A few weeks ago I heard John VK5FLEA activating a nearby park, The Knoll Conservation Park.  John is a newly licenced amateur and has taken to park activating like a duck to water.  I decided to pay John a visit, as we had been promising to try to catch up for the first time.

On the way there, another mate Greg VK8GM gave me a call.  Greg and his wife were in town.  So I met Greg briefly at Mount Barker, and then headed to The Knoll, arranging to met Greg there as well after he had got a bite to eat.

It was terrific to catch up with both John and Greg.

After our recent trip to Victoria, I have qualified a few more parks for the VKFF program, and as a result have reached the next couple of levels in the VKFF program as an activator.  The certificates are issued for having activated a total of 250 different VKFF references, and 275 different VKFF references.

Many thanks to all of the hunters.

A nice Christmas present arrived this morning…..my latest WWFF certificate.  Issued for having worked a total of 1,444 different WWFF references.

Thankyou to the awards manager Karl DL1JKK.

In the past few days, Marija and I received our certificates in the mail for taking part in the 2018 Activation Weekend for the Keith Roget Memorial National Parks Award (KRMNPA).

Many thanks to Tony VK3XV and Amateur Radio Victoria.

A few nights ago I spoke with Tim 2E0TWG on the 20m band on the short path.

I was his FIRST EVER VK contact, and on all days his birthday.

Tim was running 50 watts and a hamstick antenna on the roof of his car.

Below is a video that Tim put together of the QSO……

And here is a video of our contact the following night…….

Our final activation for the trip was the Edenhope Flora Reserve VKFF-2311, located at Edenhope, about 384 km north west of Melbourne.

Above:- Map showing the location of the Edenhope Flora Reserve.  Map courtesy of Protected Planet.

The Edenhope Flora Reserve is about 111 acres.  Do not get this park confused with the adjacent Edenhope Natural Features Reserve.

To get into the park we travelled along Charles Street and through a gate and then followed a sandy track with the golf course to our right.  The track was very sandy and I would not recommend it in a comventional vehicle, as it is highly likely you will get bogged.

We set up in the northern section of the park on the side of a sandy track.  There was plenty of room here to string out the 20/40/80m linked dipole.

It was quite late in the afternoon, 4.30 p.m. local time, and we were aware that we still had quite a distance to get home.  Marija placed a spot up on parksnpeaks and I called CQ on 7.144.  This was answered by Ray VK4NH who used his other 2 calls, and then John VK4TJ who also used his other 2 calls.  So in the space of 2 minutes I had 6 contacts in the log.

A few minutes later I had the park qualified for VKFF, with a contact with Scott VK7NWT.  I then logged Gerard Vk2IO mobile, before swapping the operators chair with Marija.

First in the log for Marija was Scott VK7NWT, followed by Ray VK4NH and then John VK4TJ.  Within 5 minutes Marija had qualified the park for VKFF with 10 contacts.  her tenth QSO being with Andrew VK2AR.

I then put out a few CQ calls on 3.610 on the 80m band and logged 4 stations there, David VK5PL, Adrian VK5FANA, Andy Vk5LA, and Kevin VK3VEK.  To complete the activation I logged 3 stations on 20m.

We then went QRT from the park.  Our apologies to those that may have needed this park, but we had a big drive ahead of us.  We will be back to get our 44 contacts from this park.

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK7NWT
2. VK4NH
3. VK4DXA
4. ZL4TY/VK4
5. VK4TJ
6. VK4/AC8WN
7. VK4/VE6XT
8. VK1DI
9. VK7PSJ
10. VK2AR
11. VK2IO

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK4NH
2. VK4DXA
3. ZL4TY/VK4
4. VK4TJ
5. VK4/AC8WN
6. VK4/VE6XT
7. VK1DI
8. VK2XXL
9. VK7FTAS
10. VK7NWT
11. Vk2IO/m

I worked the following stations on 80m SSB:-

1. VK5PL
2. VK5FANA
3. VK5LA
4. VK3VEK

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

1. VK4TJ
2. VK4/AC8WN
3. VK4/VE6XT

After packing up we had a look at the Aboriginal Cricket Team mural at the Edenhope College.  The aboriginal crickets practised where the college now stands before they toured England in 1868.  Local artists Win Forster and Ella McLaren are responsible for the artwork.

There is also a monument here commemorating the 1868 Aboriginal Cricket Team.

We also paid a quick visit to the Edenhope Visitor Info Centre which is houses in the former Edenhope Court House.  The old lockup building can also be found here.

Lake Wallace was our next stop.  It is located in Edenhope.  An annual fishing competition is held here.

We headed out of Edenhope along the Wimmera Highway and soon reached the little town of Apsley, named after Apsley House in London.  We visited the local cemetery where Murrumgunerrimin (Jimmy Tarpot) is buried.  He was one of the Aboriginal cricket team who toured England.  He is also the World Record holder, running backwards 100 yars in 14 seconds at the MCG on 28th December 1866.

Whilst in Apsley we also looked at the large Red-flowering Gum on Wallace Street which is listed on the National Trust of Australia’s Significant Tree Register for Victoria.  It is reputed to be the largest flowering gum in Australia.  There is also a c. 1870 wooden wagon.  It was used for hauling heavy loads around a farming property in the Kaniva district.

It was 6.00 p.m. local time and we decided to stop at the Border Inn Hotel at Apsley for a meal.  And I am very pleased we did.  I enjoyed some very nice crumbed lamb cutlets.

We then headed out of Apsley on the Benayeo Road and soon crossed the South Australia/Victoria State border.  The weather had now set in, with a big storm rolling in.  As a result, there were flocks of corellas, galahs and cockatoos on the road seeking out the pools of water for a drink.

As we approached Bordertown, the heavens had really opened up.  But it soon cleared and we rewarded with a rainbow.

Our final stop was Wiese’s Horse Dip.  It was built in 1931 by local landholders using timber from nearby bulloak trees.  Its main function was to control a parasitic itch in working Clydesdale horses.  This malady caused great discomfort to the Clydesdale’s manes and tails, so much so that they used to rub constantly against fences and so cause damage to many fence lines.  Horses were walked into the dip, and due to the horses size, the operators bucketed and sponged the solution over the horses to complete the task.

We continued along the Dukes Highway through the towns of Keith, Tintinara, Coonalpyn, Coomandook, and Tailem Bend.  And then onto the South eastern Freeway, passing Murray Bridge.  We arrived hom at about 9.45 p.m. local time, unpacked and went off to bed.  It was the conclusion of a very enjoyable trip.

THANKYOU to everyone who called us during our PARK and SOTA activations over the 2 week period.

References.

Wikipedia, 2018, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apsley,_Victoria>, viewed 22nd December 2018

Our next intended activation was the Peter Francis Points Flora Reserve VKFF-2421 which is located at Coleraine, about 329 km west of Melbourne.  This was to be the first time that the park had been activated for the World Wide Flora Fauna (WWFF) program.

Above:- Map showing the location of he Peter Francis Points Flora Reserve at Coleraine.  Map courtesy of Protected Planet.

As we drove into Coleraine, we stopped briefly to have a look at the Adam Lindsay Gordon monument on the edge of town.  It commemorates the 19th century poet, who developed a reputation as a distinguished horse rider in the town’s Great Western Steeplechase.  Poems related to the race are “The Fields of Coleraine” and “Banker`s Dream”.

We then stopped for a drinks and toilet break at the Coleraine Visitor Info Centre which is et in the old Coleraine Railway Station.

We then headed to the Peter Francis Points Flora Reserve, also known as the Peter Francis Points Arboretum Nature Conservation Reserve.  We travelled south on the Coleraine-Merino Road and then turned right into Top Hilgay Road, and then Points Road and entered the park.

There were some very nice views of the town of Coleraine as we travelled along Top Hilgay Road.

The Peter Francis Points Arboretum is 37 hectares in size and is a collection of native Australian plants.  There are more than 10,000 recorded Australian native plants in the reserve, including several threatened species.  ‘The Points’ gets its name from two peaks of land on the site.

The Points Arboretum was started in 1966 by Mr. Joe Wright, Shire Engineer, Mrs. Mary Hope and Mr. Peter Francis.

We travelled to the lookout which overlooked the town of Coleraine.  As we were running a bit short of time, this was to be a very quick activation from the vehicle, using the Icom IC-7000 and the Codan 9350 self tuning antenna mounted on the rear of the Toyota Hi Lux.

Above:- Map of the Peter Francis Points Flora Reserve, showing our operating spot.  Map courtesy of Protected Planet 

There were some nice views of Coleraine through the trees from the lookout.

First in the log for this activation was a Park to Park contact, with Gerard VK2IO/p who was activating the Rouse Hill Regional Park VKFF-2784.  Both Marija and I logged Gerard.  We then found Mark VK4SMA on 7.140, activating the Freshwater National Park VKFF-0187.

After both logging Mark I moved down to 7.135 and started calling CQ.  The IC-7000 was then just about rattled off the windscreen, as I was called Steve VK3NSC who lives at Coleraine.  I logged Steve and arranged to pop in to see him quickly following the activation.

I made my 10 contacts and then handed the mic to Marija.  We were keen to qualify the park for VKFF and then get down to say hi to Steve and then continue on our journey, as we still had a few things we wanted to see, and a long way before we got home.

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK2IO/p (Rouse Hill Regional Park VKFF-2784)
2. VK4SMA/p (Freshwater National Park VKFF-0187)
3. VK3NSC
4. VK4TJ
5. VK4/Ac8WN
6. VK4/VE6XT
7. VK7QP
8. VK2LX
9. VK4KY/p
10. VK7GN

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK2IO/p (Rouse Hill Regional Park VKFF-2784)
2. VK4SMA/p (Freshwater National Park VKFF-0187)
3. VK3NSC
4. VK7QP
5. VK7FJFD
6. VK2LX
7. VK3SQ
8. VK4TJ
9. VK4/AC8WN
10. VK4/VE6XT

After Marija had qualified the park we headed down the road to Steve’s home, where he showed us his radio shack.  Unfortunately we were a bit pressed for time and after a 20 minute chat, we hit the road once again.  It was great to catch up with Steve, who I have spoken to a number of times on air, but had never met.

Our next stop was Glenelg Fine Confectionary, a specialist chocolate shop in Coleraine.  We ended up walking out with a number of bags of chocolates.

We then headed north out of Coleraine on the Coleraine-Edenhope Road, with out next intended stop being the town of Harrow.  We soon reached the outskirts of Harrow where there is a monument to commemorate the 1836 expedition of the explorer Major Thomas Mitchell.  We also stopped at the Glenelg River at Harrow where there is another monument recognising that Major Mitchell camped at the location on 31st July 1836.  This part of the Major Mitchell Trail, and there is an information board here with a number of interesting facts.

We then drove into Harrow, a little town which was originally known as Upper Glenelg.  The name of the town changed to Harrow in 1854.  There are claims that Harrow is the oldest inland town in Victoria.

We stopped to have a look at the old log gaol, which was built in 1858 from locally sawn logs.  It was used by police up until 1869.

There is also a stone wall here which is the remains of a stable which is believed to have been used by Cobb & Co coaches in the early days of Harrow.

Also nearby is Kalang Cottage, a settlers cottage built in 1876.  It was shifted into the town of Harrow and restored.  The cottage contains pit sawn boards and a single roof under the iron.

We then visited The Johnny Mullagh/Harrow Discovery Centre.  The museum features numerous exhibits relating to the Australian aboriginal cricket team which toured England in 1868.  I suspect not many Australians would know that this was the first Australian cricket team to tour England, and was comprised of aboriginals.  Johnny Mullagh was a member of that team, and is buried in Harrow.

The museum also features the largest Sir Donald Bradman collection in Australia.  If you are a cricket fan, you could spend hours here.  We highly recommend a visit here.

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We also visited the Harrow Bone Yard which contains a number of funny headstones.

Harrow is a town which both Marija and I confirmed we want to revisit and spend some time in.  It is an incredibly historic town and the caravan park/camping area on the Glenelg River looked idealic.

References.

Monuments Australia, 2018, <http://monumentaustralia.org.au/themes/people/arts/display/30870-adam-lindsay-gordon->, viewed 22nd December 2018

Peter Francis Point Arboretum, 2018, <http://www.thepoints.org.au/>, viewed 22nd December 2018

Victorian Heritage Database Report, 2018, ‘Peter Francis Points Arboretum’

Wikipedia, 2018, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harrow,_Victoria>, viewed 22nd December 2018

After leaving Nigretta Falls we drove the short distance to the Wannon Flora Reserve VKFF-2476, which is about 316 km west of Melbourne.

Above:- Map showing the location of the Wannon Flora Reserve.  Map courtesy of Protected Planet.

Again, this is another park which is subject to some possible confusion.  Do not get it confused with the Wannon Falls State Reserve, which at this time does not qualify for VKFF/WWFF.  The Wannon Flora Reserve is located on the north western corner of the Wannon-Nigretta Road and the Glenelg Highway.

Above:- Map showing the location of the Wannon Flora Reserve (indicated by the arrow), and the nearby Wannon Falls Reserve (which is not VKFF).  Image courtesy of Protected Planet

The Wannon Flora Reserve is about 20 acres in size and takes its name from the Wannon River.  The The name ‘Wannon’ is believed to have been obtained by Major Mitchell from the local Jardwadjali people.  The park does not contain the falls.  They are located in the Wannon Falls Reserve, about 1 km to the south.

We found a narrow track off the Wannon-Nigretta Road, which followed the northern boundary of the park.  We pulled slightly off the track and set up our station.

Once again I commenced the activation, calling CQ on 7.144.  Gerard VK2IO was first in the log, followed by Linda VK7QP, Adrian VK5FANA, and Dennis VK2HHA.  It took around 6 minutes for contact number 10.  That being a QSO with Ray VK4DXA.  I then logged Keith VK2PKT, and as I had qualified the park for VKFF, I got Marija into the operators chair.

Marija’s first contact was with Ray VK4NH, then Greg VK2EXA, Adrian VK5FANA, and then Dennis VK2HHA.  It did not take Marija long to qualify the park for VKFF.  She had contact number 10 in the log after 9 minutes, a QSO with Peter VK2KNV mobile.  Marija logged a further 4 QSOs, and happy with having qualified the park for VKFF, handed me back the mic.

I called CQ again on 7.144 and logged a further 7 stations, before callers dried up.  I then moved to 3.610 on the 80m band where I logged Peter VK3PF mobile, Hans VK5YX, and then John VK5FBBJ.

It did not look as through I was going to get my 44 from this park, as despite it being the first time the park had been activated, hunter traffic was fairly slow.  I moved to the 20m band and called CQ on 14.310 where I logged 6 stations.  John VK4TJ had mentioned that the 10m band was open, so I put out a few calls on 28.490 from the vehicle to finish off the activation.  And as luck would have it I logged John, who was quite low down but very workable.

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK4NH
2. VK4DXA
3. ZL4TY/VK4
4. VK2EXA
5. VK5FANA
6. VK2HHA
7. VK3JNL
8. VK1DI
9. VK2PKT
10. VK2KNV/m
11. VK4TJ
12. VK4/AC8WN
13. VK/VE6XT
14. VK3SQ

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK2IO
2. VK7QP
3. VK5FANA
4. VK2HHA
5. VK2EXA
6. VK3SQ
7. VK5KLV
8. VK5PL
9. VK4NH
10. VK4DXA
11. ZL4TY/VK4
12. VK2PKT
13. VK3UH
14. VK2VW
15. VK2KNV/m
16. VK4TJ
17. VK4/AC8WN
18. VK4/VE6XT
19. VK2FADV

I worked the following stations on 80m SSB:-

1. VK3PF/m
2. VK5YX
3. VK5FBBJ

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

1. VK4TJ
2. VK4/AC8WN
3. VK4/VE6XT
4. VK4NH
5. VK4DXA
6. ZL4TY/VK4

I worked the following stations on 10m SSB:-

1. VK4TJ
2. VK4/AC8WN
3. VK4/VE6XT

We packed up and headed off to the Wannon Falls which is located in the Wannon Falls State Reserve.

The Wannon Falls are a punchbowl style waterfall, meaning that water descends in a constricted form and then spreads out in a wider pool.  The falls are fed by the Wannon River.  They plunge over a basalt lava cliff dropping into a large plunge pool 30 metres below.

There are a number of information boards here detailing both the aboriginal and European history of the area.

We then headed off towards Coleraine along the Glenelg Highway.

References.

Australian Electoral Commission, 2018, <https://www.aec.gov.au/profiles/vic/wannon.htm>, viewed 22nd December 2018

Wikipedia, 2018, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wannon_Falls>, viewed 22nd December 2018

It was now our final day (Saturday 1st December 2018) of our 2 and a bit week trip away in Victoria.  Time to head home, with about 460km to get there.  We had a few parks planned and quite a bit of sightseeing, so it was going to be a long day.

Above:- Map showing our route back home to the Adelaide Hills from Hamilton in Victoria.  Map courtesy of plotaroute

Our first intended activation for the day was the Nigretta Falls Flora Reserve VKFF-2414, which is located about 16 km north west of Hamilton, and about 311 km west of Melbourne.

Above:- Map showing the location of the Nigretta Falls Flora Reserve.  Map courtesy of Protected Planet.

Don’t get this park confused with the Nigretta Falls Scenic Reserve.  They are two different parks.  The Nigretta Falls Flora Reserve does NOT include the picnic area as you enter the entrance.  The majority of the qualifing VKFF Flora Reserve is located on the northern side of the Wannon River.  Access there does not appear possible, except if you cross the Wannon River on a boat or access this area via private property.  There are however a few little sections along the river where you are within the park boundary.

Above:- The entrance to Nigretta Falls.

The Nigretta Falls were previously known as the Upper Wannon Falls.  They are fed by the Wannon River, whose headwaters are located in the Grampian Mountains.  The Wannon River descends 214 metres over its 188 km course.  It is believed that the word Wannon was obtained by Major Mitchell from the local Jardwadjali aboriginal people.

The Nigretta Falls tumble over numerous rocky outcrops and then into a large pool at the base, before continuing downstream to the Wannon Falls about 10 km away.

The falls take their name from the Nigretta pastoral run of the 1800’s.  The Nigretta Falls and the nearby Wannon Falls have been the consistent subject of significant art including works by some of Australia’s most celebrated colonial artists, such as Nicholas Chevalier, Eugen von Guerard, Louis Buvelot, S. T. Gill and Thomas Clark.

After entering the park we drove down a very rough 4WD track until we reached the dog leg in the Wannon River.

We set up alongside the river, and ran the Yaesu FT-897 and the 20/40/80m linked dipole.  It was quite a warm morning, and we kept an ever vigilant watch for snakes.

Above:- Aerial view of the Nigretta Falls Flora Reserve.  Image courtesy of Protected Planet

Marija placed a post for me on parksnpeaks and I started calling CQ on 7.137 on 40m.  I couldn’t get on to 7.144 as there was a very strong station from the USA on 7.142.  It didn’t take long for my first caller, that being Rod VK7FRJG.  Contact number 10 was Geoff VK3SQ.  I then logged Les VK5KLV and Gerard VK2IO, before handing the microphone over to Marija.

Marija’s first contact was with Geoff VK3SQ, followed by Hans VK5YX, Les VK5KLV, and then John VK4TJ.  Marija’s 10th contact was with Ian VK1DI.  Marija logged just 1 more contact, Kevin VK7KR, before handing me the mic.  I was very keen to try to get my 44 contacts to qualify the park for WWFF.

I logged a further 15 stations on 40m from VK1, VK2, VK3, VK4, and VK5, before callers stalled.  I now had 27 contacts in the log, and still a little way off the 44.  I then headed to 3.610 on the 80 m band and called CQ.  But sadly I logged just the 1 contact there, Nick VK3ANL.  This was a real shame, as Nick was nice and strong, and there was absolutely no noise on 80m.  It was dead quiet.

I then moved up to 14.310 on the 20m band where I logged 8 stations from VK2 and VK4.  I was now close, with 36 contacts in the log.  So I moved back to 40m and called CQ on 7.144 and logged a further 2 stations, leaving me just 7 contacts short.  But sadly, callers were few and far between, so I headed down to 7.115 and booked in to the Riverland Radio Group Net.  Ron VK5MRE, the Net Control came to my rescue, and put a call out for anybody on the net who was able to hear me.  I soon had contact number 44 in the log, Frank VK3VEF.

It was time to pack up and head off to have a look at the falls themselves, and then off to the Wannon Falls.

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK3SQ
2. VKVK5YX
3. VK5KLV
4. VK4TJ
5. VK4/AC8WN
6. VK4/VE6XT
7. VK3ANL
8. VK3TKK/m
9. VK2YK
10. VK1DI
11. VK7KR

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK7FRJG
2. VK4TJ
3. VK4/AC8WN
4. VK4/VE6XT
5. VK2YK
6. VK3YE/p
7. VK5MJ
8. VK5PL
9. VK2HHA
10. VK3SQ
11. VK5KLV
12. VK2IO
13. VK4NH
14. VK4DXA
15. ZL4TY/VK4
16. VK7KR
17. VK1DI
18. VK3FPREM
19. VK3TKK/m
20. Vk3MVP
21. VK5FANA
22. VK3TJK
23. VK2EXA
24. VK3MPT
25. VK3MLU
26. VK3ANL
27. VK5LA
28. VK2LEE
29. VK2JDR
30. VK5BRL
31. VK5MRE
32. VK7NWT
33. VK5IS
34. Vk2SLB
35. VK3VEF

I worked the following station on 80m SSB:-

1. VK3ANL

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

1. VK4NH
2. VK4DXA
3. ZL4TY/VK4
4. VK2LEE
5. VK4TJ
6. VK4/AC8WN
7. VK4/VE6XT
8. VK2IO

Once we had packed up we drove the short distance to the Nigretta Falls.  There is a viewing platform here, along with a walk down to the falls, and an information board.

References.

Australian Electoral Commission, 2018, <https://www.aec.gov.au/profiles/vic/wannon.htm>, viewed 22nd December 2018

Victorian Heritage Database Report, 2018, ‘Nigretta Falls Reserve’

Wikipedia, 2018, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nigretta_Falls>, viewed 22nd December 2018

Wikipedia, 2018, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wannon_River>, viewed 22nd December 2018

After leaving Penshurst we headed to Mount Dundas VK3/ VS-045.  The summit is located near the town of Cavendish, and is about 320 km west of the city of Melbourne.

Above:- Map showing the location of Mount Dundas, VK3/ VS-045.  Map courtesy of google maps

We headed north along the Penshurst-Dunkeld Road and soon reached the little town of Dunkeld.  We stopped briefly to have a look at the information boards just outside of the town, and admire Mount Sturgeon and Mount Abrupt, both of which are SOTA summits.

We had a very quick look at the town of Dunkeld, and we both agreed that we would have to come back here for a better look around.  The area here is the traditional home of the Djab wurrung aboriginal people.  The first Europeans to settle here were pastoralists during the late 1830’s.  A small settlement developed and was known as Mount Sturgeon.  By 1854 the township was known as Dunkeld due to the majority of settlers being of Scottish origin.  It was named after a Scottish town which was the principal locality of the Caledonian picts in Roman times.

We then drove north west along the Dunkeld-Cavendish Road, admiring the Grampian Mountains which were to our north east.

We then reached the town of Cavendish, which was settled during the early 1950’s.  We stopped to have a look at the old Cavendish Gaol, built of bluestone, and erected in 1862, at the cost of 640 pounds (about $1,280.00).  The first inmate was housed on the 3rd day of October 1862, with PC Kennedy the first watch house keeper.

Inside the cell is a very interesting collection of photographs and police documents.

Nearby is an old settlers cottage, known as Smiths House.  It was built in Cavendish in the 1850’s and was last occupied by the Hadden family in the 1960’s.  It has been restored and furnished, and is an example of the original two room cottage of its time.

I had the Bunyip Hotel written down on my list of things to visit whilst in Cavendish, but we were running short of time, and didn’t get the opportunity of paying the pub a visit.  There is also a Settlers Walk in Cavendish which follows the banks of the Wannon River.  Marija and I both agreed that we would need to come back to Cavendish.

We headed out of Cavendish on the Natimuk-Hamilton Road and soon reached Dundas Gap Road where we turned left.  A few km up the road we reached Mount Dundas Road and the start of the Mount Dundas Scenic Reserve, which does not yet qualify for the WWFF/VKFF program.

Mount Dundas is 459 metres above sea level and is worth just 1 point in the Summits on the Air (SOTA) program.  Prior to our visit, the summit had been activated a total of 4 times.  I had previously activated the summit back in November 2014.  In fact this was the first time the summit had been activated.

Above:- An aerial view of Mount Dundas.  Image courtesy of google maps

The road to the top is dirt, but it is in good condition and easily passable in a conventional vehicle.  On top of the summit you will find a large array of communications towers and equipment, and a trig point.

And there are some very nice views of the surrounding countryside.

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We set up just down from the communications equipment.  There was just enough room to string out the 20/40/80m linked dipole.  My first contact was with SOTA regular Nev VK5WG,  followed by Les VK5KLV, Ian VK5IS, and then Adrian VK5FANA.  I had my 4 contacts and had qualified the summit.  I logged just the 1 further station, Sven VK2ISO, before handing the microphone over to Marija.

Marija’s first contact was with Les VK5KLV, followed by Dennis VK2HHA, Adrian VK5FANA, and then Compton VK2HRX.  Marija had qualified the summit.  Marija logged a further 2 stations, Jim Vk2FADV and then Ian VK1DI.

I then called CQ for a few more minutes on 40m, logging 5 stations from VK1, VK2 and VK5, before heading to 3.610 on the 80m band.  I there logged 2 stations, Andy VK5LA and Peter VK3PF mobile.  Unlike 40m, there was an strength 5 noise here on 80m.  Undoubtedly from the communications equipment on the summit.

To conclude the activation I called CQ on 14.310 on the 20m band where I logged a total of 8 stations from VK2, VK3, and VK4.

Marija worked the following stations:-

I worked the following stations:-

We packed up and headed off to Tarrington.  That evening was a special festival occurring in the town, known as Laternenfest, or Festival of the Lanterns.  It is the celebration of the life of a man who helped the poor.  German communities celebrated Laternenfest in honour of St Martin who was known for his generosity of spirit.  He brought light into poor people’s lives, and this is symbolised by the lights of the lantern parades.

The Laternenfest featured the lantern parade, a stein holding challenge, traditional German dancing and culture, and plenty of traditional German food and beer.

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For tea we had German sausages in bread with sauerkraut, and some home made German cakes.  And to wash it down, some nice cold beer.

As part of the festival, the St Michaels Church at Tarrington was opened up for tours.  The foundation stone for the church was laid in July 1926.  This is the fourth church in Tarrington, with the first being built in 1854 by Lutherans who had emigrated from the Kingdom of Prussia.  We even got to ring the church bells.  St Michael’s bells were the largest in the southern hemisphere when the church was built.

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The stein holding competition was particularly interesting.  The juniors started off and it was quite funny seeing the expression on the faces of some of the children.

It was then time for the adults.  The winner held the stein out in front of him for around 8 minutes, no easy feat.

It was starting to get dark, and the sun shining off the Tarrington church was quite impressive.

It was then time for the carrying of the lanterns, with the procession led by two drummers.  They did one lap of the church and the local oval and then returned to the main area.

It was the end of a really enjoyable evening.  I have researched my family history, and this had a special place considering my mum’s Prussian background.  She would have certainly enjoyed this evening.

References.

Australia’s Christian Heritage, 2018, <https://www.churchesaustralia.org/list-of-churches/denominations/lutheran/directory/814-st-michaeland%2339%3Bs-lutheran-church>, viewed 22nd December 2018

Wikipedia, 2018, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunkeld,_Victoria>, viewed 22nd December 2018

Wikipedia, 2018, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cavendish,_Victoria>, viewed 22nd December 2018