The Southern Tasmanian Ski Association held their March working bee at the Mt Mawson Ski Field today, and were rewarded with an excellent turn out of 19 keen volunteers. With so many other events cancelled at the present time everyone enjoyed their day on the mountain, and were pleased to be able to engage in productive activity in the Tasmanian outdoors.
There is always plenty to do to maintain Southern Tasmania’s only downhill ski field and get ready for the coming Winter, and a great deal was achieved in a full day of activities. Volunteers split into small groups working in different parts of the ski field and so maintaining appropriate social distancing and crowd control was not a problem.
Rudy and Joe Kloser worked on preparing for some final removal of protruding rocks on the bottom of the Mawson ski slope – this is the last element of the grooming work conducted a couple of years ago. They then joined Peter and Karen Davis, Craig Larsson and Anita Kelly working on construction of new tripods on a section of the Uni tow.
Further up the Uni Tow Rod Stolorz lead a team including Leigh Stevens, Micah Kleinert, Andrew Poole and Michael Potter focussed on repair of damaged snow fence timbers by re-using and re-purposing old timbers from other sections of the fence. This is very painstaking work, but has lead to a much stronger overall structure.
Perhaps the biggest achievement of the day was the repair work and removal of old lubricants from the Rodway Tow hut. Tim Metcalfe led this work and was ably supported by Owen Summers, Joe Kronawitter and others. New timber beams were placed under the hut to support the floor, and there was a constant stream of helpers bringing containers of used lubricant and old diesel fuel back from the Rodway Hut. Much of the portage was done by Gabrielle Larsson and Charlie Potter – a great effort.
Once again the community spirit that characterises the Mt Mawson Ski Field was clear, and a great day was had by all.
A second day of working bee will be held tomorrow (Sunday 22 March).
