The event provided a wonderful opportunity for members from Kiama, Illawarra, Shoalhaven and further afield to reconnect.

Kiama Mayor Mark Honey, whose parents Elaine and Geoff were founding members of the Club, reminisced about the club’s extraordinary formation in the post-war 1950s.

In 1958 Geoff along with seven other Kiama locals contributed £300 each as a deposit on a block of land in the newly created Thredbo Alpine Village.

“This led to 120 alpine loving locals coming together at the former Brighton Hotel to form an alpine club which was quite extraordinary considering most members had not even seen snow let alone skied on it,” Kiama Alpine Club president Liz Wynn said.

The dinner followed the club’s AGM where president Liz Wynn awarded founding member Elaine Honey and former treasurer Steven Walker with life membership in recognition of their considerable support to the club over many years.

To mark the major milestone, Cr Honey officially launched the club’s second history book - A Place in the Mountains: the Continuing Story of Kiama Alpine Club from 1997 to 2018 – by Chas Keys.

The book covers the last 20 years, including the growth of the club to 400 members, the major renovations to the 30-bed lodge making it one of the most desirable club lodges in Thredbo, the impact of the Thredbo landslide and it includes some well-researched commentary on the likely future impact of climate change on snow conditions in Thredbo.

To wrap up the evening, Sonia Henry of Jamberoo contemplated the challenges her grandfather Eugene Baranowsky faced post-war as a vet emigrating from Ukraine and how he and his wife Lala became a driving force behind the establishment of the club.  

“As a third generation member, Sonia reminded all those attending why we all love alpine sports and despite the potential threat of global warming, how our Club has continued to grow, invest in our beautiful lodge facility and look confidently and positively towards the future,” Mrs Wynn said.