Tucked within Falls Creek’s alpine village, a modest timber building holds far more than memorabilia.

The Falls Creek Museum is both a record of the mountain’s past and a tribute to the volunteers who work to keep that history alive.

The Falls Creek Historical Society brought the museum back to life after it closed in 2015.

Chairperson Karen Smythe recalls, “My family moved to Falls Creek for work and I was looking for something to do that would help me contribute to the village while my children were at primary school.

"I had a genuine interest in the history of the village and the collection was just sitting in boxes.

" We then recruited as much help as possible from the village to get the museum up and running, inclusive of builders, community members, and board members all volunteering their time.”

Now re-established in the Panabode building, the museum has become a central fixture in the village.

Visitors range from locals and tourists to ski club members, school groups, and lodge staff eager to learn more about the mountain’s past.

“Everyone comes to the museum,” Karen said.

“Most people are pleasantly surprised by its selection of items.”

The collection spans Olympic uniforms, handwritten diaries, and early examples of chairlifts, including Chair Number 47 from the original Eagle Lift, a nod to the village’s founding year in 1947.

“Visitors love the old chairs in there," Karen said.

"We have an example of the very first chair built by Bob Hyman to the refurbished Eagle Chair.”

For many, the most captivating pieces are the personal stories.

“I personally love the story of Skippy St Elmo," Karen enthused.

"She was a strong woman who learnt to ski out of necessity so that she could join her husband who worked measuring snow and water levels on the high plains.

"She went on to represent Australia as a skier.

“The museum has Skippy’s diaries that we are looking to make into a book.”

While the museum is open throughout winter, staffing is becoming increasingly difficult.

“Up until this year we had a full roster of volunteers," Karen explained.

"This year we have struggled to find enough volunteers to open more than a couple of days a week.”

Despite this, a dedicated committee continues to manage day-to-day operations and long-term plans.

The Falls Creek Museum opens during winter when the yellow flags are out, as well as during school holidays and event weekends in summer.

Outside these times, visits can be arranged by appointment.

Entry is free, with donations welcomed to support the museum’s preservation work.

For those who want to get involved, the call for volunteers is always open.

“Volunteering allows you the opportunity to meet people that you may not have met otherwise,” Karen said.

“Our volunteers learn a lot about the village and also save us resources which means we can dedicate all funds to the preservation of the collection.”

By keeping the doors open and the stories told, Falls Creek Museum and its dedicated volunteers ensure the mountain’s history will be remembered for generations to come.