An epic search in early BSAR history.
Jenny Elford (nee Laycock), was dubbed the “Snow Girl” after she and friend Kirk McLeod became lost on Mt Donna Buang triggering a large scale search involving Police and bushwalkers.
Equipped only for a day walk, they were totally unprepared for spending nights out in the rugged, snow-covered country and freezing temperatures which they then had to endure. They were found on day five and carried out on bush stretchers the day after, a strenuous task taking much of that day.
The press followed Jenny’s story with occasional articles in years thereafter. In 2000, she received the Australian Sports Medal from then prime minister John Howard recognising her work to encourage sport for amputees.
In 2003, a thanksgiving reunion at Warburton was arranged for the searchers and rescuers involved 50 years earlier. About 300 people, including some from BSAR, attended.
Despite losing both legs below the knee to frostbite, Jenny recovered from the ordeal to live a fulfilling life. She died of cancer aged 79. See also BSAR post, Vale Snow Girl.
Group Leader reports
Group leader reports paint a vivid picture of the conditions in which they were searching, how they stumbled upon the missing pair on the way to higher ground to try to contact search base and the first aid, care and evacuation processes that ensued.
Search map – by Stuart Brookes
Newspaper articles at the time:
The Daily Advertiser, 27th August, 1953 – Missing hikers are safe.
The Sydney Morning Herald, 27th August, 1953 – Two missing hikers found in snow.
The Daily Mirror, 31st August, 1953 – Rescued snowgirl will live.
The Advertiser, 5th September, 1953 – Hiker lost in snow tells story