General News
19 September, 2023
Cobden Probus Club hits the road
MOUNT Elephant in Derrinallum is a well-known name to most locals.
MOUNT Elephant in Derrinallum is a well-known name to most locals.
Thirty-six members from Cobden and Camperdown Probus clubs visited this volcanic site recently where most were surprised at the facilities with a state-of-the-art information centre, also with many members being their first visit to the ‘Mount’.
Past Mount Elephant management secretary Leslie Brown gave members an informative PowerPoint display with photos and information on the history of the area.
In 2000 Mount Elephant became available for sale— the local community rallied and formed a partnership with Trust For Nature and purchased the Mount.
Two bushfires in 1944 and 1977 destroyed the vegetation, and rabbits and weeds were causing many environmental problems.
Over the past years many trees and grasses have been planted annually for the restoration and vegetation of this site, welcoming back all the bird life and even some wallabies.
The Mount Elephant Centre was built with a bequest from local residents Jack and Millie Borbidge - and along with funds from the State Government and Corangamite Shire and local donations they opened the centre in 2016.
This great meeting place is opened to special interest groups, schools and community groups.
Visitors are always welcome to access this area, and at the base of the Mount you can follow the Borbidge Walking Track leading into the crater, for the avid walkers it will take approximately 90 minutes to complete.
A short bus tour to the Banksia Orchard and to Deep Lake then onto the Mount Elephant Hotel for a scrumptious lunch with plenty of laughter and chatter was had by all.