The Royal Children’s Hospital Alpine Club (formerly the Royal Children’s Hospital Ski Club) was founded in 1962. Initially, an interest-free loan from the late Dame Elisabeth Murdoch, together with the issue of debentures, allowed the construction of a small lodge at Mt Buller; the builder was Aurel Forras. The first season was marked by several problems in the lodge, and our pioneers showed great forbearance. There was no power or mains water until 1967 but since then the amenities on the mountain have greatly improved. Club members maintained the lodge. An artist’s impression of this original lodge is displayed in the new lodge; the building contained four four-bunk bedrooms and two bathrooms.

In 1971, a group of the Committee reported on the possibility of extending the Club’s activities to Mt Hotham, which was just beginning to start a new phase of development, and whose snow was known to be more reliable. Numerous fund raising activities enabled the Club to build a substantial 16-bunk lodge; the builder was Noel Lane. Subsequently a further six bunks were added by converting the generator room into a flat. In these early days, the road to the mountain was unsealed, and access was difficult. Rapid development has since resolved most of the problems; mains gas and electricity were connected in 1985 and sewage in 1986.

John Brownbill with sons, Rob, Andy and James in 1972.

In 1980, the Committee conducted a plebiscite to determine whether members wished to upgrade the Buller Lodge, as it no longer met the needs of the club. It also failed to comply with new building regulations, which meant that the lease could not be renewed. A preliminary plan was drawn up to extend the Lodge, but it became clear that the defects of the original design would be too restrictive; the architect, John MacDonald, drew up plans for an entirely new building which could be built in two stages as finance became available. The loan for Mt Hotham had been paid out well in advance of the due date, and a further loan, enabled the first stage (14 beds) to be constructed in the summer of 1981.

The builder was David Bassingthwaite, who had been Noel Lane’s apprentice when the Mt Hotham Lodge was built. Club labour was used for all the painting and some internal finishing, and the new and old lodges were used together during what was a bumper season. The second (southern section) was to have been commenced 24 months later, but a substantial rise in interest rates and an over-run in costs made this impossible. The mountain authorities granted the Club a further year’s grace for construction, and further loans were sought. A debenture issue to the members was made, and in 1984 Aurel Forras built the second stage from the already completed plans. Members again supplied labour for all the painting, the carpeting and much of the finishing, and the new 18 beds were available for the 1983 season. At a memorable weekend attended by several of the Club’s founders, the old building was farewelled prior to its being dismantled in December 1983; the new lodge was formally opened at a dinner attended by many of the voluntary workers in November 1984.  Dame Elisabeth Murdoch came to Buller for this occasion, and graciously agreed to the new Lodge continuing to bear her name.

It wasn’t until 2022 that the next major capital improvement project was undertaken by the club. The Hotham lodge received a complete renovation that included new kitchens and bathrooms, complete outside re-cladding, re-insulation, new double-glazed windows, new balcony, refurbished dry-room and entrance foyer, relocation of the lodge entry, and reconfigured en-suited bedrooms on the lower level. The builder was Rob Van Heek, and the architect Tania Provin.