MT. BULLER

	Grid Reference	DU 489887
	Department	DSE
	Work Depot	Mansfield
	Region	North East
	Grading	Primary
	Elevation (ASL)	1805m
	Height	On Ground
	Construction	Stone
	Cabin size	4.5m x 4.5m
	Public access to site	Yes
	In use since	19?? - 1967 (original) 1967 - (current)
	CFA Region	23 - North Eastern

Photo (2000) supplied by Andre Belterman

Mt. Buller's original 'tower' was a box which had to be tied down securely on top of this windy mountain.
In a letter (found in notes supplied by David Bannear) dated 24th Dec. 1942 it states: "Because of difficulties with transport, food arrangements and man-power there will not be any lookout operating on Mt. Buller this summer. The position is further worsened by the fact that the Chalet has been burnt down. Reports of fires, if any, will come from the usual observations of fireguards and other employees, plus what can be done from the office in Mansfield. This should suffice for this summer, as conditions are so safe in the alpine country after the long, wet winter".
The University of Melbourne, Meteorology Department, often used the lookout cabin as a glaciological laboratory during the winter months.
Chris Deutscher, who has more than 25 years service as towerman on Mt. Buller(2000), still remembers the day a helicopter landed on the summit to rescue a girl that had fallen during the climb to the top. Chris greets many visitors every year. The most asked question is: "Don't you get bored doing this job?" Chris's reply: "No I get bored answering the same question a thousand times".

Please click on thumbnail for enlargement


Mt. Buller Fire tower taken in 1953 from Ivan Whittaker Lodge Photo supplied by Chris Donnelly	Mt. Buller Fire tower taken in 1960 by ŠEric Burt Kindly supplied by Eric Burt and used with permission	Inside in 2009, supplied by Richard Webb	Inside in 2009, supplied by Richard Webb

2005 The tower was severely damaged by very strong wind.

2007 The tower was fitted with uPVC (unplasticised PVC) double glazed windows and frames. The frames and glass was carted up manually and the new steel roof had to be put in position with a helicopter.
The first photo below shows evertyhing in place. Chris Deutscher is still the current fire lookout observer (2009-10).


Mt. Buller (2009) Supplied by Chris Deutscher	Wedding @ Mt. Buller (2009) Supplied by Chris Deutscher

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