Andy and Ally are the first father-daughter full-time ski patrollers at Mt Buller.

Back when Andy commenced on patrol 45 years ago, there were only eight full-time ski patrollers, and the only way to get in was if someone left or died.

He recalls it being pretty tough, for example, they would rescue injured people using akja’s and have to take them up the Bull Run and Chamois pomas.

However, there was a lot less paperwork.

These days Andy is still patrolling but he likes to say he retired two years ago, because he believes that if you get to ski every day, how could that be a job?

Ally started as a volunteer patroller in 2022 and during the 2023 season combined her volunteer patrolling with her day-job working as a nurse at the Mt Buller medical centre. Andy said it was one of his proudest moments handing his patients over to his daughter.

This season Ally has shifted from volunteering to paid patrol, taking some time off from her nursing job down the coast.

Andy commenced his patrolling career at Fortress Mountain in Canada.

He was unexpectedly made Captain in his third season, and they subsequently ran out of bombs due to the extensive avalanche control work they undertook.

Ally grew up living at Mt Buller and travelling around the world as Andy did northern winters in Tignes and Squaw Valley.

Whilst her mum managed Alkira Ski Club where they lived in a tiny room, she raced and went to school with Mark and Jakara Anthony here on Mt Buller.

Chairlift Chats are part of Après @ NAMA which are held every Thursday in July and August from 5:30-7pm with Chats kicking off at 6pm.

Join us next season (2026) for a drink and some sensational stories at National Alpine Museum Australia, Level 1 (Down the Lift), Alpine Central, Mt Buller.

Entry is free but all donations support the museum.