt Mawson on the weekend of 18-19 May to help out at the STSA May Working Bee. The new Day Shelter facility was a hive of activity as work continued to get everything ready for the coming snow season.

Volunteers from the Mount Mawson Ski Patrol tackled the big task of unpacking medical supplies from storage, and installing new cupboards and shelving to ensure that the First Aid room is up to standard and ready to help visitors needing assistance from Ski Patrol. Patrollers Andrew Davey, Paul Vince, Stephen Webber, Liz Koolhof and Annette Levis shuttled equipment across from its temporary home in the belt issue hut, and ensured everything was in order and correctly placed. It was amazing how quickly they filled the new First Aid room with equipment for managing patients!

Meanwhile in the ticket office, Peter Davis, Craig Larsson and Fred Koolhof worked to get all the tow belts sorted and hung up ready to be issued to skiers and boarders on the first day of skiing. Craig had done a great job of painting the metal hangers a bright blue colour, so the whole room is starting to look ready for business.

Ian Stewart also spent all day Saturday working in the ticket office, with a focus on installing a remote control stop button for the Mawson tow, as well as the backbone wiring for new telecommunications equipment.

Outside there was plenty to do too. George Brettingham-Moore spent the day on Uni Tow, troubleshooting an improved safety circuit, and Rod Stolorz, Michael Potter and Leigh Stevens worked on snow fence repair before carrying replacement metal arms across to Rodway tow. Craig Larsson and Peter Davis emerged from the ticket office, and tackled the repair of some snow fence panels which had collapsed on the Uni tow run.

Once again it was a big effort from the dedicated STSA volunteers who operate the Mt Mawson Ski Field for the benefit of Tasmanian winter enthusiasts and increasing numbers of interstate and overseas tourists. With the new Public Day Shelter now in operation, and STSA soon to start operating from the new First Aid Room and Ticket office, it is shaping up to be a great season. The excellent new facilities constructed by Parks and Wildlife will help to make a visit to Mt Mawson Ski Field a great experience this Winter.