Purchase of the Mount:

The year 2000 not only saw the beginning of a new millennium, but for the 50 residents of Derrinallum and Lismore, who climbed Mount Elephant to see the sun rise on the first morning of the year, it was the beginning of a dream to one day purchase the Mount for the community, and to revegetate and develop it as a tourist destination and place of recreation.  Little did we know that this dream would become a reality in December of that year.

Known as the Swagman's Lighthouse, a landmark for all to navigate their way throughout the western district, Mount Elephant had been privately owned by the Eldridge family since European settlement.  Heavily grazed, ravaged by bush fires in 1944 and 1977, invaded by Patersons Curse, thistles and rabbits, but Mount Elephant has always been loved by all.

The Eldridge Family offered the Mount for sale by auction in December 2000.  The communities of Derrinallum and Lismore rallied and with the Derrinallum Lismore community Association inc (DLCA) as the steering committee, a partnership was formed with Trust for Nature to purchase the mount.  The Eldridge family fully supported the community initiative and the Mount was purchased before auction in December 2000.

Trust for Nature initially financed the purchase with the agreement that the DLCA would raise half of the purchase price, so on February 2001 a fundraising appeal was launched.  Letters were written asking for donations, door knocks were held in Derrinallum and Lismore and extensive media promotion was undertaken.  That $100,000.00 was raised in just 5 months demonstrates the broad community support and esteem with which the Mount is held.

In February 2003 the communities of Derrinallum and Lismore, in partnership with Trust for Nature, formed "Mount Elephant Community Management Inc." to manage, protect and appropriately develop the Mount.  Two very significant steps forward were taken by the Committee,these are the building of the access road from the Hamilton Highway into the ballast pit area (future carpark) and the development of our management plan that gives us a plan for the next 5 years and beyond.  The Corangamite Shire has funded construction of the road, and the adjoining landholder Mr Jamie Maconachie generously leased the land for the road to the committee.  Alcoa World Alumina and the Department of Sustainability and Environment provided funding for the management plan. The Committee continues to hold regular open days on the first Sunday of each month and the Mount is also open at request from interested individuals and groups.

Vision: 

The bold landscape presence of Mount Elephant will be protected and local native plants restored.  Vibrant community involvement and management will be a source of inspiration for communities far and wide.  Visitors will be attracted to the Mount to explore it as a natural wonder, enjoy the magnificent views and discover its features and history.  Regional tourism will recognise the national significance of the Mount, and it will be a focus for learning about geology and other environmental and cultural studies.

Present situation:

It takes a keen eye to find traces of the original vegetation. We have not yet taken a complete inventory, however the different vegetation types can easily be seen. Tree violet shrubs are surviving on the southern slope of the crater, and some charred logs of possibly drooping sheoak remain on the slopes of the north-east peak. Small areas of native tussock (Poa sp.) and Danthonia sp. can be found on the north slope beside the access track to the crater and in a few other areas.

Introduced grasses include Phalaris and yorkshire fog grass growing on the sheltered southern and eastern  slopes. Annual ryegrass, wild oats, scotch and variegated thistle, wild radish and turnip, horehound and many other species grow on the lower parts of the exposed northern slopes and along the access track from the highway. An outbreak of paterson’s curse has made management more difficult and expensive, as any germination needs to be sprayed before it can set seed. It is generally growing on the more exposed upper slopes.

Present Management:

The Management Committee is working to carry out the objectives identified in the Management Plan of 2002.
These are to:     Protect existing native vegetation
                        Rstore areas to reflect pre-European vegetation
                        Encourage the return of native fauna
                        To preserve the mountain’s distinctive shape

Many projects are underway at present with a Green Corps team working to fence new areas to be revegetated, erect access facilities, vehicle barriers and remove weeds. Earlier in the year the crew along with Conservation Volunteers, school children, locals and other volunteers all joined in to undertake other works including tree planting, walking track construction and fencing. Rabbits are a probably the biggest obstacle to overcome if we are to successfully revegetate Mount Elephant. Rabbits are extremely destructive and will quickly destroy new seedlings. The diseases of myxomitosos and calici virus are not always effective, so on a number of occasions we have resorted to ripping the warrens and baiting with poison carrots.

Paterson’s curse, the other main obstacle to revegetation only arrived comparatively recently. This plant is highly invasive and if left unchecked will cover the whole mountain. It must be sprayed each year before it can set seed to ensure it is eventually removed.

Parts of the lower slopes are being planted to a range of indigenous trees and shrubs. The existing tree violets are being fenced from remaining rabbits and cattle. Trial plots have also been established with rabbit and cattle proof fencing to see if weed control and burning can be used to encourage germination of any possible remnant indigenous seed. Some plots will also be direct seeded with seed sourced from remnants in the surrounding district.

Cattle still graze a large proportion of the mount to both control grass in areas not currently being revegetated and to earn income to assist in the revegetation and management of the Mount.

The committee relies heavily on obtaining grants from various bodies. These include Envirofund, 2nd Generation grants, Corangamite Shire Grants and the Borbidge Trust. Other sources of income come from donations, sale of merchandise and fundraising events.