The Great Dividing Trail Association (GDTA) is offering family oriented guided bushwalks walks to two significant peaks in our local area: Gurutjanga (Mount Kooroocheang) on September 29 and Leanganook (Mt Alexander) on September 30. A free community presentation on September 29 will focus on  three peaks within the Hepburn Shire: Gurutjanga, Lalkambuk (Mount Franklin) and Nyaninuk (Mount Beckworth).

The walks will be guided by Professor Barry Golding, a local geologist and historian. Professor Golding is currently has a fellowship with the State Library of Victoria to research and write a book about six mountains in southern Dja Dja Wurrung Country. The peaks are today known as Mounts Kooroocheang, Beckworth, Greenock, Tarrengower, Alexander and Franklin.

Guided walks

Registration is essential for each of the guided walks. Registrations open on September 16. The walks are free for GDTA members. Non-members are welcome but must pay a $5.00 fee to cover insurance provided by Bushwalking Victoria. Registrants need to anticipate sharing transport beyond the start. Each walk will include visits to several sites. A total of 4 km of easy paddock or roadside walking is involved for each trip. Dress for the predicted weather & wear sturdy boots; bring your own lunch, snacks and drinks.

Gurutjanga (Mount Kooroocheang): Friday 29 Sept, 9.30am-2.30pm: Meet in the hamlet of Kooroocheang. Click on this link to register.

Lalkambuk (Mount Franklin): Saturday 30 Sept 9.30am-2.30pm: Meet at main intersection in Franklinford. Click on this link to register. 

Community Presentation

Barry Golding and Clive Willman (Castlemaine) will present some lesser known, emerging findings about unsettling changes to three peaks within the Hepburn Shire: Gurutjanga (Mount Kooroocheang), Lalkambuk (Mount Franklin) and Nyaninuk (Mount Beckworth). This free community presentation is open to anyone but registration is essential because space is limited. Registrations open on September 16. The presentation will be on Friday 29 September, 8.00pm-10.00pm in The Paddock Room, Daylesford Neighbourhood House (13 Camp Street). Click on this link to register. 

Barry Golding acknowledges State Library Victoria (SLV) and Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation for their support for this 2023 Fellowship