JB Plain Hut
Photograph copyright Olaf Moon © 2001.
Known as JB Plain Hut
Located on Dinner Plain near the JB Plain parking area.
From the Dinner Plain entrance, drive about 1.4 km west along the sealed Great Alpine Road to the JB Plain parking area. Walk approximately 250 m each way (500 m return) to the hut on the signed track.
Alternatively, approach on foot along the Brabralung Trail from Dinner Plain. There is no public vehicle access to the hut; use the designated parking area and check snow and seasonal access conditions.
Brief History
There have been two huts at JB Plain. The first stood about 300 m south of the present hut and was demolished in 1989. This profile previously attributed its 1934 construction to the Omeo Ski Club and described a second-hand Victorian Railways building. VHCHA and the regional tourism history instead associate the first hut with Cobungra Station stockmen.
The hut was named after Jim Brown, manager of Cobungra Lease, for George Gray, from 1851. John Wells was JB's side-kick.
The present hut was relocated for grazing use on block D2. The earlier account gives Pooncarie Pty Ltd and 1978; other histories place the move in the 1960s or 1970s and describe a former government workers’ hut from the Swifts Creek area, with additional material from Ensay.
When you stay, watch out for the "house mouse", a cheeky antechinus.
Construction
The hut has a gabled corrugated iron roof and skillion to one side. The brick chimney is typical of a late 60s design or 70s. Iron of the "Redcliffe" brand (late 19th century) was obviously re-used.
The vertical boards are V jointed softwood over an unusual softwood frame, probably Oregon. The hut is lined with 150mm softwood and the floor is non-tongue and groove hardwood.
The building is about 9m square. As at Derricks, the guttering is under the eaves, so that the snow won't pull them off.
Caretakers - The Alpine School
References
Hueneke Pp114, 238.
G. Butler 1996, Pp 146 - 148.
Not Below 5000: A history of the Ski Club of East Gippsland by Jennifer McLennan, SCEG 2001 Pp42, 50, 68-79.
Magnussen
Mapping Guidance:
GPS: approximately 37.02312°S, 147.22160°E.
UTM Zone 55H: 519711 m E, 5902540 m N. Approximate VHCHA mapped position; WGS84 assumed.