By Rob Aivatoglou

THE story began in 1950 when Fiona Homann's grandparents, the McKays (on her mum’s side) started coming to Mt Buller from Melbourne.

Ernst and Aurel Forass had just built Kooroora and the McKay family would travel up to enjoy weekends in the Victorian alps, staying at Kooroora.

They were an adventurous family who quickly embraced the snow lifestyle.

In 1960 Stuart McKay teamed up with family friends, the Edgars, and together they built two flats they called Cobbler.

The flats were tiny but enjoyed a wonderful aspect over looking Shaky Knees ski run.

In 1973 Cobbler was redeveloped into four flats and stayed in the family until the early 1980’s.

Fast forward a few decades, and Stuart McKay became heavily involved with the Ski Club of Victoria (SCV).

Stuart went on to become president for many years and directed the expansion of the main bar and dining room in 1969.

Diana McKay (Stuart’s daughter) began working for the SCV in the city office in Elizabeth St, above Molonys Ski Shop.

It was 1967.

Erich, Fiona’s step-father, started with SCV in the city office in 1969.

Erich would be based at Buller during the winter.

He migrated to Australia from Zurndorf, outside of Vienna, Austria (but had been working in Zurs at one of the ski town’s grandest hotels) to run the Thredbo Hotel, and then in summer ran the George Hotel in St Kilda.

Together, Erich and Diana started running the SCV at Mt Buller from 1969 until the mid ‘90s when they joined the Grollo’s business.

During her childhood, Fiona came up to Mt Buller every school holidays and every single weekend from May through to the end of September.

Her schooling was Melbourne based, attending St Catherines and Carey.

Younger siblings Louise and Friedrich, also enjoyed the same, wonderful upbringing.

Friedrich in particular embraced Buller Race Club.

In fact, Diana and Michael Tinsley were involved in the start up of the Buller Race Club as they were seeking appropriate ‘Saturday Sport’ training for the children of Mt Buller regulars and locals.

This unfolded in the late 70s.

Early on, as a teenager, Fiona use to help out at The Whitt, and instantly loved the mountain life.

In 1981 she commenced work as one of the house maids and also did waitressing in the dining room, as well as the Front Office.

Back in those days, the Ski Club was the local bar for the Ski Patrollers and all instructors. (French and Austrian).

There was a healthy rivalry between the French and Austrians that regularly extended into the wee hours of the morning!

Fiona lived at The Whitt and occasionally turned up at university at Latrobe in Melbourne.

In 1982 she quit university and started at Alpine Retreat as one of the house maids and again also did some waitressing work in the restaurant, working for Danny Mattern.

She lasted two weeks.

Fiona decided that maybe The Whitt, working in the front office was a better option.

Over the next few years, Fiona spent time working at the Abom for George and Elenor Vassilopoulos, and 1984 she managed Cawarra Ski Lodge, combining it with weekend work at Molonys/George’s for George and Margaret Aivatoglou, in the boutique and ski hire.

It was the same year George purchased the business from Geoff Henke, and renamed Molonys George’s.

In 1985 Fiona ventured off to Perisher and completed her ski instructor’s certificate.

She worked at the Mt Buller Ski School under Walter Frois.

Walter was head of the Austrian Ski School for many years and this ski school was connected to Orange Lifts based from Helicopter Flat.

Instructing stints followed in Austria and Canada, including Fortress Mountain in Alberta.

Fiona also did many seasons living the ‘ski bum’ lifestyle in Whistler and Banff during the ‘80s.

It became clear that free skiing was her go, not instructing.

So upon returning to Australia, she resumed with the Whitt and was able to spend all day every day on the snow.

In 1994 Fiona met Peter Homann at a party in Jamieson.

Everyone there on the night was either a ski instructor, patroller or cyclist.

Peter was an exceptional para-Olympian cyclist.

He rode time trial and track, and enjoyed much success in the years to come winning seven medals at three games between 1996-2004.

Peter also claimed multiple gold medals at World Championships between 1994 and 1998.

And he received an OAM in 1997 for services to sport.

He had an incredible career which culminated in being Inducted in to the Hall of Fame in Beijing during the Games.

Today Fiona is the manager of Benalla Ski Lodge, a role she has held for the last three years.

Pete and the kids are based in Melbourne but visit regularly.

Fiona also works at George’s Ski Hire.

She is still very good friends with many of the crew from the ‘early days’ including Andy Laidlaw, Ross O’Neil, Emma Shoreland, Mark Borderick, and Bronny and Paul Richmond.

There are many plans for future skiing adventures as the passion for snow still burns strong.

And Fiona is still an enthusiastic member of the SCV.

Sadly the family lost Erich in October 2023 aged 90.

Diana recently attend the SCV 100 Years of Skiing celebratory dinner held on Mt Buller on Kings Birthday weekend.

It was a wonderful evening with Diana being special guest.

Although Diana no longer skis, she still enthusiastically follows mountain developments and of course has a keen interest in the SCV.