The Yallourn Rover Scout Crew, which later moved to Morwell and became Captain Hurley Rover Crew, was one of the first groups to be interested in the Baw Baw Plateau as a skiing area. Originally, they skied around Mt Erica, where they constructed and still maintain, JW McMahon Lodge (also known as the Captain Hurley Rover Hut).
With the encouragement of the Headquarters Commissioner for Rovers, Bill Waters, the Rover Crew also began to ski at Mt Baw Baw, where they were soon joined by other Rovers.
Bill would later negotiate with the owner of Neulyne's Mill, located at what is now the entry to the Mt Baw Baw Alpine Resort, for weekend use of the mill buildings as another base for Rover skiing on the Baw Baw Plateau. As time went by however, the mill was gradually converted into car parking for the growing Resort. The huts eventually fell into disrepair and were later removed.
In 1964 a village site was granted to the Victorian Rover Scouts and thanks to a grant and loan from Scouts Victoria, the Lodge was constructed in readiness for the 1967 season.
Many projects have been undertaken since 1967, including:
- Construction of a generator shed
- Significant extension of the lodge
- Installation of a full commercial kitchen and pantry
- Installation (and later removal) of bulk fuel tanks
- Significant upgrading of all bathrooms
- Recarpeting and painting of all the rooms.
A great place to discover Lodge history is at the Lodge itself. Our logbooks, dating back to our opening in 1967, are back at the Lodge after being copied in case of catastrophic fire. When was the earliest time that your Crew visited the Lodge?
For a short history of the pre-WF Waters Lodge days of Mt Baw Baw, click below.
We are always keen to hear from people who are interested in the history of skiing on the Baw Baw Plateau, particularly Rover Skiing, and the Lodge itself. If you want to know more, or can help us out with memorabilia, photographs, stories and anecdotes then we would be pleased to hear from you.
Contact us by email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or by phone: 0438 BAW BAW (0438 229 229)