Wanniassa Hills Nature Reserve VKFF-0865

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Our next activation for Tuesday, 28th October 2025, was the Wanniassa Hills Nature Reserve VKFF-0865.

Above: Map showing the location of Wanniassa Hills Nature Reserve. Map c/o Google Maps

The reserve is located in the suburb of Fadden which is named in honour of Sir Arthur William Fadden who was the 13th Prime Minister of Australia, for a very short period from 29th August 1941 to 7th October 1941. (Wikipedia 2025)

Above: Sir Arthur William Fadden. Image c/o Wikipedia

The reserve’s western boundary os Erindale Drive. Its northern boundary is Yamba Drive and Long Gully Road. Its eastern boundary is Mugga Lane. Its southern boundary is the suburb of Fadden.

Above: An aerial view of the reserve showing its boundaries. Image c/o Protected Planet.

The reserve includes Mount Wanniassa which is 809 metres above sea level. (Wikipedia 2022)

Above: An aerial view of Wanniassa Hills Nature Reserve. Image c/o Google Maps

The reserve takes its name from a pastoral property that was granted to Thomas McQuoid in 1835. He named the property Wanniassa after an estate he previously owned in Wanayas in West Java Indonesia, where he produced coffee crops for the East India Company. (Canberra Homestead n.d.) (Wikipedia 2025)

Prior to the acquisiton of the land by MacQuoid, the land around Wanniassa was owned by Peter Murdoch. Murdoch was born in January 1795 and arrived in Australia in 1821. He was accompanied by his friend Sir Thomas Brisbane. Murdoch was appointed by Brisbane to the role of Superintendent of the government Agricultural Establishment at Emu Plains, New South Wales. The Establishment had been implemented by Lachlan Macquarie, the Governor of New South Wales. It held up to 500 convicts. Brisbane would later go on to defend Murdoch who was accused of misconduct with female convicts. (Canberra Homestead n.d.) (Eldershaw 1967) (Nsw.gov.au 2026)

In 1829 Murdoch was appinted a a position n Tasmania. The area then became part of a grant to John McLaren. He had arrived from Glasgow, Scotland in 1828. It was managed by William Wright who had several convicts on the property. In 1835 McLaren sold the property to MacQuoid. (Canberra Homestead n.d.) (Wikipedia 2025)

Thomas Hyacinth MacQuoid was born in 1779 in Ireland. He emigrated to Australia arriving in Sydney in 1829. He was appointed the Sheriff of the Supreme Court of New South Wales. MacQuoid built a stone cottage and barn on the Wanniassa property using convict labor. This ended up becoming Tuggeranong Homestead. (Canberra Homestead n.d.) (Find a Grave 2019)

MacQuoid took his own life on the 12th day of October 1841, aged 62 years. It is suspected his sicide was due to a severe drought which has caused MacQuoid to suffer fromdepressed economic circumstances. He was originally buried at Devonshire Street Cemetery. In 1901 his remains and headstone were relocated to Bunnerong Cemetery. (Canberra Homestead n.d.) (Find a Grave 2019)

Above: article from The Sydney Monitor & Commercial Advertiser, Wed 13 Oct 1841. Image c/o Trove

Following Macquoid’s death, his son Thomas MacQuoid Jr remained on the property and successfully paid off all debts. In 1857 he returned to England to visit family. On the return voyage to Australia aboard the clipper Dunbar, the vessel was wrecked at South Head, Sydney. A total of 120 persons aboard the Dunbar drowned. MacQuoid’s body was never recovered. (Canberra Homestead n.d.) (Nla.gov.au 2026)

Above: part of an article from The Sydney Morning Herald, Sat 22 Aug 1857. Image c/o Trove

In 1858 the property was purchased by Andrew Cunningham who owned the nearby Lanyon property. It was renamed Tuggeranong following its purchase by Cunningham. In 1917 the land was acquired by the Australian Commonwealth Government for military purposes. Marija and I visited Lanyon homestead during our trip, and I will detail that extensively in a subsequent post. (ACT Govt 2023) (Canberra Homestead n.d.)

The Wanniassa Hills Nature Reserve is about 262 hectares in size and was established in 1993. It contains an area of the critically endangered Yellow Box-Blakely’s Red Gum Grassy Woodland. (ACT Govt 2023)

Marija and I parked our vehicle and walked through a gate and set up on the edge of a walking track. We ran the Yaesu FT857, 40 watts, and the 20/40/80m linked dipole.

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK2IO/P (VKFF-1988)
  2. VK2GEZ/P (VKFF-1988)
  3. VK3PF/P (VKFF-3057)
  4. VK3KAI/P (VKFF-3057)
  5. VK1AD
  6. VK1NAM
  7. VK2DA
  8. VK1DA
  9. VK1AO
  10. VK2MET
  11. VK3UH

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK2IO/P (VKFF-1988)
  2. VK2GEZ/P (VKFF-1988)
  3. VK3PF/P (VKFF-3057)
  4. VK3KAI/P (VKFF-3057)
  5. VK1AD
  6. VK1NAM
  7. VK2DA
  8. VK1DA
  9. VK1AO
  10. VK2MET
  11. VK3UH
  12. VK2NP

References.

  1. ACT Government (2023). Wanniassa Hills Nature Reserve. [online] Act.gov.au. Available at: https://www.parks.act.gov.au/find-a-nature-park/canberra-nature-park/wanniassa-hills-nature-reserve [Accessed 8 Feb. 2026].
  2. ‌Canberra Homestead. (n.d.). History. [online] Available at: https://canberrahomestead.com/history/. [Accessed 9 Feb. 2026]
  3. ‌Eldershaw, P.R. (1967). Murdoch, Peter (1795–1871). [online] Anu.edu.au. Available at: https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/murdoch-peter-2492 [Accessed 8 Feb. 2026].
  4. ‌Find a Grave (2019). Find a Grave. [online] Findagrave.com. Available at: https://www.findagrave.com/. [Accessed 9 Feb. 2026]
  5. ‌Nla.gov.au. (2026). Making sure you’re not a bot! [online] Available at: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/189959142?searchTerm=thomas%20macquoid%20%2B%20dunbar [Accessed 8 Feb. 2026].
  6. ‌Nsw.gov.au. (2026). Adlib Internet Server 5 | Details. [online] Available at: https://archival.sl.nsw.gov.au/Details/archive/110341368 [Accessed 8 Feb. 2026].
  7. ‌Wikipedia Contributors (2025). Arthur Fadden. Wikipedia.‌
  8. Wikipedia Contributors (2022). Mount Wanniassa. Wikipedia.‌
  9. Wikipedia Contributors (2025). Tuggeranong Homestead. Wikipedia.
  10. ‌Wikipedia Contributors (2026). Wanniassa. Wikipedia.‌
  11. Wikipedia Contributors (2025). Tuggeranong Homestead. Wikipedia.‌

Isaacs Ridge Nature Reserve VKFF-0845

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Our third park activation for Tuesday, 28th October 2025, was Isaacs Ridge Nature Reserve VKFF-0845.

Above: Map showing the location of Isaacs Ridge Nature Reserve. Map c/o Google Maps

The reserve is located in the suburb of Isaacs, which is named in honour of Sir Isaac Alfred Isaacs. He was born in August 1855 in Melbourne, Victoria. He was an Australian lawyer, politician and Judge. He served as the ninth Governor-General, in office from 1931 to 1936. Isaacs died in February 1948 in Melbourne, aged 92 years. (Wikipedia 2025)

Above: Sir Isaac Isaacs. Image c/o Wikipedia

Isaac Ridge Nature Reserve is located in the south-eastern part of the Woden Valley in Canberra. The reserve’s eastern boundary is Mugga Lane. Its southern boundary is Long Gully Road. To the west of the reserve are the suburbs of O’Malley, Mawson, and Farrer. The reserve connects with Mount Mugga Mugga Nature Reserve and Wanniassa Hills Nature Reserve. (ACT Govt 2023)

Above: An aerial view of Isaacs Ridge Nature Reserve. Image c/o Google Maps

The area in which the reserve is located was once part of the Duntroon pastoral lease and also part of Mugga Mugga Station. (ACT Govt 2023)

Isaacs Ridge Nature Reserve is about 387 hectares in size and was established in 1993. The reserve protects one of the largest areas of critically endangered Yellow Box-Blakely’s Red Gum Grassy Woodland remaining in Australia. The park is home to the vulnerable Glossy Black-cockatoo and the vulnerable Pink-tailed Worm-lizard. (ACT Govt 2023)

Marija and I set up our station off Mugga Lane. We ran the Yaesu FT857, 40 watts, and the 20/40/80m linked dipole.

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK2IO/P (VKFF-3182)
  2. VK2GEZ/P (VKFF-3182)
  3. VK3HJW
  4. VK2NP
  5. VK3SQ
  6. VK3JT
  7. VK2BD
  8. VK1AD
  9. VK1NAM
  10. VK5CZ
  11. VK5XE
  12. VK2USH/P (VKFF-0597)
  13. VK1CHW/P (VKFF-0839)
  14. VK2CHW/P (VKFF-0839)
  15. VK3YV/P (VKFF-0287)

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK2IO/P (VKFF-3182)
  2. VK2GEZ/P (VKFF-3182)
  3. VK3HJW
  4. VK2NP
  5. VK3SQ
  6. VK3JT
  7. VK2BD
  8. VK1AD
  9. VK1NAM
  10. VK5CZ
  11. VK5XE
  12. VK2VW
  13. VK2HFI
  14. VK2AKA
  15. VK2BUG
  16. VK2USH/P (VKFF-0597)
  17. VK3KRL
  18. VK2GSV
  19. VK3CEO
  20. VK2YAK
  21. VK4YAK
  22. VK1CHW/P (VKFF-0839)
  23. VK2CHW/P (VKFF-0839)
  24. VK3BEL
  25. VK3BEB
  26. VK5NJ
  27. VK3KYF
  28. VK2DA
  29. VK1DA
  30. VK2MOE
  31. VK1MO
  32. VK1AO
  33. VK2MET
  34. VK2HBR
  35. VK2PKT
  36. VK2KFT
  37. VK3SMW
  38. VK6ASK/M
  39. VK3PF/M
  40. VK3MDC
  41. VK5WU
  42. VK5DW
  43. VK3YV/P (VKFF-0287)
  44. VK1DI
  45. VK3XEM
  46. VK3BWS
  47. VK2HLM
  48. VK2BYO

References.

  1. ACT Government (2023). Isaacs Ridge Nature Reserve. [online] Act.gov.au. Available at: https://www.parks.act.gov.au/find-a-nature-park/canberra-nature-park/isaacs-ridge-nature-reserve [Accessed 8 Feb. 2026].
  2. ‌Wikipedia Contributors (2025). Isaac Isaacs. Wikipedia.‌

Mount Mugga Mugga Nature Reserve VKFF-0852

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After packing up at Red Hill on Tuesday, 28th October 2025, Marija and I drove into the suburb of Deakin for some breakfast and coffee. Deakin is named in honour of Australia’s second Prime Minister, Alfred Deakin. He was born in August 1856 in Melbourne and served as Prime Minister from June 1909 to April 1910. He died in October 1919. (Wikipedia 2019)

We then drove along Mugga Way to Calthorpe’s House, which, unfortunately, was not open. The home was built in 1927 for the Calthorpe family. This was the same year that the Federal Parliament and public service were transferred to Canberra. (ACT Historic Places 2017)

For more information on this historic home, please have a look at the YouTube video below.

We then headed to our second park activation for the day, the Mount Mugga Mugga Nature Reserve VKFF-0852.

Above: Map showing the location of Mount Mugga Mugga Nature Reserve. Map c/o Google Maps

The northern boundary of the reserve is Hindmarsh Drive. Its eastern boundary is Mugga Lane. To the west of the reserve is the suburb of O’Malley, which contains several embassies, including the Embassy of Nepal, the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the Lebanese Embassy.

Mount Mugga Mugga Nature Reserve is about 148 hectares in size and is located on the eastern edge of the Woden Valley in Canberra. The reserve is connected with the Red Hill Nature Reserve and Isaacs Ridge Nature Reserve. It was established in 1993 and was extended in 2005. (ACT Govt 2023)

Above: Aerial view of Mount Mugga Mugga Nature Reserve. Image c/o Google Maps

The reserve is part of one of the largest areas of the critically endangered Yellow Box-Blakely’s Red Gum Grassy Woodland remaining in Australia. Native birds found in the park include the threatened Diamond Firetail, Hooded Robin, Wedge-tailed Eagle, and Speckled Warbler. (ACT Govt 2023)

Just to the south of the reserve is the Mugga Quarry, which provided material in the building of early Canberra during the 20th century. (ACT Govt 2023)

During the early 1900s, plantings were undertaken in the reserve of various species, including Argyle Apple, White Box, and Golden Wattle. These were initiated by Walter Burley Griffen and were supervised by Charles Weston. (ACT Govt 2023)

Walter Burley Griffin was an American architect and landscape architect, and was the designer of Canberra. (Wikipedia 2019)

Above: Walter Burley Griffin. Image c/o Wikipedia

Thomas Charles George Weston was an Australian horticulturist and was responsible for the establishment of trees in Canberra. (Wikipedia 2026)

Above: Charles Weston. Image c/o Wikipedia

Marija and I set up our station off Mugga Lane, not far from the ACT Dog Pound. I am sure all those who worked us during the activation could hear the dogs barking in the background.

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

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

  1. VK2IO/P (VKFF-3182)
  2. VK2GEZ/P (VKFF-3182)
  3. VK3TDK/P (VKFF-0773)
  4. VK3NYC/P (VKFF-0773)
  5. VK3SX
  6. VK2VW
  7. VK2HFI
  8. VK2AKA
  9. VK2BUG
  10. VK3KRL
  11. VK1DI

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

  1. VK2IO/P (VKFF-3182)
  2. VK2GEZ/P (VKFF-3182)
  3. VK3PF/P (VKFF-1392 & SOTA VK2/ SW-034)
  4. VK3KAI/P (VKFF-1392 & SOTA VK2/ SW-034)

Marija worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

  1. VK2IO/P (VKFF-3182)
  2. VK2GEZ/P (VKFF-3182)

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

  1. VK2IO/P (VKFF-3182)
  2. VK2GEZ/P (VKFF-3182)
  3. VK3TDK/P (VKFF-0773)
  4. VK3NYC/P (VKFF-0773)
  5. VK3SX
  6. VK2VW
  7. VK2HFI
  8. VK2AKA
  9. VK2BUG
  10. VK3KRL
  11. VK3UCD
  12. VK2HBR
  13. VK2HLM
  14. VK2ZRD
  15. VK1DI
  16. VK3AMO
  17. VK3APJ
  18. VK3MRT
  19. VK2DA

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

  1. VK2DA
  2. VK1DA
  3. VK2NP
  4. VK1AD
  5. VK1NAM
  6. VK3IDM
  7. VK2YAK
  8. VK4YAK
  9. VK2VW
  10. VK2HFI
  11. VK2AKA
  12. VK2BUG
  13. VK2IO/P (VKFF-3182)
  14. VK2GEZ/P (VKFF-3182)
  15. VK1AO
  16. VK2MET
  17. VK3APJ
  18. VK3CEO
  19. VK3PF/P (VKFF-1392 & SOTA VK2/ SW-034)
  20. VK3KAI/P (VKFF-1392 & SOTA VK2/ SW-034)
  21. VK1DI
  22. VK2ZRD
  23. VK3DAC
  24. VK2MWD
  25. VK5WU
  26. VK3ZSC
  27. VK2VAR
  28. VK2GOM
  29. VK4FGCW/2
  30. VK2MZ
  31. VK2AHP

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

  1. VK4EMP
  2. VK4TI
  3. VK4GKO
  4. VK1AD
  5. VK1NAM
  6. VK5WU
  7. VK5WY
  8. VK2IO/P (VKFF-3182)
  9. VK2GEZ/P (VKFF-3182)

References.

  1. ACT Government (2023). Mount Mugga Mugga Nature Reserve. [online] Act.gov.au. Available at: https://www.parks.act.gov.au/find-a-nature-park/canberra-nature-park/mount-mugga-mugga-nature-reserve [Accessed 8 Feb. 2026].‌
  2. ACT Historic Places. (2017). About. [online] Available at: https://www.historicplaces.com.au/calthorpes-house/about [Accessed 8 Feb. 2026].
  3. ‌Wikipedia Contributors (2019). Walter Burley Griffin. [online] Wikipedia. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Burley_Griffin. ‌[Accessed 8 Feb. 2026].‌
  4. Wikipedia Contributors (2026). Charles Weston (horticulturalist). Wikipedia.‌
  5. Wikipedia Contributors (2019). Alfred Deakin. [online] Wikipedia. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfred_Deakin.‌ [Accessed 8 Feb. 2026].‌

Red Hill Nature Conservation Reserve VKFF-0860

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After breakfast on Tuesday, 28th October 2025, Marija and I headed to the Red Hill Nature Conservation Reserve VKFF-0860.

Above: Map showing the location of Red Hill Nature Reserve. Map c/o Google Maps

Prior to activating, we discovered the police box, the TARDIS, which is located in the park. It is actually a utility box that has been painted blue to resemble the TARDIS. The TARDIS stands for Time and Relative Dimension in Space, and is the time machine of Doctor Who.

The Red Hill Nature Reserve is about 293 hectares in size and is located on the eastern edge of Woden Valley in Canberra. The reserve includes Davidson Hill, which is 750 metres above sea level, and Red Hill, which is 720 metres above sea level. The reserve is adjacent to the Mount Ainslie Nature Reserve. (and 2023)

Red Hill was once part of the Narrabundah lease, which was held by Charles ‘Charlie’ Croft Russell. He grazed sheep there from 1938 until 1992. As the Canberra suburb of Red Hill became more populated, local dogs often attacked his sheep, and as a result he moved to cattle. He finally relinquished the lease in 1992 and died in 1998. (ancestry 2016) (Wikipedia 2020)

Above: Charles Russell. Image c/o ancestry.com.au

The land was previously part of the Duntroon Estate run by Patrick Sheedy.

Above: A 1942 map showing the location of Narrabundah. Map c/o mapsearch.nla.gov.au

In 1952, several devastating fires raged across the Canberra region. During one of those fires, the Narrabunda homestead was destroyed.

Above: part of an article from The Canberra Times, Sat 26 Jan 1952. Image c/o Trove

The Red Hill Nature Reserve contains the critically endangered Yellow Box–Blakely’s Red Gum Grassy Woodland. It is the fifth-largest known population of the endangered, heritage-listed Button Wrinklewort and an important habitat for the rare Pale Flax Lily. Hollows in old trees in the reserve provide breeding habitat for the NSW vulnerable-listed Gang-gang Cockatoo. (and 2023)

There are some panoramic views of Canberra to be enjoyed from the reserve.

Marija and I set up on the side of Red Hill Drive. We ran the Yaesu FT857, 40 watts, and the 20/40/80m linked dipole supported on the 7 metre heavy duty squid pole.

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK2IO/p (VKFF-0991)
  2. VK2GEZ/p (VKFF-0991)
  3. VK2YAK
  4. VK4YAK
  5. VK3SQ
  6. VK2BD
  7. VK3JT
  8. VK3HJW
  9. VK2DRB
  10. VK2BED
  11. VK1CHW/P (VKJFF-0838)
  12. VK2CHW/P (VKFF-0838)
  13. VK3TDK/P (VKFF-0773)
  14. VK3NYC/P (VKFF-0773)
  15. VK2XWB/P (VKFF-3931)

Marija worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

  1. VK2IO/p (VKFF-0991)
  2. VK2GEZ/p (VKFF-0991)
  3. VK3PF/P (VKFF-1392 & SOTA VK2/ SW-043)
  4. VK3KAI/P (VKFF-1392 & SOTA VK2/ SW-043)
  5. VK2XWB/P (VKFF-3931)

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK2IO/p (VKFF-0991)
  2. VK2GEZ/p (VKFF-0991)
  3. VK2YAK
  4. VK4YAK
  5. VK3SQ
  6. VK2BD
  7. VK3JT
  8. VK3HJW
  9. VK2DRB
  10. VK2BED
  11. VK3FS/M
  12. VK3ATT/M
  13. VK2BAI
  14. VK1AD
  15. VK1NAM
  16. VK3DAC
  17. VK3SMR/M
  18. VK1DI
  19. VK2HMV
  20. VK3KRL
  21. VK7PJM
  22. VK1AO
  23. VK2MET
  24. VK3EJ
  25. VK7LTD
  26. VK3PF/P (VKFF-1392 & SOTA VK2/ SW-043)
  27. VK3KAI/P (VKFF-1392 & SOTA VK2/ SW-043)
  28. VK1CHW/P (VKJFF-0838)
  29. VK2CHW/P (VKFF-0838)
  30. VK3CLD
  31. VK5QA
  32. VK2DBF
  33. VK2VAR
  34. VK2GOM
  35. VK2VW
  36. VK2HFI
  37. VK2AKA
  38. VK2BUG
  39. VK3MH/M
  40. VK3TDK/P (VKFF-0773)
  41. VK3NYC/P (VKFF-0773)
  42. VK2XWB/P (VKFF-3931)

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

  1. VK2IO/p (VKFF-0991)
  2. VK2GEZ/p (VKFF-0991)
  3. VK3PF/P (VKFF-1392 & SOTA VK2/ SW-043)
  4. VK3KAI/P (VKFF-1392 & SOTA VK2/ SW-043)
  5. VK1AD
  6. VK1NAM
  7. VK2XWB/P (VKFF-3931)
  8. VK5HS

References.

  1. ancestry (2016). Ancestry® | Genealogy, Family Trees & Family History Records. [online] Ancestry.com.au. Available at: https://www.ancestry.com.au/. [Accessed 7 Feb. 2026]
  2. ‌and, P. (2023). Red Hill Nature Reserve. [online] Act.gov.au. Available at: https://www.parks.act.gov.au/find-a-nature-park/canberra-nature-park/red-hill-nature-reserve [Accessed 7 Feb. 2026]
  3. Wikipedia. (2020). Red Hill. [online] Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Hill [Accessed 7 Feb. 2026]‌

Justice Robert Hope Nature Reserve VKFF-3181

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After leaving Mount Majura on Monday, 27th October 2025, Marija and I visited the National Dinosaur Museum in Canberra. What a brilliant place this is! The website states it is one of Canberra’s premier tourist attractions, and Marija and I certainly agree.

The museum was established in 1993, and since being acquired by a group of directors in 2011, it has undergone major upgrades. (Wikipedia 2025)

At the entrance, you can find ‘Stan’, Canberra’s Tyrannosaurus Rex, who stands at 6 metres tall. (National Dinosaur Museum n.d.)

We spent a few hours inside wandering around the indoor displays of dinosaurs and prehistoric fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals.

The museum doesn’t just have an excellent dinosaur display. It also has a magnificent fossil collection, which is believed to be the largest fossil display in the southern hemisphere. There are also several skeletons. (Travers 2017)

You can also find a selection of meteorites.

And skulls and other information relating to prehistoric man.

There is also an excellent Ice Age display.

And Marija fitted into the astronaut suit.

The museum also houses an extensive collection of crystals, gemstones, and minerals.

Outside, you can find the Dinosaur Garden. The landscaped gardens contain lifelike fibreglass dinosaur models.

After a very enjoyable few hours at the museum, we headed to the Justice Robert Hope Nature Reserve VKFF-3181.

The reserve is named in honour of Robert Marsden Hope, AC CMG QC. He was born in July 1919. He was a Justice of the New South Wales Court of Appeal and Royal Commissioner on 3 occasions, including the Royal Commission on Intelligence and Security. He was also the first Chairman of the Heritage Council of New South Wales. It was Justice Hope’s Committee of Inquiry into the National Estate that led to the acknowledgment of the concept of a National Estate. He died in 1999 at the age of 80. (ACT Government, 2023) (Wikipedia 2025)

If you would like more detailed information about Justice Robert Hope’s life, please feel free to watch the YouTube video below.

Justice Robert Hope Nature Reserve is located in the suburb of Watson, which is named after the third Prime Minister of Australia, John Christian Watson.

Above: John Christian Watson. Image c/o Wikipedia

The reserve is located adjacent to the Mount Majura Nature Reserve and alongside a green space known as The Runway (which was never a real runway).

Above: An aerial view of Justice Robert Hope Nature Park. Image c/o Google Maps

The reserve is 19 hectares in size and was established in 2016.

Above: an aerial view of the park showing its boundaries. Image c/o Protected Planet.

The reserve comprises low-lying woodland and protects the critically endangered Yellow Box-Blakely’s Red Gum. The reserve also contains several 200-400 year old hollow bearing tree which provide nesting hollows for native birds. (ACT Government, 2023)

Just inside the park you can find an excellent information board with detailed information about the park.

This was an easy park to access. We parked on Antill Street and went through the pedestrian gate, and set up along the walking path. We ran the Yaesu FTY857, 40 watts, and the 20/40/80m linked dipole for this activation.

Unfortunately, right in the middle of a very large pile-up on 40m, the heavens absolutely opened up, and we were totally rained out for the activation. Marija and I apologise to all those who were calling.

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK3HJW
  2. VK1AO
  3. VK2MET
  4. VK5WU
  5. VK1CHW
  6. VK2CHW
  7. VK5AYL
  8. VK2IO/P (VKFF-0847)
  9. VK2GEZ/P (VKFF-0847)
  10. VK3TDK/P (VKFF-0980)
  11. VK3NYC/P (VKFF-0980)

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK3HJW
  2. VK1AO
  3. VK2MET
  4. VK5WU
  5. VK1CHW
  6. VK2CHW
  7. VK5AYL
  8. VK2IO/P (VKFF-0847)
  9. VK2GEZ/P (VKFF-0847)
  10. VK3TDK/P (VKFF-0980)
  11. VK3NYC/P (VKFF-0980)
  12. VK2BW
  13. VK3NCR
  14. VK2MOE
  15. VK1MO

Absolutely saturated, Marija and I headed back to our motel room for a warm shower. We then headed to the Kingston Hotel for a meal with Andy VK5LA and his wife Liz, Walter VK2XGB, Gerard VK2IO, and Tony VK3YV. The meal was brilliant, and this was a VERY FUNNY night with lots of laughs.

References.

  1. ACT Government (2023). Justice Robert Hope Park. [online] Act.gov.au. Available at: https://www.parks.act.gov.au/find-a-nature-park/canberra-nature-park/justice-robert-hope-park [Accessed 28 Jan. 2026].
  2. ‌The National Dinosaur Museum. (n.d.). The National Dinosaur Museum | Visit the Dinosaurs – Canberra, Australia. [online] Available at: https://nationaldinosaurmuseum.com.au/. [Accessed 28 Jan. 2026]
  3. ‌Travers, P. (2017). National Dinosaur Museum’s collection of fossils, bones and models fascinates young and old. [online] Abc.net.au. Available at: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-09-06/national-dinosaur-museum-fascinating-young-and-old/8874030. [Accessed 28 Jan. 2026]
  4. ‌Wikipedia Contributors (2025). National Dinosaur Museum. Wikipedia.‌
  5. Wikipedia Contributors (2025). Robert Marsden Hope. Wikipedia.‌

Mount Majura Nature Reserve VKFF-0851

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Our next activation for Monday, the 27th day of October 2025, was the Mount Majura Nature Reserve VKFF-0851. We found a few blocked roads using the GPS, but finally managed to get into the reserve.

Mount Majura includes an Air Navigation facility for the Canberra Airport. We had a significant number of aircraft flying above us during the activation.

The traditional people of the region are the Ngunnawal Aboriginal people. Mount Majura is covered in a hard rock known as ‘chert’, which forms sharp shards when broken. It was used by Aboriginal people to produce tools.

In 1825, the first European squatters and sheep graziers settled in the district that is now Canberra. Robert Campbell, a merchant and politician, established Pialligo Station, later known as Duntroon, on the Majura foothills. It is believed that Campbell named Mount Majura after a place in India that he had visited. (and 2023)

Above: Robert Campbell, c. 1835. Image c/o Wikipedia

By the 1860s, the Darmody family had purchased lease holdings on Mount Majura for one pound per acre.

John Darmody was born in County Offaly, Ireland, in c. 1817. He married Mary Carey in c. 1837. They emigrated to Australia in July 1853 aboard the Empire, with their four children, Michael, Thomas, James, and William. Following their arrival, they lived on the Campbell property Duntroon, where John was employed as a shepherd and farm worker. His eldest sons, Michael and Thomas, also worked on the property. The Darmody family lived on the Duntroon property in the convict cottage at Limekilns, Majura. (ancestry 2016)

Their daughter Margaret was born at Duntroon in May 1855. Sadly, she died aged 5 years in March 1861 of fever. She is believed to be buried in an unmarked grave in the ‘Volunteer’ paddock at Majura, although official records show her burial at the Queanbeyan Riverside Cemetery. (ancestry 2016)

In 1863, a ploughing match was held at Gundaroo, northeast of Canberra. John Darmody and another male called Yates from Duntroon won the event and received a medal.

Above: item from The Golden Age, Queanbeyan, Thu 16 Jul 1863. Image c/o Trove

In 1861, the Crown Lands Act, also known as the Robertson Lands Act, was passed. New South Wales Premier John Robertson introduced the Acts to reform land holdings in New South Wales. They were specifically introduced to break the squattocracy’s domination of land tenure in New South Wales, and to allow free selection of Crown land. (Wikipedia 2024)

In August 1863, Michael purchased land at Majura. Over the following several years, additional land was purchased by John and Mary, and their sons Michael, Thomas, James, and William. (ancestry 2016)

Above: article from The Golden Age, Thu 13 Aug 1863. Image c/o Trove

Following the purchase of land in the early 1860s, the Darmody family ceased working at Duntroon, and moved from the Campbell property to a house at Turney Creek. (ancestry 2016)

Above: Early Majura showing the Darmody holdings. Image c/o ancestry.com.au

John Darmody died in February 1877, aged 60 years. He is buried in the Catholic section of the Queanbeyan Riverside Cemetery. (ancestry 2016)

In March 1881, John and Mary’s home was destroyed by fire. It was caused by a member of the family striking a match on a bedpost, which caused a curtain to catch alight. (ancestry 2016)

Mary died at her residence at Majura in June 1887, aged 72 years. She is buried at the Queanbeyan Riverside Cemetery. (ancestry 2016) (Trove 2026)

1st child

Michael Darmody was born in 1838 in Offaly, Ireland. In 1863, he married Bridget O’Rourke at Queanbeyan. They had eight children born at Majura. Bridget died in 1908 in Granville, New South Wales. Michael died in 1910 in Granville, New South Wales. (ancestry 2016)

Above: item from the Queanbeyan Observer, Fro Apr 22 1910. Image c/o newspapers.com

Michael and Bridget are buried at the Rookwood cemetery, New South Wales.

Above: the headstone of Michael and Bridget Darmody. Image c/o findagrave.com

2nd child

Thomas Patrick Darmody was born in 1841 in Offaly, Ireland. In 1869, he married Sarah Ryan in Queanbeyan. They had thirteen children. Their first eight children were born in Majura. In 1889 he obtained a licence for the Sutton Hotel in the village of Sutton, northeast of Canberra. Thomas died in 1904 at Arlington Park, New South Wales. Darah died in 1923 at Sutton, New South Wales. (ancestry 2016)

Above: Thomas and Sarah Darmody and their family, outside the Sutton Hotel. Image c/o ancestry.com

4th child

James Darmody was born in 1848 in Offaly, Ireland. In 1879, he married Ellen Hennessy at Yass, New South Wales. They had seven children. Their first five children were born at Mount Majura. James died in February 1921 at Mount Majura. Following the death of James, Ellen moved to Goulburn. His wife, Ellen, died in 1933 at Goulburn, New South Wales. (ancestry 2016) (Trove 2026)

Above: James Darmody. Image c/o ancestry.com.au

Social events were regularly held at James and Ellen’s property, called The Pines, at Majura.

Above: item from The Queanbeyan Observer, Fri 15 Sept 1899. Image c/o Trove

Above: article from the Queanbeyan Observer, Tue 23 Feb 1904. Image c/o Trove

5th child

William Darmody was born in 1851 in Offaly, Ireland. In January 1860, he married Maria Maloney at Queanbeyan, New South Wales. They had five children who were born at Majura. William died in 1916 at Cooma, New South Wales. Maria died in 1946 at Cooma. (ancestry 2016)

William and Maria owned a property known as Oak View at Majura. The property was just to the southeast of Mount Majura. Initially, the property was 600 acres in 1872, but further land was purchased over the years and the property expanded to 2,053 acres. Social events, including Fox drives, were held on the property. This included a social event following the completion of their ‘new and up-to-date woolshed.’ William and Maria left their property in 1914 due to the Federal Government resuming his property as part of the new Australian Capital Territory. (anon n.d.) (ancestry 2016) (Trove 2026)

Above: article from The Queanbeyan Leader, Tue 31 Jul 1906. Image c/o Trove

Above: part of an article from The Age, Queanbeyan, Fri 5 Oct 1906. Image c/o Trove

Above: part of an article from the Queanbeyan Observer, Tue 7 Nov 1905. Image c/o Trove

Mount Majura Nature Reserve is about 502 hectares in size and adjoins the Mount Ainslie Nature Reserve. It is part of the Canberra Nature Parks. (and 2023) (Anon, n.d.)

Above: an aerial view of the reserve showing its boundaries. Image c/o Protected Planet

The reserve contains the summit of Mount Majura, which is 888 metres above sea level. The summit qualifies for the Summits On The Air (SOTA) program and is worth 1 point. It has been activated 92 times. The first SOTA activation was back in February 2013 by Ian VK1DI. (and 2023) (Sotadata.org.uk 2026)

Unfortunately, we did not have time to walk up to the summit.

Above: a view of Mount Majura. Image c/o Google Maps

Then Mount Majura Nature Reserve protects stands of Drooping She-oak, which is an important foraging resource for the Glossy Black-cockatoo, which is listed as vulnerable. There is a large area of critically endangered Yellow Box-Blakely’s Red Gum on the lower slopes of the reserve. The critically endangered Canberra Spider Orchid can be found in the reserve. (and 2023)

Endangered birds such as the Swift Parrot and Regent Honeyeater can be found in the reserve. Other birds include the Scarlet Robin, Speckled Warbler, Diamond Firetail, and Gang-gang Cockatoo. The rare Rosenberg’s Monitor can also be found in the park. Other reptiles include the Eastern Brown snake, Black snake, Shingleback lizard, and Bearded Dragon. Native mammals include the Ringtail Possum, Brushtail Possum, Sugar Glider, Eastern Grey Kangaroo, Swamp Wallaby, Echidna, and Red-necked Wallaby. (and 2023) (Anon, n.d.)

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

Unfortunately, it started to rain during our activation, and we were forced to pack up, well short of the required 44 QSOs for the WWFF program. However, we had qualified the park for the VKFF program.

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:

  1. VK5DG
  2. VK3TUN
  3. VK5ANB
  4. VK2NP
  5. VK3HJW
  6. VK3ZPF/P (VKFF-0119)
  7. VK3PF/P (HEMA VK1/ HCT004 & VKFF-0377)
  8. VK3KAIP (HEMA VK1/HCT004 & VKFF-0377)
  9. VK1AO
  10. VK2MET
  11. VK3ACU
  12. VK2YK/P (VKFF-3181)
  13. VK5GA/P (VKFF-3181)
  14. VK2YL
  15. VK2XWB/P (VKFF-3932)

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:

  1. VK5DG
  2. VK3TUN
  3. VK5ANB
  4. VK2NP
  5. VK3HJW
  6. VK3ZPF/P (VKFF-0119)
  7. VK3PF/P (HEMA VK1/ HCT004 & VKFF-0377)
  8. VK3KAIP (HEMA VK1/HCT004 & VKFF-0377)
  9. VK1AO
  10. VK2MET
  11. VK3ACU
  12. VK5DW
  13. VK1CHW
  14. VK2CHW
  15. VK2YK/P (VKFF-3181)
  16. VK5GA/P (VKFF-3181)
  17. VK2YL
  18. VK2HBR
  19. VK2XWB/P (VKFF-3932)

References.

  1. and, P. (2023). Mount Majura Nature Reserve. [online] Act.gov.au. Available at: https://www.parks.act.gov.au/find-a-nature-park/canberra-nature-park/mount-majura-nature-reserve. [Accessed 27 Jan. 2026].
  2. ‌Anon, (n.d.). About Mt Majura – Friends of Mount Majura. [online] Available at: https://majura.org/about-mt-majura/. [Accessed 27 Jan. 2026].
  3. ‌Trove. (2026). ELLEN DARMODY – Queanbeyan Age (NSW : 1927 – 1974) – 1 Aug 1933. [online] Available at: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/265216859?searchTerm=majura%20%2B%20darmody [Accessed 27 Jan. 2026].
  4. ‌Trove. (2026). Family Notices – Queanbeyan Age (NSW : 1867 – 1904) – 15 Jun 1887. [online] Available at: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/30916392?searchTerm=william%20darmody%20%2B%20majura [Accessed 28 Jan. 2026].
  5. ‌Trove. (2026). MAJURA. – The Queanbeyan Observer (NSW : 1894 – 1908; 1910 – 1915) – 17 Feb 1914. [online] Available at: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/235814322?searchTerm=darmody%20%2B%20majura [Accessed 28 Jan. 2026].
  6. ‌Wikipedia Contributors (2024). Robertson Land Acts. Wikipedia.‌