WELL known Mount Hotham identities, Colin Hackworth and Helen Moran have been recognised for their distinguished and longstanding contributions to the Mount Hotham community after decades of work in developing and expanding the Mount Hotham Alpine Resort.
The pair were awarded the prestigious Silver Snow Shovel by 2023 Silver Snow Shovel recipient Len Dobell at the annual Hotham Stakeholders Association (HSA) season opening party.
Mr Dobell described how Ms Moran and Mr Hackworth began in junior roles with both progressing to lead the lift company.
“Helen arrived at Hotham in the 1980’s, working in ticket sales, in charge of the team known back then as the Ticket Tarts," he said.
“With the sale of Ski Tows from the Schumann’s to BCR Asset Management in 1995, the Mount Hotham Skiing Company Pty Ltd came into being.
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“Helen’s wealth of knowledge and experience around Hotham and the industry in general was recognised and she was appointed commercial general manager, working very closely with Colin as managing director and Ron Bassett at BCR.
“Heavily involved in all Hotham Developments during the late 90’s, Helen’s achievements including the purchase and operation of nearly all food and beverage at Dinner Plain.
"Helen also assisted significantly in the redevelopment of Erskine House at Lorne for BCR.
“Contribution to the governance of numerous organisations has been a constant in Helen’s career."
HSA president, Greg Price, described Ms Moran as a trailblazer for women in the Alpine sector, mentoring her successor Belinda Trembath, many board members and small business owners and operators at Mount Hotham and across the north east.
Len Dobell said, South Australian Colin Hackworth first skied at Mt Hotham in 1978, while working in Melbourne at the Ford Motor Company.
"He was soon hooked, so left Ford in 1980, working his first full season in the original White Crystal, as a dishie and as a part time ski instructor," he said.
“From there a quick rise through the ranks saw Colin appointed director of Ski School in 1987, taking on more management roles; he became general manager in 1994.
"Colin orchestrated the construction of the last lifts to be installed at Hotham, being Gotcha, the Orchard and Keoghs, planned and built the first stages of the snow making system and oversaw the building of The Hotham Airport and managed the construction of White Crystal and the Basin Houses development.
"Under BCR he managed both Fall’s Creek and Mt Hotham lift companies after Falls was purchased in 1998.
“After the sale of Australian Alpine Enterprises to MFS in 2005 Colin left Australian resort management and took on new interests in Japan.
“Colin has maintained a strong connection to Mount Hotham with daughters Claudia and Isabella following in their father’s footsteps as ski instructors.
“Respected throughout the alpine industry, Colin has retained his connection to Australia’s ski resorts as chief executive officer of the Australian Ski Areas Association (ASAA) for two decades.
“Colin Hackworth and Helen Moran were an integral part of the dream team that took Hotham to new glories after the buyout and into the 21st Century."
Mr Price expressed his sincere regret that Colin Hackworth was unable to be honoured in person due to treatment for Motor Neurone Disease, but expressed gratitude to Helen Moran for accepting the award on behalf of her dear friend and former colleague.
The Hackworth Family is supporting the Fight MND, Run Melbourne After Party at Brewmanity, 50 Tope Street, South Melbourne on Sunday, July 21 at 2pm.
