Mount Egerton

History

George Egerton held approximately 35,000 acres of stock farming land in 1838 which to outsiders was known simply as "Egerton's run". by Alexander Russell and George Grell saw a gold rush in 1854 as placer mining took place along All Nations Gully and West Gully. A rich reef was found at the hill crest in 1856 and an underground mine was established. The town population swelled to 600, several companies had established mines including the Black Horse and the town was home to banks and several hotels. The main mine was sold to Thomas and Somerville Learmonth in 1863 and became known as "Learmonth's Claim". Mt Egerton Primary School began taking enrolments on 6 November 1877. Although sustained mining occurred through the 19th Century, a decline in gold output caused a general decline in the town and it gradually decreased in size while many of the district's buildings and homes were abandoned until mining operations finally ceased in 1910 having produced a total gold output valued at around 2 million pounds. and the premises was used as a private residence. In 2023 the shop was reopened under new ownership, trading as 'Half Pace General Store' In 2011, proposals were submitted for a wind farm and telecommunications towers both of which have met some community opposition. WestWind Energy has proposed the Moorabool Wind Farm, a 330MW, 107 turbine facility in the vicinity of the town.

Geography

Mount Egerton is situated in gently sloping but highly elevated hills ranging from 518 m (highlight point) to 634 m (highlight point) above sea level. This results in a cold and windy climate and it is not unusual for snow to fall on the town during the winter months. The town is surrounded by bushland and is situated close to a State Forest to the east, presenting a high bushfire risk in the summer months.

Most-observed species

• Australian Magpie

  Gymnorhina tibicen (Latham, 1802) · Aves
  2,544
• Crimson Rosella

  Platycercus elegans (Gmelin, 1788) · Aves
  2,242
• Little Raven

  Corvus mellori Mathews, 1912 · Aves
  1,748
• Red Wattlebird

  Anthochaera carunculata (Shaw, 1790) · Aves
  1,747
• Eurasian Blackbird

  Turdus merula Linnaeus, 1758 · Aves
  1,541
• Superb Fairywren

  Malurus cyaneus (Ellis, 1782) · Aves
  1,466
• Gray Fantail

  Rhipidura albiscapa Gould, 1840 · Aves
  1,233
• Sulphur-crested Cockatoo

  Cacatua galerita (Latham, 1790) · Aves
  1,188

Most recent

• M 3.8 — 2023-05-28
  5 km W of Mickleham, Australia
• M 3.1 — 2013-05-01
  7 km NW of Clifton Springs, Australia
• M 3 — 2010-03-30
  4 km NNE of Portarlington, Australia
• M 2.8 — 2003-02-02
  9 km N of Trentham, Australia
• M 2.7 — 2001-12-31
  10 km SW of Kilmore, Australia