My first park for Tuesday 20th August 2024 was the Ouyen I245 Bushland Reserve VKFF-4209 and the Ouyen silo VK-OYN3.
The reserve is just on the north edge of the town of Ouyen in northwest Victoria.
Above:- Map showing the location of the Ouyen I245 Bushland Reserve. Map c/o Google Maps.
The Ouyen area was first inhabited by the Wegaia aboriginal people. Ouyen, which is pronounced ‘Oh-Yen’, is believed to be derived from the Wegaia word ‘wuya wuya’ which is believed to mean ‘pink-eared duck’. Others claim that is means ‘ghost waterhole’. (Aussie Towns 2024) (Victorian Places 2024) (Wikipedia 2024)
In 1903 the railway line was extended from Woomelang (80km south of Ouyen) to Mildura. The town of Ouyen was established around the Ouyen railway station that was constructed in 1906 on the Midura railway line. The Ouyen Post Office opened on the 22nd day of October 1907. In 1909 the township was formally proclaimed. By 1911 Ouyen had become a transport and service centre for the surrounding land that was occupied by agricultural and pastoral properties. Ouyen’s population was 766 people. (Aussie Towns 2024) (Victorian Places 2024) (Wikipedia 2024)
Above:- An early view of Oke Street Ouyen. Image c/o Walking Ouyen Facebook page.
Today Ouyen is the commercial centre for the surrounding grain farming region. (Wikipedia 2024)
The Ouyen silos are located on Rowe Street. There are two steel silos a few hundred metres apart from the concrete silos and the older steel silos.
Above:- An aerial view of Ouyen showing the location of the Ouyen silos. Image c/o Google Maps.
The concrete silos at Ouyen were constructed in 1939. (The Argus)
Above:- Article from The Argus, Thu 25 May 1939. Image c/o Trove.
The two steel Jumbo silos were constructed in 1986. Five railway departmental residences were demolished to make way for their construction. Work commenced in July 1986 and they were completed by November 1986. (Mildura Railway History 2024)
The Ouyen I245 Bushland Reserve is located on the northern side of Glowery Street, Ouyen.
Above:- An aerial view of the Ouyen I245 Bushland Reserve. Image c/o Google Earth.
The reserve is only small, about 5 hectares in size, and was established on the 8th day of May 1990. (CAPAD 2022)
The reserve was easily accessible and I set up in a clearing amongst the mallee scrub. ran the Yaesu FT857, 40 watts, and the 20/40/80m linked dipole. I was set up within the activation zone of the Ouyen silo.
Above:- Map showing the activation zone of the Ouyen silo. Image c/o SiOTA website.
I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-
- VK3CA
- VK3HM
- VK2VW
- VK2HFI
- VK2AKA
- VK2BUG
- VK2IO
- VK2GEZ
- VK7PJM
- VK3ZPF
- Vk3JW
- VK3ZDK
- VK3HJW
- VK3CEO
- VK7XX
- VK3AMO
- VK4HNS
- VK3CJN
- VK3QHU
- VK3VIN
- VK2SLB
- VK2BRN
- VK2KBT
- VK3UAO
- VK3APJ
- VK5AAF
- VK5GY
- VK3PF
- VK3SO
- Vk3SFG
- VK2KYO
- VK3TBS
- VK5IS
- VK2EXA
I worked the following stations on 40m AM:-
- VK3CA
- VK3HM
- VK3UAO
I worked the following stations on 40m FM:-
- VK3CA
- VK3HM
I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-
- VK7XX
- VK5QA/4
- VK3CLD/4
- VK2SLB
- VK2BRN
- VK2KBT
- VK7WN
- VK2VW
- VK2HFI
- VK2AKA
- VK2BUG
- VK4HNS
- VK4JJ
- VK4EMP
- VK4TI
- VK4GKO
- VK2MES
References.
- Aussie Towns. (2022). Ouyen, VIC – Aussie Towns. [online] Available at: https://www.aussietowns.com.au/town/ouyen-vic [Accessed 3 Nov. 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 3 Nov. 2024].
- Victorianplaces.com.au. (2014). Ouyen | Victorian Places. [online] Available at: https://www.victorianplaces.com.au/ouyen [Accessed 3 Nov. 2024].
- vmrs.net. (n.d.). Mildura Railway History. [online] Available at: https://vmrs.net/mildura/sitemap.htm. [Accessed 3 Nov. 2024].
- Wikipedia Contributors (2024). Ouyen. Wikipedia.
VK5PAS 