Smallest Mountain in the World is Home to Big-Hearted Community
Standing at a petite 43 metres tall in the wheat fields of North-West Victoria, Mt Wycheproof is the pinnacle of community life for the small town of Wycheproof.
Whether it’s for the annual Grain Festival, Dinner on the Mount or a casual picnic, families from near and far enjoy the impressive views that the world’s tiniest mountain has on offer.
The Victorian Government, through Regional Development Victoria (RDV) has contributed $45,970 to make the experience all the more enjoyable for tourists and community members alike, with the installation of barbeque facilities, tables, walking tracks and a spectacular seven-foot sculpture on the summit.
RDV is working in collaboration with Buloke Shire Council and Wycheproof Vision on the project, which is well underway.
Ann Durie, President of Wycheproof Vision is thrilled about the new facilities.
“It’s great for tourism! It means there’s another place that people can go and enjoy their surroundings, and the mount will be fully utilised by tourists and the community,” she said.
Ann, who moved to Wycheproof from East Brighton 22 years ago after meeting her husband, says the mount is at the heart of the community and Wycheproof Vision is working hard to return it to its former glory.
“We want to bring the mount back to the people, like it used to be 20 years ago when kids went up there to run around and people were free to have picnics wherever they like,” she said.
The Annual Grain Festival is the event of the year for the township, with a market in the main street, activities for kids and Music on the Mount, which Daryl Braithwaite is expected to headline next year.
“The community loves it. Everyone looks forward to it each year and the locals who perform at Music on the Mount are just rapt to get up on stage,” Ann said.
“After 12 years of drought we needed something for the community to celebrate, to take their minds off it.”
With Victorian crops expected to produce record yields this year, the Wycheproof community is back in business and ready to live it up at the festival next March.
“Now, with our first good year of harvest in a long while, the Grain Festival will be an extra special celebration,” Ann said.
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