Here is my latest VKFF Activator Honour Roll certificate, issued for having activated 650 VKFF references.

Thank you to all of the WWFF Hunters and to Adam VK2YK the VK5 VKFF State Rep for the certificate.

Here is my latest VKFF Hunter Honour Roll certificate, issued for having hunted 2,150 VKFF references.

Thank you to all of the VKFF Activators and to Adam VK2YK the VK5 VKFF State Rep for the certificate.

After leaving the Pidgeon Tank Bushland Reserve on Thursday 22nd August 2024, I drove a short distance to my next park activation, the Symes Bushland Reserve VKFF-4202.

The reserve is about 30 km southwest of Ouyen in northwest Victoria.

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

The reserve is located on the western side of Hopetoun-Walpeup Road at the junction of Munro Road.

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

The reserve is about 30 hectares in size and was established on the 1st day of May 1979. (CAPAD 2022)

I ran the Yaesu FT857d, 40 watts, and the 20/40/80m linked dipole for this activation.

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

1. VK4EMP
2. VK4TI
3. VK4GKO
4. VK5MAZ
5. VK5QA/4
6. VK3CLD/4
7. VK2DBF/4
8. F5PYI
9. M1TES/M
10. ON4BB
11. VK2IO
12. VK2GEZ
13. DL1EBR
14. VK2VW
15. VK2HFI
16. VK2AKA
17. VK2BUG
18. UT5PI
19. VK4SMA
20. F1BLL
21. VK4HNS
22. S58AL
23. SQ9CWO
24. OH6GAZ
25. DH4PSG
26. F5NZO
27. DK4RM
28. OP7M
29. IZ5JMZ
30. EA3MP
31. IK1GPG
32. KG5CIK
33. SP9RXP
34. S52KM
35. IW2NXI
36. VK4PDX
37. VK7HAM
38. OH1MM
39. ON4LO
40. ON7ZM
41. ZL4NVW/P (ZLFF-0006)
42. ZL3RIK
43. ON4VT
44. OK2TS
45. IK3HMB
46. VK6TTF
47. EA1GIB
48. OM5TX
49. VK6CB
50. VK2JJM
51. SP1JQJ

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK3SQ
2. VK2BD
3. VK2YW
4. VK3HJW
5. VK3APJ
6. VK3EJ
7. VK4FDJL
8. VK3MIJ
9. VK3VIN
10. VK3PF
11. VK4DNO
12. VK2IO
13. VK2GEZ
14. VK2MOE
15. VK1MO
16. VK2YAK
17. VK4YAK
18. VK2EXA
19. VK3ANL
20. VK7HAM
21. VK5JK
22. VK1DI
23. VK5WY
24. VK3SKS
25. VK3KRL
26. VK7PJM
27. VK3SO
28. VK3SFG
29. VK3WSG
30. VK3TV
31. VK3ACZ
32. VK4EMP
33. VK4TI
34. VK4GOZ
35. VK3MCK
36. VK5MRS

With 87 QSOs in the log, I packed up and headed west towards Murrayville where I planned on staying for a few nights.

Along the way, I stopped briefly at Walpeup. I have been here dozens of times before, but I wanted to have another look at the silo art in the town.

There are various interpretations on the meaning of Walpeup. Some suggest it is derived from the aboriginal word wolpeep meaning a boil (body sore). Others state that Walpeup means stumpy-tailed lizard and others claim it is an aboriginal word for an indigenous acacia. (Blake 1978) (Victorian Places)

In 1861 German explorer and scientist George Neumayer named the Walpeup area Consolation Plains. Neumayer was a member of the Exploration Committee of the Royal Society of Victoria which organised the Burke and Wills Expedition. Neumayer joined the expedition at Swan Hill and remained with the expedition party until the Darling River at Bilbarka, before returning. (Wikipedia 2024)

Above:- George Neumayer in c. 1860. Image c/o Trove.

In 1903 the railway line was extended northwards from Woomelang via Ouyen, finally joining with Mildura. There was a settlement at nearby Pinnaroo in South Australia with good farming land. A study revealed that the land between Pinnaroo and Ouyen was of similar good quality. The availability of water was confirmed by the sinking of test bores. Between 1910 to 1911 the State Rivers and Water Supply Commission constructed catchment tanks. In 1912 the railway line from Ouyen to Murrayville was completed. In 1909 the first farm selections were offered along the railway route. The post office was opened on the 16th day of December 1912. (Wikipedia) (Victorian Places)

Above:- Homes in Walpeup. c. 1911. Image c/o Museums Victoria.

In 1909 a store was opened at Walpeup and this was followed by the Walpeup Primary School in 1912 which operated from the ‘Little White Hall.’ In 1911 the Shire of Walpeup was proclaimed, however, the administrative centre was at Ouyen. Council meetings alternated between Ouyen and Murrayville. The Walpeup South State School (No. 3939) also known as Hungry Hut, was opened in 1912 and closed in 1951. (Victorian Places) (Wikipedia)

Above:- The Walpeup School, c. 1911. Image c/o Museums Victoria.

By 1920 Walpeup had a population of about 400 people and had a general store, a blacksmith, a butcher, a bank branch and other businesses. The original public hall was replaced in 1923 with a brick memorial hall. (Victorian Places)

The Walpeup silo features World War One Light Horseman Harold Thomas Bell. The silo art is the work of artists Julian Clavijo and Camilo Delgardo. It was completed in 2023.

Below is a great video on the Walpeup silo.

As I drove into Murrayville the sun was setting and I enjoyed a magnificent sunset.

I then booked into my accommodation at the Murrayville Hotel.

After heaving a bite to eat I decided to head out to activate a final park for the day.

References.

1. Australiansiloarttrail.com. (2022). \r\n \n Walpeup Silo Art\n \r\n. [online] Available at: https://www.australiansiloarttrail.com/walpeup [Accessed 20 Nov. 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 Nov. 2024].‌
3. Leslie James Blake, 1978, Place Names of Victoria.
4. Victorianplaces.com.au. (2014). Walpeup | Victorian Places. [online] Available at: https://www.victorianplaces.com.au/walpeup [Accessed 20 Nov. 2024].‌
5. Wikipedia Contributors (2024). Georg von Neumayer. Wikipedia.
6. ‌Wikipedia Contributors (2024). Walpeup. Wikipedia.

My next activation for Thursday 22nd August 2024 was the Pidgeon Tank Bushland Reserve VKFF-4193.

The reserve is about 29 km west of Ouyen in northwest Victoria.

Above:- Map showing the location of the Pidgeon Tank Bushland Reserve. Map c/o Google Maps.

The reserve is located on the western and eastern sides of Hopetoun-Walpeup Road at the intersection with Mead Road and Scott Road.

Above:- Aerial view of the Pidgeon Tank Bushland Reserve. Image c/o Google Earth.

The reserve is about 18 hectares in size and was established on the 1st day of May 1979. (CAPAD 2022)

This was another easy park to access. There was no fence and I found a 4WD track to enter the eastern side of the park.

I ran the Yaesu FT857d, 40 watts, and the 20/40/80m linked dipole for this activation.

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK3PF
2. VK5MAZ
3. VK3HJW
4. VK3APJ
5. VK3EJ
6. VK3WSG
7. VK6XL/5
8. VK5IS
9. VK5WU
10. VK3DL
11. VK3SO
12. VK3SFG
13. VK3CEO
14. VK3SQ
15. VK2BD
16. VK3PWG/P
17. VK3TTK/P
18. VK3BBB
19. VK2CCP
20. VK3MTT
21. VK7HAM
22. VK7XX
23. VK5CZ/P
24. VK3QH
25. VK5UV
26. VK3KRL
27. VK2HMV
28. VK3CA
29. VK3HM
30. VK3CJN
31. VK3QHU
32. VK2GQR
33. VK2VW
34. VK2HFI
35. VK2AKA
36. VK2BUG
37. VK2IO
38. VK2GEZ
39. VK5MH

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

1. VK7XX
2. VK6LK
3. VK6LMK
4. SQ9CWO
5. ZL3MR
6. KG5CIK
7. VK4MUD
8. ZL4KD
9. IW2NXI
10. VK2IO
11. VK2GEZ
12. F1BLL
13. VK7EE
14. VK2TM
15. VK2MOE
16. VK1MO
17. ZL1GA
18. VK2SLB
19. VK2BRN
20. VK2KBT
21. VK1ARQ
22. OH2CGU
23. OM5TX
24. F5PYI

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 Nov. 2024].‌

Today I downloaded my latest WWFF Activator certificate. It is issued for activating 510 different WWFF references and reaching 44 QSOs in each activation.

Thank you to all of the WWFF hunters and Hugo CT7AOV the Awards Manager.

After leaving the Tiega I80 Bushland Reserve on Thursday 22nd August 2024, I headed south to my next park activation, the Carters Tank Bushland Reserve VKFF-4198.

The reserve is about 15 km west of Ouyen in northwest Victoria.

Above:- Map showing the location of Carters Tank Bushland Reserve. Map c/o Google Maps.

The reserve is located at the intersection of Lodwick Road and Weston Road.

Above:- An aerial view of Carters Tank Bushland Reserve. Image c/o Google Earth.

The reserve is about 79 hectares in size and was established on the 1st day of May 1979. (CAPAD 2022)

I ran the Yaesu FT857d, 40 watts, and the 20/40/80m linked dipole for this activation.

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

1. VK6LK
2. VK6LMK
3. ZL4KD
4. VK2VW
5. VK2HFI
6. VK2AKA
7. VK2BUG
8. VK7AAE
9. VK7DWS
10. VK5MAZ
11. VK7XX
12. VK2COS
13. VK2LC
14. VK4HNS
15. VK7HBR
16. VK4MUD
17. VK7HAM
18. VK2IO
19. VK2GEZ
20. KG5CIK
21. ZL2BEJ
22. VK2NCS

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK3PF
2. VK5MAZ
3. VK3APJ
4. VK3SQ
5. VK2BD
6. VK3ANL
7. VK3HJW
8. VK3PWG
9. VK3TTK
10. VK6XL/5
11. VK3CA
12. VK3HM
13. VK3VIN
14. VK3BBB
15. VK2CCP
16. VK3EJ
17. VK3WSG
18. VK5GY
19. VK7XX
20. VK3DL
21. VK3BCM
22. VK5CZ
23. VK2KYO
24. VK3SO
25. VK3SFG
26. VK2ADF
27. VK5WU
28. VK3CEO
29. VK3AMO
30. VK3IK/M
31. VK2IO
32. VK2GEZ
33. VK2MOE
34. VK1MO

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 18 Nov. 2024].‌

My next activation for Thursday 22nd August 2024 was the Tiega I80 Bushland Reserve VKFF-4204.

The reserve is about 11 km west of Ouyen in northwest Victoria.

Above:- Map showing the location of the Tiega I80 Bushland Reserve. Map c/o Google Maps.

I had been out here at Tiega the day before when I activated the Tiega I81 Bushland Reserve.

It was quite a warm day and as a result I saw several lizards enjoying the sunshine.

The Tiega I80 Bushland Reserve is located on the southern side of Mallee Highway opposite Le Couteur Road and the Tiega I81 Bushland Reserve.

Above:- An aerial view of the Tiega I80 Bushland Reserve. Image c/o Google Earth.

The reserve is about 77 hectares in size and was established on the 1st day of May 1979. (CAPAD 2022)

I ran the Yaesu FT857d, 40 watts, and the 20/40/80m linked dipole for this activation.

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK3PF
2. VK5MAZ
3. VK3VIN
4. VK3CEO
5. VK3APJ
6. VK3BBB
7. VK2CCP
8. VK2VW
9. VK2HFIV
10. VK2AKA
11. VK2BUG
12. VK5WU
13. VK3OB
14. VK2EXA
15. VK3ANL
16. VK3WSG
17. VK5JK
18. VK3BAP
19. VK3HJW
20. VK3CA
21. VK3HM
22. VK2USH
23. VK3KRL
24. VK7XX
25. VK5GF
26. VK3MCK
27. VK3SO
28. VK3SFG
29. VK3SQ
30. VK2BD
31. VK3JLS
32. VK2IO
33. VK2GEZ
34. VK3CA
35. VK3PWG
36. VK3TTK

I worked the following stations on 40m AM:-

1. VK3CA
2. VK3PF
3. VK3APJ
4. VK3CEO

I worked the following stations on 40m FM:-

1. VK3CA
2. VK3HM
3. VK3PF
4. VK3APJ
5. VK3CEO

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

1. VK7XX
2. VK3PWG
3. VK3TTK
4. VK1DI
5. VK2VW
6. VK2HFI
7. VK2AKA
8. VK2BUG
9. VK2IO
10. VK2GEZ
11. ZL3MR
12. VK7AAE
13. VK7DWS
14. VK7HBR
15. VK7HAM
16. VK2OKN

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 18 Nov. 2024].‌

A week ago I received the QSL card below from Trans World Radio, Guam, for my reception of their station on 22nd July 2024 on 17700 kHz.

I activated a VKFF reference during 2024 National Bird Week and as such I became eligible for a special certificate.

The certificate features a photograph I took of a Singing Honeyeater during a park activation on the Eyre Peninsula, South Australia.

My second activation for Thursday 22nd August 2024 was the Ouyen I245 Bushland Reserve VKFF-4207.

But prior to heading to the park I had a look around the town of Ouyen.

My first stop was the Big Mallee Stump at Blackburn Park. The mallee stump is estimated to be hundreds of years old and is believed to be the largest mallee stump in Australia. This particular stump was dug up by a gentleman called Bert Holland whilst he was grading roads for the former Shire of Walpeup.

Adjacent is the unique clock with wheat sheafs.

There is also an information board detailing all the facts about the Malleefowl, a ground dwelling bird about the size of a domestic chicken. Their conservation status is listed as vulnerable due to the clearing of land for farming and the introduced fox.

I then took a drive around Ouyen to look at some of the town’s historic buildings. This includes the former Savings Bank of Victoria building that was built in 1926 in Neo-Georgian style. The Victoria Hotel was built in 1918 and laid claim to being the best hotel between Adelaide and Melbourne. Sadly the old Ouyen RSL Memorial Club Rooms stands derelict. (Flickr)

Virtually every town I go to has a ‘Bills’ horse trough. They were manufactured in Australia and were installed to provide relief for working horses during the early 1900s. They were financed by a trust fund that was established through the will of George Bills. About 700 of these troughs were distributed around Australia and about 50 in several other countries around the world. (Wikipedia 2024)

George Bills was born in Brighton Sussex England in 1859. With his family, he emigrated to New Zealand and in 1873 he emigrated to Australia. By 1882 he was operated a bird dealers shop in Brisbane Queensland. In 1885 George married Annis Elizabeth Swann and soon after they moved to Sydney where George opened a wire mattress manufacturing company with his brothers. In 1908 George retired. His wife Annis died in 1910 while the couple wrestled visiting England. In 1924 George became a Life Governor of the RSPCA. (Wikipedia)

Above:- George Bills. Image c/o Billswatertroughs.wordpress.com

George died in 1927. Following his death a Trust fund was established valued at about £70-80,000 One of the purposes of the trust, as set out in the will of George Bill’s was:

“construct and erect and pay for horse troughs wherever they may be of the opinion that such horse troughs are desirable for the relief of horses and other dumb animals either in Australasia, in the British Islands or in any other part of the world subject to the consent of the proper authorities being obtained.“

Above:- Article from The Advertiser, Fri 12 Oct 1928. Image c/o Trove.

Each Bill’s horse trough cost £13 including transport and installation. They were initially indivually designed and constructed. By the early 1930s, J.B. Phillips who was a relative of George and Annis, became the head contractor. He produced the troughs in Hawthorn Victoria to a standard design. The troughs were precast concrete and had the inscription of “Donated by Annis & George Bills Australia”. (Wikipedia)

Ouyen also has an excellent mural. It was undertaken by local artist Kevin Jones and represents the history, people and activities that have shaped Ouyen.

I then left Ouyen and headed to the Ouyen I245A Bushland Reserve. On the way I passed the Ouyen State Forest.

The reserve is located on the western side of Dunkley Road, in between the Ouyen Cemetery and the Ouyen Landfill site.

Above:- An aerial view of the Ouyen I245A Bushland Reserve. Image c/o Google Earth.

The reserve is about 4 hectares in size and was established on the 29th day of January 1992. (CAPAD 2022)

I ran the Yaesu FT857d, 40 watts, and the 20/40/80m linked dipole for this atcivation.

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK3MTT
2. VK5WU
3. VK3SQ
4. VK2BD
5. VK3VIN
6. VK1DI
7. VK5MAZ
8. VK2HRX/P (SOTA VK7/ SC-001)
9. VK5IS
10. VK3WSG
11. VK3CEO
12. VK3KRL
13. VK5ADB
14. VK3CA
15. VK3HM
16. VK2EXA
17. VK2IO
18. VK2GEZ
19. VK3PF
20. VK5GY
21. VK3EJ
22. VK3BAP
23. VK3ANL
24. VK3APJ
25. VK2YW
26. VK2VW
27. VK2HFI
28. VK2AKA
29. VK2BUG
30. VK4HNS
31. VK1AAF

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

1. VK4EMP
2. VK4TI
3. VK4GKO
4. VK4HNS
5. VK1DI
6. VK1AD/P 9VKFF-0845)
7. VK2VW
8. VK2HFI
9. VK2AKA
10. VK2BUG
11. VK1ARQ
12. VK6LK
13. VK6LMK
14. VK2HRX/P (SOTA VK7/ SC-001)

At the conclusion of the activation I paid a quick visit to the Ouyen cemetery.

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 17 Nov. 2024].‌
2. Flickr. (2024). Ouyen. The former Savings Bank of Victoria building. Erected 1926 in Neo-Georgian style. [online] Available at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/82134796@N03/39463418854 [Accessed 17 Nov. 2024].
3. ‌Wikipedia Contributors (2024). Bills horse troughs. Wikipedia.‌