Ski club turns 40!

The club now boasts two dining areas, a sports lounge, a cocktail lounge, a children’s all abilities playground, a large gaming and entertainment lounge incorporating a significantly expanded coffee shop, the recently expanded Malibu Deck and 11,000 members.

Last Sunday’s milestone occasion was a celebration of the club’s history. “Our history started with a vision and that vision belonged to our founding president Max Kirwin,” today’s president Matt Holgate said.

Mr Holgate read out a statement by Mr Kirwin upon his Life Membership in 1996 which included: “Looking back, I can recall standing on the shores of Lake Mulwala envisaging that one day a water ski club like this great club of ours would be created.

“In 1979, I asked my long-standing water ski friend, John Barnes, to help me and for the next three years we waged war together with all those who opposed the club’s formation and the NSW licensing authorities.

“My vision for the club would not have eventuated without the financial supporters we had at the beginning.

“Water ski people from all over the world are enviable of our great club and its facilities,” Max Kirwan had said.

An estimated 200 people who contributed to the club’s success were invited to last Sunday’s milestone anniversary and were welcomed by club CEO Peter Duncan.

“Today is a very important and proud day for our club,” Mr Duncan said.

“Member for Albury Justin Clancy has always been a great supporter of our club.

“Bob Wighton former CEO, Paul Barnes on behalf of his late father John Barnes who was our first CEO – for 13 years – Len Langford our longest serving president, for 18 years, Robert Purtle OAM, 14 years as president and Federation Council Mayor Pat Bourke are here today.”

Mr Clancy said: “Possum (Robert Purtle) told me Tim Fischer AC officially opened the club in 1982 and had a ski after it! The club and I have a very appreciative relationship.

“People come together at this fabulous site. It’s something special. It’s a real sense of community. Well done, congratulations.”

Mr Holgate expressed his thanks to Life Members Max Kirwin, Fred Haebich, Ken Williams, Neil Lovell, John Barnes, John Levesque, Doug McErvale, Robert Purtle and Len Langford, past present boards of directors and Chief Executive Officers and their teams, stakeholders and business partners and everyone involved in skiing for their wonderful contributions.

“A special mention must go to Pete O’Neill – 20 years as our ski pro – and Brant Ryan who was last year awarded Legend Status for the significant contribution he has made to water skiing at the Mulwala Water Ski Club,” the president said.

“The upgrades we have made to Max Kirwin Ski Park now mean we have a world class, turn-key venue that is consistently attracting state, national and international water ski competitions.

“Our Malibu Deck and Ski Shows are hugely popular…we are soon to commission a laser light and sound show which we think will attract a significant amount of tourism.

“The children’s playground has been rebuilt and we also ensured all abilities functionality…our foreshow area, boat ramp, carpark Pro Shop and associated water activities are fully accessible for anyone to use.

“We will continue to expand and develop the foreshore and harbour area to make it a real drawcard for locals and tourists alike.”

Mr Holgate revealed the latest news.

“True to Max Kirwin’s vision, we are now in advanced discussions with Water Ski and Wakeboard Australia to make Mulwala Water Ski Club the headquarters for water skiing in Australia.”

The president concluded: “Mulwala Water Ski Club has grown and prospered over the last 40 years, and we are in great shape to continue doing so in the future.”