By Mitchell Clarke
A fundraiser event for the bushfire-ravaged Mount Cannibal and surrounding regions is calling for people to come together to help secure a better future for the region.
Held by the Mount Cannibal and District Preservation Group, the event dubbed ‘Racing for the Future’ is inviting people to come together for a night of racing in October.
Mount Cannibal and District Preservation Group Secretary David Bywater said the night will be a great opportunity for the local community, Melburnians and race-goers alike to come together and celebrate the much-loved mountain.
“There are not many Victorian’s who aren’t familiar with Mount Cannibal, and to see what has happened to it is devastating,” Mr Bywater said.
“We want to tell the Community what has been done to start repairing the damages to the pristine environment and, more importantly to secure it for the future.”
Mount Cannibal and the surrounding regions of Garfield North, Bunyip North, Tonimbuk and Tynong North were devastated in the March bushfires earlier this year, with the mountain receiving significant overall damage.
Prior to the bushfires, the mountain was home to a number of native flora and fauna, including almost 50 orchid species, some of which were considered endangered.
Mount Cannibal, which also welcomes thousands of visitors annually to walk its self-guided trails, is currently closed for rehabilitation, scheduled to open in late 2019 depending on weather conditions.
To help raise funds on the night, an original Mark Knight framed watercolour painting, which featured as a double spread in the Herald Sun in 2011 famously commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Melbourne Cup, has been donated by the artist himself.
Profits raised from the night will be split between the Mount Cannibal and Friends Committee and the Mount Cannibal and District Preservation Group.
Racing for the Future will be held at the Pakenham Racing Club on Friday 18 October.
Tickets are $95 each and include admission, a race guide and a three course sit down meal, with tables of ten available for purchase.
For tickets and more information, visit https://mountcannibal.eventbrite.com.au.
