On Wednesday 13th March 2024, I headed over to the Mount George Conservation Park VKFF-0784, at Bridgewater. It was our monthly meeting of the Strathalbyn Amateur Radio Group.
Above:- Map showing the location of the Mount George Conservation Park. Map c/o Google Maps.
Many people travelling along the busy South Eastern Freeway probably wouldn’t even know this park exists. The Mount George Conservation Park is located just on the northern side of the Freeway between Stirling and Bridgewater.
Above:- An aerial view of the Mount George CP. Image c/o Google Earth.
The park is about 85 hectares in size and was proclaimed on the 7th day of November 1996. On the 16th day of October 2003, an additional 18 hectares was added to the park. The park predominantly consists of messmate stringybark open forest. Other native vegetation in the park includes brown stringybark, mountain gum, and rough-barked manna gum. The understorey consists of sedges, grasses, herbs, and ferns. (Birds SA 2024)
The Mount George summit, 520 metres, is located within the park. Sadly it does not have the required prominence for the Summits on the Air (SOTA) program.
A total of 45 native bird species have been recorded in the park including Adelaide Rosella. White-throated Treecreeper, Superb Fairywren, Crescent Honeyeater, WHite-browned Scrubwren, Brown Thornbill, Striated Thornbill, Grey Faintail, and Silvereye. (Birds SA 2024)
During the 1840s much of the land in the area of the park was cleared by European settlers for farming and market gardens. (Parks SA 2024)
The park contains several walking trails. A section of the Heysen Trail also passes through the park. (Parks SA 2024)
Two Heritage agreements border the Mount George Conservation Park: Unnamed (No.HA856) and Unnamed (No.HA1609). (CAPAD 2022)
Above:- An aerial view of the park looking north. Image c/o Google Maps.
Those in attendance were Peter VK5PET, Robbie VK5MRS, and Bill VK5WMK.
I set up my portable station comprising the Yaesu FT857, 40 watts, and a 20/40/80m linked dipole, inverted v, supported by a 7-metre squid pole.
We operated from a shelter in the park.
Above:- Our operating spot for the afternoon.
Peter VK5PET who has previously activated several parks kicked off the afternoon and soon had a steady flow of callers.
Above:- Peter VK5PET with the mic, being watched by Bill VK5WMK.
Peter filled his log while the rest of us kicked back, had a few laughs, and tried to solve the world’s problems.
Above:- Myself with Robbie VK5MRS.
With some encouragement, Robbie and Bill then got on the air and made a handful of contacts each.
Above:- Robbie and Bill on air making some contacts.
I had previously activated and qualified this park several times, so I was not overly fussed about getting on air myself. It was all about showing Robbie and Bill the portable set-up.
It was a very enjoyable afternoon, and I am pleased to say that Robbie has since gone out and purchased a squid pole for portable operation. It was nice to get a couple of Park to Park contacts in the log with John VK4MUD. It was also very nice to get a bit of DX in the log – TK5AE in Corsica.
I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-
- VK4MUD/p (Ravensbourne Nature Refuge VKFF-4010)
- VK3AXH
- VK5PZ
- VK5GY
- VK5MAZ
- VK5KVA
- VK3VIN
- VK5FANA
- VK3PWG
- VK3APT
I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-
- VK4NH
- VK4DXA
- VK4MUD/p (Ravensbourne Nature Refuge VKFF-4010)
- VK7EE
- VK1AO
- VK2MET
- ZL3MR
- TK5AE
- VK7XX
References.
- Anon, (n.d.). Mount George Conservation Park – Birds SA. [online] Available at: https://birdssa.asn.au/location/mount-george-conservation-park/ [Accessed 9 May 2024].
- 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 9 May 2024].
- National Parks and Wildlife Service South Australia. (n.d.). Mount George Conservation Park. [online] Available at: https://www.parks.sa.gov.au/parks/mount-george-conservation-park [Accessed 9 May 2024]
VK5PAS 