Ski Club History
The Vision
Situated on the site of The Mulwala Water Ski Club, a sawmill operated from the 1880’s-1981, assisted by various paddle steamers including the P.S. Australien & P.S. Pilot. Lake Mulwala itself was formed in the late 1930’s as an integral part of the Murray River irrigation system.
1949 – 1982
1949
Water skiing was introduced to Lake Mulwala
1954/55
Victorian Water Ski State
Championships held on Lake Mulwala
1972
1973
1977
Work commenced on the
Water Ski Club House,
a single story brick building
1982
“The history of the Mulwala Water Ski Club should be recognised as a testament to what heights can be obtained”
Max Kirwan
(Mulwala Water Ski Club President 1982-1995)
The Beginning
1982 – 1991
1982
The official opening of the Mulwala Water Ski Club
Liquor & Gaming was introduced
400 Club members
1985
$180,000 extension commenced
1987
The Mulwala Water Ski Club
purchases the adjacent
Cypress Gardens Caravan Park
currently known as the
Lake Mulwala Holiday Park
1988
The first Ski Show Nationals held on Lake Mulwala in front of the Lake Mulwala Holiday Park
1990
The club acquires its
first ski boat for training
& tournament use
1991
A $2.1 million expansion
commences
“The Club has never been out of its depth & it has gradually developed into probably the greatest Water Ski Club in the world”
Bert Foster
with giving the Mulwala Water Ski Club an invaluable start)
The Progression
1992 – 2001
1992
The club was presented with an ‘Excellence in Construction Award’ for the 1991 extension
1993
Work commences on the club-owned Mulwala Water Ski Park, located out
on Barooga Road
1994
Official opening of the
Mulwala Water Ski Park
2000
5,000 Club Members
2001
A $1.7 million extension commences, dramatically transforming the Club
“Our Club can rightly be proud of its magnificent Water Ski Park & beautiful Clubhouse. A tribute to all concerned”
Ken Williams
(Director 1983-1995 & Life Member since 2001)
The Journey
2001– 2013
2004
‘World Barefoot Championships’ conducted at the Mulwala Water Ski Park
2006
The Water Ski Park is renamed ‘Max Kirwan Ski Park’ - in honour of Max Kirwan
‘Asian Australasian Waterski, Wakeboard & Barefoot Championships’, a world first, hosted at the Ski Park
2007
Cypress Gardens Caravan Park undergoes an extensive upgrade and is renamed ‘Lake Mulwala Holiday Park’
A $7 million redevelopment of the club begins
2012
‘The Malibu Deck’ completed
2013
‘World Junior Ski Championships’ and ‘National Wakeboard Championships’ hosted at the Max Kirwan Water Ski Park
7,000 Club Members
“Mulwala Water Ski Club has become a popular tourist destination not only due to our progressive facilities but our successful Water Ski Team & World Class Water Ski Park Venue”
Len Langford
(Director 1995-2000 Vice President 2000-2002, President 2002-current)
The Growth
2014 – 2019
2014
World Barefoot Titles’ & ‘National Ski Titles’ hosted at Max Kirwan Water Ski Park. Ski Team represented in both.
Members of Ski Team in the ‘World Show Ski Championships’.
$1.8m of capital improvements - Record Profit of $1.14m.
2015
Ski Team won ‘National Show Ski Championship’.
Ski Pro Pete O’Neill wins 10th ‘National Barefoot’ title.
Malibu Deck Bar built.
2016
27 members of Ski Team in ‘World Show Ski Championships’ placed second in the world.
2017
Malibu Deck upgrade & new Deck Bar ‘The best seat in town’.
$7m loan (2007) now paid in full.
Ski Team won ‘Australian Ski Show Championships’.
Won Australian Clubs Entertainment venue award for ‘Excellence and Commitment to Entertainment’.
Record Profit of $1.51m.
9500 Club Members.
2018
Commence $3 million upgrade to Holiday Park
$2.2m of capital improvements for the Club & Holiday Park
2019
$450,000 upgrade to Max Kirwan Ski Park to world class with NSW State Government Grant $300,000
Ski Team won ‘National Show Ski Championships’
$3.13m of capital improvements. 11,000 Club Members
"The staff have been the backbone of the Club, while the Directors’ leadership has resulted in excellent growth. With strong foundations and continued progress we strive to remain a destination of choice"
Len Langford
Vice President 2000-2002, President 2002-2020