Victorian High Country Huts Association

Our Charter

Our mission is to assist with the management, conservation and rebuilding of huts and associated structures in the High Country of Victoria in partnership with Parks Victoria and the Department of Sustainability and Environment.

The 2009 fires

January and February 2009 saw some of the worst fires in  European history devastate Victorian communities, resulting in tragic loss of life and destruction of many homes. The most severly affected hut maintenance area was Marysville (Area 5) and confirmed losses are: Cambarville Village, Federation Link Road, Fifteen mile, Keppels, Nissen (2 huts), and Whisky Creek. With the need to rebuild communities, make tracks safe, and  the onset of winter it may be some time before consideration can be given to replacing huts. The Association will work closely with local communities, land managers, Parks Victoria, and DSE, when the time is right to discuss such matters.

A Brief History

Our Association was founded in February 2003 in response to the bushfires which swept through the Victorian High Country from January 8th 2003. We can thank historian Dianne Carroll and author Fiona Magnussen for the spark that grew, as rapidly as the bushfires, into our Association.

Since 2003 more than 90 huts have been lost to fires leaving some 190 in need of ongoing care. The Huts Maintenance Officers, along with caretaker groups, and our members maintain and care for all huts. Some huts have had caretakers for many years and we welcome their continuing support of our hut heritage.

We are registered with Parks Victoria as a “Friends Group” and have affiliated with the “Friends Network” to promote our “hands on” work of hut maintenance.

Our Newsletter Echo from the Mountains is published four times a year to keep members informed about work done and future activities.

The VHCHA is proud to play a part in preserving and maintaining our High Country Heritage.