Author pens largely unknown Alpine history

An author talk at Beechworth Library earlier this month shone the light on a small pocket of Alpine history largely unknown between the years of 1939 and 1945. ‘Pearl Bradshaw. Princess of Hotham’ follows an earlier book ‘Snow, Fire and Gold’ penned by Stephen Whiteside about Bill Spargo and his wife Evelyn Piper. Stephen – a walker and skier - said his inspiration for both books began from the discovery on a bushwalk in 1982 of Spargos Hut he had known about some years earlier. “I got a shock when we found the hut, because it looked as though it was still occupied," he said. “Closer inspection revealed this not to be the case, but it had remained crammed full of necessary items for everyday living protected by its remoteness.” Stephen’s intrigue set the scene five years later when he started to delve into history to exploring who had lived in the hut above the snow line near Mount Hotham. “I already knew the hut had been built by William Benjamin (‘Bill’) Spargo and had learned that an English woman Evelyn Maud Piper had lived there too,” he said. Pearl Bradshaw, who had managed the Hotham Heights Chalet with her late husband Jim for nine consecutive winters, from 1937 – 45, had been among Stephen’s interviewees further sparking his interest. “The Bradshaw's had employed Bill Spargo as a ‘useful' at the Chalet, prior to his discovery of the rich Red Robin gold reef in 1941,” Stephen said. Many interviews including from descendants had been undertaken with information found on Trove too. “Pearl’s life had been fascinating, and I returned to interview her a second time in 1987,” he said. Looking for a new project at the end of last year following publication of ‘Snow, Fire and Gold’ Stephen said he returned to Pearl Bradshaw interviews for his latest book. Beechworth librarian Julie Skeggs said Stephen had an interesting tale to tell of his original interviews with Pearl Bradshaw over 30 years ago. “We had a lovely gathering looking back at a slice of Alpine history and the life of Pearl and Jim Bradshaw," she said. “The talk drew a warm audience with memories shared of the high country and many of the colourful characters involved in the early days of ski tourism.” Stephen said he successfully nominated Spargos Hut for registration with Heritage Victoria when known as the Historic Buildings Council.

Author pens largely unknown Alpine history

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