(Updated Saturday 10 January 2009)
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The oldest hut on the Bogong High Plains, built from snow gum slabs and woollybut shingles, was named after the Wallace brothers who were responsible for its creation in 1889.
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Bushwalkers named it 'Seldom Seen' because it was nestled amongst snow gums but it is more well known as Wallace's Hut for obvious reasons.
Three brothers, Arthur William and Stewart, utilised local timber and a flat
stone (for the hut's hearth) was dragged on a sled from Pretty Valley which is quite a distance from Wallace's Hut.
The iconic fixture, a major tourist attraction today, has had many guises including acting as a home for employees of the former State Electricity Commission (who measured snow and rainfalls) including Skippy St Elmo, and countless bushwalkers and skiers who have sought refuge from the elements.
In 2002 extensive restoration work was carried out by The North East Freemason Taskforce under the guidance of DSE and the National Trust.
A fire in the hut's chimney in 2001 had burnt some of the slabs that surrounded the insulating stonework but it was the most recent bushfires (in 2003 and 2006) that caused most concern
The Falls Creek-based CFA team built a containment line around the rustic gem and ensured it survived a major bushfire threat in 2003.
Whilst modifications have been made to Wallace's Hut since it was first built in 1889 it is fundamentally the same structure the Irish immigrant Wallace brothers erected (in six weeks) 120 years ago.
A symbolic link with the earliest period of use by settlers who grazed cattle,
stockmen from NSW who brought their sheep during the 1914-18 drought, then the subsequent use by The State Electricity Commission (SEC). who built the Rocky Valley dam and Kiewa hydro scheme] has ensured the robust hut has survived.
The current managers of the hut - Parks Victoria - are responsible for its maintenance and heritage protection and work in partnership with the Victorian High Country Huts Association (VHCHA) to ensure its continued preservation.
It is the oldest hut remaining on the Bogong High Plains as another reputed to be of the same vintage, Horsehair Hut, was lost in the 2003 bush fire.
Wallace's Hut is one of the most photographed huts in the high country and the Falls Creek community is about to celebrate one of its more significant milestones. It turns a sprightly 120 years of age this year.
Footnote An interpretive, guided walk, Free for participants (max 15 spaces) will include both Cope and Wallace’s Hut on Saturday 10 January . Easy walk standard and booking essential by calling the information centre on 1800 2 FALLS or 5758-3733.
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