Dr Herbert Schlink
Sir Herbert was an enthusiastic and intrepid
skier. He was a foundation member of the Alpine Club in 1909 and of the
Ski Club of Australia in 1920, and was President of the latter for 40
years.
He was one of the first guests at the Kosciusko Hotel in 1907, and
was a member of the first party to reach Kosciusko from the hotel, on
skis in 1910. After exploratory summer trips, he also made the first
ski crossing from Kiandra to Kosciusko in 1927. In recognition of these
journeys, he was made a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society.
He was an enthusiatic supporter of the encouragement of skiing, the
benefits to health of high altitiudes, and the provision of more accommodation
in the alpine areas, including development of a chain of hotels and
huts for use by skiers. For example, he was instrumental in the development
of Tin hut as a skiers venue.
He took an active interest in the development of Thredbo, was a supporter
of the Snowy Mountains scheme, and actively promoted development of
the Snowy Mountains area for purposes of sport, tourism and, in particular,
skiing.
In recognition of his contribution, the highest road pass on the Kosciusko
main range was named after him by the Snowy Mountains Authority, and
the related and very popular skiing hut, the "Schlink Hilton."
Sir Herbert Schlink was also well known in other circles as a prominent
Sydney doctor and gynaechologist, and as a result was written up in
"Australia's Who's Who 1962".
