Our final activation for Tuesday, the 5th day of May 2026, was solely for the purpose of obtaining a Park-to-Park contact with Peter, VK3PF. Chris and I pulled into the Piangil West Bushland Reserve VKFF-5714, which we had activated on our way over to Albury.

Chris and I made contact with Peter VK3PF, who was activating VKFF-4736, and then made a Park to Park contact with Gerard VK2IO, who was activating VKFF-3599.

Above: Map showing the location of the Piangil West Bushland Reserve. Map c/o Google Maps

I made the following QSOs:-

1. VK3PF/P (VKFF-4736 & VK-WHH3)
2. VK2IO/P (VKFF-3599)
3. VK2GEZ/P (VKFF-3599)

We then continued west towards home, and we crossed over the Victorian & South Australian State border. We stopped at the fruit fly roadblock at Pinnaroo and continued along the Mallee Highway to Tailem Bend. Rather than continuing along the Princes Highway to Murray Bridge, we headed down to Wellington and crossed over the ferry on the Murray River.

The Wellington ferry is a free 24/7 cable ferry that crosses the Murray River.

Wellington is located just upstream of where the Murray River empties into Lake Alexandrina. The European colonists who settled in the Wellington area compared the development opportunities of Wellington to those of New Orleans due to its geographical similarities. (Wikipedia 2021)

By 1839, the town of Wellington had become one of the most important settlements on the Murray River in the colony of South Australia. Following the establishment of a ferry, it was the only point where traffic could cross over the Murray River. (Bridge 2023)

The former Wellington police station and courthouse was built in 1864. It was formerly a museum, and now serves as accommodation and venue hire.

In the park alongside the old courthouse, you can view the original bell that was used to summon the ferry.

Wellington was located on the Gold Escort route, where gold from the Victorian goldfields was escorted by South Australian Police. You can find a monument here to commemorate the Gold Escort route.

There is also a monument co commemorate the explorer Captain Charles Sturt who passed here in February 1830.

We continued on to home. It had been a great week away with Chris. I thoroughly enjoyed myself.

References.

1. Bridge, R.C. of M. (2023). Murray Bridge Council. [online] Murray Bridge Council. Available at: https://www.murraybridge.sa.gov.au. [Accessed 15 May 2026]‌
2. Wikipedia. (2021). Wellington. [online] Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wellington. [Accessed 15 May 2026]‌

Our next quick stop for Tuesday, the 5th day of May 2026, was the Manangatang Bushland Reserve VKFF-5428 and the Manangatang silo VK-MNG3.

Above: the location of the Manangatang Bushland Reserve. Image c/o Google Earth

We stopped briefly at Manangatang for breakfast and ventured over the road to the park while we enjoyed our coffee and a bacon & egg roll.  Manangatang is derived from an Aboriginal term “manang” meaning land and “kaaiti” meaning water. (Wikipedia 2025)

The reserve comprises four separate sections of remnant mallee scrub, located on the eastern and northern side of the town.

Above: the boundaries of the Manangatang Bushland Reserve. Image c/o Google Earth

The reserve is about 9.4 hectares in size and was established on the 8th day of May 1990. (Dcceew.gov.au 2023)

The Manangatang silos are located alongside the Robinvale railway line, between Sport Street and Wattle Street.

Chris and I accessed the park via Sport Street and set up within the activation zone of the silos.

Above: the activation zone at the Manangatang silos. Image c/o SiOTA website

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK3PF (VKFF-4736 & VK-WHH3)
2. VK5PL
3. VK2VW
4. VK2HFI
5. VK2AKA
6. VK2BUG
7. VK2IO/P (VKFF-3599)
8. VK2GEZ/P (VKFF-3599)
9. VK3WSG
10. VK3BRT
11. VK3FTX
12. VK3CEO
13. VK5LRB
14. VK3ZSC
15. VK3BSC

References.

1. Dcceew.gov.au. (2023). Collaborative Australian Protected Areas Database (CAPAD) 2022 – DCCEEW. [online] Available at: https://www.dcceew.gov.au/environment/land/nrs/science/capad/2022. [Accessed 14 May. 2026]‌
2. Wikipedia Contributors (2025). Manangatang. Wikipedia.‌

It was now Tuesday, the 5th day of May 2026, and time for Chris and me to head home after our Albury trip. I can highly recommend the accommodation at the Tooleybuc Motel, and the meal next door at the Country Cub Hotel was excellent.

The historic timber truss bridge at Tooleybuc over the Murray River was constructed in 1924. It was designed to allow paddle steamers to pass through and has a vertical lift span. It was the last bridge designed by Percy Allan and is one of only two surving Allan truss spans bridges over the Murray River. (Service 2023)

Chris and I drove out to the Ring Tree on the Koraleigh Road. It is a very rare surviving example of an old Aboriginal boundary or river crossing marker. This particular Ring Tree is believed to be for navigation, possibly guiding travellers to a safe river crossing. To form the ring, the branches have been tied together so they grow into the unusual circular shape.

We then headed back to the Murray Valley Highway and stopped briefly to view the monument for the Piangil North State School, which opened on the 1st day of July 1908 and closed in December 1930.

Located on the corner of Murray Valley Highway and Mallee Highway at Piangil is what appears to be an old hotel.

Chris and I then headed to the nearby Miralie Bushland Reserve VKFF-5490 and the Miralie silo VK-MRI3 for a park activation for the World Wide Flora & Fauna (WWFF) program and the SIlos On The Air (SiOTA) program.

Above: Map showing the location of the Miralie Bushland Reserve. Map c/o Google Maps

The reserve is located on the northern side of Miralie-Cocamta Road, close to the Piangil railway line.

Above: the boundaries of the Miralie Bushland Reserve. Image c/o Google Earth

Miralie is an Aboriginal word for ‘black duck’. The Miralie Post Office opened on the 11th day of March 1925 and closed in July 1925. (Blake 1978) (Wikipedia 2025)

The reserve is only a small park, comprising 2.4 hectares of native scrub, and surrounded by cleared land for cropping and orchards. (Dcceew.gov.au 2023)

During our visit, the reserve was alive with birdlife.

We even got to enjoy a view of the moon.

The reserve is within the activation zone of the Miralie silo, which was covered in fog when we arrived.

The Miralie silos are located just to the southeast of the reserve, alongside the railway line.

Chris and I pulled into the park in the 4WD and used the Yaesu FT857, 40 watts, and the 20/40/80m linked dipole for this activation.

The activation zone at the Miralie silo. Image c/o SiOTA website

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK2IO/P (VKFF-6153)
2. VK2GEZ/P (VKFF-6153)
3. VK4NH
4. VK4DXA
5. VK6ADM
6. VK7PJM
7. VK5HS
8. VK2VW
9. VK2HFI
10. VK2AKA
11. VK2BUG
12. VK3IFT
13. VK3TKU
14. VK5RI
15. VK5DR
16. VK5FANA
17. VK3PF
18. VK3FS
19. VK3ATT
20. VK3ETT
21. VK2MOE
22. VK1MO
23. VK3MCK
24. VK3CLD
25. VK5QA
26. VK2DBF
27. VK3EJ
28. VK2TRL
29. VK4MRH
30. VK4ERH
31. VK2KJH
32. VK3CEO
33. VK5LRB
34. VK2VH
35. VK4AAC
36. VK3VIN
37. VK4HMI
38. VK2MZ
39. VK4FNQ
40. VK3ZAQ
41. VK2EXA
42. VK5GTS
43. VK3AMO
44. VK2IO/P (VKFF-3599)
45. VK2GEZ/P (VKFF-3599)
46. VK1GM

I worked the following stations on 40m AM:-

1. VK2VW
2. VK2HFI
3. VK2AKA
4. VK2BUG
5. VK2IO/P (VKFF-6153)
6. VK2GEZ/P (VKFF-6153)

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

1. VK2IO/P (VKFF-6153)
2. VK2GEZ/P (VKFF-6153)
3. VK4NH
4. VK4DXA

I worked the following stations on 20m AM:-

1. VK4NH
2. VK4DXA

References.

1. Leslie James Blake, 1978, Place Names of Victoria.
2. Dcceew.gov.au. (2023). Collaborative Australian Protected Areas Database (CAPAD) 2022 – DCCEEW. [online] Available at: https://www.dcceew.gov.au/environment/land/nrs/science/capad/2022. [Accessed 14 May. 2026]‌
3. Service, C. (2023). Tooleybuc Bridge Over Murray River. [online] NSW Government. Available at: https://www.nsw.gov.au/visiting-and-exploring-nsw/locations-and-attractions/tooleybuc-bridge-over-murray-river [Accessed 14 May 2026].‌
4. Wikipedia Contributors (2025). Miralie. Wikipedia.‌

Our final VKFF park activation for Monday, the 4th day of May 2026, was River Murray Reserve VKFF-4147.

Above: Map showing the location of River Murray Reserve. Map c/o Google Maps

The section of the reserve we activated was near the Hume Lake Dam.

Above: the boundaries at River Murray Reserve. Image c/o Google Earth

The reserve is about 1,5041 hectares and consists of numerous sections of land along the Murray River. It stretches from near Mildura along the Murray to east of Albury.

Chris and I accessed the park via Bonegilla Road. We ran the Yaesu FT857, 40 watts, and the 20/40/80m linked dipole.

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK3TWO/M
2. VK3WSG
3. VK5DW
4. VK2EXA
5. VK3SQ
6. VK3JT
7. VK2BD
8. VK3MRT
9. VK5PL
10. VK3CLD
11. VK5QA
12. VK2DBF
13. VK3GJG
14. VK3TAZ
15. VK7EV/M
16. VK1HF
17. VK3ZSC
18. VK3BSC
19. VK2MOE
20. VK1MO
21. VK1GM
22. VK2ETI
23. VK3TDK
24. VK3NYC
25. VK3KRL
26. VK1AO/P (VKFF-4631)
27. VK2MET/P (VKFF-4631)
28. VK1AD
29. VK1CHW
30. VK2CHW
31. VK3CEO
32. VK2IO/P (VKFF-4551)
33. VK2GEZ/P (VKFF-4551)
34. VK2LAX
35. VK3SMW
36. VK2VW
37. VK2HFI
38. VK2AKA
39. VK2BUG

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

1. VK3PF (VCKFF-5582)
2. VK3KAI
3. VK2VW
4. VK2HFI
5. VK2AKA
6. VK2BUG
7. VK5BJE
8. VK3SMW
9. VK3MCK

After successfully activating the park, we headed over the Murray River over the Heywood Bridge, from Victoria into New South Wales. We drove into the little town of Lake Hume Village to view Lake Hume.

The Hume Dam was constructed over 17 years, between 1919 and 1936. The dam wall height is 51 metres (167 feet) and it is 1,615 metres (5,299 feet) in length. Lake Hume’s total capacity is 3,036,500 ML. (Wikipedia 2021)

Chris and I then headed towards Tooleybuc, where we had booked in to stay for one night. We travelled west on the Riverina Highway. We stopped briefly for me to take a photograph of the Lowesdale School. Some of my family members attended here back in the early 1900s.

A little further up the road is the old Burraja Hotel. Burraja is an Aboriginal name meaning ‘a swamp with young trees growing.’

The current building was built in 1911/1912 on behalf of the licensee, Mr. S.R.E. Loveridge. The hotel was opened in 1912 and was delicensed in 1999. (WIkipedia 2026)

Above: article from The Corowa Free Press, Tue 26 Sept 1911. Image c/o Trove

We continued on to the town of Berrigan ,which was proclaimed on the 31st day of May 1890. (Wikipedia 2024)

One of the historic buildings in Berrigan is the Federal Hotel, which was built in 1915. It replaced a previous hotel that was destroyed by fire in September 1914. (Facebook 2026)

The town’s 80-year-old water tower underwent a transformation in 2025, with magnificent artwork being painted on the water tower by artist Alex Sugar.

We continued on our journey towards Tooleybuc, encountering wildlife and cattle on the road along the way.

We also drove into a storm and torrential rain, which eventually moved off to the northeast.

We eventually reached Tooleybuc and booked into our accommodation at the Tooleybuc Motel. Wow, what a room. There was certainly no shortage of room.

Chris and I then walked next door to the Country Club Hotel and enjoyed a magnificent meal and some cleansing ales.

After dinner, Chris and I walked a short distance down to the park alongside the Murray River to view the ‘Gathering the Bounty’ sculpture, which is the work of Stuart Green. The sculpture is about 11 metres tall and features a giant human figure, representing the Murray River, harvesting the fruits of the region’s natural gifts and human industry. (Dairy News Australia 2024)

It was time to retire for the evening and get a good night’s sleep with a big trip back home the following day.

References.

1. Dairy News Australia. (2024). River Country Art Trail designs chosen. [online] Available at: https://www.dairynewsaustralia.com.au/news/art-trail-one-step-closer-as-pieces-selected/ [Accessed 14 May 2026].‌
2. Facebook.com. (2026). Explored Visions by GD. [online] Available at: https://www.facebook.com/exploredvisions. [Accessed 14 May 2026]
3. ‌Wikipedia. (2021). Hume Dam. [online] Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hume_Dam. [Accessed 14 May 2026]‌
4. Wikipedia Contributors (2026). Buraja. Wikipedia.‌
5. Wikipedia Contributors (2024). Berrigan. Wikipedia.‌

Our second park for Monday, the 4th day of May 2026, was Ryans Lagoon Nature Conservation Reserve VKFF-2186. The reserve is located about 14 km (by road) east of Wodonga in northeast Victoria.

Above: Map showing the location of Ryans Lagoon Nature Conservation Reserve. Map c/o Google Maps

The reserve is located at the junction of Ryans Road and Trabants Road, Bonegilla.

Above: the boundaries at Ryans Lagoon NCR. Image c/o Google Earth

There is a gate that takes you into the reserve, which has a yellow sign alongside which reads ’95 Ryans Road DDAC’. DDAC stands for the Duduroa Dhargal Aboriginal Corporation, which manages the reserve. The reserve was previously managed by Parklands Albury Wodonga. (Foyster and Foyster, 2024)

Ryans Lagoon is about 15 hectares in size and was once used for grazing. The reserve is included in the Directory of Important Wetlands in Australia due to its high biodiversity and ecological value. It is an excellent example of riverline billabongs in the upper sections of the Murray River. The reserve is home to at least 29 species of waterbirds. Sloane’s Froglet, which is listed as endangered, can be found in the reserve. (DAWE 2024) (Facebook 2016) (Parklands Albury Wodonga 2025)

Chris and I set up underneath the shelter just inside the gate. We ran the Yaesu FT857, 40 watts, and the 20/40/80m linked dipole.

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB before the UTC rollover:-

1. VK3SQ
2. VK2BD
3. VK3JT
4. VK4FNQ
5. VK3GJG
6. VK3TAZ
7. VK2YW
8. VK2IO/P (VKFF-4551)
9. VK2GEZ/P (VKFF-4551)
10. VK2MW
11. VK2HSV
12. VK2MOE
13. VK1MO
14. VK3SO
15. VK3SFG

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB after the UTC rollover:-

1. VK3SO
2. VK3SFG
3. VK2YW
4. VK3ZSC
5. VK3BSC
6. VK3VCE
7. VK3GJG
8. VK3TAZ
9. VK2MOE
10. VK1MO
11. VK2EXA
12. VK1CHW
13. VK2CHW
14. VK2MW
15. VK2HSV
16. VK2VW
17. VK2HFI
18. VK2AKA
19. VK2BUG
20. VK5LA
21. VK5KAW
22. VK2LAX
23. VK4NH
24. VK4DXA
25. VK4FNQ
26. VK2VAR
27. VK2GOM
28. VK1VIC
29. VK2VIC
30. VK2GOY
31. VK1AO/P (VKFF-2085)
32. VK2MET/P (VKFF-2085)
33. VK3PF (VKFF-5582)
34. VK5LRB
35. VK3CJN
36. VK3QHU
37. VK3DJB
38. VK3FS
39. VK3ATT
40. VK3ETT
41. VK4EMP
42. VK4TI
43. VK4GKO
44. VK3SQ
45. VK3JT
46. VK2BD
47. VK1DI/P (VKFF-0620)
48. VK2IO/P (VKFF-4551)
49. VK2GEZ/P (VKFF-4551)

I worked the following stations on 20m SBB:-

1. VK4NH
2. VK4DXA
3. VK7AAE

References.

1. DAWE. (2024). Environmental water to Ryan’s Lagoon wetland has the frogs singing. [online] Available at: https://www.dcceew.gov.au/cewh/resources-media/news/environmental-water-ryans-lagoon-wetland-has-frogs-singing. [Accessed 13 May 2026]
2. ‌Facebook.com. (2016). 12K views · 80 reactions | Once used as grazing area, Ryans Lagoon is a significant wetland 20 minutes out of Wodonga that is now being restored by Traditional Owners. Earlier this year, Traditional Owners planned and implemented their first burn of the area alongside CFA and Forest Fire Management Victoria. Firefighters worked to support the Duduroa Dhargal Aboriginal Corporation for the burn, with the aim to regenerate the area and reduce fuel load 🍃🔥 | CFA (Country Fire Authority). [online] Available at: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1043886127075875 [Accessed 13 May 2026].
3. ‌Foyster, G. and Foyster, G. (2024). River stories: Restoring Country at Ryans Lagoon. [online] Environment Victoria – Environment Victoria. Available at: https://environmentvictoria.org.au/2024/07/18/river-stories-restoring-country-at-ryans-lagoon/. [Accessed 13 May 2026]
4. ‌Nla.gov.au. (2026). Making sure you’re not a bot! [online] Available at: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/179818397?searchTerm=burke%20%2B%20wills%20%2B%20wakool%20crossing [Accessed 13 May 2026].
5. Parklands Albury Wodonga. (2025). Ryans Lagoon in the Spotlight this World Wetlands Day – Parklands Albury Wodonga. [online] Available at: https://www.parklands-alburywodonga.org.au/2025/02/ryans-lagoon-in-the-spotlight-this-world-wetlands-day/. [Accessed 13 May 2026]‌

Our first VKFF park activation for Monday, the 4th day of May 2026, was the Black Dog Natural Features Reserve VKFF-3599. The reserve is located southeast of Chiltern.

Above: Map showing the location of Black Dog Natural Features Reserve. Map c/o Google Maps

The reserve stretches from near the junction of Beechworth-Chiltern Road and Black Dog Creek Road in the west, to near the junction of Black Dog Creek Road and Jessies Lane to the east.

Above: the boundaries of Black Dog NFR. Image c/o Google Earth

The nearby town of Chiltern, situated on the Black Dog Creek, was originally known as the Black Dog township. The Black Dog Inn was opened in 1845, where the creek crossed the Melbourne-Sydney Road. The township was surveyed in 1851-1852 along the creek. Only a few years later, the name was changed to Chiltern (Victorianplaces.com.au 2026)

We operated off Black Dog Creek Road near Jessies Land. We ran the Yaesu FT857, 40 watts, and the 20/40/80m linked dipole.

Above: An aerial view of the park. Image c/o Google Maps

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK5AOK
2. VK3VIN
3. VK3KRL
4. VK4NH
5. VK4DXA
6. VK3GJG
7. VK3TAZ
8. VK3CEO
9. VK7PJM
10. VK1CHW
11. VK2CHW
12. VK2LAX
13. VK2COS
14. VK3FB
15. VK2EXA
16. VK2IO/M
17. VK2GEZ/M
18. VK1AO
19. VK2MET
20. VK3CJN
21. VK3QHU
22. VK4EMP
23. VK4TI
24. VK4GKO
25. VK3SQ
26. VK2BD
27. VK3JT
28. VK4CZ
29. VK3FS
30. VK3ATT
31. VK3ETT
32. VK3APJ
33. VK3SO
34. VK3SFG
35. VK3WMF
36. VK5LRB
37. VK1XP
38. VK2MW
39. VKWHSV
40. VK3ZAQ
41. VK4BWL
42. VK3PF/M
43. VK3MCK
44. VK3BEL
45. VK3BEB
46. VK4FNQ

I worked the following stations on 40m AM:-

1. VK3SQ
2. VK3JT
3. VK2BD
4. VK3GJG
5. VK3TAZ
6. VK2IO/M
7. VK2GEZ/M
8. VK2EXA
9. VK3CLD
10. VK5QA
11. VK2DBF
12. VK3AMO
13. VKECEO
14. VK3GAZ
15. VK2MW
16. VK3APJ

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

1. VK2VW
2. VK2HFI
3. VK2AKA
4. VK2BUG
5. VK4CZ
6. VK4NH
7. VK4DXA
8. VK2IO/M
9. VK2GEZ/M

I worked the following stations on 20m AM:-

1. VK2VW
2. VK2HFI
3. VK2AKA
4. VK2BUG
5. VK4CZ

References.

1. Victorianplaces.com.au. (2026). Chiltern and Chiltern Shire | Victorian Places. [online] Available at: https://www.victorianplaces.com.au/chiltern-and-chiltern-shire [Accessed 12 May 2026].‌

My final park for Sunday, the 3rd day of May 2026, was the Chiltern-Mount Pilot National Park VKFF-0620. The park is located southwest of Albury, and south of Chiltern in northeast Victoria.

Above: Map showing the location of Chiltern-Mount Pilot National Park. Map c/o Google Maps

The Chiltern-Mt Pilot National Park is about 21,650-hectares (53,500-acres) in size and extends west from Beechworth across the busy Hume Freeway to the west of Chiltern. (Wikipedia 2026)

Above: the various boundaries of the Chiltern-Mount Pilot National Park. Image c/o Google Earth

When the Europeans settled in Australia, box-ironbark forests covered about 7.4 million hectares or 13% of Victoria. Nearly 80% of these forests were cleared by European settlers, while the remaining 20% was severely degraded due to grazing. Chiltern-Mount Pilot National Park was declared to protect the remaining box-ironbark forest. (Wikipedia 2026)

Above: an aerial view of the Chiltern-Mount Pilot National Park. Image c/o Google Maps

The Chiltern Regional Park, first known as the Chiltern State Park, was a 4,520-hectare (10,500-acre) box-ironbark forest that was gazetted in 1980. The Mount Pilot Multipurpose Park was also established. In 1997, the park became the Chiltern Box-ironbark National Park. In 2002, the Chiltern Box-ironbark National Park and the Mt Pilot Multipurpose Park, in addition to other sections of land, were incorporated to form the Chiltern-Mt Pilot National Park. (Wikipedia 2026)

The park is home to more than 600 native species of flora, including 42 threatened species. This includes the crimson spider orchid, yellow hyacinth orchid, Warby swamp gum, and mountain swainson pea. (Wikipedia 2026)

A total of 276 different native mammals, birds, and reptiles have been recorded in the park. This includes 43 fauna species that are recorded as threatened. This includes the squirrel glider, Brush-tailed phascogale, Barking Owl, and Regent honeyeater. (Wikipedia 2026)

I did not intend to activate this park, and was on my way to another park, when I noticed the park sign after passing underneath the Hume Freeway on McHugh Road. The photo above featuring the park sign is blurred because it was taken in heavy rain.

The rain was so heavy that I could not string out the dipole. I had to operate from the vehicle for this activation, running the Icom IC-7000, 100 watts, and the Codan 9350 antenna with the 1.5 metre stainless steel whip.

The rain was so heavy at times that I could not hear the stations that were calling. In the end, the lightning rolled in and decided to call it a day. I headed back into Albury and went out for dinner with Heath VK3TWO, Chris VK5FR, Gerard VK2IO, Peter VK3PF, and his brother.

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK7EV
2. VK2VW
3. VK2HFI
4. VK2AKA
5. VK2BUG
6. VK5KPR
7. VK5MAZ
8. VK4HMI
9. VK3CJN
10. VK3QHU
11. VK2NNN
12. VK3BEL
13. VK3BEB
14. VK3SMW
15. VK3CLD
16. VK5QA
17. VK2DBF
18. VK2IO/P (VKFF-2186)
19. VK2GEZ/P (VKFF-2186)
20. VK3AMO
21. VK3EJ
22. VK1CHW
23. VK2CHW
24. VK4KTW
25. VK5FL
26. VK5HS
27. VK2OKR
28. VK2BXB
29. VK2AUS
30. VK2AUR
31. VK2AUK
32. VK3UH
33. VK3CEO
34. VK4SMA
35. VK2KEV
36. VK7AAE
37. VK5DIK
38. VK2FDSD
39. VK3APJ
40. VK5AOK
41. VK3KRL
42. VK5FANA
43. VK2OM
44. VK5DW
45. VK7AJP
46. VK7PJM
47. VK5AYL
48. VK2PKT
49. VK2KFT
50. VK3MXW
51. VK3PE
52. VK4CZ

References.

1. Wikipedia Contributors (2026). Chiltern-Mt Pilot National Park. Wikipedia.‌

My second activation for Sunday, the 3rd day of May 2026, was the Fryingpan Creek Streamside Reserve VKFF-3692.

Above: Map showing the location of Fryingpan Creek SSR. Map c/o Google Maps

The reserve is located on the southeast corner of High Street and Cemetery Road at Barnawartha.

Above: the boundaries at the reserve. Image c/o Google Earth

The reserve is about 5.5 hectares in size and was established on the 1st day of May 1979. As the name implies, Fryingpan Creek passes through the reserve. The creek commences near the Chiltern Mount Pilot National Park and flows into Indigo Creek to the north. (Dcceew.gov.au, 2023)

I ran the Yaesu FT857, 40 watts, and the 20/40/80m linked dipole for this activation.

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK3IFT
2. VK3TKU
3. VK3WRD
4. VK2VW
5. VK2HFI
6. VK2AKA
7. VK2BUG
8. VK4BWL
9. VK3VIN
10. VK3CEO
11. VK5AYL
12. VK3MDC
13. VK4FNQ
14. VK3MB
15. VK3KRL
16. VK5MAZ
17. VK3SQ
18. VK2BD
19. VK3JT
20. VK3UH
21. VK5DW
22. VK3CLD
23. VK2DBF
24. VK5QA
25. VK2EXA
26. VK5PL
27. VK5AV
28. VK5FANA
29. VK4MRH/P (VKFF-3992)
30. VK4EAH
31. VK2KJH
32. VK5AMH
33. VK3FB
34. VK7PJM
35. VK2IO/P (VKFF-2186)
36. VK2GEZ/P (VKFF-2186)
37. VK3APJ
38. VK3FS
39. VK3ATT
40. VK3ETT
41. VK5HS
42. VK3ACZ
43. VK5BJE
44. VK3GRK
45. VK2MAB
46. VK2LUE
47. VK3CJN
48. VK3QHU
49. VK3FB
50. VK3BDW
51. VK1ACE
52. VK5NJ

References.

1. Dcceew.gov.au. (2023). Collaborative Australian Protected Areas Database (CAPAD) 2022 – DCCEEW. [online] Available at: https://www.dcceew.gov.au/environment/land/nrs/science/capad/2022.

On Sunday afternoon, the 3rd day of May 2026, at the conclusion of the VK Summit event, I headed out to activate some parks. My first park was the Barnawartha Scenic Reserve VKFF-3588.

Above: Map showing the location of the Barnawartha Scenic Reserve. Map c/o Google Maps

The reserve is located on the eastern side of the Hume Freeway, between Plunketts Road and Oates Gap Road.

Above: the boundaries at the Barnawartha Scenic Reserve. Image c/o Google Earth

The reserve is about 131 hectares in size and was established on the 1st day of May 1979. (Dcceew.gov.au, 2023)

I accessed the park via Oates Gap Road and then a 4WD track that led into the park. It was quite a wet afternoon and the track was steep and slippery and only accessible via 4WD.

Above: an aerial view of the Barnawartha Scenic Reserve. Image c/o Google Maps

I ran the Yaesu FT857, 40 watts, and the 20/40/80m linked dipole for this activation.

Unfortunately, 10 minutes into the activation, I had LZ5R come onto my frequency, calling CQ contest. Fortunately those that were calling me were much stronger so I remained on the frequency.

There was a very nice opening on the long path 20m into Europe. I logged a total of 130 stations for this activation.

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK7PJM
2. VK2IO/M
3. VK2GEZ/M
4. VK3ZSC
5. VK3TKU
6. VK2AIH
7. VK4VHW
8. VK2VH
9. VK4AAC
10. VK2VW
11. VK2HFI
12. VK2AKA
13. VK2BUG
14. VK3FB
15. VK4NH
16. VK4DXA
17. VK2MW
18. VK2HSV
19. VK2OM
20. VK2XWB/P
21. VK3PF (VKFF-5788)
22. VK3KAI (VKFF-5788)
23. VK3VBA (VKFF-5788)
24. VK2EXA
25. VK3CEO
26. VK1AO
27. VK2MET
28. VK5DM
29. EI6KV
30. VK3CWF
31. VK2JHJ
32. VK5FANA
33. VK3WRD
34. VK3TVG
35. VK3HHE
36. VK2AXV
37. VK2IO/P (VKFF-4631)
38. VK2GEZ/P (VKFF-4631)
39. VK3AMO
40. VK5KVA
41. VK3CJN
42. VK3QHU
43. VK3VIN
44. VK3UP
45. VK1CHW
46. VK2CHW
47. VK5FL
48. VK3MB
49. VK2NWT
50. VK3UH
51. VK3MAY
52. VK2ICW
53. VK3PJT
54. VK2LEE
55. VK2DG
56. VK2YW
57. VK2MAB
58. VK2LUE
59. VK5HS
60. VK2MOE
61. VK1MO
62. VK4SYD
63. VK1KEP
64. VK3TUN/P (VKFF-5798)
65. VK5DG/P (VKFF-5798)
66. VK5ANB/P (VKFF-5798)

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

1. KG5CIK
2. VK3AP
3. YO3AEK
4. 9A8DX
5. IC8CUQ
6. IU0PXO
7. KE3GR
8. F5NZO
9. UT5PI
10. F4ISZ
11. OZ6CM
12. OK2ZV
13. F5PYI
14. NU6C
15. OH1MM
16. UY7VV
17. IU6JMK
18. SQ7KM
19. ES6RW
20. DL8UP
21. SP5HRX
22. E75RN
23. SV5ADM
24. OE3MGS
25. K7DHX
26. R3G
27. VK4EW
28. VK5HS
29. VK3PF (VKFF-5788)
30. VK3KAI (VKFF-5788)
31. VK3VBA (VKFF-5788)
32. EA5IPC
33. VK5WU
34. IW2MJQ
35. VK3SX
36. VK4NH
37. VK4DXA
38. VK5PL
39. VK7AAE
40. PD5S
41. PD1AT
42. DG0OBU
43. LZ3TY
44. IK3PCZ
45. EA3MP
46. IZ5JMZ
47. OK7WA
48. EA5GVV
49. S54X
50. VK5DDD
51. SQ9CWO
52. IK1GCB
53. VK4ERC
54. F1EMX
55. F4GYE
56. F6KBK
57. IZ5ILF
58. SM1ALH
59. F4GYM
60. VK3IFR
61. VK3TKU
62. TA4YMA
63. DK3TG
64. DJ1SD

References.

1. Dcceew.gov.au. (2023). Collaborative Australian Protected Areas Database (CAPAD) 2022 – DCCEEW. [online] Available at: https://www.dcceew.gov.au/environment/land/nrs/science/capad/2022.

On Saturday, the 2nd day of May and Sunday, the 3rd day of May 2026, I attended the 2026 VK Summit event in Albury, which coincided with the AGM of the Wireless Institute of Australia.

On both days, we had a WWFF/VKFF display table which I manned with Chris VK5FR, Garrick VK3GJG, Malcolm VK3OAK, and Peter VK3PWG. Thank you very much to Chris, Garrick, Malcolm, and Peter. We had a lot of visitors to the table and a significant amount of attention to the WWFF program.

I also checked several QSL cards for the ARRL DXCC program and checked identification for the Logbook Of The World (LOTA) program.

On Saturday night, I attended the dinner at the Commercial Club. Albury. The guest speaker was Adrian KO8SCA, the Co-leader of the 2026 3Y0K Bouvet Island Dxpedition. There was also an ISS hookup.

On Sunday, myself, Chris and Garrick delivered a presentation on the WWFF/VKFF program.