Monthly Archives: February 2024

Wimmera River Marma Streamside Reserve VKFF-3921

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Our final activation for Sunday 19th November 2023 was the Wimmera River Marma Streamside Reserve VKFF-3921. The park is located about 31 km east of Horsham and about 284 km northwest of Melbourne.

This was the first time the park had been activated for the World Wide Flora Fauna (WWFF) program.

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

The Wimmera River Marma Streamside Reserve is bordered by Burnt Clay Road to the north, and the Horsham-Lubeck Road to the south.

Above:- An aerial view of the Wimmera River Marma Streamside Reserve. Image c/o Google Earth.

The reserve is about 129 hectares in size and was established on the 22nd day of November 1983. (CAPAD 2022) The Wimmera River passes through the park. Mount William Creek is located on the park’s western boundary. It flows into the Wimmera River.

In 1836, the Wimmera River was explored by Sir Thomas Livingstone Mitchell (b. 1792. d. 1855) during his Australia Felix (Happy Australia) expedition of western Victoria. It is believed that Wimmera is an aboriginal word for a throwing stick. The Wimmera River rises in the Pyrenees Range near Ararat and flows northwesterly through Horsham and empties into Lake Hindmarsh near Jeparit. (Victorian Places 2024)

Above:- Sir Thomas Livingstone Mitchell. Image c/o Wikipedia.

Mitchell did however make an inaccurate deduction regarding the Wimmera River. Whilst near Mount Arapiles in the Grampians he stated:

“Upon the whole, I think that the estuary of the Wimmera will most probably be found either between Cape Bernouilli and Cape Jaffa, or at some of the sandy inlets laid down by Captain Flinders…At all events I here abandoned the pursuit of that river, and determined to turn towards the south-west that we might ascertain what streams fell in that direction from the Grampians and also the nature of the country between these mountains and the shores of the Southern Ocean.” (Gutenberg 2024)

We accessed the park via a dirt track that ran off Burnt Clay Road. We ran the Yaesu FT857, 40 watts, and the 20/40/80m linked dipole for this activation. I used the special event callsign of VI10VKFF. We had no internet coverage in the park, so we thank those who took the time to spot us on the parksnpeaks website.

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK5FR/p (Lashmar Conservation Park VKFF-0902)
  2. VK2YK
  3. VK5GA
  4. VK3PF
  5. VK3KAI
  6. VK3CLD/p (Kosciuszko National Park VKFF-0269)
  7. VK3SG
  8. VK7IAN
  9. VK3MCA
  10. VK4NH
  11. VK4DXA

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK5FR/p (Lashmar Conservation Park VKFF-0902)
  2. VK2YK
  3. VK5GA
  4. VK3PF
  5. VK3KAI
  6. VK3CLD/p (Kosciuszko National Park VKFF-0269)
  7. VK3SG
  8. VK7IAN
  9. VK3MCA
  10. VK4NH
  11. VK4DXA
  12. VK5AV
  13. VK3BBB
  14. VK2CCP
  15. VK3CEO
  16. VK1AO
  17. VK2MET
  18. VK7HAM
  19. VK3MLT
  20. VK3EI
  21. VK7RA
  22. VK5PL
  23. VK3TDX
  24. ZL4NVW
  25. VK3GRX
  26. VK5HS
  27. VK3MIJ
  28. VK3APJ
  29. VK5HAA
  30. VK3CWF
  31. VK2IO/m
  32. VK5GY
  33. VK2CDB
  34. VK3ANL
  35. Vk1CHW
  36. VK3EMP
  37. VK4TI
  38. VK4SMA
  39. VK1DI
  40. VK3KRL
  41. VK1AAF
  42. KG5CIK
  43. VK2DL
  44. VK2IMP
  45. VK5LA
  46. VK5KAW

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

  1. VK4NH
  2. VK4DXA
  3. VK4EMP
  4. VK4TI
  5. VK4ABH
  6. F1BLL

After packing up we headed back to St Arnaud and had a magnificent meal at the Farmers Arms Hotel.

References.

  1. Dcceew.gov.au. (2023). Collaborative Australian Protected Areas Database (CAPAD) 2022 – DCCEEW. [online] Available at: https://www.dcceew.gov.au/environment/land/nrs/science/capad/2022 [Accessed 23 Feb. 2024].‌
  2. gutenberg.net.au. (n.d.). Thomas Mitchell. [online] Available at: https://gutenberg.net.au/ebooks07/0700531h.html [Accessed 23 Feb. 2024].
  3. ‌www.victorianplaces.com.au. (n.d.). Wimmera Region | Victorian Places. [online] Available at: https://www.victorianplaces.com.au/wimmera-region. [Accessed 23 Feb. 2024].‌‌

Barrabool Flora and Fauna Reserve VKFF-2263

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After leaving Murtoa (Sunday 19th November 2023), Marija and I drove south to our next activation of the day, the Barrabool Flora & Fauna Reserve VKFF-2263. The park is located about 11 km south of Murtoa and about 295 km northwest of Melbourne.

Above:- Map showing the location of the Barrabool Flora & Fauna Reserve. Map c/o Google Maps.

The reserve is also often referred to as the Barabool Nature Conservation Reserve, the Barrabool Forest Reserve, and the Barrabool State Forest. Its northern border is Sawpit Swamp Road, the eastern border is Barrabool Road, and to the south and west is Burnt Clay Road.

Above:- An aerial view of the park. Image c/o Google Earth.

Parks Victoria has a webpage for the park but contains no information about it besides a park boundary image. The Barrabool Flora and Fauna Reserve is 1,035 hectares in size and was established on the 22nd day of September 1987. (CAPAD 2022)

Above:- An aerial view of the park looking towards Murtoa. Image c/o Google Maps.

There is also a Barrabool near Geelong. Barrabool is an aboriginal word meaning oyster. Other alternative meanings include slope down to water. (Blake 1978) Before European settlement, the land was occupied by the Jaadwa aboriginal people. In the reserve, you can find several trees which were cut by the Jaadwa people. (Aussie Towns 2024)

During our activation of the park we had an inquisitive Diamond Firetail finch. Unfortunately, it was quite nervous and would not sit still for a good photograph.

We accessed the park via Barrabool Road. We ran the Yaesu FT857, 40 watts, and the 20/40/80m linked dipole supported on the 7-metre heavy-duty telescopic squid pole. I sued the special event callsign of VI10VKFF for this activation.

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK3PF
  2. VK3KAI
  3. VK2IO/p (Wee Jasper Nature Reserve VKFF-2017)
  4. VK3GJG
  5. VK3OAK
  6. VK3APJ
  7. VK5MRD
  8. VK3VIN
  9. VK1AO
  10. VK2MET

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK5WF
  2. VK3PF
  3. VK3KAI
  4. VK2IO/p (Wee Jasper Nature Reserve VKFF-2017)
  5. VK3GJG
  6. VK3OAK
  7. VK3APJ
  8. VK5MRD
  9. VK3VIN
  10. VK1AO
  11. VK2MET
  12. VK5LA
  13. VK5KAW
  14. VK3BWS
  15. VK4NH
  16. VK4DXA
  17. VK3SG
  18. VK3CEO
  19. VK3ANL
  20. VK5KLD
  21. VK3MLT
  22. VK2HHA
  23. VK3ZMD
  24. VK5NM
  25. VK5BMC
  26. VK5TQ
  27. VK7JDZ
  28. VK3BBB
  29. VK2CCP
  30. VK2DL
  31. VK2IMP

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

  1. VK4NH
  2. VK4DXA
  3. VK4EW
  4. VK8DNT
  5. VK4EMP
  6. VK4TI
  7. VK1AO
  8. VK2MET
  9. VK4HAT
  10. ZL2DR
  11. IK1GPG
  12. ZL4NVW/p (ZLP/ WC-0069)
  13. IW2NXI
  14. VK4SMA
  15. ZL3MR
  16. ZL2STR
  17. OM5TX

I worked the following station on 20m AM:-

  1. VK4EW

References.

  1. ‌Aussie Towns. (n.d.). Murtoa, VIC. [online] Available at: https://www.aussietowns.com.au/town/murtoa-vic. [Accessed 23 Feb. 2024].‌
  2. ‌Leslie James Blake, 1978, Place Names of Victoria.
  3. Dcceew.gov.au. (2023). Collaborative Australian Protected Areas Database (CAPAD) 2022 – DCCEEW. [online] Available at: https://www.dcceew.gov.au/environment/land/nrs/science/capad/2022 [Accessed 23 Feb. 2024].‌

Murtoa North silo VK-MRU3

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It was just a short drive from the Murtoa silo to our next silo activation, the Murtoa North silo VK-MRU3. This silo complex is located on Thomas Road on the northeastern side of Murtoa.

Although very impressive and probably from an art perspective, one of my favourite silos, Marija and I were disappointed about its location. The best view can be obtained from the Water Tower Museum.

The silo art was completed in April 2023 and is the work of Sam Bates, @ Smug. His inspiration was the James Hill taxidermy collection in Murtoa. A total of thirty birds can be seen on the silo. One of those birds glows at night to represent the one in thirty Australians who suffer from mental health issues. This part of the silo art relates to Dr John Cade, a psychiatrist who was born in Murtoa. (Australian Silo Art 2024)

John Frederick Joseph Cade AO (b. 1912. d. 1980), was an Australian psychiatrist. In 1948 he discovered the effects of lithium carbonate as a mood stabilizer in the treatment of bipolar disorder. (News.com.au 2024)

Above:- Dr. John Cade. Image c/o Wikipedia.

We parked on Thomas Road adjacent to the silo and operated from the 4WD running the Icon IC-7000, 200 watts, and the Coadn 9350 antenna with the 1.5-metre stainless steel whip.

Above:- The activation zone at the Murtoa North silo. Image c/o SiOTA website.

Marija worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

  1. VK4EMP
  2. VK4TI
  3. VK1AO
  4. VK2MET

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

  1. VK4EMP
  2. VK4TI
  3. VK1AO
  4. VK2MET
  5. VK4NH
  6. VK4DXA

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

  1. VK3PF
  2. VK3GJG
  3. VK3SQ
  4. VK2BD
  5. VK2IO/m

References.

  1. news.com.au — Australia’s #1 news site. (2019). news.com.au — Australia’s #1 news site. [online] Available at: https://www.news.com.au.
  2. ‌www.australiansiloarttrail.com. (n.d.). Mutoa Silo Art. [online] Available at: https://www.australiansiloarttrail.com/murtoa [Accessed 23 Feb. 2024].‌

Murtoa silo VK-MRA3

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The drive from Big Tottington to our next activation at Murtoa was 67 km in distance and took us through Marnoo and Rupanyup. Murtoa is about 295 km northwest of the city of Melbourne.

Above:- Map showing the location of Murtoa in Victoria. Map c/o Google Maps.

The Murtoa district is the traditional land of the Jardwe aboriginal people. Murtoa is an aboriginal word meaning ‘home of the lizard’. The town contains Lake Marma. Marma is an aboriginal word meaning ‘wild duck. Jardwe people were still present in the area when European settlement commenced. Eventually most were relocated to Ebenezer Mission at Antwerp and then to Lake Tyers in Victoria. (Murtoa Progress Association 2024).

Major Thomas Mitchell traversed the Wimmera River in 1836 and reportedly favourably on the land for farming. European settlement of the area commenced in the 1840s and 1850s with large pastoral station leases. In early 1844 the land was squatted upon by two Scotsmen Dugald McPherson and William Taylor. Their run comprised 206,000 acres (83,366 hectares) with 33,000 sheep. They were the first pastoralists north of Glenorchy in Victoria. (Australian Dictionary of Biography 2024) (Murtoa Museum 2024) (Murtoa Progress Association 2024).

McPherson and Taylor encountered problems with local aboriginal people from 1844 to 1845. The Argus, Melbourne, dated Friday 17th August 1934, reported:-

“As many as 30 per cent of the sheep were destroyed by aborigines.”

In 1848 McPherson and Taylor subdivided their holding, with Taylor’s portion known as Longerenong. Taylor retained the lease on Longerenong until 1856 when he sold it to Sir Samuel Wilson. (Australian Dictionary of Biography 2024)

I found the story of McPherson and Taylor to be extremely interesting.

Dugald McPherson was born in September 1820 in Argyllshire, Scotland. He arrived in Victoria in 1840 with his brother Peter. He went on to develop very large landholdings in northwestern Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland. He was the Chief of the Highland Society of Ballarat and an elder of the Presbyterian Church. He formed the Australian Club, a private gentlemen’s club in William Street, Melbourne. He was also a councillor in the Ballan Shire. (Museums Victoria 2024)

Above:- Dugald McPherson. Image c/o Museums Victoria.

William Taylor was born in November 1818 in Glasgow, Scotland. Following his arrival in Australia in 1840, he purchased a sheep run near Geelong. He returned to Britain in the 1850s but returned to Australia after three years, purchasing more land. In 1847 he was appointed a Magistrate. He was a member for Wimmera in the Legislative Council. He was the Chairman of the Keilor District Road Board and President of the Shire Council. He was a director in Melbourne of the Union Mortgage and Agency Co, and owned many properties in Melbourne and rural Victoria. (Australian Dictionary of Biography 2024)

Above:- William Taylor. Image c/o The Argus, Fri 17 Aug 1934, Trove.

Prior to 1870, the Murtoa district was known as Marma Gully. Following the Land Act of 1869, many families of Prussian (German) origin journeyed to the Wimmera district between 1871 and 1872. (Aussie Towns 2024)

The Australasian, Melbourne, dated Saturday 31st January 1885, reported:-

“The Land Act of South Australia did not offer the same inducements to settlers as the Victorian act of 1869, and hence a large number of Germans, bringing with them their horses, waggons, double-fur-rw ploughs, and stripping machines, came across the border, and spread themselves over the Wimmera district, the vicinity of Lake Marma attracting a large number of the settlers.” (Farming on the Wimmera 1885)

In 1871 Ernest Boehm from the Bremmer in South Australia travelled to the Wimmera and selected land. In October 1871, Boehm was camping on the Penola Road when he encountered another group of Mount Gambier farmers who were heading to Narracoorte to look for land. They were Herman Paul Anders (b. 1841. d. 1930), Johann Heinrich ‘Martin’ Uhe (b. 1813. d. 1900), Heinrich Friedrich ‘Fred’ Conrad Gottleib Degenhardt (b. 1821. d. 1893) and Gustav Julius Wilhelm Degenhardt (b. 1829. d. 1908). Boehm informed them that it was no good going there as he had been there, and he informed them about the Wimmera. They accompanied Boehm to land at Lake Natimuk, but they found the land unsuitable. (Doncaster Hist Society 2024)

Above:- Martin Uhe. Image c/o Peter Morgan Family Tree, http://www.abcestry.com.au

In the Dunmunkle Standard Newspaper in 1925 Anders stated:

“On reaching Mount Arapiles we camped at Jackie-Jackie. There a couple of swaggies came over to us and asked for tea, and one of them, an old grey headed man said: ‘I suppose you are looking for land; what will you give if I lay you on to some good country, all open plain, no timber, no stones, you can put the plough into it and work away – there is a nice lake with plenty of water and plenty wildfowl on it. I have been shepherding there for 17 years, and the lake never went dry. The information is worth 5 pounds?. I will direct you and if it is not what I say, don’t pay me anything.'”

The swaggie then instructed them on how to reach Marma Gully. Gustav Degenhardt told the swaggie he would pay him 10 pounds if he told them where this land was, and would pay a further 5 pounds if they found the land as he described when they got there. The swaggie then instructed them on how to reach Marma Gully. (Doncaster Hist Society 2024)

The four men were joined by Hermann Volprecht and they departed Jackie Jackie. They called in on Robert Clark, a store-keeper at Horsham who advised he knew of a boundary rider on Longererong Station called Harry Friend, who was willing to take them to Marma Gully and who had already selected land there. Upon arriving at Marma Gully they found only one house, a shepherd’s hut. They camped alongside Friend’s tent. (Doncaster Hist Society 2024)

Following their inspection of the land, they drew lots for land. Uhe went first as he was the eldest. Each of the gentlemen then pegged a block of land. In December the men returned to Mount Gambier to tender their crops. In February they returned to Marma Gully with their families in waggons with sack tents over the waggons. Upon approaching Natimuk in western Victoria they encountered heavy rain making the roads boggy. To reduce the work on the horses, the women and children walked through the mud. Ander’s mother-in-law is reported to have said ‘Oh what a terrible country you are taking us to.‘ (Doncaster Hist Society 2024)

Anders, Uhe and Fred Degenhardt and their families arrived at Marma Gully on the 16th day of March 1872. Gustav Degenhardt, Volprecht and Hoff arrived 6-8 weeks later with their families. Many of the settlers lived in tents and the area was known as the Calico Township. (Doncaster Hist Society 2024)

In the Dunmunkle Standard Newspaper in 1925 Anders stated:

“One day we had a visit from the old shepherd whom we met at Jackie Jackie, and who told us about Marma Gully. Of course, he found us settled there, and he came for his five-pound note. We clubbed together and he got his money according to promise, as we could thank Tommy-that’s what we called him-that we found Marma Gully.'”

Above:- Article from the Hamilton Spectator, Sat 30 Aug 1873. Image c/o Trove.

In 1873 the township of Marma Gully was surveyed around the swamp by T.H. Breen. Following its establishment as a town, more settlers came to the area and soon Murtoa was a prosperous grain town. Soon after it was renamed Murtoa by Walter Madden, the Land Officer in Horsham. By 1878 the main Melbourne railway line had reached Murtoa and this increased the prosperity of the town. (Murtoa Museum 2024) (Murtoa Facebook page 2024) (Murtoa Progress Association 2024).

Above:- Plan of the township of Murtoa. Image c/o State Library Victoria.

A combined Town Hall, church, and school was built in 1873. The Commercial Hotel was built in 1874. In 1876 a flour mill was opened. In 1877 the Commercial Bank opened a branch at Murtoa. On the 1st day of December 1878, the first edition of the Dunmunkle Standard newspaper was printed. In 1880 the Murtoa Urban Fire Brigade was formed. The following year, 1881, the Murtoa & Central Wimmera Agricultural and Pastoral Society was formed and the first show was held. In 1884 the Murtoa Post Office was opened. Before this mail came via the hotel at Longerong, a farm, and then Anderson’s store in Murtoa. In 1898 the Murtoa Football Club which had been formed about 10 years earlier, won its first premiership. (Murtoa Facebook 2024) (Murtoa Museum 2024)

Above:- Article from the Hamilton Spectator, Sat 20 Aug 1881. Image c/o Trove.

The population of Murtoa grew quickly and expansion of farming worked in the direction of Coromby, Minyip, Rupanyup, Ashens and Yarriambiack Creek.

Murtoa is a beautiful little town situated alongside Lake Marma. It contains numerous historic buildings and is definitely worth visiting and spending some time exploring the town.

We had our lunch on the banks of Lake Marma, enjoying the view and the beautiful sunny day. The lake is regarded as one of the most picturesque lakes in the Wimmeara district of Victoria.

We then visited the old Murtoa Railway Station at the end of Hamilton Street. On the 17th day of December 1878, the station was opened by Mr Woods, the Minister of Railways. The station became a temporary terminus for the main western railway line until 1879 when the line was extended to Horsham. In 1886 a branch line from Murtoa was opened to Warracknabeal and in 1894 a branch line was opened to Patchewollock. Due to the increasing number of trains passing through Murtoa, extensions were made to the locomotive yards and an engine shed, coal stage and a large water tower were constructed. The Railway Hotel opposite the station was also opened. By the late 1890s a new platform was built and a footbridge was constructed. (Murtoa Museum 2024)

Above:- The Murtoa Railway Station, c. 1913. Image c/o flickr.

During the 1980s and 1990s passenger and freight services to Murtoa were removed. The Murtoa railway station commenced to fall into a state of disrepair. In 2018 the station was fully restored as a result of the Murtoa District Historical Society and Vic Track’s Community Use Program. (Murtoa Museum 2024)

Other than the Silo Art on the second set of silos in Murtoa, you can also view the mural near the Murtoa Recreation Reserve.

We then headed to the Murtoa Stick Shed. This was our main reason for venturing out to Murtoa. Marija and I had heard about this place and had always wanted to visit. We were not disappointed. It is one of those places that you have to visit to appreciate its magnificence.

The Stick Shed is also known as the Murtoa No. 1 Grain Store. It is the only remaining emergency grain store that was constructed during the Second World War. It was completed in 1942. It is about 265 metres long, 60 metres wide and 19 metres high. It could hold 3.5 million bushels or about 92,500 tonnes of wheat. It is referred to by some as the ‘Cathedral of the Wimmera’. (The Stick Shed 2024)

Below is a great video about the Murtoa Stick Shed. As one of the narrators says:

‘from outside it’s just a tin shed, and inside, well it just took your breath away.’

Just behind the Murtoa Stick Shed are the Murtoa silos VK-MRA3. They are operated by GrainCorp.

Marija and I parked on Crams Road just off the Wimmera Highway. 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 at the Murtoa silo. Image c/o SiOTA website.

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK3UAO/p (Coopracambra National Park VKFF-0113)
  2. VK3PF
  3. VK3KAI
  4. VK5FANA

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK3UAO/p (Coopracambra National Park VKFF-0113)
  2. VK3PF
  3. VK3KAI
  4. VK5FANA
  5. VK5MK
  6. VK5LA
  7. VK5GY
  8. VK7HBR
  9. VK5PLR
  10. VK5HS
  11. VK3DCQ
  12. VK3OAK
  13. VK7XX

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

  1. VK1AO
  2. VKMET
  3. VK4SMA
  4. ZL1HIM
  5. VK4SYD
  6. VK4EMP
  7. VK4TI
  8. VK4CZ

References.

  1. Aussie Towns. (n.d.). Murtoa, VIC. [online] Available at: https://www.aussietowns.com.au/town/murtoa-vic [Accessed 21 Feb. 2024].
  2. ‌Doncaster Templestowe Historical Society. (n.d.). Doncaster Templestowe Historical Society: German Pioneer Families (1983). [online] Available at: https://dt-hs.blogspot.com/2020/05/german-pioneer-families-1983.html [Accessed 22 Feb. 2024].
  3. ‌FARMING ON THE WIMMERA. (1885). Australasian. [online] 31 Jan. Available at: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/137598361 [Accessed 22 Feb. 2024].
  4. ‌home.vicnet.net.au. (n.d.). End of the Squatters. [online] Available at: http://home.vicnet.net.au/~murtoa/squatter.htm [Accessed 21 Feb. 2024].
  5. Hone, J.A. (n.d.). William Taylor (1818–1903). [online] Australian Dictionary of Biography. Available at: https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/taylor-william-1681 [Accessed 21 Feb. 2024].
  6. ‌‌Murtoa Progress Association. (n.d.). Murtoa Tourism | Tourist information. [online] Available at: https://www.murtoa.net/about [Accessed 21 Feb. 2024].
  7. ‌Museums Victoria Collections. (n.d.). Dugald McPherson (1820-1901). [online] Available at: https://collections.museumsvictoria.com.au/articles/2976 [Accessed 21 Feb. 2024].
  8. ‌www.facebook.com. (n.d.). Facebook. [online] Available at: https://www.facebook.com/Murtoa/posts/some-fascinating-history/873249299541810/ [Accessed 21 Feb. 2024].
  9. ‌www.facebook.com. (n.d.). Facebook. [online] Available at: https://www.facebook.com/Murtoa [Accessed 22 Feb. 2024].
  10. ‌www.murtoamuseum.com.au. (n.d.). History. [online] Available at: https://www.murtoamuseum.com.au/history [Accessed 21 Feb. 2024].‌
  11. http://www.thestickshed.com.au. (n.d.). Home – The Stick Shed. [online] Available at: https://www.thestickshed.com.au/ [Accessed 23 Feb. 2024].‌

Big Tottington Nature Conservation Reserve VKFF-2047

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Our second activation for Sunday 19th November 2023 was the Big Tottington Nature Conservation Reserve VKFF-2047. Although the park has been activated in the past, this was the first time that Marija and I had visited Big Tottington.

The park is about 26 km southwest of St Arnaud and about 255 km northwest of the city of Melbourne.

Above:- Map showing the location of the Big Tottington NCR. Map c/o Google Maps.

On our way, we stopped briefly at the little settlement of Beazleys Bridge. It takes its name from William Beazley, a shepherd who worked on Tottington Run and lived in a hut by the bridge. (Blake 1978)

At Beazleys Bridge you can find a monument that commemorates the pioneers who settled in the district between 1850 and 1900. You can also view the memorial gates that commemorate those who served during WWI and WWII. (Monument Australia 2024)

Royal Mail Coaches once ran from St Arnaud to Stawell, stopping at Beazleys Bridge and Tottington.

Above:- Advertisement from the St Arnaud Mercury, Wed 10 Feb 1915. Image c/o Trove

One of our reasons for travelling down to this area south of St Arnaud was to visit the Tottington Woolshed and Homestead. Sadly we found that it was not open to the public and was on private property. We could just view the woolshed at a distance from the side of the road.

The brick and weatherboard homestead was also constructed during the 1840s. The woolshed of wooden construction was built in 1845. The woolshed, homestead and stone cottage are listed on the Victorian Heritage Database. (Heritage Victoria 2024)

The homestead and shearing shed were part of Tottington Station owned by Lawrence Rostron (b. 1800. d. 1877). It takes its name from Tottington in Lancashire, England. (Blake 1978)

Above:- Lawrence Rostron. Image c/o Andress Rostron Family Tree, http://www.ancestry.com.au

There is also a small cemetery on the property which is visible from the roadway.

One of the headstones is for Sarah Pritchard aged 57 years and her daughter Annie aged 21 years. In November 1892 they were driving home from a dance in a double-seater buggy and passed a burning tree that fell and crushed them both. Also killed was Frances King. (Trove 2024)

Above:- Article from The Age, Melbourne, Fri 11 Nov 1892. Image c/o Trove.

Another headstone is for 19-year-old George William Anderson who died in 1881. Anderson and his brother were driving cattle and during a thunderstorm, they sheltered underneath a tree. The cattle broke and the boys galloped after them, their horses colliding head-on, resulting in the death of George.

Above:- Article from The Argus, Melbourne, Wed 30 Mar 1881. Image c/o Trove

Feeling a little disappointed that we couldn’t get to see the homestead or the shearing shed, we headed to the Big Tottington Nature Conservation Reserve.

Big Tottington is about 1,867 hectares in size and was established on the 26th day of February 2002. (CAPAD 2022)

Above:- An aerial view showing the boundaries of the Big Tottington NCR. Image c/o Google Earth.

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

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK3UAO/p (Croajingolong National Park VKFF-0119)
  2. VK3OAK
  3. VK3PF
  4. VK3KAI
  5. VK3SQ
  6. VK2BD
  7. VK2EXA
  8. VK3MCK
  9. VK3CAT
  10. VK3APC
  11. VK5FANA
  12. VK3ZPF/p (Budj Bim National Park VKFF-0345)
  13. VK3JW/p (Budj Bim National Park VKFF-0345)

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK3UAO/p (Croajingolong National Park VKFF-0119)
  2. VK3OAK
  3. VK3PF
  4. VK3KAI
  5. VK3SQ
  6. VK2BD
  7. VK2EXA
  8. VK3MCK
  9. VK3CAT
  10. VK3APC
  11. VK5FANA
  12. VK7XX
  13. VK1AO
  14. VK3ZPF/p (Budj Bim National Park VKFF-0345)
  15. VK3JW/p (Budj Bim National Park VKFF-0345)
  16. VK2IO/m
  17. VK3ZS
  18. VK3DAC
  19. VK4FE/3
  20. VK3MCA
  21. VK1DI
  22. VK2YK
  23. VK5GA
  24. VK3SG
  25. VK5NM
  26. VK3APJ
  27. VK2DG
  28. VK7ALH
  29. VK5LEX
  30. VK3ZSC
  31. VK7HBR
  32. VK2SKI
  33. VK5IS
  34. VK3PI
  35. VK3GRX
  36. VK1CHW
  37. VK3TDX
  38. VK7EE

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

  1. VK7XX
  2. VK7HBR
  3. VK1AO
  4. VK2MET
  5. VK4EMP
  6. VK4TI
  7. VK4NH
  8. VK4DXA
  9. VK7ZA
  10. VK7EE

We packed up and headed to Murtoa where we planned on visiting the Stick shed and activating a couple of silos.

Along the way, we stopped to have a look at the site for the old Lallat Plains School which operated from 1876 to 1980.

References.

  1. ALAN MARSHALL’S…MY PEOPLE. (1955). Argus. [online] 23 Jul. Available at: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/71669456?searchTerm=tottington%20station [Accessed 21 Feb. 2024].
  2. ‌Dcceew.gov.au. (2023). Collaborative Australian Protected Areas Database (CAPAD) 2022 – DCCEEW. [online] Available at: https://www.dcceew.gov.au/environment/land/nrs/science/capad/2022 [Accessed 21 Feb. 2024].‌
  3. Leslie James Blake, 1978, Place Names of Victoria.
  4. ‌monumentaustralia.org.au. (n.d.). Pioneers of Beazleys Bridge | Monument Australia. [online] Available at: https://monumentaustralia.org.au/themes/landscape/settlement/display/101105-pioneers-of-beazleys-bridge [Accessed 21 Feb. 2024].
  5. ‌monumentaustralia.org.au. (n.d.). Memorial Gates | Monument Australia. [online] Available at: https://monumentaustralia.org.au/themes/conflict/multiple/display/30314-beazleys-bridge-memorial-gates [Accessed 21 Feb. 2024].‌
  6. vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au. (n.d.). VHD. [online] Available at: https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/1084 [Accessed 21 Feb. 2024].‌‌

St Arnaud Regional Park VKFF-0977 and St Arnaud silo VK-STD3

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It was now Sunday 19th November 2023 and day three of our trip around Victoria. Marija and I headed down the main street of St Arnaud for some cooked breakfast and coffee.

We then visited the St Arnaud History Mosaic Wall, a large mosaic that portrays the history of St Arnaud and its community. The mosaic is the work of a local artist Sally Pritchard. The panels were completed in the St Arnaud Neighbourhood House and were transported by members of the St Arnaud Mens Shed to the wall. It took eight days for the entire mosaic to be mounted to the wall. The Wall was unveiled on the 15th day of March 2017. (St Arnaud Neighbourhood House 2024)

We then drove down to the old St Arnaud Railway Station. We were very fortunate, because as we arrived, a gentleman who is involved in the Art Gallery at the station had arrived to do some work, asked if we would like to have a look inside. It was normally closed at that time.

We then headed to our first activation for the day, the St Arnaud Regional Park VKFF-0977 and the St Arnaud silo VK-STD3.

The St Arnaud silos are located alongside the railway line between McMahon Street and Victoria Street.

The St Arnaud silos are part of the Australian Silo Art Trail. They were the 38th set of silos to be painted in Australia and are the work of Ktorney Art, aka, Kyle Torney. The images on the silo tell the story of three pioneers of St Arnaud. and are officially the 38th set of silos to be completed in Australia. (Australian Silo Art Trail 2024)

The St Arnaud Regional Park is about 957 hectares in size and consists of four township blocks within St Arnaud, along with two small cultural and historic reserves, a bushland reserve, and the Wax Garden which is 28 hectares in size. (Grampians Point 2024)

We operated from the end of Kell Road and ran the Yaesu FT857, 40 watts, and the 20/40/80m linked dipole, supported by the 7-metre heavy-duty squid pole. I used the special event callsign of VI10VKFF for this activation.

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK3CEO
  2. VK3UAO/p (Lind National Park VKFF-0287)
  3. VK2IO/p (Micalong Swamp Flora Reserve VKFF-3067)
  4. VK5FANA
  5. VK3PF
  6. VK3KAI
  7. VK3SQ
  8. VK2BD
  9. VK3GJG
  10. VK1CHW

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK3CEO
  2. VK3UAO/p (Lind National Park VKFF-0287)
  3. VK2IO/p (Micalong Swamp Flora Reserve VKFF-3067)
  4. VK5FANA
  5. VK3PF
  6. VK3KAI
  7. VK3SQ
  8. VK2BD
  9. VK3GJG
  10. VK1CHW
  11. VK3AWA
  12. VK2RK
  13. VK2ACR
  14. VK7SW

Following the activation we paid a visit to the old Francis Xavier’s boarding college run by the Sisters of Mercy at St Arnaud. The college opened in 1903 and closed in 1986. It is now a private residence. (Flickr 2024)

Our next stop was the Church of the Immaculate Conception in St Arnaud. The foundation stone was laid on the 8th day of April 1906. (Australia’s Christian Heritage 2024)

We also stopped to admire the St Arnaud Liberty Hall built in 1928.

It was then off to our next activation of the day, the Big Tottington Nature Conservation Reserve.

References.

  1. denisbin (2022). St Arnaud. Francis Xavier’s boarding college run by the Sisters of Mercy opened in 1903. Closed in 1986. Now a private residence. [online] Flickr. Available at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/82134796@N03/51906457116 [Accessed 20 Feb. 2024].
  2. Design, U.W. (n.d.). Immaculate Conception Catholic Church | Churches Australia. [online] http://www.churchesaustralia.org. Available at: https://www.churchesaustralia.org/list-of-churches/locations/victoria/n-s-towns/directory/22-immaculate-conception-catholic-church [Accessed 20 Feb. 2024].
  3. ‌‌stanhi. (n.d.). Engage Mosaic Wall 2017. [online] Available at: https://stanhi.wixsite.com/stanhi/engage-mosaic-wall-2017 [Accessed 20 Feb. 2024].
  4. ‌Point, H. (2019). St Arnaud Regional Park – Flora, Fauna, Camping & Picnic Spots Map, VIC. [online] Grampians Point. Available at: https://www.grampianspoint.com.au/attractions/st-arnaud-regional-park/ [Accessed 20 Feb. 2024].
  5. ‌www.australiansiloarttrail.com. (n.d.). St Arnaud Silo Art. [online] Available at: https://www.australiansiloarttrail.com/st-arnaud [Accessed 20 Feb. 2024].‌

St Arnaud I53 Bushland Reserve VKFF-4263

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After packing up at Hard Hills, Marija and I decided to squeeze in another park before we headed back to the motel at St Arnaud. It was approaching dusk and there were lots of kangaroos and wallabies on the roads.

Our plan was to activate the St Arnaud H35 Bushland Reserve, however, we encountered several fallen trees on the track leading into the park and this resulted in no access to the park.

So we headed to the St Arnaud I53 Bushland Reserve VKFF-4263. The park is about 5 km east of St Arnaud and about 236 km northwest of the city of Melbourne.

Above:- Map showing the location of the St Arnaud I53 Bushland Reserve. Map c/o Google Maps.

The park is about 14 hectares in size and was established on the 24th day of August 1982. (CAPAD 2022)

Parks Victoria has a page for this park but it contains no information about the park other than a park boundary image.

Above:- An aerial view of the park with St Arnaud in the background. Image c/o Google Maps.

We accessed the park via a dirt track which led into the park running off the Wimmera Highway. We ran the Yaesu FT857, 40 watts, and the 20/40/80m linked dipole for this activation.

Above:- An aerial view of the park showing our operating spot. Image c/o Google Maps.

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK5NM
  2. VK2PBC
  3. VK3CA
  4. VK2EXA
  5. VK5FANA
  6. VK3PF
  7. VK3KAI
  8. VK2LQ
  9. VK2PCT
  10. VK4NH
  11. VK4DXA
  12. VK2DL
  13. VK2IMP
  14. VK2IO/p (VK2/ SW-027)

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK5NM
  2. VK2PBC
  3. VK3CA
  4. VK2EXA
  5. VK5FANA
  6. VK3PF
  7. VK3KAI
  8. VK2LQ
  9. VK2PCT
  10. VK4NH
  11. VK4DXA
  12. VK2DL
  13. VK2IMP
  14. VK3AMO
  15. VK7AAE
  16. VK1AO
  17. VK2MET
  18. VK2IO/p (VK2/ SW-027)
  19. VK4EMP
  20. VK4TI
  21. VK2GWB
  22. VK2EG
  23. VK2VRJ
  24. VK3ABQ
  25. VK7DW
  26. VK7HBR
  27. VK3YV
  28. VK3KAS
  29. VK5TQ
  30. VK4SMA
  31. VK3CWF
  32. VK3UAO
  33. VK3GRX
  34. VK3NP
  35. VK3SPG
  36. VK5LNX
  37. VK3SO
  38. VK3ANL
  39. VK3GB
  40. VK3ZK
  41. VK2BIO/p

I worked the following stations on 80m SSB:-

  1. VK3PF
  2. VK3KAI
  3. VK3NP
  4. VK2VRJ
  5. VK2IO/m
  6. VK3CWF
  7. VK3CA

References.

  1. Dcceew.gov.au. (2023). Collaborative Australian Protected Areas Database (CAPAD) 2022 – DCCEEW. [online] Available at: https://www.dcceew.gov.au/environment/land/nrs/science/capad/2022 [Accessed 20 Feb. 2024].‌

Hard Hills Nature Conservation Reserve VKFF-2106

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Our next activation for Saturday 18th November 2023 was the Hard Hills Nature Conservation Reserve VKFF-2106. The park is about 9 km northeast (by road) of St Arnaud and about 242 km northwest of the city of Melbourne.

Above:- Map showing the location of the Hard Hills NCR. Map c/o Google Maps.

After leaving the Redbank Nature Conservation Reserve, Marija and I travelled north on the Sunraysia Highway and soon reached the little town of Stuart Mill. Stuart Mill is an old gold-mining town that was gazetted in 1865. (Victorian Places 2024)

Opposite the Stuart Mill Recreation Reserve is the Stuart Mill Hall. It contains several information boards regarding those who served their country and who came from Stuart Mill.

We left Stuart Mill and drove to St Peter’s Anglican church, known as the Pebble Church. This extremely interesting Gothic-style church is registered with the Heritage Council of Victoria. It was designed by prominent Melbourne architect Leonard Terry and was built between 1869 and 1870 using stones collected from the hill opposite the church.

We then drove into St Arnaud and enjoyed a very nice evening meal at the Farmers Arms Hotel.

We then headed out to the Hard Hills Nature Conservation Reserve. The park is about 32 hectares and was established on the 24th day of August 1982. (CAPAD 2022) Parks Victoria has a page for this park but it contains no information about the park other than a boundary image. A number of vulernable plants are located in the park including Pamaderris and Daddy Longlegs Orchid. The Hard Hills Spider Orchid can also be found in the reserve. (St Arnaud Field Naturalists 2019)

Above:- An aerial view of the park with St Arnaud in the background. Image c/o Google Maps.

The park is located in the Hard Hills area which takes its name from the gold rush days when ten hills located in the area that were difficult for the fossickers to sink their holes or shafts. (Blake 1977)

We access the park via Bray Road and we set up in the southeastern corner of the park. We ran the Yaesu FT857, 40 watts, and the 20/40/80m linked dipole.

Above:- An aerial view of the Hard Hills NCR showing our operating spot. Image c/o Google Earth.

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK5LA
  2. VK5KAW
  3. VK3VIN
  4. VK3MCA
  5. VK2IO/m
  6. VK1AO
  7. VK2MET
  8. VK3PF
  9. VK3KAI
  10. VK4EW
  11. VK5FR/p (Poolgarra Conservation Reserve VKFF-1742)

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK5LA
  2. VK5KAW
  3. VK3VIN
  4. VK3MCA
  5. VK2IO/m
  6. VK1AO
  7. VK2MET
  8. VK3PF
  9. VK3KAI
  10. VK4EW
  11. VK7HBR
  12. VK3MIJ
  13. VK2EXA
  14. VK3EJ
  15. VK5DW
  16. VK5FR/p (Poolgarra Conservation Reserve VKFF-1742)
  17. VK2CDB
  18. VK4NH
  19. VK4DXA
  20. VK3UAO
  21. VK4SMA
  22. ZL4NVW/p
  23. VK3NP
  24. VK5FANA
  25. VK3ANL

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

  1. VK4SMA
  2. F1BLL
  3. IW2NXI

I worked the following stations on 80m SSB:-

  1. Vk2EXA
  2. Vk3PF
  3. VK3KAI
  4. VK3UAO
  5. VK3YY
  6. VK2DG
  7. VK5MK
  8. VK3PWG
  9. VK7ID
  10. VK2DG
  11. ZL2STR
  12. VK5ARZ
  13. VK4EMP
  14. VK4TI
  15. VK3SPG
  16. VK3AMO
  17. VK1DI
  18. VK2CGH
  19. VK3SO
  20. VK1KAZ
  21. VK2DL
  22. VK3YV
  23. VK3CA
  24. VK3KAS
  25. VK2VRJ
  26. VK7AAE
  27. VK3HO
  28. VK5NM
  29. VK2MFW
  30. VK5DDD
  31. VK2PBC

References.

  1. http://www.victorianplaces.com.au. (n.d.). Stuart Mill | Victorian Places. [online] Available at: https://www.victorianplaces.com.au/stuart-mill [Accessed 20 Feb. 2024].
  2. ‌Dcceew.gov.au. (2023). Collaborative Australian Protected Areas Database (CAPAD) 2022 – DCCEEW. [online] Available at: https://www.dcceew.gov.au/environment/land/nrs/science/capad/2022 [Accessed 20 Feb. 2024].‌
  3. Hughes, A. (2019). It’s not over yet! [online] starnaudfieldnats. Available at: https://www.starnaudfieldnats.org.au/single-post/2019/11/06/its-not-over-yet [Accessed 20 Feb. 2024].‌
  4. Leslie James Blake, 1977, Place Names of Victoria.‌