HOME • About Railton and Districts Development Ass Inc • Light Up Railton Competition •Railton Business Directory History of • The Topiary Project • Railton Attractions • Things to see and do in Railton •The Elephant Mural • An Elephant Grows • Download your Topiary Map For complimentary guided tours of the topiary for bus groups, please contact 0417 556 700. For any information about Railton or their topiaries please contact RADDAinc: E-mail An Elephant Grows An elephant race down Foster St 40 years ago, but what has that to do with topiary you might ask? The story of the elephant race is not widely known, but eyewitness Ted Field is keen to tell the tale behind the topiary. Mr Field was nine years old when Bullen's Circus set up its big top on the school oval in 1961, accompanied by lions, tigers, monkeys — and elephants. One day the attention of Mr Field and his classmates was captured by the sight of an elephant that had escaped and fled, only to be caught by its trainers. ‘‘It just headed off to the bush for a bit, over the paddocks,’’ Mr Field recalled. The elephant race was organised by the trainers as a way to publicise the circus and attracted a large crowd. Two local identities — shopkeeper Len Field (Ted’s uncle) and butcher Freddie Sipman — were attired in Indian costumes and seated on the elephants. ‘‘They sat on the neck of the elephant with no reins and no saddle,’’ Mr Field said. ‘‘I remember watching my uncle . . . he looked terrified. It was very entertaining as a Grade 4 boy.’’ The elephants raced at a canter from the recreation ground to the shopping centre and the finish was close, although Mr Field can’t remember who won. The Elephant Race took place in 1958 (we found this out after the mural was painted) and apparently these elephants from this circus were famous for escaping. As a tribute to the race, Wendy McCarthy decided to adorn her new cafe with two topiary elephants. The Town of Topiary Tearoom is in the same building as Mr Sipman’s shop and Mrs McCarthy thought it would be appropriate to sculpt her garden in honour of his racing career. She said she was interested in Railton exploring its elephant past and perhaps reviving the race in some form to attract tourists.

A frame is made, placed in it's location and then planted.

The elephant today.

The day the Elephants escaped.

Talking with my brother and sister I have managed to get a better understanding of where the elephants travelled on their little escapade. As the circus was across the road from school this would have been the starting point of there small but interesting flight (if elephants could Fly) of freedom.
Vanderwal’s owned the farm behind the school at this time the elephants made their way up this lane. They spent some time on the farm, damaged quite a few fences along with a romp in the crop paddock. After this they worked their way across to the bush behind Ennis Avenue at the junction with Dowbiggin Street. I am not quite sure how the made their way back around to Foster Street, they may have come back across to New Bed Road but by the time I joined in the chase there was only one elephant. The other one must have been caught somewhere near the circus.
I can remember following the elephant through the paddocks between the catholic cemetery and Sunnyside Road making our way towards Sykes bush now the sanctuary. I don’t remember climbing any fences along the way, maybe the elephant made a clear path. Us kids learnt a lot of new word that day. The elephant trainer was not a happy chappie. He not only had the worry of a runaway elephant but also a stream of kids grown up’s to contend with. Just how long we spent in this area or how much further up Sunnyside Road we travelled but this is where the elephants run of freedom finished. We all marched proudly behind the elephant as it was led back to the circus.
Talking with Jack Wright some years ago this subject came up. (The house we owned in Railton was build by Jack) Jack was the milkman in those days. He had a cool store as part of his garage carport at 89 Foster Street. He was telling me of the day he was in the cool room sorting the next day’s supply when he heard a funny noise behind him. Turning around he saw his goat Billy normally tethered down the driveway standing by the door. Billy was shaking uncontrollably, what’s the matter Billy Jack said. When he stepped out of the cool store to check on Billy, there was a large elephant staring at him under the carport roof. The elephant moved on from jacks place. This was about the area I caught up with the elephant chase.

Wayne Muir