It was now Saturday 13th April 2024, and my plans for the day were to activate some parks north of Elliston. After breakfast, I headed north on Flinders Highway.

My first stop was Woolshed Cave, part of the Talia Caves. Talia is an aboriginal word meaning ‘near water.’ The ‘Talia Run’ was named by John Harris Browne (b. 1817. d. 1904) under pastoral lease no. 1596 on land held, originally, by J.T. Symes from 2 January 1856 at Wedge Hill.

Above:- John Harris Browne. Image c/o Wikipedia.

The Talia Post Office was opened c. 1862. The Hundred of Talia was proclaimed on the 22nd day of September 1881. The town of Talia was proclaimed on the 17th day of May 1883. The Talia School opened in 1889 and closed in 1941. (Place Names 2012)

Woolshed Cave is a large cavern that is carved into the granite cliff by wave action. There are some wooden steps that lead down to the rocks. Woolshed Cave is located on Talia Caves Road off the Flinders Highway. Woolshed Cave is part of the Talia Caves. (South Australia 2023)

Below is a video I found on YouTube showing Woolshed Cave.

The western side of the Eyre Peninsula is absolutely spectacular. It rivals and exceeds other famous Australian coastlines. But it is a long way from Adelaide. Despite that there were numerous people travelling around the area in their caravans and motorhomes which was great to see.

I followed the dirt road along the coast and soon reached The Tub. a large crater in the cliff with a tunnel connection to the ocean. The Tub is 10 to 30 metres deep and 50 metres across with a granite base. (South Australia 2023)

A little further along is a parking area on a cliff face offering magnificent views of Talia Beach.

Along this dirt road, you will also find a monument for Sister D.B. Millard who was accidentally drowned on the 24th day of June 1948.

Doris Belle Millard was born in 1895 at Broadford, Victoria. As a child she lived at Broken Hill and received training as a nurse at the Broken Hill Hospital. In about 1923 she left Broken Hill and moved to the Eyre Peninsula. (Barrier Mail 1928)

On the 24th June 1928, Sister Millard came with friends to Talia for a picnic. The ‘motoring party’ consisted of Sister Millard, Mr & Mrs J.B. Hastings and Mr. & Mrs. W.H. Brownrigg. The day prior she had resigned from her position at Murat Bay (Ceduna) Hospital the day prior. Sister Millard walked to the cliff edge to take a photograph. Without any warning, the cliff beneath her collapsed and she fell into a blowhole fissure. Sadly her companions were unable to assist and watched her struggle in the ocean and finally drown. Her body was never recovered.  (Monument Australia 2024) (Terrible Drowning Fatality 1928)

Above:- Article from the Barrier Miner, Broken Hill, Tue 10 Jul 1928. Image c/o Trove.

It was a beautiful sunny day and I continued to enjoy some magnificent views of the coastline of the western Eyre Peninsula.

I then drove back along Talia Caves Road to the Flinders Highway.

I continued north along the Flinders Highway and then stopped at the monument for the Coodie School which operated from 1901-1916.

I then visited Mount Camel Beach, a pristine beach that is well known for surf fishing.

After leaving Mount Camel Beach I headed into the town of Venus Bay. Venus Harbor, now known as Venus Bay was chartered by explorer Matthew Flinders in 1802. (Wikipedia 2024)

Above:- Matthew Flinders. Image c/o Wikipedia.

In March 1839, an exploratory party aboard the brig Nerus landed in the bay. The party comprised Captain F.R. Lees, David McLaren, and Samuel Stephens. McLaren and Stephens were the current and former Colonial Managers of the South Australian Company who were examining the west coast of South Australia for potential special surveys. (Wikipedia 2024)

Above:- David McLaren. Image c/o Wikipedia.

During the 1850s sheep pastoralists settled in the area. IN 1850 in order to load wool, the bay was first entered by the 60 ton schooner Venus captained by Robert Venn. The bay took its name after this vessel. The Venus traded along the Australian coast before she was wrecked at Cronulla in 1852. (Wikipedia 2024)

Above:- Advertisement from the South Australian Register, Sat 20 Nov 1847. Image c/o Trove

A whaling station was established in the area in the 1850s. A small settlement sprung up which consisted of a shop, a hotel and a police station. The Police Commissioners Report which appeared in the South Australian Register on Saturday 2nd February 1856 recored that there were eleven aboriginal mounted constables of the Native Police Force stationed at Venus Bay under the command of Sergeant Eyre. (SA Register 1855) (Wikipedia 2024)

Above:- Item from the South Australian Register, Sat 2 Feb 1856.

The town of Venus Bay was surveyed in August 1864 as ‘Parkin’. It was named in honour of William Parkin (b. 1801. d. 1889), a notable businessman, politician, and philanthropist. It was offered for sale on the 22nd day of June 1865. (Aust Dict Biography 2024) (Place Names 2012) (Wikipedia 2024)

Above:- William Parkin. Image c/o Wikipedia.

The name of the town was changed on the 19th day of September 1940 to align with the name of the bay, Venus Bay. (Wikipedia 2024)

Above:- Article from the Port Lincoln Times, Thu 1 Aug 1940. Image c/o Trove.

In 1880 a jetty was constructed following the presentation of a petition to the government in August 1877 by Mr. Patrick Boyce Coglin (b. 1815. d. 1892). Coglin was a businessman and politician. He was known as “Polysyllabic Coglin” for his love and frequent use of long and obscure words (Place Names 2012) (Wikipedia 2024)

Above:- Patrick Boyce Coglin. Image c/o Wikipedia.

The Venus Bay School was opened in 1939 and was closed in 1955. (Place Names 2012)

Above:- Students at the Venus Bay School in 1941. Image c/o Port Lincoln Times, Fri 31 Aug 1984

Today Venus Bay is a popular but small tourist and fishing town.

Before heading to my park activation I stopped at the monument for the explorer Edward John Eyre who stopped at thus point to use the water at the well.

Edward John Eyre (5 August 1815 – 30 November 1901) was an English land explorer of the Australian continent, colonial administrator

Above:- Edward John Eyre. Image c/o Wikipedia.

Venus Bay Conservation Park comprises land on the Weyland Peninsula on the south side of Venus Bay, land on the north west side of the bay to the west of the town of Port Kenny and the seven islands located within the bay. (Wikipedia 2024)

Above:- The park boundaries of the Venus Bay Conservation Park. Image c/o Google Earth.

Venus Bay Conservation Park is about 1,460 hectares in size. The park was proclaimed on the 12th day of February 1976 and was originally proclaimed to protect ‘important feeding and breeding grounds for many native birds’. This includes oyster catchers, terns, rock parrots, pacific gulls, and quali. (Venus Bay Man Plan 2006) (Wikipedia 2024)

Venus Bay consists of seven island including Germein Island, Garden Island, Tank Island. In 1975 these islands were withdrawn from the control of the Minister of Marine and were proclaimed as a Conservation Park in 1976. In 1977 an eastern area of the Weyland Peninsula was added to the park. In 1993 further sections of land were added. (Venus Bay Man Plan 2006)

Above:- An aerial view of Venus Bay. Image c/o Google Maps.

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

I worked the following stations on 40m

1. VK5FR/m
2. Vk3BEL
3. VK5MAZ
4. VK3PF
5. VK3KAI
6. VI60ATZ (VKFF-1778)
7. VK5LA/m
8. VK5IS
9. VK5QA/p
10. Vk3BBB
11. VK2CCP
12. VK5BE
13. VK2EXA
14. VK5TUX
15. VK3GJG
16. VK5HS/m
17. VK5DW
18. VK3MTT
19. VK3CEO
20. VK3PJR
21. VK5AAF
22. VK3NCR
23. VK5FB
24. VK5KAW/m
25. VK3FRC
26. VK5LEX
27. VK5WE
28. VK5AYL
29. VK3ZK/p (Tocumwal Regional Park VKFF-0978)

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

1. VK5MAZ
2. VK3PF
3. VK3KAI
4. VK1ARQ
5. VK4NH
6. VK4DXA
7. VK1AO
8. VK2MET
9. VK3BBB
10. VK2CCP
11. VK7XX
12. VK3SQ
13. VK2BD
14. ZL3RIK
15. VK2OZI/p (VKFF-1399)
16. VK4DNO
17. VK3DL
18. VK4EMP
19. VK4TI
20. VK7HBR
21. VK3VIN
22. VK3CEO
23. VK2HAK
24. VK4HAT
25. VK2VW
26. VK2HFI
27. VK2AKA
28. Vk2BUG
29. VK7EE
30. ZL2STR/p
31. VK2MOR
32. VK3SO
33. VK3SFG
34. VK2IO/p (VKFF-1375 & SOTA VK2/ ST-009)
35. VK6LK
36. VK6LMK
37. VK3EJ
38. VK3ZSC
39. VK4DRK/p
40. VK4FOX
41. VK7AZ/m
42. VK4HG
43. VK6NU
44. Vk2KA
45. VK3MAP/9
46. ZL1TM
47. VK4CZ
48. VK2WG
49. VK4MUD

References.

1. DEATH OF SISTER MILLARD. (1928). Barrier Miner. [online] 10 Jul. Available at: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/46025607?searchTerm=doris%20millard%20drowned [Accessed 6 Jun. 2024].
2. ‌Departmentr for Environment and Heritage, 2006, Venus Bay Conservation Park Management Plan.
3. Dissel, D.V. (n.d.). William Parkin (1801–1889). [online] Australian Dictionary of Biography. Available at: https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/parkin-william-4367 [Accessed 6 Jun. 2024].
4. NO. 5.— STRENGTH OF THE NATIVE POLICE FORCE OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA ON THE 31ST DECEMBER. 1855. (1856). South Australian Register. [online] 2 Feb. Available at: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/49749377?searchTerm=venus%20bay [Accessed 6 Jun. 2024].
5. ‌published.collections.slsa.sa.gov.au. (n.d.). A Compendium of the Place Names of South Australia. [online] Available at: https://published.collections.slsa.sa.gov.au/placenamesofsouthaustralia/ [Accessed 6 Jun. 2024].‌
6. ‌southaustralia.com. (2023). Talia Caves – Talia, Attraction | South Australia. [online] Available at: https://southaustralia.com/products/eyre-peninsula/attraction/talia-caves [Accessed 6 Jun. 2024].
7. TERRIBLE DROWNING FATALITY. (1928). West Coast Sentinel. [online] 29 Jun. Available at: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/168249842?searchTerm=doris%20millard%20drowned [Accessed 6 Jun. 2024].
8. Wikipedia. (2022). Venus Bay. [online] Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venus_Bay [Accessed 6 Jun. 2024].‌‌
9. ‌Wikipedia. (2023). Patrick Boyce Coglin. [online] Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patrick_Boyce_Coglin [Accessed 6 Jun. 2024].
10. ‌www.monumentaustralia.org.au. (n.d.). Sister D. B. Millard | Monument Australia. [online] Available at: https://www.monumentaustralia.org.au/themes/people/tragedy/display/51858-sister-d.-b.-millard [Accessed 6 Jun. 2024].
    ‌

My final activation for Friday 12th April 2024, was the Lake Newland Conservation Park VKFF-1046. The park is located about 9 km north of Elliston and about 656 km from Adelaide

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

After my dinner, I headed north out of Ellison along the Flinders Highway. This highway connects the towns of Cedun a and Port Lincoln and was named in honour of the famous explorer Captain Matthew Flinders.

Above:- Captain Matthew Flinders. Image c/o Wikipedia.

I was hoping to access the park off the Flinders Highway. I reached a park sign and a gate with a track leading down to the park, but I was unsure if I was allowed access at this particular point. It turned out that this was Lake Newland Road and access was probably allowed. But I erred on the side of caution and headed back south.

The sun was setting and there was a magnificent sunset to be enjoyed as I travelled down the highway.

I accessed the park via Walkers Rock Road. Sadly it was almost dark by the time I got into the park so I only managed a couple of quick photographs.

The park stretches along the coastline from near Three Lakes Road in the south to Mount Damper Road at Talia to the north. The park features the most extensive wetland on the Eyre Peninsula. (Parks SA 2024)

Above:- The park boundaries of the Lake Newland Conservation Park. Image c/o Google Earth.

The Lake Newland Conservation Park is about 8,880 hectares in size and was first proclaimed on the 1st day of August 1991 with additional areas added to the park on the 27th day of June 1996 and the 14th day of October 2010. (Birds SA 2024)

Above:- An aerial view of the Lake Newland Conservation Park. Image c/o Google Maps.

The park has three specific vegetation types: Coastal Dune area, Saline Lakes and Flats, and Limestone Plains. (Birds SA 2024)

Birds SA have recorded about 111 native species of bird in the park including Cape Barren Goose, Pied Oystercatcher, Singing Honeyeater, Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater, Willie Wagtail, and Silvereye. (Birds SA 2024)

I drove down to the Walkers Rock campground and set up in one of the empty camp parking areas. I ran the Yaesu FT857, 40 watts, and the 20/40/80m linked dipole supported on the 7-metre heavy-duty squid pole.

I logged a total of 82 contacts on 20, 40 & 80m SSB.

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK7IAN
2. VK5MAZ
3. VK3SPG
4. VK2RO
5. VK2EXA
6. Vk2YW
7. Vk1AO
8. VK2MET
9. VK3SX
10. VK3PWG
11. KD1CT
12. VK5GY
13. Vk4DNO
14. VK3APJ
15. VK3CEO
16. KG8P
17. VK5FANA
18. VK5TUX
19. VK6LK
20. VK6LMK
21. VK3PF
22. VK3KAI
23. VK4NH
24. VK4DXA
25. VK3CWF
26. VK3SO
27. VK3SFG
28. VK2IO/p (Tallaganda National Park VKFF-0474)
29. VK5NM
30. VK4EMP
31. VK4TI
32. VK3EJ
33. VK2HAK
34. VK5JBH
35. VK2DG
36. VK4NRI
37. VK3VPM
38. VK4KD
39. VK5FR/p (Lincoln National Park VKFF-0286)
40. VK4SMA
41. VK5BRU
42. Vk3GB
43. Vk3NFS
44. VK3SQ
45. VK2BD
46. JF7RJM
47. VK5KVA
48. VK5DW
49. VK7MAD
50. VK2LQ
51. VK2PCT
52. VK5AMH
53. VK5PE
54. VK5AYL
55. VK4HMI
56. VK5CX
57. VK5RU

I worked the following stations on 80m SSB:-

1. VK5DW
2. VK3PF
3. VK3KAI
4. VK5MAZ
5. VK2HAK
6. Vk5NM
7. Vk3GL/p
8. VK4NH
9. VK4DXA
10. VK5TUX
11. VK5CZ
12. Vk3CWF
13. VK5HAA
14. VK5KVA
15. VK5BRU
16. VK3SMW

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

1. W1FDY
2. N3SJL
3. VK6CB
4. VE9CF/p
5. N4HOZ
6. N4C
7. VK6ZG
8. VK6JDW
9. VK6ZLO

References.

1. Anon, (n.d.). Newland – Birding – Birdwatching – South Australia – Eyre Peninsula – Birds SA | birdssa.asn.au/location/lake-newland-conservation-park/. [online] Available at: https://birdssa.asn.au/location/lake-newland-conservation-park/ [Accessed 5 Jun. 2024].
2. National Parks and Wildlife Service South Australia. (n.d.). Lake Newland Conservation Park. [online] Available at: https://www.parks.sa.gov.au/parks/lake-newland-conservation-park [Accessed 5 Jun. 2024].‌‌

After leaving Darke Peak I headed to Lock, about 50 km away in the centre of the Eyre Peninsula. Lock is about 594 km from Adelaide. My intentions were to get a bite to eat and then activate the Lock silo VK-LCK5.

Above:- Map showing the location of Lock on the Eyre Peninsula. Map c/o Google Maps.

The town of Lock was surveyed in January 1918 by C.M. Hambidge. It was named in honour of a fallen soldier of the First World War, Sergeant Albert Ernest Lock. The town was proclaimed on the 7th day of March 1918. This followed requests from local people for building allotments adjacent to the Terre railway station. The Lock Post Office opened on the 1st day of January 1923. (Place Names 2012)

Albert Ernest Lock was born on the 9th day of June 1887 at Bridgewater, South Australia. His parents were Alfred Lock and Mary Jessie Ann Lock nee Le Gallez. He had one younger sister, Marjorie Ellen. Albert attended Prince Alfred Way College. After leaving school he worked as a clerk and civil engineer with the South Australian Department of Lands. (ancestry.com.au) (Virtual War Memorial 2024)

Above:- Albert with his parents and sister. Image c/o ancestry.com.au

On the 20th day of January 1916, Albert enlisted with the Australian Imperial Force. (Virtual War Memorial 2024)

Above:- Albert Ernest Lock. Image c/o Australian War Memorial.

On the 3rd day of October 1916, he sailed from Melbourne aboard HMAT A60 Aeneas. Following training on Salisbury Plain he left for France with the 120th Howitzer Battery. (Virtual War Memorial 2024)

Above:- Attestation certificate of Albert Lock. Image c/o ancestry.com.au

Albert’s service number was 29888. He served with the 2nd Field Artillery Brigade. (Virtual War Memorial 2024)

Above:- Albert Lock with his Artillery Reinforcements colleagues. Image c/o Virtual War Memorial.

Albert was killed in action on the 9th day of October 1917, at Passchendale, Ypres, Belgium. He was just 29 years old. (ancestry.com.au)

Above:- Casualty form for Albert Lock. Image c/o ancestry.com.au

The following was reported in military documentation by one of his colleagues:

“Sgt Lock …was hit by a piece of shell up by Westhoek Ridge and taken by our men to a Dressing Station and died going down. He is buried at Dickenbush Cemetery and a cross was erected. I saw him hit as I was only a few yards away, but I was not at the burial, several of our boys were.”

Another stated:

“Lock was Acting S/M and was killed at 5 o clock in the morning coming out of the officer’s dugout at Westhoeak Ridge. He was hit, rushed back and said ‘Ive lost my arm’. He was immediately dressed but died before reaching the d/s about half a mile away……..He was a very popular fellow.”

Above:- Report his Albert’s death. Image c/o Virtual War Memorial.

He was buried at The Huts Military Cemetery, Dickebusch, Belgium. He is the only known WW1 soldier to be honoured in Australia by having a town named after him. (ancestry.com.au) (Lock Facebook 2024) (Virtual War Memorial 2024)

Above:- Albert’s headstone at The Huts Military Cemetery. Image c/o ancestry.com.au

The town of Lock is located in the geographic centre of the Eyre Peninsula. It is surrounded by predominantly flat farming land. Lock’s population is about 290 people. (Wikipedia 2024)

The Lock silos are located on the eastern side of Railway Terrace.

After getting some lunch at the Lock bakery, I headed to the Lock silos.

I parked adjacent to the silos and ran the Icom IC-7000, 100 watts, and the Codan 9350 antenna with the 1.5 metre stainless steel ship.

Above:- the activation zone of the Lock silo. Image c/o SiOTA website.

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

1. VK4EMP
2. VK4TI
3. VK1AO
4. VK2MET
5. VK4NH
6. VK4DXA
7. VK3APJ
8. VK5MAZ
9. VK3PF
10. VK3VIN
11. VK6AB
12. VK3EJ
13. VK3PWG
14. VK3CMA/p (Whroo Natural Features Reserve VKFF-2229)

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK3PF
2. VK5MAZ
3. VK3APJ
4. VK5TUX
5. VK5FANA

I left Lock and headed to Elliston about 92 km to the west.

I stopped at the Sylvia Birdseye memorial on the Birdseye Highway.

Sylvia Jessie Catherine Merrill was born on the 26th day of January 1902 near Port Augusta. Her parents were Charles De Witt Merrill and Elizabeth Ann Merrill. In 1921 Sylvia moved to Adelaide to work in the office of a family friend Alfred Birdseye. He had established South Australia’s first motor transport, the Adelaide to Mannum bus. Bored with office work and finding bus driving more appealing, Sylvia obtained a commercial bus driving licence. She was the first woman in South Australia to do so. (Eyre Peninsula Facebook 2024) (Wikipedia 2024)

In October 1923 she married Alred’s son, Sydney Birdseye. Following the sale of the Mannum service in 1926, Sylvia and Sydney commenced a bus service between Adelaide and Port Augusta. They subsequently extended the services to Port Lincoln, Streaky Bay and Ceduna. (Eyre Peninsula Facebook 2024) (Wikipedia 2024)

Above:- Birdseye bus service vehicles, c. 1926. Sylvia is on the far right. Image c/o State Library South Australia.

Prior to the Second World War, the roads on the Eyre Peninsula were extremely rough dirt tracks. Sylvia Birdseye had a reputation for her driving skills and toughness. He wore overalls, changed her own tyres and conducted her own maintenance on the vehicles. (Eyre Peninsula Facebook 2024) (Wikipedia 2024)

In 1946, Sylvia was driving a bus and became bogged south of Whyalla. Sylvia and her 25 passengeres were isolated by flood waters for a total of 8 days and rations werte required to be dropped to the starnded group by aircraft. (Wikipedia 2024)

Above:- Article from The Advertiser, Thu 21 Feb 1946. Image c/o Trove.

Following the death of her husband in 1954, Sylvia continued to oeprate the service. In 1962 whilst preparing for a service to Port Lincoln, she suffered a stroke and sadly, died the following day. (Wikipedia 2024)

The Birdseye Highway on the Eyre Peninsula is named in her honour. It was the first highway in South Australia to be named in honour of a lady. (Wikipedia 2024)

I continued west on the Birdseye Highway passing Mount Wedge.

I found this very interesting post box outside a property on the highway.

After about an hour I reached Elliston.

I booked into my accomodation at the Elliston caravan park.

I then headed to the local roadhouse for a steak sandwich and enjoyed a magnificent sunset.

Atter my dinner I headed out to the Lake Newland Conservation Park for an activation.

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.
2. published.collections.slsa.sa.gov.au. (n.d.). A Compendium of the Place Names of South Australia. [online] Available at: https://published.collections.slsa.sa.gov.au/placenamesofsouthaustralia/ [Accessed 4 Jun. 2024].‌
3. vwma.org.au. (n.d.). Albert Ernest (Bert) LOCK. [online] Available at: https://vwma.org.au/explore/people/229985 [Accessed 4 Jun. 2024].
4. ‌Wikipedia. (2022). Lock. [online] Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lock.%5BAccessed 4 Jun. 2024]
5. Wikipedia. (2023). Sylvia Birdseye. [online] Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sylvia_Birdseye [Accessed 4 Jun. 2024].
6. http://www.facebook.com. (n.d.). Log in or sign up to view. [online] Available at: https://www.facebook.com/LockMuseum/ [Accessed 4 Jun. 2024].
7. http://www.facebook.com. (n.d.). Log in or sign up to view. [online] Available at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/853025608099512 [Accessed 4 Jun. 2024].‌‌

I had hoped to activate Darke Peak next for the Summits On The Air (SOTA) program, but I was running short of time. So instead I activated the Darke Peak silo VK-DRK5.

Darke Peak is located on the Eyre Peninsula, about 516 km by road from the city of Adelaide.

Darke Peak is a small agricultural town in central Eyre Peninsula. The Hundred of Darke was proclaimed on the 3rd day of February 1910. The town of Carappee (now Darke Peak) was proclaimed on the 4th day of June 1914. The town’s school opened in 1917. (SA Heritage Register) (SA Place Names 2012)

Above:- the proclamation of the town. Image c/o SA Govt Gazette, June 4th 1914.

The town of Carappee had its name changed on the 19th day of September 1940.

Above:- Article from the Chronicle, Adelaide, Thu 1 Aug 1940. Image c/o Trove.

The town is named in honour of John Charles Darke, an explorer and surveyor. He was born in 1806 in Hereford, England. He emigrated as a young man to Australia in 1824 and arrived in Van Diemen’s Land aboard the Heroine.

Above:- John Darke. Image c/o John Charles Darke Australian Explorer Facebook page.

In 1826 he was awarded 500 acres of land for his assistance in the pursuit of two bushrangers, Thomas Jeffries and Matthew Brady @ Gentleman Brady. He earned this alias due to his good treatment and manners when robbing his victims. In 1827 his father arrived in Van Diemens Land and took up land adjoining his son’s property. (Aust Dict Biography 2024) (Gentleman Brady 1932)

Above:- Bushranger Matthew Brady. Image c/o Wikipedia.

Darke did not take to the farming life and instead became an assistant surveyor in the Survey Department. He then became a private land agent and surveyor. By the mid 1830s Darke had moved to Victoria where he became surveyor to the Port Phillip Association. He assisted in laying out the city of Melbourne in 1837 and also Geelong and Williamstown. In 1838 he joined the South Australia Survey Department of South Australia. (Aust Dict Biography 2024) (Place Names 2012)

In 1843 ‘Darke’s North-Western Exploratory Expedition’ was organised for the purpose of searching for good country east of Anxious Bay and Coffin Bay. Two sailors who had run away from a whaling ship had reported the good land. On the 12th day of April 1844, Darke sailed on the Governor Gawler to Port Lincoln from Adelaide. On the 29th day of August 1844, the party of 4 led by Darke left Port Lincoln. The party comprised surveyor John Henry Theakston who was Darke’s friend and second in command. There were two other men hired as tent keepers and cooks, one called James Howard. (Aust DIct Biography 2024) (Darke’s NW Expl Expedition 9 Nov 1844) (JC Darke Expedition 1944) (Monuments Australia 2024) (Place Names 2012)

The party passed Lake Wangary to Wedge Hill and Wudinna Hill. In his journal Darke described the land as ‘excellent sheep and cattle country.‘ The party did not sight any suitable land beyond the Gawler Ranges and turned back. (Aust DIct Biography 2024) (JC Darke Expedition 1944)

On the 23rd day of October 1844, near Waddikee Rocks (northwest of Darke Peak), Darke was speared by Aboriginals and seriously injured. He sustained three spear wounds. (Aust Dict Biography 2024) (Darke’s NW Expl Expedition 9 Nov 1844)

Above:- The murder of John Darke. Image c/o John Charles Darke Australian Explorer Facebook page.

Sadly Darke died from his injuries the following day on the 24th day of October 1844, five minutes before midnight. He was buried at the foot of what is now known as Darke Peak. (Darke’s NW Expl Expedition 9 Nov 1844)

In his affidavit Theakston stated:

“Natives had accompanied our party the whole of the proceeding dat, and Mr. Darke has made presents to them of tools, & c. also of sugar and damper, the latter of which they would not eat.” (Darke’s NW Expl Expedition 9 Nov 1844)

In the South Australian Register, Saturday 9th November 1844, Charles Driver the Government Resident at Port Lincoln stated:

“Sir-It is my mournful duty to apprise you, for the information of his Excellency the Governor, that Mr. Darke, who, with an exploring party, left Port Lincoln on the 29th August last, died on the 24th ultimo, from injuries inflicted by natives unknown….” (Darke’s NW Expl Expedition 1844)

Above:- Article from the South Australian, Fri 8 Nov 1844. Image c/o Trove.

Darke’s final diary entry was on the 22nd day of October 1844:

“Accompanied by the [three] blacks who were joined by nine others, I proceeded to the waterhole, about three miles, but more easterly than our course; and came about 2 o’clock to a large gritstone rock where I found abundance of feed and water on a plain about 200 yards wide by half a mile long, surrounded by thick scrub. The natives accompanied us until just before encamping. I gave them all I could spare for taking us to the water. They seemed very friendly disposed…” (Darke’s NW Expl Expedition 13 Nov 1844)

Darke’s diary continues in the hand of Theakston who wrote:

“It is with sorrow I am compelled to continue the hourn al of Mr Darke, he having been speared by three natives – whom he had treated the most kind manner the day previous……….I here dressed the wounds of Mr Darke, and bled him, but found his extremities getting cold, and I informed him. I feared the event. At 10 o’clock he told me he was dying, that mortification had taken place, he was out of pain; he gave me his last commands and died at five minutes to twelve, quite calm to the last minute. I carried the body of Mr Darke to the Table Topped Peaks and buried him on a small grassy plain at the foot of them, in a grave five feet deep.” (Darke’s NW Expl Expedition 13 Nov 1844)

It was reported in 1944 that one theory for the hostile action was that there had been an encroachment on a ceremonial ground. Another account was that there was a plan to kill all of the party, but by Theakston firing a shot, prevented the plan from being carried out. (JC Darke Expedition 1944)

In 1865 surveyor Thomas Evans named the peak of Darke Peak in honour of John Charles Darke. He had been performing a trigonometrical survey of the Gawler Ranges. (Cleve 2020)

The prominent building in the town is the Darke Peak Hotel.

Across the road from the hotel is the ‘Hellbent Hotel’. It was built in 1980 so that locals could continue to celebrate following the closure for the night of the Darke Peak Hotel.

Alongside the Hellbent Hotel is an information shelter with lots of information about famous Darke Peak locals including John Darke, softballer Simone Morrow and AFL football Brett Chalmers.

There is also Erica the Emua sculpture, the work of Peter ‘Turtle’ Crosby.

The video below tells the story of Eric @ Erica

The Darke Peak silos are located on the western side of Balumbah-Kinnard Road (the main street of Darke Peak).

I operated from the 4WD, running the Icom IC-7300, 100 watts, and the Codan 9350 antenna with the 1.5 metre stainless steel whip.

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK5MAZ
2. VK2IO/p (SOTA VK2/ ST-001)
3. VK5HS
4. VK8ZWM
5. VK5TUX
6. VK5KLV
7. VK3PF
8. VK5FB
9. VK3APJ
10. VK2YW

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

1. VK3PF
2. VK1AO
3. VK2MET
4. VK5MAZ
5. VK3EJ
6. VK3GJG
7. VK7HBR
8. VK3CEO
9. VK3UCD
10. VK7XX
11. VK3BEL
12. VK4NH
13. VK4DXA
14. VK7AAE
15. OH2CGU
16. VK2VIN

Following the activation I visited the gravesite of John Charles Darke.

There are some excellent views of the Darke Range from this spot.

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.
2. Cleve, D.C. of (2020). LOCAL HISTORY. [online] District Council of Cleve. Available at: https://www.cleve.sa.gov.au/community/history. [Accessed 3 Jun. 2024].
3. DARKE’S NORTH-WESTERN EXPLORATORY EXPEDITION. (1844). South Australian Register. [online] 9 Nov. Available at: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/73841911?searchTerm=john%20darke [Accessed 3 Jun. 2024].
4. ‌DARKE’S NORTH WESTERN EXPLORATORY EXPEDITION. (1844). South Australian Register. [online] 13 Nov. Available at: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/27448479?searchTerm=john%20darke [Accessed 3 Jun. 2024].
   ‌‘GENTLEMAN BRADY.’ (1932). Queensland Times. [online] 26 Feb. Available at: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/113204554 [Accessed 3 Jun. 2024].
5. ‌monumentaustralia.org.au. (n.d.). Centenary of John Darke`s Expedition | Monument Australia. [online] Available at: https://monumentaustralia.org.au/themes/people/exploration/display/117413-centenary-of-john-darke%60s-expedition [Accessed 3 Jun. 2024].
6. ‌published.collections.slsa.sa.gov.au. (n.d.). A Compendium of the Place Names of South Australia. [online] Available at: https://published.collections.slsa.sa.gov.au/placenamesofsouthaustralia/ [Accessed 2 Jun. 2024].‌
7. The J. C. Darke Expedition, 1844. (1944). Port Lincoln Times. [online] 7 Sep. Available at: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/99912031 [Accessed 3 Jun. 2024].
8. ‌South Australian Heritage Register. Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources.
9. Stancombe, G.H. (n.d.). Darke, John Charles (1806–1844). [online] Australian Dictionary of Biography. Available at: https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/darke-john-charles-1955. [Accessed 2 Jun. 2024].‌‌

My next activation for Friday 12th April 2024 was the Caralue Bluff Conservation Park VKFF-1015 and Caralue Bluff VK-SW-002. The park and summit are located about 41 km (by road) southwest of Kimba and about 505 km from Adelaide.

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

After leaving the Tola Conservation Reserve I drove south on Balumbah Hill Road until reaching the Eyre Highway. I then turned left onto Balumbah-Kinnard Road and headed south. Along the way, I was able to clearly see Caralue Bluff off in the distance.

Caralue is an aboriginal word with uncertain meanings. Some sources claim it is an aboriginal word for curlews, whilst the SA Museum claims it means ‘long way’ or ‘far off’. (Place Names 2012)

The summit was named in 1864 by a surveyor, Thomas Evans (b. 1819. d. 1882). His son William Greig Evans was also a surveyor and it is believed that he surveyed and subdivided more land than any other surveyor in South Australia. Caralue Bluff Run was held by G. Standley from 1875. (Monuments Australia 2024) (Place Names 2012)

Above:- The headstone of Thomas Evans at the North Road cemetery. Image c/o ancestry.com.au

The Hundred of Caralue was proclaimed on the 26th day of July 1917. The town of Caralue was proclaimed on the 16th day of December 1926. In 1929 the Caralue School opened and closed in 1942. (Place Names 2012)

Above:- Article from the Kimba Dispatch, Fri 15 Mar 1929. Image c/o Trove.

Caralue Bluff qualifies for the Summits On The Air (SOTA) program. It is 468 metres above sea level and is worth just 1 point. The only prior activation of the summit was by myself back in June 2013.

Above:- An aerial view of Caralue Bluff. Image c/o Google Maps.

The Caralue Bluff Conservation Park is about 2,157 hectares in size. It is south of the Eyre Highway between Cows Head Corner Road and Pine Flat Road. (CAPAD 2022)

Above:- An aerial view of the Caralue Bluff Conservation Park showing the park’s boundaries and the SOTA summit. Image c/o Google Earth.

The conservation park was first known as the Caralue Bluff Conservation Reserve, established on the 9th day of December 1993. It was formerly a part of the Caralue Bluff Water Conservation Reserve. On the 6th day of September 2012, the land forming the conservation reserve and an adjacent parcel of land was constituted as the Caralue Bluff Conservation Park. (Wikipedia 2024)

To reach the summit I followed a dirt track which is opposite the Caralue Reservoir. There is a gate but it is not locked.

I followed the track until I reached another closed but unlocked gate.

As I drove along the track I could see the Waddikee silos off in the distance.

As I drove along the track I could see up towards the top of the summit and the rugged granite face of the summit.

There are telecommunications towers on the top of the summit and the equipment did throw off a bit of interference on the 40m band.

There is a trigonometrical point (trig point) and a rock cairn at the top of the summit.

Whilst I was activating a pair of Wedge Tailed Eagles glided above me. Absolutely majestic birds. They are the largest bird of prey in Australia with a wingspan of up to 2.84 metres.

It was a beautiful day with some magnificent views to enjoy of the surrounding countryside including the nearby summits of Darke Peak and Carappee Hill.

The area around the communications equipment is not within the park, so I set up a short distance down the dirt track within the SOTA activation zone. I ran the Yaesu FT857, 40 watts and the 20/40/80m linked dipole. The 20m band was very quiet, but there was a strength 7 noise floor on the 40m band.

Above:- The area around the communications equipment at the summit. Image c/o Google Earth.

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

1. VK5MAZ
2. VK1DI
3. VK7XX
4. VK3PF
5. Vk3KAI
6. VK3BWS
7. VK7HBR
8. VK4EMP
9. VK4TI
10. VK1AO
11. VK2MET
12. ZL1TM
13. VK3VIN
14. VK4NH
15. VK4DXA
16. VK3EJ
17. ZL3MR
18. VK2YW
19. VK6NU
20. VK3ZSC
21. VK7AAE
22. VK3BEL
23. VK2KEV
24. VK3DL
25. ZL3ASN
26. VK2VW
27. VK2HFI
28. VK2AKA
29. VK2BUG
30. VK2EXA
31. VK4PDX
32. VK5QA
33. VK3CLD
34. VK7RC
35. Vk3ANL
36. VK1ARQ
37. VK4EHI

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK5LA
2. VK5KAW
3. VK5MAZ
4. VK5TUX
5. VK3BBB
6. VK2CCP
7. VK5KBJ
8. VK5DW
9. VK5AAF
10. VK5CZ
11. VK3MTT
12. VK3BEL
13. VK5WU
14. VKk3PF
15. VK3KAI
16. VK2UXO
17. VK3OT
18. VK5NM

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.
2. monumentaustralia.org.au. (n.d.). William Greig Evans | Monument Australia. [online] Available at: https://monumentaustralia.org.au/themes/people/government—colonial/display/116962-william-greig-evans- [Accessed 2 Jun. 2024].
3. ‌published.collections.slsa.sa.gov.au. (n.d.). A Compendium of the Place Names of South Australia. [online] Available at: https://published.collections.slsa.sa.gov.au/placenamesofsouthaustralia/ [Accessed 2 Jun. 2024].‌
4. Wikipedia. (2022). Caralue Bluff Conservation Park. [online] Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caralue_Bluff_Conservation_Park [Accessed 2 Jun. 2024].
   ‌

A few days ago I received my latest WWFF Activator Points Award certificate.

Thank you to all of the WWFF participants and to Swa ON5SWA the Awards Manager.

It was now day three of my trip, Friday 12th April 2024. Before heading out to activate a park I had a final look around Kimba.

My first stop was the Kimba Pioneer Memorial Arch on Buckleboo Road at the Recreation Reserve. The Kimba area was first settled in the 1870s. The memorial arch commemorates the courage and faith of the early pioneers of Kimba. (Monument Australia 2024)

At the recreation reserve, you can find some excellent murals. The first is called ‘Sharing our History’ and is dedicated to the pioneers of the Kimba district. It was pained in August 2001. The two other murals were painted by Neil Swanson and is dedicated to local wool/sheep growers. (Kimba District Council 2024)

I then drove up to Whites Knob Lookout which is an ironstone conglomerate just to the northwest of Kimba on Tola Road. There is a statue of explorer Edward John Eyre and an indigenous man at the top of the lookout. It was erected in November 2011 and was sculpted by Roland Weight and Marcus Possingham. (Kimba District Council 2024)

I then drove out to the Kimba Aerodrome and viewed the monument to honour Leslie ‘Allen’ Venning. He owned a private plane and conducted an emergency aerial service for the Kimba district for many years. In 1954 Mr Venning obtained his flight radio telephone operator licence and his full pilot licence. On that same day, he purchased an Auster plane which logged over 130 flights, several of which were used for emergency purposes. Mr Venning sold the plane and purchased another Auster followed by a Cessna. These planes logged 152 and 20 flights respectively. In the case of emergencies, Mr Venning removed the seats of his plane to accommodate a stretcher. Along with his brothers, Mr. Venning was involved in the preparation of the new aerodrome site in the 1950s. At this site Mr Venning built his own aerodrome hangar.

I then visited the Institute Memorial Gardens. The cross and Honour Roll erected in the gardens is in memory of the men and women who served Australia. The garden also features a memorial plaque erected to honour the pioneers and early settlers of the Kimba district.

Adjacent is the Kimba mosaic which showcases the eleven native Australian species found in the Kimba region. It includes the Red-capped robin, Chalky Wattle, Crested Dragon, Sandhill dunnart, Wooly-glandular daisy bush, Thorny Devil, Scarlet-chested Parrot, Galah, Major Mitchell Cockatoo, Bottlebrush hakea, and Malleefowl.

The area of Tola was named after Tola Tank on section 34, Hundred of Solomon. The Tola School opened in 1924 and closed in 1945. All that remains of the school is an old shed and some tyres used as part of a playground. (Place Names 2012)

The reserve is located on the corner of Tola Road and Balumba Hill Road.

Above:- An aerial view of the Tola Conservation Reserve. Image c/o Google Earth.

The Tola Conservation Reserve is about 30 hectares in size and was proclaimed on the 28th day of January 1988. (CAPAD 2022) (Place Names 2012)

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK5MAZ
2. VK5GY
3. VK3PF
4. VK3KAI
5. VK3APJ
6. VK5NM/p
7. VK5TUX
8. VK3BBB
9. VK2CCP
10. VK5HS
11. VK3CEO
12. VK2IO/p (Tallaganda National Park VKFF-0474 & SOTA VK2/ SM-049)
13. VK3VIN
14. VK3MTT
15. VK5FB
16. VK5CZ
17. VK3YV
18. VK3TNL
19. VK5AAY
20. VK5HMB
21. VK3PWG

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

1. VK2IO/p (Tallaganda National Park VKFF-0474 & VK2/ SM-049)
2. VK3CEO
3. VK5MAZ
4. VK1AO
5. VK2MET
6. VK4NH
7. VK4DXA
8. VK3BEL
9. VK4EHI
10. VK3PF
11. VK3KAI
12. VK6NU
13. VK3PWG
14. VK3TKK
15. VK7XX
16. VK2EXA
17. VK2YW
18. VK8RR
19. VK4MUD
20. VK2GSP
21. VK4EMP
22. VK4TI
23. VK7HBR
24. VK2VAR
25. VK2GOM
26. KG5CIK
27. VK3EJ
28. VK4HG
29. VK3DL
30. ZL1TM
31. VK7AAE
32. VK2COS

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.
2. Kimba, D.C. of (2019). Kimba District Council. [online] Kimba District Council. Available at: https://www.kimba.sa.gov.au [Accessed 1 Jun. 2024].
3. ‌monumentaustralia.org.au. (n.d.). Kimba Pioneer Memorial | Monument Australia. [online] Available at: https://monumentaustralia.org.au/themes/landscape/settlement/display/116651-kimba-pioneer-memorial [Accessed 1 Jun. 2024].
4. ‌published.collections.slsa.sa.gov.au. (n.d.). A Compendium of the Place Names of South Australia. [online] Available at: https://published.collections.slsa.sa.gov.au/placenamesofsouthaustralia/ [Accessed 31 May 2024].‌