EACH year Mt Buller residents and people of note who have passed over during the time from the previous season are remembered in a special memorial service held in the Alpine Chapel.
Father Tony Kerin once again travelled from Melbourne to conduct the service which was attended by around 60 people on 12 June – a service which he has conducted for about 30 years.
As the church bells rang out many from around the mountain filed into the chapel to pay their respects to those who have died over the past eight months.
Those remembered this year included Margaret Anne Deighton (Shallard) who passed over on 6 November 2024, aged 89; Donald McKenzie Deighton, 2 April 2025, aged 88; Andre Germain Regis Curinier, 19 May 2025, aged 83 and Lynn Akeroyd, 23 May 2025.
Fr Kerin started by saying that this year the community is remembering a number of significant members of the Buller community.
Family members and friends had the opportunity of saying a few words about each of those being remembered.
Kathy Deighton, daughter of Margaret and Donald, who both departed in this time, spoke first about her parents time on Buller and the contribution they made. Her parents met first at Perisher but when coming to Buller were very much involved in Apira Ski Club from the 1960s.
Her mother, Margaret was a member of the University Ski Club both her and Donald were involved in practically building their own lodges – a generation of skiers who did their own building.
“Because of Mum and Dad having met skiing, our family came to Mt Buller during school holidays.
“I remember setting off fireworks halfway up Bourke St, making snow candles, going night skiing, stories of European ski trips from her parents early years, mum loving he snow gums and the exhilarating ski runs and ski rides, wipeouts and trying to ski as well as dad,” Kathy said.
Kathy concluded by saying Mt Buller is a place she will always associate with both her parents.
Kristian Bergmoser, a very close friend of Andre Curinier then spoke about the love of Mt Buller that Andre held. He also loved Mansfield, a community that embraced him as well, his friendships made, both on and off the mountain.
“He will be greatly missed by many within both communities, and I will miss you,” Kristian said.
Last to speak was Lynn Ackroyd’s daughter, Margaret, who went back to the time Apira Lodge was formed and the first trip to Buller in 1951 shouldering borrowed mountain ash skis as heavy as lead and in army boots with groove cut in the heel to take the cable binding. Apira built in 1956 Lynn Ackroyd was involved in the lodge being a long-time member, a great talker and a good cook which gave her a good reputation among members and the mountain folk. One of Lynn’s traits was to go to the lodge for Christmas every year – her last time was just passed in 2024.
Margaret said there were many stories to be told but she then read her mother’s last thoughts/memories – written at the Christmas gathering last December: “In July 1951 a friend asked me to go to Buller with her. We arrived at Dump Inn at 11pm. It was impossible to drive further as there were no snow ploughs in 1951. Dump Inn was a tin shed where you could buy tea, coffee, eggs, bacon and toast, and those with cash could send their gear up the mountain with Graham’s horse and sled. No money, so I put on my backpack containing sleeping bag, clothes and a week’s supply of food.”
At the conclusion of the memories Fr Kerin asked anyone who would like to light a candle in remembrance of a loved one to do so. There were many who came forward.
