Hans & Captain in the village

A special community-funded sculpture of Hans Grimus and his skiing dog Captain is in place and ready to welcome you next time you arrive at Mt Buller Village.  The artwork, which captures Hans and Captain suspended in mid-air on the original Bourke Street Chair, celebrates the legacy of this larger-than-life character and his vast contribution to the mountain resort and our community.

Following Hans’ passing in 2018 a sculpture was suggested as a way to celebrate and commemorate Hans. The response from the community to raise funds for the sculpture was fantastic, with individuals and organizations from across the Mt Buller and Australian Alpine communities contributing over $230,000.

The completed sculpture is part of the National Alpine Museum Australia’s collection, alongside other public artworks by Andrew Rodgers and Julia Anderson, and has a special place at the arrival point for visitors into the village.  If you are interested to find out more about the community project and learn about the incredible collaboration that made this artwork possible, stop in at the National Alpine Museum of Australia on your next visit.  The team of volunteers love showing guests around and sharing the unique collection.

A special unveiling and preview of the artwork was celebrated on 20 May for family and supporters who enjoyed an early glimpse of Hans and Captain, complete with a light dusting of snow on their shoulders. 

The artists, Peter Corlett OAM, Dean Colls, and Louise Skacej, bring over a century of cumulative experience producing award-winning public artworks to the project. Their humanist approach to portrait sculpture has created an identifiable and relatable artwork for those who knew Hans and those who have never have the chance to meet him. The finished work connects strongly with the community and will instantly engage visitors to the mountain with its playful nature.

Hans’ Australian story began in January 1960, when he arrived in Melbourne as a 19-year-old with £16.10 in his pocket. In 1961 he got a job at Mt Buller as a lift operator for Orange Lifts where he eventually worked his way up to General Manager. He started building Hotel Pension Grimus as a bed & breakfast in 1969, opening it to the public in 1974. He quickly added a restaurant after he was asked to provide accommodation and meals for ski instructors. Over the years the original Pension Grimus developed into the iconic award-winning hotel it is today.

The unveiling of the Hans Grimus and Captain Sculpture is a fitting tribute to a man who made a significant contribution to the Mt Buller community and resort. It is a reminder of the pioneering spirit and hard work of those who built the resort from the ground up and who continue to make it a vibrant and welcoming place for visitors from all over the world.   

Look out for Hans when you are next on the mountain, and yes, you can sit next to Captain on the chairlift!