Daily Archives: January 6, 2024

Pinnaroo silo VK-PNO5

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After packing up at the Karte Conservation Park, Marija and I headed to Pinnaroo for a quick activation of the Pinnaroo silo VK-PNO5, and then a bite to eat at one of the local hotels, before heading back over the border to Murrayville, Victoria.

Above:- Map showing the location of Pinnaroo. Map c/o Google Maps.

For a detailed history of Pinnaroo, please see my previous post at….

Pinnaroo silos VK-PNO5, Silos On The Air

The Pinnaroo silos are located on Silo Road and are operated by Viterra.

We parked alongside the railway line off Chandos Road.

Above:- the activation zone at the Pinnaroo silo. Image c/o SiOTA website.

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK3ZK/p (Churchill National Park VKFF-0621)
  2. VK5TN
  3. VK3APJ
  4. VK1AO
  5. VK2MET

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK3ZK/p (Churchill National Park VKFF-0621)
  2. VK5TN
  3. VK3APJ
  4. VK1AO
  5. VK2MET
  6. VK3PF
  7. VK5FANA
  8. Vk4SYD
  9. Vk3SPX
  10. VK5IS
  11. Vk3GJG
  12. VK5GY
  13. VK3XCI/p (Hattah Kulkyne National Park VKFF-0231)
  14. VK6HDY/2
  15. VK3DAC

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

  1. VK4EW
  2. VK4EMP
  3. VK4TI
  4. VK4MUD
  5. VK4SMA
  6. VK4SYD
  7. VK1AO
  8. VK2MET

We still had a little bit of time up our sleeve so we visited the Pinnaroo Wildlife Park. We do these each time we visit Pinnaroo and make a small donation. They have a nice collection of Australian birds and animals. 

We then had a very nice meal at the Golden Grain Hotel. The hotel was built in 1906 and is Pinnaroo’s oldest hotel. It was originally called the Land of Promise. In 1913 the hotel’s name was changed to the Commercial Hotel. In 1958 it was renamed the Golden Grain Hotel.

Following our meal we drove back to our accommodation at Murrayville.

References.

  1. issuu, 2024, <https://issuu.com/boylen/docs/hsa_may_21_f/s/12257037>, viewed 6th January 2024.
  2. Kloeden, P & A, 1998, Heritage of the Murray Mallee.
  3. Publocation, 2024, <https://publocation.com.au/pubs/sa/pinnaroo/golden-grain-hotel>, viewed 6th January 2024.

Karte Conservation Park VKFF-0898

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After leaving Peebinga, Marija and I headed to our final park activation for the day, the Karte Conservation Park VKFF-0898. Karte is about 239 km east of Adelaide.

Above:- Map showing the location of the Karte Conservation Park. Map c/o Google Maps.

Karte is a former town and a locality close to the South Australia/Victoria State border. The town of Karte was proclaimed on the 8th day of June 1916. The town was located to the immediate northwest of the Karte Railway Station. The town was named after the railway station which was located on the Peebinga railway line. Karte is an aboriginal word meaning ‘low thick scrub’.

Above:- The gazettal of the town of Karte, SA Govt Gazette, June 8 1916.

Karte was once a flourishing community and had a school. a post office, a hall, a railway gangers barracks, and a eucalyptus distillery.

Karte had its own tennis netball, cricket and football clubs.

Above:- Article from the Pinnaroo and Border Times, Fri 17 Jun 1927. Image c/o Trove.

The park is well-signposted at the junction of Karte Road and Settlers Road.

Karte Conservation Park was formerly the Karte National Park, proclaimed on the 4th day of September 1969. On the 27th day of April 1972, it was reconstituted as the Karte Conservation Park.

Above:- The proclamation of the park, SA Govt Gazette, 4th September 1969.

The park is about 3,564 hectares in size with the entire area being considered undesirable for agricultural purposes. It is believed that no grazing has ever taken place in the park and that none of the park has ever been cleared. The park consists of mallee heath and shrubland.

Above:- The Karte Conservation Park. Image c/o Google Earth.

Birds SA have recorded a total of 88 species of bird in the park including Common Bronzewing, Grey Butcherbird, Black-backed Fairywren, Malleefowl, Inland Thornbill, and Southern Scrub Robin.

We parked in the Karte campground and set up the 20/40/80m linked dipole, supported on the 7-metre heavy-duty squid pole. We ran the Yaesu FT857 and 40 watts.

We ended up with 84 QSOs including 20 Park to Park contacts.

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK3SQ
  2. VK2BD
  3. VK3UCD
  4. VK3PI
  5. VK2VH
  6. VK4AAC
  7. VK3SG
  8. VK3MTT
  9. VK5DW
  10. VK3TUN/p (Kara Kara National Park VKFF-0629)
  11. VK3PWG/p (Budj Bim National Park VKFF-0345)
  12. VK3XCI/p (Hattah Kulkyne National Park VKFF-0231)
  13. VK2IO/p (Yarto Bushland Reserve VKFF-4256)
  14. VK3ZK/m (Churchill National Park VKFF-0621)
  15. VK2OKR/p (Sugarloaf State Conservation Area VKFF-1772)
  16. VK2AUS/p (Sugarloaf State Conservation Area VKFF-1772)
  17. VK3ARD/p (Churchill National Park VKFF-0621)
  18. VK5HYZ/p (Coorong National Park VKFF-0115)
  19. VK2TER/p (Wyrrabalong National Park VKFF-0550)

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK3SQ
  2. VK2BD
  3. VK3UCD
  4. VK3PI
  5. VK2VH
  6. VK4AAC
  7. VK3SG
  8. VK3MTT
  9. VK5DW
  10. VK3TUN/p (Kara Kara National Park VKFF-0629)
  11. VK3PWG/p (Budj Bim National Park VKFF-0345)
  12. VK3XCI/p (Hattah Kulkyne National Park VKFF-0231)
  13. Vk2EXA
  14. VK5FANA
  15. VK3CEO
  16. VK5MK
  17. VK3PF
  18. VK3KAI
  19. VK2IO/p (Yarto Bushland Reserve VKFF-4256)
  20. VK5FB/m
  21. VK5KLV
  22. VK3VIN
  23. VK3UP
  24. VK3ACU/m
  25. VK3LOC/m
  26. VK2MOP
  27. VK3HX
  28. VK5DU
  29. VK3ZK/m (Churchill National Park VKFF-0621)
  30. VK2VAR
  31. VK2GOM
  32. VK3BAP
  33. VK2OKR/p (Sugarloaf State Conservation Area VKFF-1772)
  34. VK2AUS/p (Sugarloaf State Conservation Area VKFF-1772)
  35. VK3ARD/p (Churchill National Park VKFF-0621)
  36. VK5NM/m
  37. VK6TQ/m
  38. VK5AAF
  39. VK5HYZ/p (Coorong National Park VKFF-0115)
  40. VK6HDY/2
  41. VK5TN
  42. VK5GY
  43. VK3AG
  44. VK3JK
  45. VK3APJ
  46. VK5IU
  47. VK3MIJ
  48. VK1RF
  49. VK2MK
  50. VK4CEE
  51. VK2TER/p (Wyrrabalong National Park VKFF-0550)
  52. VK1AO
  53. VK2MET
  54. VK2NP
  55. VK3CWF

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

  1. ZL3PIE/p
  2. VK4SYD
  3. VK1AO
  4. VK2MET
  5. VK4EW
  6. VK4JT
  7. VK4XCS
  8. VK4PDX
  9. ZL2GLG
  10. VK4CC

I worked the following station on 20m AM:-

  1. VK4EW

References.

  1. Birds SA, 2024, <https://birdssa.asn.au/location/karte-conservation-park/>, viewed 6th January 2024.
  2. Wikipedia, 2024, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karte_Conservation_Park>, viewed 6th January 2024.
  3. Wikipedia, 2024, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karte,_South_Australia>, viewed 6th January 2024.

Peebinga Conservation Park VKFF-0830

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After leaving Ngarkat, Marija and I headed to the Peebinga Conservation Park VKFF-0830. The park is about 275 km northeast of Adelaide.

Above:- Map showing the location of the Peebinga CP. Map c/o Google Maps.

Peebinga was once the terminus of the Peebinga railway line which was constructed in 1914 as part of a major government project to open up the Murray Mallee region of South Australia for grazing and cropping. The line opened on the 28th day of December 1914 from a junction with the Barmera line at Karoonda.

Above:- A 1913 map of Murrayland railway lines in South Australia. Image c/o Wikipedia.

The line ran eastwards to Peebinga where it terminated about 2 km from the Victorian State border. The line closed on the 7th day of December 1990. The Peebinga line was 106.2 kilometres and the estimated construction cost was £207,000 plus £56,690 for rolling stock.

Above:- Article from The Register, Adelaide, Fri 1 Jan 1915. Image c/o Trove.

Peebinga was named by Tom Bridges the Governor of South Australia after the district of Peebinga. It had previously been named by Governor Day Bosanquet in 1912 from the aboriginal word ‘pichinga‘ for a rock hole located in the area called Butchers Soak (also known as Butcher Rockhole, Butcher Springs). The soak was named after an early pastoralist in the district.

Above:- Governor Day Bosanquet. Image c/o Wikipedia.

The area was originally known as Butcher’s Soak and as can be seen in the article below from The Register in 1912, the locals objected to the name.

Above:- Article from The Register, Wed 31 Jul 1912. Image co Trove.

The town of Peebinga was surveyed in 1924 adjacent to the railway. Charles Compton Reade (b. 1880. d. 1933), a town planner, was given the task of designing the town of Peebinga. He had designed Colonel Light Gardens and Barmera.

Above:- Charles Reade. Image c/o Wikipedia.

Above:- Plan of the town of Peebinga. Image c/o Trove.

A town school was opened in 1922 and was originally known as Butcher’s Soak. The Peebinga Post Office opened in 1926 and closed in 1986. During the 1920s a Methodist Minister visited Peebinga once a fortnight and conducted church services. The Peebinga school was opened in 1938 but is now closed.

Above:- The Peebinga Post Office, c. 1925. Image c/o Museums Victoria.

Peebinga once had its own football club.

Above:- Article from the Pinnaroo and Border Times, Fri 31 Aug 1923. Image c/o Trove

The Peebinga Conservation Park was proclaimed on the 27th day of April 1972. It was originally known as the Peebinga Flora and Fauna Reserve and was proclaimed on the 14th day of March 1940. It subsequently became a Wildlife Reserve in 1965. On the 9th day of November 1967, it was proclaimed as the Peebinga National Park.

Above:- Proclamation of the park in the SA Govt Gazette, March 14 1940

The Peebinga Conservation Park is about 3,369 hectares in size and is located on the western side of Browns Well Road.

Above:- The Peebinga Conservation Park. Image c/o Google Earth.

Birds SA have recorded a total of 89 species of bird in the park including Common Bronzewing, Galah, White-eared Honeyeater, Australian Magpie, Crested Pigeon, White-winged Chough, Nankeen Kestrel, Australian Owlet-nightjar, Black-capped Sittella, and Masked Woodswallow.

We accessed the park via Kringin Road. We ran the Yaesu FT857, 40 watts, and the 20/40/80m linked dipole. I used the special event call sign of VI10VKFF for this activation.

We ended up with a total of 60 QSOs including 16 Park to Park contacts.

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK3ZPF/p (Point Nepean National Park VKFF-0628)
  2. VK3AWA/p (The Lakes National Park VKFF-0484)
  3. VK3GP/p (Little Desert National Park VKF-0291)
  4. VK3PF
  5. VK3KAI
  6. VK3MTT
  7. VK7XX
  8. VK5LA
  9. VK5KAW
  10. VK3BEL
  11. VK3APJ
  12. VK3XCI/p (Hattah Kulkyne National Park VKFF-0231)
  13. VK3PWG/p (Budj Bim National Park VKFF-0345)
  14. VK3ARM/p (Grampians National Park VKFF-0213)
  15. VK2IO/p (Yarto Bushland Reserve VKFF-4256)
  16. VK3OAK/p (SOTA VK3/ VW-007 and Grampians National Park VKFF-0213)

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK3ZPF/p (Point Nepean National Park VKFF-0628)
  2. VK3AWA/p (The Lakes National Park VKFF-0484)
  3. VK3GP/p (Little Desert National Park VKF-0291)
  4. VK3PF
  5. VK3KAI
  6. VK3MTT
  7. VK7XX
  8. VK5LA
  9. VK5KAW
  10. VK3BEL
  11. VK3APJ
  12. VK3DAC
  13. VK5FANA
  14. VK3XCI/p (Hattah Kulkyne National Park VKFF-0231)
  15. VK5IS
  16. VK5CZ
  17. VK3SG
  18. VK3PWG/p (Budj Bim National Park VKFF-0345)
  19. VK3MIJ
  20. VK5GY
  21. VK3ARR
  22. VK2VH
  23. VK4AAC
  24. VK3ARM/p (Grampians National Park VKFF-0213)
  25. VK3CEO
  26. VK2IO/p (Yarto Bushland Reserve VKFF-4256)
  27. VK5DW
  28. VK3UH
  29. VK3OAK/p (SOTA VK3/ VW-007 and Grampians National Park VKFF-0213)
  30. VK2YK
  31. VK5GA
  32. VK3ACZ
  33. VK3VIN
  34. VK7EE
  35. VK3DCQ

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

  1. VK1AO
  2. VK2MET
  3. VK7XX
  4. ZL1HIM
  5. VK4SMA
  6. VK4EMP
  7. VK4TI
  8. VK7EE
  9. VK7HBR

References.

  1. Birds SA, 2024, <https://birdssa.asn.au/location/peebinga-conservation-park/>, viewed 6th January 2024.
  2. flickr, 2024, <https://www.flickr.com/photos/82134796@N03/24191907570>, viewed 6th January 2024.
  3. State Library SA, 2024, <https://manning.collections.slsa.sa.gov.au/pn/p/p4.htm>, viewed 6th January 2024.
  4. Wikipedia, 2024, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peebinga,_South_Australia>, viewed 6th January 2024.
  5. Wikipedia, 2024, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peebinga_railway_line>, viewed 6th January 2024.
  6. Wikipedia, 2024, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peebinga_Conservation_Park>, viewed 6th January 2024.
  7. Wikipedia, 2024, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Reade_(town_planner)>, viewed 6th January 2024.