Following our activation of the Duddo Bushland Reserve in Victoria on Tuesday 14th November 2023, Marija and I headed back into South Australia on our way home. We stopped briefly at Parilla to activate the Parilla silo VK-PRA5.
Parilla is about 214 km east of the city of Adelaide and about 14 km east of the town of Lameroo.
Above:- Map showing the location of Parilla. Map c/o Google Maps.
The town of Parilla was surveyed in 1904 and proclaimed as a town on the 1st day of August 1907. The town was named after the Hundred of Parilla. The name Parilla is an aboriginal word meaning ‘cold place’. (Monument Australia 2024) (Southern Mallee 2024)
Above:- 1907 Map of Parilla. Image c/o National Library of Australia.
Just one year after being proclaimed a town, the Parilla Hotel opened in 1908. Parilla also had an old gaol, which was opened in 1911. It was located where the current playground is now situated. Parilla once had a hotel, general store, temperance hotel, public hall, school, baker shop, blacksmith shop, butcher, slaughterhouse, gaol, station master’s house, churches, a football club, and a tennis club. (Mallee Tracks 2003)
Above:- A view of Parilla, c. 1912. Image c.o State Library South Australia (B17207).
The first person to be imprisoned in the police cell was Ernest Walters, who was charged with abusive language and causing a disturbance at the hotel. A 1912 news article stated:
“After standing for some months untenanted, the police call has broken its spell as an ornament and has been used for the special purpose for which it was erected.”
Above:- Article from the Pinnaroo and Border Times, Fri 5 Apr 1912. Image c/o Trove.
Today, Parilla is a small town with a population of about 160 people.
This small town has an excellent mural on the side of one of the buildings on the main street. It depicts Parilla’s early years.
There are also signs of the old railway including a monument for the Pinaroo Line centenary. There was a station at Parilla and the railway line operated from 1906 until 2006.
There is also a small display of historic farm machinery.
There is also a small monument to commemorate the Centenary of Federation and International Year of the Volunteer.
Below is a very interesting video on the town of Parilla from a current affair program a number of years ago
The bulk grain silos at Parilla are located adjacent to the railway line, however, grain is freighted out by the road, as are vegetables.
Marija and I parked right alongside the silos and operated from the 4WD, running the Icom IC7000, 100 watts, and the Codan 930 with the 1.5 metres stainless steel whip.
Above:- Map showing the activation zone at the Parilla silo. Image c/o SiOTA website.
Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-
- VK3APJ
- VK3SQ
- VK2BD
- VK3OB
- VK3ANL
- VK2IO/p (Murray Valley National Park VKFF-1178)
I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-
- VK3APJ
- VK3SQ
- VK2BD
- VK3OB
- VK3ANL
- VK3DAC
- VK3UH
- VK3SG
- VK2IO/p (Murray Valley National Park VKFF-1178)
- VK2XSE
I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-
- VK1AO
- VK2MET
- VK7XX
- VK4FO
- VK4NH
- VK4DXA
References.
- Monument Australia, 2024, Impression of Parilla 1914, viewed 4th February 2024.
- Nickolls, J, Angeli, A, 2003, Mallee Tracks, Gastrel Printing, South Australia.
- Southern Mallee District Council, 2024, Mallee Highway Touring Route, Parilla S.A., viewed 4th February 2024.
VK5PAS 