General News
18 August, 2022
Busy year for Mount Elephant committee
THE Mount Elephant Community Management Committee looked back on a another year with the release of the annual report.
THE Mount Elephant Community Management Committee looked back on a another year with the release of theannual report.
The year 2021/22 had many challenges due to COVID restrictions.
The committee was unable to hold some of its meetings including the AGM which was delayed until November, as well as having to close the visitor centre to visitors atdifferent times.
Throughout this time the mount was available for outdoor activity, and the committee found many people used the mount as a recreation, exercise, and escape to the outdoors during lockdown times, a valuable and safe environment for users.
Members tried to continue with projects including the upgrade of walking tracks and development of the base walking track.
The group was successful in completing the base track which has a 4.3km circumference around the base of the mount, through the Corangamite Shire quarry and transfer station site, through the trees on the south side linking with the existing Lesley’s track and back to the visitor centre.
This track is suitable for families, children on bikes and prams and has proved popular with the community.
The committee tried hard to start on the upgrade of existing walking tracks but unfortunately the contractor was unable to do the work due to health reasons, and the group has only recently been able to obtain another local contractor who is prepared and able to do the work.
These projects were made possible by accessing some of the Borbidge Funds that were bequeathed some years ago for these types of projects.
The committee also celebrated 22 years of community ownership of Mount Elephant in April opening the base track on the same day.
This was a low-key event with a barbecue and ribbon cutting with about 100 community members attending on the day.
Australia Post celebrated Australian Volcanos with a special volcano feature with Mount Elephant being one of the series.
The group is now having regular bye monthly working bees and has been able to do a lot of maintenance work on the trees, fencing etc and around the centre to keep it all well maintained.
Committee president Geoffery Henderson said members continue to observe improvements to the environment.
“Rabbits are in low and manageable numbers, weed management is done regularly and when needed and we are seeing a decrease in the weeds such as Paterson’s Curse and an increase in native grasses populating the slopes,” he said in the annual report.
“We often hear from visitors who have been following our progress how much they have noticed the changes in the landscape of the last 22 years, from a barren and weedy site to a green, well covered landscape."
“One of the management changes we have made is moving from cattle agistment to sheep agistment in the past year."
“While the cattle were excellent on pasture for many years with the new base walking track it was going to be difficult to have the general public visitors and cattle on site together, so we have changed over to sheep, and this is proving equally as successful in pasture management.”
As well as being able to access funds from the Burbidge fund, the group was successful in obtaining a grant from the Corangamite Shire for $400 for the purchase of a self-propelled mower, another from the shire environment fund for $2000 for the second stage of the development of the landscape plan around the visitor centre.
Mr Henderson said members will plant a variety of grasses in this area next year.
“We were also successful for a grant of nearly $3000 from the Federal Government for the Queens Platinum Jubilee Tree planting program,” he said.
“We will plant 600 trees in and around the new base track creating a parkland environment in 2023."
“Under the agreement we need to have a series of celebrations throughout the year to mark this occasion so look out for these future dates. We also obtained funding from the Corangamite Catchment Authority to assist with weed and pest management.”
The group welcomed two new members, with both additions bringing new ideasand enthusiasm.
Mr Henderson said the group looks forward to the coming year, continuing with key projects and consolidating others which need completing.
“I would like to thank our committee members for their work and support during the year; there have been many challenges, but we continue to keep moving forward and get things done,” he said.
“I would also like to thank all our supporters in the community and the various organisations who have given us financial support to continue our work.”
The following were elected to the committee for the 2022/23 year:
President - Geoffery Henderson;
Vice President - Noah Sycopoulis;
Treasurer - Chris Lang; and
Secretary - Lesley Brown.
Committee members are Jane French, Gary Poole, Liz Johnstone, Janine Davis, Terri Turner and Val Lang.
The next working will be on Sunday, August 21 between 10am and 12 noon.
Meetings are held on the second Monday of each month from 7pm at the visitor centre, all welcome to attend.