Very sad news for the Thredbo and snow community with the news that 101 year old Frank Prihoda has passed away.
Frank was an icon of Thredbo and loved by all. His was a fascinating tale of escaping Europe and reaching the shores of Australia. Following is the story of his 100th birthday celebrations in Thredbo. It was a great night with Frank enjoying everyone's company. After his 100th birthday Frank relocated to Melbourne to be closer to his family who cared for him.
100th Birthday For Frank Prihoda
Thredbo celebrated a momentous occasion on July 8, 2021 when their favourite resident, and Australia’s oldest living Olympian, Frank Prihoda reached a milestone 100 years.
As guests arrived at the Kosciuszko Room venue at the Thredbo Alpine Hotel with masks affixed, Frank sat comfortably on a lounge chair as attendees wished him well for his centennial.
A testament to Frank’s many walks of life, guests comprised of dignitaries, family members, locals and snow-stars alike, all celebrating with a man who has made a profound impact on their lives and the lives of the mountain community in Australia and abroad.
Leading up to his birthday Frank had conducted numerous interviews where we found out even more about his life, one that has seen him witness world wars, flee his native country of Czechoslovakia in a daring escape, arrive in Australia and represent Australia at skiing and spend the last 47 years of his life in Thredbo Village.
Introduced to the stage by master of ceremonies, two-time Winter Olympian and Thredbo local Jono Brauer, Thredbo general manager Stuart Diver spoke of the immense contribution Frank has made to the fabric of the Thredbo community before handing over to dignitaries from the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Canberra.
Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of the Czech Republic, Ondrej Bohac spoke of his relationship with Frank and his awe in the man who has experienced so much, before handing over to the Ambassador of the Czech Republic, His Excellency Mr Tomas Dub. Mr Dub presented Frank with the honorary "Gratias Agit" award, awarded by the Minister of Foreign Affairs since 1997 in appreciation of the promotion of the good name of the Czech Republic abroad by prominent persons developing activities in nongovernmental fields.
Director of Snow Australia representative, Winter Olympian and fellow Thredbo local, Mr Kim Clifford presented the Snow Australia Medal which recognises the achievements and careers of those past and retiring athletes who have represented Australia at the highest level of snow sport competition.
Guests revelled in the stories and heartfelt admiration spoken by other speakers including Frank’s nephew Michael Nekvapil, long-time neighbour and friend Michelle Reichinger and Thredbo local Gregg Quinn.
“I always thought Frank was my uncle Frank, but now I realise he is everyone’s uncle Frank,” said nephew Michael.
Decorated Australian artist, Zoe Young unveiled her newest portrait in honour of Frank, ‘Gate of the Century’. Adorning the walls were Ms Young’s range of paintings of Frank throughout the years, including one of Frank’s sister, Sasha.
There was a mini bottle of Wildbrumby schnapps honouring his representation at the 1956 Winter Olympics, a 40 page story book detailing Frank’s life and guests sipped on Czech Pilsner Urquell provided by the Czech Embassy
The night concluded with a special flare run by Thredbo Snowsports instructors on Lovers Leap run and one of the biggest and most spectacular fireworks displays in Thredbo’s history before coffee, cake and Frank’s favourite Czech desserts, rakvičky, rohlicky, babovky and ovocny kolac were served.
Words by Frank Prihoda
“I would like to welcome you and say how pleased I am to see his excellency the Czech ambassador and all the staff of the Events company (Thredbo), and I am more pleased than ever with all my friends who came here to honour me with their presence,” said Frank.
“I would like to say a few words of thanks, that is general words of thanks. Firstly, I have to thank the life, that I could lead the life I have been leading, which was not always very easy, but on the whole it was very interesting. I lived through periods of great upheaval and great changes in life. Also, I had quiet periods, successful periods as I said before.”
“I want to say thank you to the management of Thredbo allowing me to be here to conduct a shop and to earn my living in a manner which I enjoyed.
“Also, I thank Thredbo as such, meaning all the people here, all those people who create Thredbo. That’s not only the superior and technical equipment, but it’s the spirit of the place and all the people here, many of whom have become very good friends, most of them good friends and enabled me to lead a comfortable life.
“I also thanks nature that it gave me so far enough strength to live up to this day and we shall see what happens from now on.
“My greetings to you all and I am happy to see you here.”
