John Hamilton was a popular President of KHA in the 1990’s. He passed away on 25/6/2016.

John was an extremely active hands-on President and huts maintenance man, who loved the snowy mountains – being an active bushwalker, camper & XC skier.

I met him through the CIT TAFE Reid as he was a well respected Teacher of Plumbing and an active AEU union man.

I worked with him on the completion of Burrugubuggee shelter which was then a breakthrough in that it was the first rebuild of a mountain hut in the KNP, never been done before. We spent 2 days installing a wood stove, wombat proofing on the hut & a pit toilet.

John and I led a group of people for a walk to Kidman’s hut one late afternoon & got lost in the fading light trying to get back to Burrugubugge hut. We made it back however.

I last spent time with John after he had retired from CIT & was working on developing efficient handling procedures for Canola oil around Cowra using Excel spreadsheets

John was a valuable man to have in the Kosciusko Alpine Club ski club lodges in Perisher, Thredbo & Charlottes Pass as he had wonderful practical skills in plumbing & adapting hot water gas conversions for many ski clubs in the Snowy mountains. He and his 800,000 kilometre Cruiser carried many tools & equipment into many a hut in the Snowy mountains. I enjoyed skiing & bush walking with him & participating in heritage aspects of the huts and I will miss him.

John was a man of energy as President & he was a big man with a big heart.

Gavin Holmes - inaugural & continuing member of the Kosciuszko Huts Association.