After leaving Finley silo on Tuesday, 4th November 2025, Marija and I drove a short distance to the Finley North silo VK-FNH2. The silo is located to the north of Finley, on the western side of the Newell Highway, at the junction with Rice Mill Road.
Marija and I parked on Rice Mill Road 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 Finley North silo. Image c/o SiOTA website
Our start for Tuesday, 4th day of November 2025, was breakfast at the BP Truckstop at Jeridlerie. We enjoyed a very nice breakfast. We also purchased a toy truck for our grandson, Flynn.
A sign that good food is served at truck stops is the number of trucks in the car park.
Marija and I finished breakfast and then drove south towards the town of Finley.
Above: Map showing the location of Finley, N.S.W. Map c/o Google Maps
The Finley area is the traditional land of the Yorta Yorta Aboriginal people. Prior to European settlement, the area was called Carawatha, meaning ‘place of pines.’ (Wikipedia 2021)
During the 1840s the district was settled by European pastoralists. Their main crop was wheat. The first permanent residence in the town of Finley was built in 1878. The Post Office opened on the 1st day of January 1881 and was called Murray Hut. It was changed to Finley in 1893. (Wikipedia 2021)
The town was surveyed in 1870 and is named in honour of the surveyor, Francis George Finley. He mapped about 1.2 million hectares of the Riverina district of New South Wales. (Grokipedia 2025)
In 1912, the Finley Agricultural & Pastoral Association was established. The first agricultural show as held on the 17th day of September 1913. (Wikipedia 2021)
Above: part of an article from the Tocumwal Guardian, Fri 19 Sept 1913. Image c/o Trove
During the 1930s, the Finley district was struck by severe drought and farmers also experienced the Great Depression. These 2 factors caused many farmers to abandon their holdings. In 1935, construction commenced of the Mulwala Canal which brought water to the district’s rich farmland in 1939. (Wikipedia 2021)
After having a quick drive around the town, Marija and I visited the Finley Railway Precinct. Unfortunately, the museum was closed. In Railway Park, you can view the old stock siding that was used to ship live sheep to market. They have been demolished now, but extensive stock pens once stood behind the stock siding embankment.
Opposite the railway siding in Endeavour Street is Boomerang Motors. On the side of the building is a magnificent mural, the work of Damien Mitchell. It is one of several murals in Finley. We even spoke with the son of the gentleman who features on the mural.
Other murals include a ram on the side of the Tuppal Hotel and Clydesdale horses at the Finley Bowling Club.
On the side of Finley School of Arts Memorial Hall is another magnificent mural, the work of Heesco and Damien Mitchell. It was painted in 2024 to celebrate the Hall’s 120th Anniversary. (Facebook 2026)
Another work of Heesco and Mitchell can be found at the Finley Bowling Club. It was completed in 2020. (Facebook 2026)
Marija and I then visited the canoe tree in Finley Memorial Park on the Newell Highway.
We had hoped to visit the Finley Historical Museum and Log Cabin, but we were a little too early, and it was closed. We were able to view the mural on the side of the museum, which is the work of Damien Mitchell, which was completed in 2022.
Alongside the museum is the Mary Lawson Wayside Rest Area, which includes a lake. I took the photograph below of a Nankeen Night Heron, a primarily nocturnal bird.
We then drove back a short distance to the Finley murals on Newell Highway.
The silos were opened in 1926. (Trove 2026)
Above: article from The Albury Banner & Wodonga Express, Fri 3 Dec 1926. Image c/o Trove
Marija and I parked opposite the murals and operated from the 4WD, running the Icom IC-7000, 100 watts, and the Codan 9350 antenna with the 1.5 metre stainless steel ship.
Above: the activation zone at Finley silo. Image c/o SiOTA website
Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-
VK3PF
VK2VH
VK4AAC
VK2EXA
VK3UP/M
I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-
VK3PF
VK2VH
VK4AAC
VK2EXA
VK3UP/M
VK3CLD
VK3HBG
VK1AO
VK2MET
VK3DAC
References.
Grokipedia. (2025). Grokipedia. [online] Available at: https://grokipedia.com. [Acessed 26 Mar. 2026]
Our final activation for Monday, 3rd November 2025, was the Jerilderie Nature Reserve VKFF-1942.
Above: Map showing the location of Jerilderie Nature Reserve. Map c/o Google Maps
On our way back into Jerilderie, it was slow going. After running over the kangaroo when leaving South West Woodland, Marija and I travelled even slower. There were dozens of kangaroos on the road and dozens of emus in the paddocks either side of the road.
The Jerilderie Nature Reserve is on the southwestern side of the town of Jerilderie. It is bounded by Watson Lane to the west and south, Rankin Road to the north, and Sleeman Street to the east.
Above: the boundaries of the Jerilderie Nature Reserve. Image c/o Google Earth
The Jerilderie Nature Reserve is about 37 hectares in size and was established in May 2002. (NSW National Parks 2026)
Above: an aerial view of the Jerilderie Nature Reserve. Image c/o Google Maps
This reserve does not look like much. It appears to be just a paddock. However, the reserve protects a small sample of native grassland, including a small population of the threatened plant Swainsona plagiotropis and several other grassland species that are regionally rare. (NSW National Parks 2026)
We entered the park through the unlocked gate and operated with the Yaesu FT857, 40 watts, and the 20/40/80m linked dipole.
Our next activation for Monday, 3rd November 2025, was South West Woodland Nature Reserve VKFF-2724. This particular section of the reserve is located about 53 km north of Jerilderie.
Above: Map showing the location of South West Woodland Nature Reserve – Kulki. Map c/o Google Maps
The Kulki section of South West Woodland Nature Reserve is located at the junction of Cadell Road and Stud Park N Road, Gala Vale.
Above: The boundaries of South West Woodland Nature Reserve – Kulki. Image c/o Google Earth
Just around the corner from the reserve is Gala Vale homestead. Charles W.L. Bull purchased the property in 1896. He constructed a pise house on the site of the current homestead. Pise houses are built using rammed earth. During the early 1920s, he removed the front section of the pise house, and he commenced building the current homestead. During the 1930s further sections of the homestead were completed, including the kitchen, dining room and sunroom. The last part of the pise house was demolished during the 1960s. This section of the pise house contained the old Gala Vale telephone exchange. (Murrumbidgee Council 2021)
An annual Gymkhana was held at Gala Vale.
Above: article from te Narandera Argus, Tue 24 Oct 1939. Image co Trove
South West Woodland Nature Reserve consists of 27 separate sections which range from Peak Hill in the north to Berrigan in the south, a distance of about 400 km. The total area of the reserve is about 13,840 hectares (34,200-acres). (Wikipedia 2026)
Above: An aerial view of South West Woodland NR – Kulki. Image c/o Google Maps
Prior to the declaration of the reserve on the 1st day of January 2011, the various sections were State Forests, which retained their forest names. They were gazetted State Forests between 1913 and 1977 and were managed by the Forestry Commission of NSW for logging and timber harvesting activities. (Wikipedia 2026)
The Kulki section was declared a State Forest on the 15th day of June 1917. It covers an area of about 172 hectares (430 acres). (Wikipedia 2026)
Upon our arrival near the park, there were dozens of kangaroos. It was very slow going along the road.
Marija and I ran the Yaesu FT857, 40 watts, and the 20/40/80m linked dipole supported on the 7-metre heavy duty squid pole.
Unfortunately we experienced strength 7 lightning crahses on the 40m band and it started to rain towards the end of our activation, which forced us to pack up.
Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-
VK2OKR/P (VKFF-1410)
VK2BXB/P (VKFF-1410)
VK2AUS/P (VKFF-1410)
VK2AUR/P (VKFF-1410)
VK2AUT/P (VKFF-1410)
VK2HAK
VK2NP
VK1AO
VK2MET
VK3SQ
VK3JT
VK3BD
VK2IO/P (VKFF-0992)
VK2GEZ/P (VKFF-0992)
I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-
VK2OKR/P (VKFF-1410)
VK2BXB/P (VKFF-1410)
VK2AUS/P (VKFF-1410)
VK2AUR/P (VKFF-1410)
VK2AUT/P (VKFF-1410)
VK2HAK
VK2NP
VK1AO
VK2MET
VK3SQ
VK3JT
VK3BD
VK3MIJ
VK3KRL
VK2HBG/M
VK3QA
VK6ASK/M
VK3CLD
VK5QA
VK2DBF
VK3BAP
VK3JSD
VK2GSV
VK5FANA
VK3TDX
VK2DA
VK1DA
VK7PJM
VK2KEV/P
VK5AYL
VK2IO/P (VKFF-0992)
VK2GEZ/P (VKFF-0992)
VK1DI
VK3UH
VK5LA
VK5KAW
VK2AIH
VK4HMI
VK1FM
F5PYI
VK7MAT
VK3HJW
VK2XGB/M
VK1AD
VK1NAM
VK5DMO
At the conclusion of the activation, we made our way back towards Jerilderie, where we planned to get some dinner. It was drizzling with rain at the time, and out in front of ran two kangaroos. Fortunately, I was not travelling too fast at the time, and I managed to brake to avoid hitting them. However, one slipped on the wet road and slid underneath the 4WD, killing it instantly. I stopped to check on its welfare, but sadly, it was deceased and had no joey. The next thing was to check for damage underneath the 4WD. Luckily, there was none.
References.
Murrumbidgee Council, 2021, Murrumbidgee Council Heritage Review Inventory Report
Wikipedia Contributors (2026). South West Woodland Nature Reserve. Wikipedia.
Our next stop on Monday, 3rd November 2025, was Coleambally in the Riverina region of New South Wales. Coleambally is about 658 km west of Sydney and about 31 km south of Darlington Point.
Above: Map showing the location of Coleambally, NSW. Map c/o Google Maps
Coleambally is a new town, having been gazetted in June 1968. The Post Office opened 2 years later in April 1970. The town was designed to act as the centre for the surrounding Coleambally Irrigation Area. Coleambally is an Aboriginal word believed to mean ‘swift in flight.’ The spine-tailed swift can be found in the area and is one of the most powerful fliers known. The town features street names that are named after local birds. (Wikipedia 2025)
As you enter the town, you cannot miss the Bucyrus Class Dragline. It was one of four machines used to excavate the main irrigation channels in the district.
Another interesting attraction is the Coleambally water tower on Kingfisher Avenue. The base of the tower features a mosaic that depicts the history of the district. The tower is uniquely shaped and stands 24 metres tall. It had a capacity of over one million litres and is filled from two deep bores. (Service 2023)
Now this can be a little confusing as Coleambally has so many silos that are located in the industrial area.
Coleambally silo VK-CLY2 is located on Bencubbin Avenue. This site is run by AgConnex and takes speciality grains including maize in the Riverina region. (AgConnex 2025)
And Coleambally 2 silo VK-CLB2 is located on Jimmy Cull Road. Marija and I only saw one silo structure there. This is the Coprice facility which, according to the internet, was owned by SunRice and is now closed as of September 2025.
But, then there are other silos, including the YPG Coleambally site on Calrose Avenue and the Coleambally Graincorp silos further along Bencubbin Road. I am not sure why these are not included in the SiOTA program.
Marija and I parked on Calrose Avenue, in the activation zone of both silos. We 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 of the 2 silos at Coleambally, NSW. Image c/o SiOTA website
On Monday, 3rd November 2026, after leaving Buckingbong, Marija and I headed to Morundah where we intended to activate the Morundah silo VK-MRH2 for the Silos On The Air (SiOTA) program.
Above: Map showing the location of Morundah, NSW. Map c/o Google Maps
It had started to rain at Buckingbong, and it was a slow drive into Morundah as a lot of wildlife had ventured onto the road for a drink.
Morundah is only a tiny town, with a hotel, a few houses, and the silos. The 2021 Census places the population at 24 people. It is believed the Morundah is an Aboriginal word meaning ‘stuck in mud’. (Wikipedia 2024)
The Colombo Creek Post Office was opened on the 1st day of May 1877 and was renamed Murundah in 1889 and Morundah in 1895. It closed in 1982. (Wikipedia 2024)
Above: article from The Australian Star, Wed 4 Dec 1889. Image c/o Trove
Morundah once had its own football club, cricket club, and Cycle Club.
Above: article from the Narandera Argus, Fri 14 Jun 1935. Image c/o Trove
The Morundah Hotel was built in 1919 and over the years has also been known as Mary’s Hotel and the Bellvue Hotel. (Facebook 2016)
Above: the Morundah Hotel. Image c/o Los Narrandera Facebook page
One of the interesting attractions at Moorundah is the Toolbox Horse and Jockey sculpture in Browley Street. It was commissioned to commemorate 100 years of both registered and bush picnic horse racing in Morundah. It was created in 2009 and is the work of Andrew Whitehead from nearby Urana. It is constructed of pieces of scrap metal. (Service 2023)
Since the early 1900s the Moorundah races were a very popular event.
Above: article from The Sun, Melbourne, Fri 22 Mar 1935. Image c/o Trove
Nearby to the Toolbox sculpture, is a small joey sculpture, another work of Andrew Whitehead.
The Morundah silos are located on the northwestern side of the Newell Highway, alongside the old Tocumwal railway line. The Morundah Railway Station was opened on the 16th day of September 1884 and was closed on the 17th day of November 1975. Sadly, the old railway station has been demolished.
Above: the Morundah Railway Station. Image c/o Lost Narrandera Facebook page
The Morundah silos are operated by Graincorp.
Marija and I parked the 4WD at the Graincorp gate and operated from the vehicle. 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 Morundah silo. Image c/o SiOTA website
After activating the two silos at Jerilderie on Monday, 3rd November 2025, Marija and I went to the bakery at Jerilderie for some lunch. After a very nice lunch, we visited the Bolt exhibition in the old printery building.
The display includes replicas of the armour worn by the Kelly gang. In 1870, the gang constructed 4 suits of bulletproof iron armour, which they wore during their final confrontation with the police at the siege at Glenrowan.
On display is Ned Kelly’s Colt carbine revolver, which was his last gun used during the siege at Glenrowan. It was taken from Senior Constable George Devne during the Jerilderie raid. The chip on the revolver’s butt is from the bullet that also shattered Ned Kelly’s little finger on his right hand.
There is a horseshoe that has ‘DK’ marked in it. It was owned by a bushman who lived in the high country of New South Wales, who, in 1912, just before his death, told a close friend that DK was Dan Kelly.
There are various other items on display, including an original lock from a cell in Fremantle Prison, and convict nails that were found in Richmond Gaol in Tasmania.
We then visited Flora Bank, previously known as Ye Olde Bank. The Bank of New South Wales building was constructed in 1880, one year after the raid at Jerilderie by the Kelly gang.
For a small fee, you can stroll around the spectacular gardens.
During our visit, the garden was alive with colour.
Marija and I then drove past the Jerilderie Police Station. The cells are made in the image of Ned Kelly.
Our next stop was the mural at the Jerilderie swimming pool. The artwork features the local flora and fauna, including the Grey-Crowned Babbler and the Darling Pea.
We then left Jerilderie and headed north to activate a park for the World Wide Flora Fauna (WWFF) program, the Buckingbong Flora Reserve VKFF-3049.
Above: Map showing the location of Buckingbong Flora Reserve. Map c/o Google Maps
Marija and I drove north out of Jerilderie on the Newell Highway, which is the longest highway in New South Wales. It spans 1,058 km from the Victorian border at Tocumwal to the Queensland border at Goondiwindi. The highway is named in honour of H.H. Newell, the first Commissioner for Main Roads in New South Wales. (Wikipedia 2026)
We then reached the junction with the Kidman Way. It is 643 km long and runs from Jerilderie to Barringun.
The Kidman Way is named in honour of Sir Sidney Kidman, an Australian pastoralist and entrepreneur. He owned vast areas of land in Australia and was known as ‘the Cattle King’. At his peak, he owned about 3.5 % of Australia.
Above: Sir Sidney Kidman. Image c/o Wikipedia
Below is an excellent video on the life of Sir Sidney Kidman.
The reserve is located south of Narrandera in the district of Boree Creek. Boree is believed to originate from Corroboree, a ceremonial gathering of Aboriginal people.
Above: the boundaries of Buckingbong Flora Reserve. Image c/o Google Earth
We drove along Greenvale Road and found a gate with a cattle grid on the northern side of the road. This was the southwestern corner of the park.
This little reserve is not to be confused with Buckingbong Reserve, which is located further to the northeast on Buckingbong Road, Sandigo.
Above: an aerial view of the reserve. Image c/o Google Maps
Buckingbong Flora Reserve is about 155 hectares in size and was established on the 17th day of June 1994. The reserve is surrounded by the much larger Buckingbong State Forest, so you need to ensure that you are in the correct spot before operating. (Dcceew.gov.au 2025)
We found a clearing in the scrub and ran out the 20/40/80m linked dipole. We ran the Yaesu FT857 and 40 watts.
Unfortunately, it started raining during our activation, and we had to hurriedly pack up the gear. But we did manage to qualify the park.
VK5PAS 