SNOWY SCHEME ASSOCIATION

ssa@snowyschemecollection.com.au
PO BOX 721 COOMA 2630

Celebrating the Anniversary of the Start of the Snowy Scheme

Snowy Reunions

SNOWY REUNIONS: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

HOW WILL YOU KNOW ABOUT FUTURE SNOWY REUNIONS?

Each member will be advised of future reunions as soon as their planning begins. For example, the Report of the 60th Reunion being mailed mid July 2010 contains the invitation to indicate interest in a 65th Reunion in 2014 as well as to establish who wants to meet annually in Cooma, starting this year, 2010 on 16 October..

WILL FUTURE SNOWY REUNIONS BE HELD ON ANNIVERSARY?

The actual anniversary date is 17 October; it was a Saturday at 2:28pm in 1949 when Adaminaby received heads of Government for the official starting ceremony for the Snowy Mountains Hydro-electric Scheme. The 60th Anniversary re-enactment was held to replicate the original event, but there is no certainty that it will be repeated. Traditionally during the late 1950s and 60s, however, Cooma celebrated the anniversary day on the Saturday nearest 17 October with a "Festival of the Snows" parade even though the Monaro weather between seasons is so changeable. It is the SSA Committee's decision to have future Reunions at this time also.

WHY IS SSA ORGANISING SNOWY REUNIONS?

Snowy Scheme Association (SSA) was formed with the purpose of organising 60th Reunion  for those with a connection to the Snowy Mountains Scheme because no one else was going to mark the occasion by reunion. Snowy Hydro Limited, a government corporation who now owns the Snowy Scheme, was very happy to fully endorse the SSA motivation. The CEO and Managing Director of Snowy Hydro, Terry Charlton, authorised many parallel activities to be organised for members during that reunion week. However, the SSA required its reunion members to fund its existence through their membership fee; this has been done successfully.

HOW IS SNOWY SCHEME ASSOCIATION SET-UP?

The SSA Committee is community based, with three office bearers. At a meeting in March 2010 all the Committee agreed to continue their activity for SSA.  The foundation office bearers (May 2009) were re-elected; Wally Mills Hon Chairman, Sue Salvestro Hon Secretary and Val Leitch Hon Treasurer. As volunteers, we are committed to supporting you for future Snowy reunions.

The preferred communication is by Email but the full address information is on the "snowy60th" Home Page header.

WHAT FUTURE REUNION PLANS ARE ALREADY ANNOUNCED?

In the Report of 60th Reunion sent to members it was announced that " An afternoon and evening get-together is planned in Cooma for Saturday 16 October 2010 for those who would want to gather this year.  We would like to hold an annual gathering of SSA members if there is sufficient interest and we also hope to hold a larger reunion celebration in October 2014 to celebrate the 65th anniversary for the start of the Snowy Scheme."

The implication of the above announcement is for those who want to attend this year to reply by return mail to allow further planning and then receive particular updates.

WHY MEMBERSHIP OF THE ASSOCIATION IS ESSENTIAL?

In these hard corporate times, it falls to the participants in reunion to pay for the reunion running costs. Membership also allows SSA to inform all those registered and requesting it, to be advised of the future reunion details. A strong membership list was created from the 60th Reunion under the control of SSA as part of its purpose.

Membership registration remains open for those with a connection to the Snowy Scheme. This Website allows linked membership registration, on-line. Or the Membership registration form can be seen and printed at "Snowy Mountains Scheme Reunion Membership Registration" for the purpose of posting the membership registration.

Payment needs to accompany membership registration and this can be done by direct deposit to the Snowy Scheme Association account or by enclosing a cheque or money order with posted forms. Membership will allow reunion meal, event and tour bookings to be made accompanied by pre-payment. Membership will also allow the possibility of reunion members to find help to make the individually desired reunion connections.

WHO IS COVERED BY SSA MEMBERSHIP?

The $20 membership fee is all that is required per family at the one address, (preferably including your Email address). It means that the adults with children who are not of independent means and at home, are included in family membership.

HOW LONG DOES THE MEMBERSHIP FEE LAST?

For the foreseeable future the $20 membership is sufficient for SSA to prepare the annual reunions (if there is sufficient interest annually) and also set-up for the next major reunion in 2014. Any $ sums for services such as meals, events, tours or entrance fees are separate charges to the membership.

WHO ARRANGES ACCOMMODATION?

The Snowy Scheme Association does not arrange accommodation for reunion visitors. Accommodation can be limited and so those who book early will have the widest choice. When making accommodation bookings directly with the venues you should ask if they have a special rate for reunion membership - this prior arrangement by SSA Committee is offered by some inns. The means of travel to the reunion venues from your accommodation remains the responsibility of the reunion visitor.

WILL YOUR QUESTIONS GET ANSWERED?

The SSA Committee, in general, will endeavour to reply to member's questions within three weeks of receiving the query or request in the period leading up to the 65th Anniversary reunion in 2014.  Email communication is always preferred in order to manage the cost of providing this service, otherwise post your letter to our mailing address. We no longer have a contract with Cooma Call Centre, and thus they are no longer the ones to receive questions on our behalf. Members are welcome to use our service at any time.

WHAT IS THE INTEREST IN FUTURE SNOWY REUNIONS?

There were several all around Australia who told us they had prior commitments at the time of 60th reunion, otherwise they would have attended and that they did want to come to the next reunion SSA organised. The general feedback gained at the time was that a reunion  every five years for people travelling some distance to be present would be of interest. If you would want to come to another reunion, what would you want to change in the way this reunion was run?

WHAT CAN BE SEEN OF THE SNOWY SCHEME TODAY?

Based on the experience of the 60th Reunion, Snowy Hydro and National Parks and Wildlife Service (controlling Kosciuszko National Park) gave privileged access to reunion members on organised tours. These privileges were not given individually to members. Not all former camp-sites and townships in the mountains are accessible by road because the former roads have been returned to park land. Other sites are self re-forested so that they are hard to recognise now. Yet local knowledge flourishes for those with a passion to explore on foot. Perhaps with the help of maps and Frank Rodwell's book, "Homes on the Range" which details in excess of 100 Snowy Scheme places of residence, members can be assisted in their quest. The facilities at the Snowy Hydro Information and Education Centre at Cooma North will allow most needs to be fully met.

© Copyright 2004, Adaminaby Snowy Scheme Collection