Community
17 December, 2025
Arbours raised on rail trail
TWO newly-erected arbours on the Cobden section of the Camperdown-Timboon Rail Trail are the result of a true partnership involving several organisations and community volunteers.
After getting the go-ahead from the Rail Trail committee, Progressing Cobden approached Cobden Technical School to check its interest in building the arbours to be placed at key points along the trail.
Principal Narelle Holliday saw the construction of the two arbours as a great project for the school’s Vocational Major (VM) students.
“Subsequently, the school provided the all-important human resources, a workshop in the agriculture building and the equipment to build the two impressive pine structures which are now standing proudly at the entrance to the rail trail off Grayland Street and behind the 14th tee at Cobden Golf Club off Bond Street,” Progressing Cobden member Kelvin White said.
“Working from an original design by Progressing Cobden’s Frank Martin, the VM Personal Development Skills students were led expertly through the construction process by teacher Tim Gunner.
“The students used jigs to ensure their router and jigsaw work was carried out with great precision.
“A total of 216 mortise and tenon joints were needed to manufacture the two arbours, each of which were assembled in three pieces – two sides and the top.”
Once the arbours were completed in the workshop, Progressing Cobden asked local volunteers Michael Hose and Bill Nelson to come on board with their own machinery – Mr Hose’s Kanga digger dug the 16 holes needed for the legs and Mr Nelson’s excavator was important in lifting the top onto the two sides at the respective sites.
“The sides and the top were put in place, squared and braced before concrete was used to make them permanent structures on the trail,” Mr White said.
“School staff members Ashley Fagan and Darren Jopling were instrumental in utilising Garry Matheson’s cement mixer as well as providing expertise in all facets of the erection.
“Mark Hinkley from contractor R L Blake contributed filling to retain crucial emergency vehicle access off the Grayland St trail entrance.
“The filling was pushed into place by another volunteer, David Noy.”
Progressing Cobden’s tourism committee initiated the project as a way of highlighting the town as an important part of the Rail Trail.
“Appropriate signage on the arbours will be added to ensure trail-users know they are arriving (and leaving) Cobden, maps and written material in pamphlet holders in the arbours will provide information about local features and reasons to spend time in Cobden,” Mr White said.
“Together with the work of Tim Gunner, the students and, ultimately, the community volunteers, the support and cooperation of the Rail Trail committee and the Cobden Golf Club were key to the successful completion of the project.”
Read More: Cobden, Camperdown, Timboon