FALLS Creek has long been known as a snow bunny's paradise, but its origins are thanks to the State Electricity Commission of Victoria and the Kiewa electrical scheme.

The scheme started in the Kiewa River following World War II on land previously only used for summer cattle grazing in the alpine grasslands.

The first ski lodge, named Skyline, was built by workers from the electrical scheme in 1947; the lift – a rope tow – was built in 1951 and in 1957 Australia's first chairlift was constructed.

The Falls Creek Post Office opened in 1958 but they had to wait until 1964 before they had anything more than just telegraph and telephone facilities.

To commemorate the people who made the mountain, and who continue to contribute to its success, volunteers from the Falls Creek Museum are working on a project which documents the memories and lives of these local identities.

Chairperson of the Falls Creek Historical Society and unofficial curator of the museum, Karen Smythe, said the project, whose working title is 'Oral histories of Falls Creek', was started a few years ago by former ski patroller, John McDonald.

"John had put together short videos of an annual ski patrol event in Falls Creek to remember Alex Warender, a ski patroller who had an accident many years ago," Karen said.

"He (John) presented the museum with a copy of one such video, we got talking and he offered to obtain some oral histories of a few Falls Creek legends/pioneers to start a collection of stories on video.

"I put a post out on Facebook asking people to nominate who they felt should be interviewed and from that, we compiled a list and we hope to get to everyone on it eventually.

"So far we have seven videos made by John and an eighth interview was completed a couple of weeks ago with help from Chris Hocking.

"The interviews are married up with archival footage from the museum to really bring the stories and memories to life."

Karen's passion for the project, the historical society, museum and the mountain itself is evident, having initiated the museum's restoration when she moved to Falls Creek in 2015.

"When we first moved here I saw there was a museum in town and thought I could volunteer one day a week," she said.

"I got in touch with then–committee members Diana Patterson and the late Lyn Gibbs and found out that the museum was closed as it had had to move from its previous premises.

"Falls Creek Resort Management had given the museum a new space but everything was in boxes.

"I felt that the village needed a museum to preserve and share the wonderful history so I started cataloguing the collection and put together some working bees to establish the space."

Karen's passion rubbed off on other locals and by 2016, a community–built museum had been re–established.

A total of eight volunteers are now on the committee and a rotating roster of 10 volunteers work in the museum during the winter months.

In an attempt to engage with a cross–section of ages, the museum and historical society welcome tour groups and school students to visit any time during the year, with volunteers available to take them through the museum and highlight the numerous interesting items.

"There's a lot to see including the history of Falls Creek at Wallace Hut on the High Plains, down to Bogong Village, displays of the first lodge, Olympic skis and outfits from people who have represented Australia and Falls Creek specifically at the Winter Olympics.

"We even have a chair off the first ski lift in the Southern Hemisphere.

"We try and change the displays every couple of years, so there's always something new for returning visitors and first time visitors to enjoy."

The 10 to 12 minute films for the oral history project will also be available for viewing in the museum via an iPad once they are completed and they will complement the videos and photos we already have playing on digital screens.

"It is all part of recording valuable history but also providing a new media format to attract a younger demographic to the museum," said Karen

"We don't really have an end date (for the project) as there are so many people to interview who have amazing stories.

"As long as John has the energy and the desire to keep interviewing we will keep doing so.

"He is doing all of this pro bono in support for the museum, which we are so grateful for."

With each interviewee having a different perspective of Falls Creek and village life, the stories vary, however they are all united in one common theme: their love for the village.

Long time Falls Creek resident and current fire chief at the Falls Creek CFA, Rock DeMarchi, has had many jobs throughout his time on the mountain but is perhaps most well–known by the locals for his instrumental defence of the village in the 2003 bushfires.

Editor of This Week in Falls Creek newspaper, Ken Bell, has lived in Mt Beauty and worked on the hill for more than 40 years and was happy to share how the newspaper started.

"The paper was a way to let staff know what was happening in the village so they could let the guests know," Karen explained.

The Lee family – whose surname is famous in Falls Creek and the various arms of the ski industry – have also taken part in the project.

Noelene and her husband ran Attunga Lodge for many years, and their children Kerry, Steve and Tracey have all had careers in the ski industry; Tracey was a junior racer, Steve represented Australia in the Olympics and Kerry is an accomplished ski instructor and teacher and still works at Falls Creek.

Three of the next generation of Lees are also working on the mountain during winter.

George Shirling arrived in Falls Creek in 1962 and built the original Koki Lodge which opened in 1965 with 14 beds.

He graduated in the early days of sport psychology in 1981 and was invited to become team psychologist for the Australian Winter Olympic team who went to Albertville, France, in 1992.

Others who have been interviewed include former Pretty Valley Lodge owner and operator John Steven; Lyn Greene who now runs the post office and is a former lodge owner; and Ron McCallum, who was an early designer and builder of the ski lifts.

The Falls Creek Museum and Historical Society is keeping an eye out for available grants to assist them with the oral history project, but would like to hear from anyone who can help them with other digitisation projects or volunteer at the museum over the winter months.

"In the past we have been successful with grants for a heritage and environmental walk, a digital walk featuring the primary school children and an honour board for Falls Creek residents who served in the forces, although that is yet to be realised, and we have future projects planned including the publishing of Skippy St Elmo's diaries," said Karen.

"Skippy was the first woman of Falls Creek and has an amazing story to share."

The museum and historical society are always looking for new members as well as memorabilia related to Falls Creek and their AGM will be held on July 24, with anyone welcome to attend.

The Falls Creek Museum is located in Slalom Street and is open 11am to 3pm Tuesday to Sunday – phone (03) 5758 1200.