Our next activation for Tuesday, 21st October 2025, was the Oolambeyan National Park VKFF-0403. I was last out here 10 years ago in 2015, and it was such an amazing park that I had to bring Marija out for a visit.
Oolambeyan National Park is located about 90 km (by road) southeast of Hay in the Western Riverina region of south-western New South Wales. (NSW NPWS 2014)
Above: Map showing the location of the Oolambeyan National Park, NSW. Map c/o Google Maps
After leaving Carrathool, we travelled south on Conargo Road, passing the large RivCott complex where cotton ginning takes place. Ginning is the first crucial step in processing raw cotton.
We soon reached the junction of Conargo Road and Gum Creek Road, where we found a sign for the Oolambeyan National Park.
We continued on Gum Creek Road and then turned right onto Oolambeyan Road. We soon reached the boundary of the park.
There is only one public access road into the park, and that is via Oolambeyan Road. Jerilderie Road passes some km to the west of the park, while N Boundary Road passes several km south of the park’s boundary.
Above: the boundaries of the Oolambeyan National Park. Image c/o Google Earth
Oolambeyan National Park is 22,231 hectares in size and was gazetted on the 25th day of October 2002. (NSW NPWS 2014)(Wikipedia 2025)
Above: an aerial view of the park looking north. Image c/o Google Maps
The former pastoral station ‘Oolambeyan’ was purchased in October 2001. Oolambeyan had operated as a working pastoral and cropping station for over 100 years. The old Ooolambeyan homestead can be found in the park (I will talk about this a little later), shearing shed, shearer’s quarters and other structures. (NSW NPWS 2014)
Above: part of an article from The Australasian, Melbourne, Sat 3 Sep 1927. Image c/o Trove
Oolambeyan is believed to originate from the Wiradjuri Aboriginal word ‘Wulambiyan’. Wulam means ‘to call or give voice to’, and biyan can be past tense or ‘always and continuous’. Thus the word’s full meaning is ‘have always been calling’, the ‘voice of the wind calling in the trees’ or the ‘song of the wind passing through the trees’. (NSW NPWS 2014)
Two threatened plant species have been found on Oolambeyan National Park: the vulnerable slender Darling pea and the endangered austral pillwort. (NSW NPWS 2014)
I had told Marija that during my last visit, the park was absolutely teeming with wildlife, including emus and kangaroos. And this visit did not disappoint. We encountered emus as soon as we entered the park.
And dozens and dozens of Red kangaroos, Eastern Grey kangaroos, and Western Grey kangaroos. A total of 13 species of mammals have been recorded in the park. (NSW NPWS 2014)
There was also a substantial amount of birdlife. About 155 species of birds have been recorded in the park. Two species of birds are recorded as vulnerable: the Superb Parrot and the Plains Wanderer. (NSW NPWS 2014)
I was really keen to spot some Rainbow Bee Eaters, and it did not take long.
Marija and I were very fortunate to encounter an extremely friendly park ranger during our visit to Oolambeyan. He spent some time with us explaining the history of the park and took us through the old homestead.
Oolambeyan homestead was constructed in c. 1926. It has 2 separate areas, the kitchen wing and the manager’s wing. The exterior of the homestead features Federation Queen Anne and Federation Bungalow styles. (NSW NPWS 2014)
In 1924, Oolambeyan Station was sold for £84,000 to the Australian Estates and Mortgage Co. Ltd. (Trove 2025)
Above: Article from the Riverine Grazier, Hay, Fri 22 Aug 1924. Image c/o Trove
This was as a result of the death of Mr John ‘Jack’ Alexander Claude Kennedy Tyson. He was killed in France in April 1918 during the First World War. Jack was born in 1890 in Hay. His parents were Walter Searle Victor Tyson and Blanche Mary Tyson, nee Gwydir. Upon leaving school, Jack went to work on his father’s property at Oolambeyan. Upon his father’s death in 1902, Jack became the owner of Oolambeyan. (ancestry 2016) (Findagrave.com 2025) (Trove 2025)
Above: Jack Tyson. Image c/o findagrave.com
The old shearing shed at Oolambeyan dates from the early 1920s. (NSW NPWS 2014)
It was a warm day, and the flies were out in force, so Marija and I operated from the comfort of the 4WD. We ran the Yaesu FT857, 40 watts, and the 20/40/80m linked dipole.
Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-
VK3PF
VK3KAI
VK2USH
VK2VW
VK2HFI
VK2AKA
VK2BUG
VK1AO/p (VKFF-3055)
VK2MET/p (VKFF-3055)
VK2IO
VK2GEZ
VK3HJW
VK5IS
VK2MOE
VK1MO
VK2DA
VK1DA
VK3CEO
VK3VIN
VK1DI
VK1AD
VK3SMW
VK3GCM/p (SiOTA VK-NLL3 & VK-NLH3)
VK3ZPF
VK2YL
VK3KRL
VK5HS
VK2HBR
VK3CLD
VK5QA
VK2DBF
VK3CJN
VK3QHU
VK4SMA/p (VKFF-3503)
VK3SQ
VK3JT
VK2BD
VK3MIJ
VK5LA
VK5KAW
VK5CZ
VK5XE
VK3LRX
VK2HLM
VK3APJ
Marija worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-
VK2VW
VK2HFI
VK2AKA
VK2BUG
I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-
VK3PF
VK3KAI
VK2USH
VK2VW
VK2HFI
VK2AKA
VK2BUG
VK1AO/p (VKFF-3055)
VK2MET/p (VKFF-3055)
VK2IO
VK2GEZ
VK3HJW
VK5IS
VK2MOE
VK1MO
VK2DA
VK1DA
VK3CEO
VK3VIN
VK1DI
VK1AD
VK3SMW
VK3GCM/p (SiOTA VK-NLL3 & VK-NLH3)
VK3ZPF
VK2YL
VK3KRL
VK5HS
VK2HBR
VK3CLD
VK5QA
VK2DBF
VK3CJN
VK3QHU
VK4SMA/p (VKFF-3503)
VK3SQ
VK3JT
VK2BD
VK3MIJ
VK5LA
VK5KAW
VK5CZ
VK5XE
VK3LRX
VK2HLM
VK3APJ
VK1CHW
VK2CHW
VK2TRL
VK5DW
References.
ancestry (2016). Ancestry® | Genealogy, Family Trees & Family History Records. [online] Ancestry.com.au. Available at: https://www.ancestry.com.au/.
NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service, 2014, Plan of Management Ooolambeyan National Park
Trove. (2025). BIG PROPERTY SALE. – OOLAMBEYAN BRINGS £84,000. To Be Used for Stud Sheep Breeding. – The Riverine Grazier (Hay, NSW : 1873 – 1954) – 22 Aug 1924. [online] Available at: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/140120313 [Accessed 21 Dec. 2025].
Wikipedia Contributors (2025). Oolambeyan National Park. Wikipedia.
A few days ago, I received the DXFF70 certificate for the World Wide Flora Fauna (WWFF) program. It is issued for having worked WWFF references in 70 different DXCC entities.
Thank you to all of the WWFF activators, and thank you to Swa ON5SWA for the certificate.
Day four of our Canberra trip, Tuesday, 21st October 2025. We started off the day with some breakfast at a cafe in Hay.
We then drove down to the local roadhouse to get some photographs of the trucks for our grandson, Flynn.
Marija and I then headed to Carrathool, where we intended to activate the silo.
Above: Map showing the location of Carrathool, NSW. Map c/o Google Maps
We drove east along the Sturt Highway, which is a major link for vehicles and road freight between Sydney and Adelaide. The highway is 947 km in length. It commences near Gundagai in New South Wales, and completes at Gawler in South Australia. It is named in honour of the explorer, Captain Charles Sturt. (Wikipedia 2025)
Above: Captain Charles Sturt. Image c/o Wikipedia
About 35 km east of Hay, just off the Sturt Highway, you will find the grave of Charles Dunstan Thompson.
He was born in c. 1849. Charles was a storekeeper at Burrabogie Station. Charles died on the 8th day of September 1879 at Hay Hospital, aged 32 years. His cause of death was typhoid fever. (Newspapers.com 2019)
Above: article from The Riverina Grazier, Wed Sep 10, 1879. Image c/o newspapers.com
Burrabogie is derived from the Aboriginal words Burra, meaning quick and bogie, meaning swim. In 1875, Burrabogie was 500 square miles in size and had 140,000 sheep. The Burabogie homestead was recorded as one of the finest in the Riverina district. (Trove 2025)
Above: Burrabogie Station. Image c/o Trove
Burrabogie features in the Australian song ‘Flash Jack from Gundagai.’
Marija and I then travelled to the little town of Carrathool, about 64 km from Hay. I have found various versions of the origin of Carrathool. One source suggests it is derived from an Aboriginal word meaning ‘Native Companion’. Another suggests that it means ‘Brolga.’ (Wikipedia 2025)
The New South Wales Government Gazette in October 1852, recorded that a reserve of 4+1⁄2 square miles (12 km2) had been proclaimed (No. 13 in the Lachlan Pastoral District). It was situated at the location known as Currathool on the north bank of the Murrumbidgee River, “on a cattle run occupied by Mr. Rudd”. (Trove 2025)
Carathool was located on the banks of the Murrumbidgee River and played a key role as one of the early river ports in the paddle steamer trade. By 1882, the railway had arrived. A new village was established 3 km north of the Murrumbidgee River. The new Carathool was proclaimed on March 20, 1885. Several large merino sheep stations were located around Carathool, which were renowned for their premium wool. One of these was Uardry Station. A prized ram from Uardy was featured on Australia’s one-shilling coin. (Carrathool Shire Council, 2025)
Above: 1941 Australian shilling coin featuring a champion ram from Uardry Stud. Image c/o WIkipedia
Not much remains today at Carathool.
The Junee to Hay railway arrived at Carrathool in 1882. The line from Hay to Wilbriggie was closed in 1985. (Nswrail.net 2025)
The old Carathool station sign and an old tractor can be located along the public toilet block.
The Carrathool Races are held annually and attract thousands of racegoers. They are organised by the Carathool Jockey Club, which was established in 1883. (Wikipedia 2025)
Above: article from the Wagga Wagga Advertiser, Thu 31 Dec 1891. Image c/o Trove
The Murrumbidgee River is located a short distance south of the township of Carrathool.
The historic Carrathool bridge, which was built in 1924, is a heritage-listed bascule lift span bridge. It is the last of its type in Australia. The bridge was constructed to replace the punt that operated on the river.
Above: article from The Sydney Morning Herald, Tue 29 Jul 1924. Image c/o Trove
The lift span of the bridge was designed to rise for passing paddle steamers and barges. It was last lifted in 1961. The bridge is also no longer used for vehicular traffic, having been replaced with a new bridge in 2019. (Carrathool Shire Council, 2025)
We then headed back to the corner of the Sturt Highway and Conargo Road to activate the Carathool silos for the Silos On The Air (SiOTA) program.
We operated from 4WD on the side of the Sturt Highway adjacent to the silos. We ran the Icom IC-7000, 100 watts, and the Codan 9350 antenna with the 1.5 metre stainless steel whip.
Above: the activation zone at the Carrathool silos. Image c/o SiOTA website
Whilst activating the silo, Marija and I were entertained by watching a pair of Wedge-tailed Eagles, which were being harassed by other birds.
Trove. (2025). Burrabogie Station—Murrumbidgee River, N.S. W. – Australian Town and Country Journal (Sydney, NSW : 1870 – 1919) – 17 Apr 1875. [online] Available at: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/70490256 [Accessed 20 Dec. 2025].
Trove. (2025). CROWN LANDS, WITHIN THE SETTLED DISTRICTS. – (RESERVES FROM LEASE.) – New South Wales Government Gazette (Sydney, NSW : 1832 – 1900) – 25 Oct 1852. [online] Available at: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/230053042/15678561 [Accessed 20 Dec. 2025].
Our final activation for Monday, the 20th day of October 2025, was the Murrumbidgee Valley Regional Park VKFF-1786. We headed there after our dinner at the Riverina Hotel in Hay.
Above: Map showing the Murrumbidgee River. Image c/o Wikipedia
The Murrumbidgee River is the second-longest river in Australia. It flows through New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory. Murrumbidgee is an Aboriginal word meaning ‘big water.’ The river flows for a length of 1,485 km, with its source being the Snowy Mountains. Its mouth is the confluence with the Murray River. (Wikipedia 2025)
The Murrumbidgee River runs through the traditional lands of the Ngarigo, Ngunnawal, Wiradjuri, Nari Nari and Muthi Muthi Aboriginal peoples. (Wikipedia 2025)
In 1820, the New South Wales Government was advised that a river had been discovered by settlers who had travelled south from the Goulburn Plains and Lake George. This river was referred to by the Aboriginal people as ‘Morumbidge’. (Commonwealth of Australia 1931) (Trove 2025)
In December 1820, Governor Lachlan Macquarie organised an expedition party with provisions for one month to set out to locate the Murrumbidgee River. The party consisted of Joseph Wild, James Vaughan, and Charles Throsby Smith. Smith’s uncle, Charles Throsby, was under instruction from the Governor to launch the expedition. He had been advised of the existence of the Murrumbidgee River by the Aboriginal people. (Commonwealth of Australia 1931) (National Trust 2021)
Charles Throsby was born in 1777 in Leicester, England. In June 1802, he arrived in Australia aboard the Coromandel as the naval surgeon. (Commonwealth of Australia 1931) (Parsons n.d.)
Above: Charles Throsby. Image c/o ACT Heritage
Joseph Wild was born in c. 1759 in England. In August 1793, he was convicted of burglary and received 50 lashes and spent several years in prison. In 1797, he was transported for life to the colony of Australia. In August 1810, he received a ticket-of-leave, and in January 1813, he was granted a conditional pardon. He went on to take part in several expeditions of the continent of Australia. (Commonwealth of Australia 1931) (Parsons n.d.)
James Vaughan @ Vaughn, was born in c. 1770 in England. In 1790, at the age of 20, he was sentenced to transportation for life in a Dublin court. He arrived in Australia in 1791 aboard the Third Fleet. After being granted a pardon, he became a Constable. (National Trust 2021)
Charles Throsby Smith was born in March 1798 in Cambridgeshire, England. He emigrated to Australia in 1819. He resided for periods of time with his uncle, Charles Throsby. (ancestry 2016) (Wikipedia 2025)
Above: Charles Throsby Smith. Image c/o WIkipedia
On the 8th day of December 1820, Vaughan and Smith climbed Black Mountain. Having done so, they made the decision not to continue further and to return home. (National Trust 2021)
Smith would later write the following:
“I was sent by my uncle by order of the Governor in charge of half a dozen men and pack horses to explore the country to the south of Lake George, and to trace down a river an imaginary one so I found and to my great vexation, being so led astray by my uncle’s report, and on my return we had a serious quarrel and I left him and rented a farm at Appin.” (National Trust 2021)
In March 1821, Charles Throsby embarked on an expedition in search of the Murrumbidgee River, in company with Joseph Wild.In c. April 1821, he discovered the Murrumbidgee at its junction with the Molonglo River. Throsby died just 7 years later in 1828. (Commonwealth of Australia 1931) (Parsons n.d.)
Two years later, in 1823, an expedition team consisting of Mark Currie, John Ovens, and Joseph Wild set off from Throsby Park in Moss Vale, New South Wales. On the 31st day of May 1823, they arrived at the Murrumbidgee River. They were able to cross the river and camped near Tharwa, south of current-day Canberra. Over the following 5 days, they travelled in a southerly direction parallel with the Murrumbidgee. (Commonwealth of Australia 1931)
Above: Captain Mark Currie. Image c/o WIkipedia
In November 1829, Captain Charles Napier Sturt led an expedition party to solve the mystery of where the western-flowing rivers of New South Wales went. On the 7th day of January 1830, Sturt and his party travelled down the Murrumbidgee River in a whale boat. They reached the confluence of a larger river, which Sturt named the Murray River. They continued along the Murray until reaching the confluence with the Darling River and on to Lake Alexandrina by 9th February 1830. They then rowed back upriver during the Australian summer until their supplies ran out near current-day Narrandera in April 1829. (Commonwealth of Australia 1931) (Gutenberg.net.au, 2025)
Above: Captain Charles Sturt. Image c/o WIkipedia
The year 1838 saw one of the most severe droughts in Australian history, which continued until 1842. The Murrumbidgee River ceased to run for 2 years. As a result, all of the crops failed, and the price of wool fell from 36d in 1833 to 18d in 1841. (Commonwealth of Australia 1931)
Above: article from The Sydney Monitor & Commercial Advertiser, Wed 10 Oct 1838. Image c/o Trove
The Murrumbidgee Valley Regional Park comprises several distinct areas along the Murrumbidgee River from Hay to west of Wagga Wagga. The Murrumbidgee Regional Park, the Murrumbidgee National Park, and the Murrumbidgee Nature Reserve were reserved on the 1st day of July 2010. The regional park is 1,180 hectares in size. The Murrumbidgee Valley River Parks protect part of the longest continuous tract of River Red Gum forest in the world. (NSW NPWS 2014)
We activated the park just outside of Hay.
Above: An aerial view of Hay and the section of the Murrumbidgee Valley Regional Park that we activated. Image c/o Google Earth
We ran the Yaesu FT857, 40 watts, and the 20/40/80m linked dipole.
Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-
VK3FS
VK3ATT
VK5LA
VK5KAW
VK2IO
VK2GEZ
VK1AO
VK2MET
VK5ACC
VK3MAW
I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-
VK3FS
VK3ATT
VK5LA
VK5KAW
VK2IO
VK2GEZ
VK1AO
VK2MET
VK5ACC
VK3MAW
VK4EMP
VK4TI
VK4GKO
VK7PJM
VK6ASK/m
VK5LSB
VK2LWK
VK3LF
VK2OT/p
VK5NJ
VK2JAB/m
VK3AXK
VK6ADM
VK2FALL
VK2KEV/4
VK3VRU
VK5FANA
VK2XWB
VK4BR
VK3AMO
VK3DAU
VK5DW
VK5UV
VK2MFW
VK3PF
VK3KAI
VK4GAP
VK4BWL
VK2XLY
VK3JP
VK4WP
VK4DWS
VK3UH
VK3DEM
VK2DNI
VK3XEM
VK5HS
VK5PY
VK4SMA
References.
ancestry (2016). Ancestry® | Genealogy, Family Trees & Family History Records. [online] Ancestry.com.au. Available at: https://www.ancestry.com.au/. [Accessed 19 Dec. 2025].
After packing up at Toogimbie on Monday, 20th October 2025, Marija and I headed out for a second bite at the Kalyarr National Park. We had activated Kalyarr the days before, but did not reach 44 QSOs.
This time, we entered the park via Thelangerin Road, which runs northwest out of Hay.
This was spectacular remote countryside with lots of Red kangaroos, emus, and even a few feral pigs.
And plenty of snakes and lizards.
The historic Thelangerin sheep station is located on the Lachlan River, adjoining the Kalyarr National Park. It is one of the Riverina’s original sheep stations and was originally a 640-acre area of land granted to Scottish pastoralist John Peter in 1867. Captain Andrew McFarland and his brother Robert acquired the property in 1872. (Apartments.com.au 2012)
Above: Andrew McFarland. Image c/o ancestry.com.au
Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-
VK3PF
VK3KAI
VK3WSG
VK2IO
VK2GEZ
VK4HMI
VK3CEO
VK4SMA
VK3SQ
VK3JT
VK2BD
VK5FANA
VK3TDX
VK4SOE
VK4COA
VK3ACZ
VK3EJ
VK3SMW
VK7KT
VK2MAB
VK3CLD
VK5QA
VK2DBF
I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-
VK3PF
VK3KAI
VK3WSG
VK2IO
VK2GEZ
VK4HMI
VK3CEO
VK4SMA
VK3SQ
VK3JT
VK2BD
VK5FANA
VK3TDX
VK4SOE
VK4COA
VK3ACZ
VK3EJ
VK3SMW
VK7KT
VK2MAB
VK3CLD
VK5QA
VK2DBF
VK3FTOM
VK7HOB
VK4EMP
VK4TI
VK4GKO
VK4LGC
VK4SOC
VK5OG/m
VKWETI
VK2AIT
VK2AIQ
VK2AIX
VK2AIZ
VK1DI
VK7IAN
VK3ALF
VK1AO
VK2MET
After successfully activating the park, we drove back into Hay and went out for dinner at the Riverina Hotel.
Day three of his Canberra trip was upon us, Monday, 20th October 2025. Following breakfast at one of the local cafes in Hay, Marija and I visited the former Hay Gaol in Church Street, Hay. Between 1880 to 1915, and 1930 to 1947, it was used as an adult prison. From 1921 to 1927, it operated as a maternity hospital. During the Second World War, it was used as a prisoner-of-war camp. From 1961 to 1974, it was the Hay Institution for Girls. (Trove 2025) (Wikipedia 2025)
The imposing entrance to the gaol features solid, double wooden doors with a smaller inset door. The door is incorporated into an entrance arch, which has the Royal Cypher ‘VR’.
Upon entering the museum, there is a small display of Aboriginal artifacts, including an Aboriginal bark canoe, which is reported to be the oldest known bark canoe in Australia.
The Hay Gaol was designed by James Barnet, the Colonial Architect, and was constructed from 1879 to 1880 by a local building firm of Witcombe Brothers. (Wikipedia 2025)
Above: James Barnet. Image c/o Wikipedia
The Hay Gaol was officially opened in late 1880.
Above: Item from the NSW Govt Gazette, Fri 24 Dec 1880. Image c/o Trove
During its early years, the gaol initially operated under the control of the Police Force. However, in 1882, the first gaoler, Ghiblim Everett, was appointed. Other gaol staff included a senior warden and four other wardens. The Hay Gaol was used predominantly for offenders with short sentences. (Wikipedia 2025)
By 1915, the Hay Gaol had only one prisoner who was being supervised by four officers. It was costing £582 per year to remain open, and it was closed by the State Attorney-General. (Trove 2025)
Above: Article from The Sydney Stock & Station Journal, Fri 25 Jun 1915. Image c/o Trove
In 1919, during an outbreak of the Spanish Flu, the Hay Gaol was used as an emergency hospital to isolate patients. By 1921, the Red Cross Society had turned the Gaol into a maternity home. (Wikipedia 2025)
Above: article from the Young Witness, Thu 21 Apr 1921. Image c/o Trove
By 1930, the Gaol was reopened due to congestion of other gaols around New South Wales. Harry Hood was appointed as the Governor. The Gaol operated until
Above: Article from The Pastoral Times, Tue 2 Sept 1930. Image c/o Trove
During the Second World War, the gaol was used as a prisoner-of-war and internment centre. Between 1961 to 1974, the Hay Gaol was run by the New South Wales Child Welfare Department as the Hay Institution for Girls. It was a maximum security institution for girls aged between 15 and 18. This institution was a result of rioting at Parramatta Girls’ Home. Hay was to be used for girls whose behaviour was considered too difficult to be managed at Parramatta.
Above: article from The Canberra Times, Wed 26 Jul 1961. Image c/o Trove
One of the first things that you see upon entering the prison grounds is an old letterbox.
The cell block contains 14 cells. The brick walls of the cell block are 46 centimetres thick. (Wikipedia 2025)
The cells have small barred windows and thick iron doors with peepholes. (Wikipedia 2025)
The cell below is the only cell in the Gaol with original bars.
Each of the cells houses various displays.
There is a cell which is set up exactly as it was when the gaol was used to house wayward girls. The cells were called ‘Cabins’, and the whole area was known as ‘Cabin Block’.
The perimeter of the Hay Gaol consists of a 5 metre high wall, which was constructed of locally produced red bricks. Two guard towers were placed at diagonally opposite corners of the perimeter wall. (Wikipedia 2025)
In the centre of the outside compound is a solitary confinement cell.
The services block is an L-shaped block with a hipped iron roof and verandah. It houses the kitchen, hospital, dispensary, bathroom, store, and a large workshop. (Wikipedia 2025)
The Gaol also features a display of old vehicles.
We then visited the Shear Outback, which includes the Australian Shearers’ Hall of Fame, the Shear Outback Exhibition, the historic Murray Downs Woolshed, a retail and souvenir shop, and a cafe. (Shear 2019)
Over 50 people feature in the Australian Shearers’ Hall of Fame. Inductees are admitted annually and are the subject of research and collecting by Shear Outback.
It features legendary shears such as John Robert ‘Jackie’ Howe. He was born in Killarney, Queensland in July 1861. His father was a shearer and a clown. Jackie became a shearer and was also involved in some gold prospecting. He was active during the shearer strikes of 1891 and 1894. In 1892, he shot to fame when he broke the daily and weekly shearing records. He was considered one of the three wonders of Queensland. (Wikipedia 2023)
Above: Jack Howe. Image c/o Wikipedia
We spent quite a bit of time wandering around the museum, which contained some very interesting displays about the shearing industry.
We then wandered over to the historic Murray Downs woolshed. In 1926, architects Laird and Buchan of Geelong were commissioned to design this state-of-the-art shed for the historic Murrau Downs property on the New South Wales side of the Murray River near Swan Hill. It is built from river red gum and Oregon timber with corrugated-iron cladding and was used until late 1998.
We then enjoyed a very enjoyable lunch in the cafe. I had a beautiful serve of lasagne.
Our next stop was the Hay Railway Station, which opened in July 1882 and closed in 1989. The last passenger train service was in November 1983.
Located in some old train carriages at the railway station, you will find the Dunera Museum.
Between 1940 and 1946, over 6,000 German, Italian and Japanese civilian internees and prisoners of war were kept in three prison camps at Hay. The museum houses exhibits, photographs and stories about their experiences. (Dunera 2025)
Adjacent to the railway station is the old station master’s house that was built in 1882.
Located opposite the railway station is the old Terminus Hotel, which opened in 1880 and closed in 1940. (Chirp Internet 2025)
I found the photograph below showing the hotel in 1924. Being opposite the railway station, I can imagine that the hotel would have been well patronised back in the day. It is a great shame to see the hotel in its current condition.
Above: Terminus Hotel, c. 1924. Image c/o Australian National University.
We then drove out to Sandy Point on the Murrumbidgee River. What a beautiful spot.
We then drove back into Hay and visited Bishops Lodge, which was built in 1889 as the official residence for Sydney Linton, the Anglican Bishop of the Riverina. The lodge was designed by architect Sir John Sulman (b. 1849. d. 1934) and built at a cost of £6,800. (Hay 2021)
Above: Sir John Sulman. Image c/o Wikipedia
Following Linton, two more bishops lived in the Lodge: Ernest Anderson and Reginald Haslse. Between 1935 and 1946, the Lodge was known as Linton House, a hostel for boys attending the Hay War Memorial High School. From 1946 until 1985, it was a private residence before being purchased by the Hay Shire Council.
We did find the Lodge a little disappointing when we compared it to several other historic homes we have been to over the years. There is very little furniture inside.
We visited the gardens at the Lodge, and quite frankly, we were bitterly disappointed. The photographs of the roses and flowers below look impressive, but the garden was completely overgrown and totally uncared for. The roses clearly had not been pruned, and most of the paths were not accessible due to very high weeds.
We had received permission to access the Toogimbie Indigenous Protected Area VKFF-3121, so we headed there.
The park is located on the northern side of the Sturt Highway. Its northern boundary is the Murrumbidgee River.
Above: the boundaries of the Toogimbie IPA. Image c/o Google Earth
The Toogimbie Indigenous Protected Area (IPA) is about 4,600 hectares in size on the Murrumbidgee River’s floodplain. It is managed by the Narri Narri Aboriginal people, who took ownership of Toogimbie, Glenhope, & Lorenzo stations in February 2000. (nntc 2016)
Above: An aerial view of Toogimbie. Image c/o Google Maps
During the mid-1800s, squatters took up Toogimbie Station. The station had a large wooden wharf on the Murrumbidgee River where the paddlesteamer PS Pevensey would load wool from the station. There was also a swing bridge across the river. Many of the stockmen employed on the station were Aboriginal. (Hay Public School 2016)
From the late 1880s to the early 1900s, Toogimbie was owned by John Dill (b. 1842. d. 1927). Dill was involved in a shearing dispute. Dill also suffered the loss of his little 7-year-old daughter, who was caught in the revolving shaft of the pumping machine.
Above: Article from The Riverine Grazier, Hay, Tue 22 Mar 1887. Image c/o Trove
In January 1907, the homestead at Toogimbie Station was totally destroyed by fire. The cause of the fire was unknown, but it did originate in the bedroom of a young employee who denied having his candle alight. (Trove 2025)
Above: part of an article from The Riverine Grazier, Hay, Tue 8 Jan 1907. Image c/o Trove
After entering the property with approval, Marija and I drove down to a home on the property and had a long chat with the gentleman who lived there, to inform him what we would be doing. He allowed us access a short distance away on the banks of the Murrumbidgee River.
We ran the Yaesu FT857, 40 watts, and the 20/40/80m linked dipole for this activation.
Following our activation at the Kalyarr National Park on Sunday, 19th October 2025, Marija and I drove to the town of Maude, a small town on the banks of the Murrumbidgee River between Hay and Balranald.
In about 1849, Francis Peter MacCabe from the New South Wales Surveyor General’s Department surveyed several reserves on the lower Murrumbidgee River. In October 1852, these reserves were gazetted. They included the “Pin Pan Pa” reserve of 7.5 square miles, which was described as being “situated on cattle runs, occupied by Phelps and Darchey”, just over a mile downstream from “the hut at Pin-pan-pa”. (Wikipedia 2024)
This reserve was taken from Phelps and Chadwick’s “Pimpampa” and Thomas D’Archy’s “Budgee Budgee” runs. It was used during the 1850s as a crossing place for stock and drays. By the early 1860s, a township had been laid out on the Pimpampa Reserve by surveyors Adams and Twynam, with the name of ‘Pimpampa’ nominated. However, this was not approved by the Executive Council, and the name Maude was chosen instead. (Wikipedia 2024)
Above: part of an article from The Sydney Morning Herald, Mon 15 Apr 1861. Image c/o Trove
In October 1861, a punt commenced operation at the new township. In November 1862, a hotel was opened. The owner, Frank Johns, applied for a publican’s licence to the Bench of Magistrates at Hay. The application was opposed by the local squatter and Magistrate, Thomas D’Archy. The reason given was that there was no police at Maude. The following month, the application was approved on the promise of police protection being provided within 3 months. However, it took 2 years before there was a police presence at Maude.
Above: part of an article from The Sydney Morning Herald, Mon 1 Dec 1862. Image c/o Trove
On the 1st day of May 1863, the Maude Post Office opened. Henry Prendergast was the first Post Master, who, with his son John, established a store in Maude. The Prendegast family established several stores in Maude, including a wool store. Wool from the surrounding pastoral runs was loaded onto steamers at Maude for transportation, often to Echuca. In 1868, a second hotel opened in Maude, the Post Office Hotel.
We visited the Maude Weir on the Murrumbidgee River. It was erected in 1940 for irrigation and water supply. (Alan 2021)
We doubled back slightly along the Sturt Highway, as we were hoping to activate the Maude silo VK-MDE2. However, we found upon arrival that the activation of this silo was not possible. Access was restricted, and there were no public roads that were within the activation zone of the silo.
We continued east along the Sturt Highway and headed to the Toogimbie Indigenous Protected Area VKFF-3121, which we hoped to activate. However, strike two. Access was restricted, and we were unable to reach anybody at the mobile telephone number on the sign at the gate.
So, feeling a little disappointed, Marija and I drove into Hay and booked into our accommodation, the Comfort Inn Bishops Lodge.
The area around the current-day Hay township was known as Lang’s Crossing-place. It took its name from three brothers named Lang who were leaseholders of runs on the southern side of the Murrumbidgee River. Lang’s Crossing-place was a crossing point on the Murrumbidgee on the ‘Great North Road’, a well-travelled stock route. (Wikipedia 2021)
Thomas Lang was born in 1816 in Selkirk, Scotland. His brother Gideon Scott Lang was born in 1819, also in Selkirk, Scotland. And their sibling, William Lang, was born in 1823. Thomas, Gideon, and William emigrated to Australia. During the late 1840s, the Lang brothers established pastoral runs in the Riverina and then purchased more runs, including a 30-mile frontage on the Murrumbidgee River. (ancestry 2016) (Anu.edu.au 1967)
Above: Gideon Lang and his brother William Lang. Images c/o ancestry.com.au
Francis William Cadell (b. 1822. d. 1879) was a Scottish explorer of Australia, who opened up the Murray River for transport by steamship. In 1856–1857, Cadell placed a manager at Lang’s Crossing-place with the task of establishing a store which was initially in a tent. In late 1857, a blacksmith shop and residence were established at Lang’s Crossing-place by Thomas Simpson. In 1858, a hotel and dwelling house were built by the Canadian shipwright Henry Leonard. He also launched a punt on the Murrumbidgee.
However, there was opposition to Leonard’s ventures. One of those who was against Leonard’s operations was Henry Jeffries. He was the leaseholder of “Illilawa” station, which included Lang’s Crossing-place at its western extremity. Leonard was forced to stand guard with a loaded gun due to threats about his punt. There was also an attempt to pull down Leonard’s hotel during its construction, and this resulted in outcry from those who were keen to see development at Lang’s Crossing-place.
As a result, a surveyor was dispatched by the New South Wales Government to officially map out a township. Leonard’s hotel, the Murrumbidgee Punt Hotel, was completed and opened on the 30th day of October 1858. By the following year, the New South Wales Department of Land had proclaimed reservations on either side of the Murrumbidgee River at Lang’s Crossing-place.
By 1859, the township had been named Hay in honour of John Hay. Sir John Hay was a wealthy squatter from the Upper Murray, a member of the Legislative Assembly in New South Wales, and a former Secretary of Lands and Works.
Above: Sir John Hay. Image c/o Wikipedia
The following year saw a surge in land sales at Hay.
Above: article from the Empire, Sydney, Tue 3 Apr 1860. Image c/o Trove
On the 16th day of April 1859, ‘Lang’s Crossing Place’ Post Office opened and was renamed Hay in 1861. The 1861 Census recorded that there were 172 people living in the township of Hay: 115 males and 57 females. That year, two more hotel licences were granted at Hay: the Caledonian Hotel, run by Thomas E. Blewett and George Dorward, and the Argyle Hotel, run by Thomas Simpson. The two hotels were located side by side on Lachlan Street.
By 1871, the population of Hay had increased to 664 people: 388 males and 276 females. Hay became a busy port on the Murrumidgee River for the steamers trading along the river.
After checking into the motel and unpacking the 4WD, Marija and I headed to the Hay Water Tower Art, which is part of the Australian SIlo Art Trail. The murals on the water tanks were completed in December 2020 and are the work of artists Matt Adante and Bill Campbell. (Australiansiloarttrail.com, 2025)
The first person featured is Lieutenant Lorna Margaret Whyte, AANS. She was born in Hay in April 1915 and trained as a nurse at the Corowa Hospital. In 1941, she joined the Australian Army Nursing Service (AANS).
Private Victor George Murray was born in 1909 in Brewarrina, New South Wales. He served with the 2/20th Battalion AIR, 8th Division.
Corporal Clifford Leslie Farlow was born in 1922 and moved to Hay as a baby. He enlisted with the Australian Imperial Force in June 1940.
Private William ‘George’ Cannon was born in March 1919 and served with the 2/1st Battalion and 2/1st Field Regiment, 6th Division AIF.
Private Norman Charles Flack was born in Hay in 1920 and served with the 2/19th Battalion, 8th Division.
We then visited the memorial commemorating the centenary of the Battle of Beersheba. It features a bronze sculpture of a soldier, and a Waler, the breed of horse that was predominantly used in the Light Horse Brigades. (Vwma.org.au 2025)
The British offensive known as the Battle of Gaza took place in October 1917. A part of this was the Battle of Beersheba, which took place on the 31st day of October 1917. The final phase of this battle was the mounted charge of the 4th Light Horse Brigade, which stormed through the Turkish troops and seized the town of Beersheba. The capture of this strategic town enabled the British Empire forces to break the Ottoman line near Gaza and advance into Palestine. (Aust War Memorial 2017)
Below is an excellent video on the Battle of Beersheba.
Our next stop was the historic Hay Courthouse, which was built in 1892 and was designed by Government architect Walter Liberty Vernon. (Visithay.com.au 2025)
I had not had a good look around Hay since I was a teenager, so Marija and I took some time to stroll down the main street (Cobb Highway).
I soon found that Hay was one of many country towns that chose to have reverse-angle parking.
During the 1920s and 1930s, Mrs Susan McGrath regularly led mobs of sheep across the bridge over the Murraumbidgee in Hay with her pet sheep. She used her pet sheep to lead mobs of up to 10,000 sheep across the bridge. In her hand, she would carry a bag of stale bread, which she would rattle to keep her pets interested. Once over the bridge, she would walk to one side, and her pets would follow, leaving the drover’s mob to their own devices.
The Hay Post Office is a most impressive building. It was erected in 1881 by Robert Duncan for E. Noble & Co. to plans by James Barnett. The clock tower was added in 1901. The building is brick, stuccoed on the front facade and side verandahs.
On the side of a nearby building is a sign about the Shilling Ram, the grand champion Merino ram at the 37th Annual Sydney Sheep Show in 1932, at which 366 Merino sheep were exhibited. The grand champion was exhibited by Charles Mills (Uardry) Pty Ltd, Uardry Merino stud, Hay.
Another impressive building in Hay is the Australian Joint Stock Bank, which in 1864, was the first bank to be established in Hay.
The former Hay courthouse was built in 1877. It can be located on Cobb Highway and is now occupied by the Hay Shire Council.
The Witcombe Fountain can also be found on the main street. The Mayor, John Witcombe, gave the fountain to the people of Hay in 1884. (Visithay.com.au 2025)
Adjacent is an old Sunbeam Coach. Cobb & Co. set up its coach factory in Hay from 1877 until 1896. This particular coach was built in 1886 for Cobb & Co. by Henry Proctor and ran on the Deniliquin-Hay-Booligal-Ivanhoe-Wilcania route of over 300 miles. Originally licenced to carry 11 passengers, it was converted in 1901 to carry 17 passengers. It was restored in 1972 and has been on display since 1989. (Visithay.com.au 2025)
We then headed to the Hay silos to undertake an activation for the Silos On The Air (SiOTA) program.
Marija and I parked opposite the silos and operated from the 4WD, running the Icom IC-7000, 100 watts, and the Codan 9350 antenna with the 1.5 metre stainless steel whip.
Above: Map showing the activation zone at the Hay silo. Image c/o SiOTA website.
Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-
VK2WB
VK3PF
VK2VW
VK2HFI
VK2AKA
VK2BUG
I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-
VK2WB
VK3PF
VK2VW
VK2HFI
VK2AKA
VK2BUG
VK5DMO
VK7PJM
VK3GDX
VK7AAE
VK3PT
VK3BCM
VK4WB
VK2LEE
VK3TDX
VK3GCD
VK4IKZ
After our activation, we had dinner at the Hay Services Club. It was Halloween, and we took some photos for our 2 beautiful little grandchildren and called them on Messenger to say hi.
Following dinner, we headed back to our motel room.
ancestry (2016). Ancestry® | Genealogy, Family Trees & Family History Records. [online] Ancestry.com.au. Available at: https://www.ancestry.com.au/. [Accessed 13 Dec. 2025].
Visithay.com.au. (2025). Welcome to Hay | Visit Hay – Official Tourism Website. [online] Available at: https://www.visithay.com.au/. [Accessed 13 Dec. 2025]
After leaving Balranald on Sunday, 19th October 2025, Marija and I headed north towards Penarie. We had been told about a historic cemetery at Oxley, and we were keen to pay a visit. It may sound morbid, but Marija and I enjoy wandering around old cemeteries. They tell you so much about the history of the area.
After leaving Penarie, we headed northeast on Oxley Road. This is remote countryside, which I absolutely love.
After 62 km, we reached the little town of Oxley, which is named after the Australian explorer John Oxley. He was born in 1784 in Yorkshire, England. At the age of 15, he joined the Royal Navy, and in 1802, he travelled to Australia as a master’s mate aboard the naval vessel Buffalo. He returned to England in 1807 and returned to Australia in 1807 as the Lieutenant of HMS Porpoise. Oxley went on to become the Surveyor-General. In 1817 and again in 1818, he led expeditions of the Lachlan and Macquarie Rivers. Oxley died in May 1828, at the age of 44. (Wikipedia 2018) (Wikipedia 2021)
Above: John Oxley. Image c/o Wikipedia
Before European occupation, the Oxley region was the traditional land of the Muthi Muthia Aboriginal people. In 1836, the explorer Sir Thomas Livingstone Mitchell, “Major Mitchell’, took a Muthi Muthi woman from the Oxley region called Tourandury and her 4-year-old daughter Ballandella from Oxley as guides during his expedition of the countryside. (Wikipedia 2018)
During the mid-1840s, two men called Phelps and Chadwick established a run on the lower Lachlan River called ‘Thelangerin West. By 1848, the run was purchased by Thomas D’Archy, who renamed the run ‘Oxley’. I have written more about D’Archy below. (Wikipedia 2018)
Opposite the Oxley Run was the Tupra Run held by James Tyson and his brother. By the mid-1860s, James Tyson had established a hotel at a township that was developing at a crossing point over the Lachlan River on his property. (Wikipedia 2018)
The Pastoral Times dated 12 August 1865 reported the following:
“I understand that Mr James Tyson is about to build a public-house at Oxley………he intends to put a respectable man in it so as to prevent the place from becoming the resort of rowdies and loafers, the Lachlan having of those characters more than its fair share….” (Trove 2025)
Above: part of an article from the Pastoral Times, Sat 12 Aug 1865. Image c/o Trove
On the 1st day of December 1866, The Pastoral Times newspaper reported that a petition was to be sent to the Government “to place a sum of money on the estimates to build a bridge at a point of the Lachlan River, about eight miles above the government township of Oxley, which is opposite Mr. D’Archy’s station“. (Wikipedia 2018) (Trove 2025)
Above: part of an article from The Pastoral Times, Sat 1 Dec 1866. Image c/o Trove
On the 9th day of March 1868, a Government land sale, was held at Hay, which included lots at Oxley township. (Wikipedia 2018)
By 1881, Oxley had two hotels: the Oxley Hotel and the Royal Hotel. The Oxley Post Office opened on the 1st day of November 1884 and closed in 1969. (Wikipedia 2018)
The Lachlan River passes just to the southeast of the town of Oxley. The Lachlan rises on the western slopes of the Great Dividing Range and flows generally northwest, north, west, and southwest over a distance of about 1,440 km. (Wikipedia 2020)
The river was named in 1815 by Acting Surveyor George William Evans in honour of Lachlan Macquarie, the Governor of the colony of New South Wales. (Wikipedia 2020)
Above: Lachlan Macquarie. Image c/o Wikipedia
Not far out of Oxley, we reached Oxley Station Cemetery, on Oxley Road. The cemetery was established by the owner in 1863. (Findagrave.com 2021)
One of the remaining headstones is that of John Ramsay Magill. He was born in 1828 in Down, Northern Ireland. He emigrated to Australia, and in 1872, he married Eliza Herring. They had six children. (Findagrave.com 2021)
John died at Oxley on the 30th day of October 1891, aged 62 years. His cause of death was reported to be the result of blood poisoning caused by handling rabbit poison. (Findagrave.com 2021) (Trove 2025)
There is a crypt at the cemetery, which Marija decided not to enter as it looked unstable, and it was a hot day, and there was a concern about snakes.
Buried in the family crypt is Thomas D’Archy, and his son Thomas. Thomas D’Archy Snr was born in February 1820 in West Bavaria. He emigrated to Australia, and in 1844, he married Susan Byrne at Campbelltown, New South Wales. They had ten children. Susan was reported to be the first white woman west of the Murrumbidgee River. Thomas owned or leased several properties, including Oxley Station. (ciotach72, 2023) (Findagrave.com 2021)
Above: Thomas D’Archy Snr. Image c/o ancestry.com.au
Their second child, Thomas D’Archy Jnr, died in August 1863 at Oxley Station. He was just 15 years old and died after having a fever for 8 days. (Findagrave.com 2021)
Above: death notice of Thomas D’Archy Jnr, The Yass Courier, Wed 19 Aug 1863. Image c/o Trove
In the Australian Town and Country Journal of 21st September 1872, the special correspondent reported the following on a trip from Hay to Balranald:
“…I took a northerly course across plains, the greatest part of which were under water for eighteen miles to “Oxley”. Large quantities of wild fowl were on the plains, chiefly bustards and wild duck. It was about four o’clock in the afternoon when a narrow belt of trees on the plains indicated my approach to the “long and lazy Lachlan.” “Oxley” is the residence and station of Thomas D’Archy, Esq., J.P. I received a most hearty welcome at the station and remained there several days. Mr. D’Archy is the oldest resident in that part of the country; and the health of this hospitable pioneer and his kind hearted lady, were drunk in bumpers of champagne at the last Pastoral Association’s dinner held at Hay.” … “Oxley has an area of 160 square miles and has a frontage to the Lachlan of eighteen miles. Mr. D’Archy has marched with the times, and has seen almost all his early compeers come and go. The station is well improved. Sixty or seventy miles of wire fencing have been erected on the run which is also subdivided into paddocks. Mr. D’Archy was the first to secure the waters of the Lachlan by damming.”
Thomas D’Archy Snr died on the 12th day of September 1877, at Tarcoola Station. He was 57 years old and was buried in the family crypt at Oxley Station. Following his death, Thomas’ wife Susan, continued to live on Oxley Station until her death in 1892. (Trove 2025)
Above: Death notice of Thomas D’Aarchy Snr, The Argus, Melbourne, Mon 17 Sept 1877. Image c/o Trove
We left the town of Oxley and continued southeast on Oxley Road and drove into the Kalyarr National Park.
Kalyarr National Park is about 40,899 hectares in size. The park’s western boundary is Oxley Road. The park extends south towards the Maude Road. The Lachlan River passes through the northern section of the park. (NSW NPWS 2024)
Kalyarr National Park is located on the Hay Plain, which is one of the flattest places on earth. ‘Kalyarr’ is the Aboriginal name used by Nari Nari and other local groups for the Lachlan River. (NSW National Parks, 2025) (NSW NPWS 2024)
Above: An aerial view of the Kalyarr National Park. Image c/o Google Maps
There are 2 main visitor areas in the Kalyarr National Park: Norwood and Thelangerin. We entered the park via the Norwood section. (NSW National Parks, 2025)
The Darcoola pastoral run, comprising 8,172 hectares, became the Kalyarr National Park on 24th June 2005. The Norwood pastoral run, comprising 6,768 hectares, was first reserved as Kalyarr State Conservation Area on the 10th November 2006. The Mullawa pastoral run, comprising 4,028 hectares, was first preserved as Kalyarr State Conservation Area on 15th August 2008. The former McFarlands State Forest, comprising 769 hectares, was reserved as Kalyarr National Park on 1st July 2010. The former Geramy pastoral run comprising 870 hectares was reserved as Kalyarr State Conservation Area on 1st July 2010. (NSW NPWS 2024)
In 2014, the above park parcels were renamed as the Lachlan Valley parks. On the 6th day of May 2016, they were consolidated and renamed the Kalyarr National Park. In November 2016, Thelangerin, including De Ville and Corrong, comprising 20,149 hectares, were added to the National Park. (NSW NPWS 2024)
Native species found in the park include Red kangaroo, Emu, Lace Monitor, eastern blue-tongue lizard, Kookaburra, short-beaked echidna, Southern boobook, Superb fairy wren, Tawny frogmouth, Wedge-tailed eagle, White-bellied sea eagle, Common brushtail possum, and Brown-striped frog. (NSW National Parks, 2025)
We followed Norwood Main Drive to the Lake Ita picnic area.
It was a warm day, and the flies were out in force. We operated using the Yaesu FT857, 40 watts, and the 20/40/80 m linked dipole.
We found band conditions to be very poor, and unfortunately, I did not reach 44 QSos to qualify the park for the World Wide Flora Fauna (WWFF) program. I also tried FT8 but could not get it up and running on my new laptop.
On Sunday, the 19th day of October 2025, Marija and I headed to the Balranald Roadhouse for breakfast. We had filled up with diesel there the day before and saw that they had a retro theme restaurant. We enjoyed a nice breakfast and coffee, and admired the retro surroundings and the truck pictures, which our little grandson Flynn would love.
On our way out, being the owner of a 1972 Valiant VH Ranger, I noticed the Valiant below on the back of a truck, no doubt headed to a collector somewhere.
The parking lot of the service station was full, indicating that the food at the roadhouse was pretty good.
We then drove a short distance and activated the Balranald silo VK-BLD2 for the SIlos On The Air (SiOTA) program.
The silos are located on Duryea Street, southeast of Balranald.
Marija and I parked adjacent to the silos and operated from the 4WD, running the Icom IC-7000, 100 watts, and the Codan 9350 antenna with the 1.5 metre stainless steel whip.
Above: the activation zone at the Balranald silo. Image c/o SiOTA website.
Sadly, we found band conditions to be extremely poor.
Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-
VK2IO
VK3PF
VK5GY
Marija worked the following station on 20m SSB:-
ZL3MR (SOTA ZL3/ CB-678)
I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-
VK2IO
VK3PF
VK5GY
I worked the following station on 20m SSB:-
ZL3MR (SOTA ZL3/ CB-678)
Marija and I then had a look around Balranald. The Welcome to Balranald sign features a Funky Frog.
Current-day Balranald lies in the traditional country of the Muthi Muthi Aboriginal people. In 1848, the Commissioner for Crown Lands for the Lower Darling District, George James MacDonald, and a police escort, arrived at the site of present-day Balranald. The site was chosen as a base. In that same year, a general store was established at Balranald, and a public-house known as the Balranald Inn was opened. (Wikipedia 2025)
The following year, in 1849, Commissioner MacDonald recommended to the Colonial Secretary that a township be established at the location. MacDonald was a Scotsman and was born at Balranald, so his birthplace was the natural choice for the name of the new settlement. (Wikipedia 2025)
Later that year, surveyor Francis MacCabe laid out large sections of land in the region of the Lower Murrumbidgee / Murray-Darling junction. In November 1849, a decision was made to lay out Balranald township. On the 4th day of April 1851, the township of Balranald was gazetted. The first land sale took place on the 14th day of January 1852. (Wikipedia 2025)
Our first stop in Balranald was the old Balranald Lock Up. This time we picked up the key and had a look inside.
We then visited the Southern Cross Museum in Balranald. The museum features a replica of the Southern Cross and the Lady Southern Cross.
The Lady Southern Cross was a Lockheed Altair monoplane owned by the Australian pioneer aviator Sir Charles Kingsford Smith. It was in this aircraft that, in October and November 1934, Smith made the first eastward trans-Pacific flight from Australia to the United States of America. (Wikipedia 2025)
The Southern Cross was a Fokker F. VIIb/3m trimotor monoplane that Smith flew in 1928 in the first ever trans- Pacific flight to Australia from the United States of America. (Wikipedia 2025)
Below is a short video on Sir Charles Kingsford Smith.
The museum also features several historic motorcycles and vehicles.
You can also view part of the old wagon used in the Burke and Wills expedition when they passed through Balranald. The wagon was sold following the party reaching the Darling River. The wagon was then transported back the way it originally travelled; however, it broke a wheel and was left to be repaired at a later time. Whilst sitting there, it was burnt in a bushfire. It sat there for over 150 years until it was loaned to the museum for display.
There is also a wooden post from the Burke & Wills camp at Maffra.
We then visited the magnificent Moreton Bay fig trees in Balranald, which are reputed to have been planted by the Burke & Wills expedition party.
Nearby is the old Harben’s general store, which was built in the 19th century.
Marija and I then drove out of Balranald on our way to the Kalyarr National Park.
References.
Wikipedia Contributors (2025). Southern Cross (aircraft). Wikipedia.
Wikipedia Contributors (2025). Balranald. Wikipedia.
VK5PAS 