Our next activation for Wednesday 23rd October 2024 was the Crymelon Bushland Reserve VKFF-4863.

The reserve is located about 18 km northwest of Warracknabeal and about 355 km northwest of the city of Melbourne.

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

Prior to heading to the park, Marija and I took a stroll along Yarriambiack Creek in Warracknabeal.

The Yarriambiack Creek is a distributary of the Wimmera River. The creek leaves the Wimmera River near Drug Drung, about 20km east of Horsham, and then flows northward through Warracknabeal and empties into Lake Coorong near Hopetoun. Its name is believed to derive from Jarambuik, the name of a sub-group of the indigenous Wotjobaluk people. It was also once spelt Yarriambiac, Yarramberger and Yarrambeak. (Wikipedia 2023)

On the creek’s edge at Warracknabeal is the site of the Warracknabeal East Station, the first permanent structure built in the district.

Nearby is a monument to commemorate the Scott Brothers, who established the first permanent settlement in the district in 1845.

Marija and I then headed towards Crymelon. We stopped to have a look at the site of the old Crymelon Baptist Church that operated from 1900 to 1968.

Crymelon was described as ‘an important Baptist stronghold’. (Trove 2025)

Above:- Article from The Horsham Times, Fri 5 Feb 1909. Image c/o Trove.

The reserve is located on the corner of Rainbow Road and Jeparit-Warracknabeal Road.

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

The reserve is about 8 hectares in size and was established on the 22nd day of September 1987. (CAPAD 2022)

This was an easy park to access. It had no fences and there was a 4WD drive which we drove along. Marija and I 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. VK3SQ
2. VK2BD
3. VK5CZ
4. VK2VW
5. VK2HFI
6. VK2AKA
7. VK2BUG
8. VK3NDG
9. VK3FACD
10. VK3BTP
11. VK3NVY
12. VK2IO/p (SOTA VK2/ ST-053 & VKFF-1971)
13. VK2GEZ/p (SOTA VK2/ ST-053 & VKFF-1971)

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK3SQ
2. VK2BD
3. VK5CZ
4. VK2VW
5. VK2HFI
6. VK2AKA
7. VK2BUG
8. VK3NDG
9. VK3FACD
10. VK3BTP
11. VK3NVY
12. VK3CEO
13. VK1AO
14. VK2MET
15. VK3YV
16. VK3VIN
17. VK2HAK
18. VK3APJ
19. VK3MGM
20. VK5DW
21. VK5QA
22. VK1AD
23. VK1NAM
24. VK3AMO
25. VK3BEL
26. VK3WSG
27. VK3DL
28. VK3GJG
29. VK5WU
30. VK5HS
31. VK2SLB
32. VK2BRN
33. VK2KBT
34. VK3UAO
35. VK3KRL
36. VK3HJW
37. VK2IO/p (SOTA VK2/ ST-053 & VKFF-1971)
38. VK2GEZ/p (SOTA VK2/ ST-053 & VKFF-1971)

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

1. VK5HS
2. VK4EMP
3. VK4TI
4. VK4GKO
5. KG5CIK
6. VK1AO
7. VK2MET

I worked the following stations on 20m FT8:-

1. IK2WRV
2. F5IYE
3. VK4EMP
4. VK4TI
5. VK4GKO
6. PI4DX
7. OP7B
8. VK1AO
9. M6JAY

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 9 Jan. 2025].‌
2. Trove. (2025). A Record Church Offering – The Horsham Times (Vic. : 1882 – 1954) – 5 Feb 1909. [online] Available at: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/72826335?browse=ndp%3Abrowse%2Ftitle%2FH%2Ftitle%2F225%2F190%2F1909%2F02%2F05%2Fpage%2F7080460%2Farticle%2F72826335 [Accessed 9 Jan. 2025].
3. ‌Wikipedia Contributors (2023). Yarriambiack Creek. Wikipedia.‌

Our next activation for Wednesday 23rd October 2024 was the Bangerang I101 Bushland Reserve VKFF-4539.

The reserve is located about 15 km east of Warracknabeal and about 328 km northwest of the city of Melbourne.

Above:- Map showing the location of the Bangerang I101 Bushland Reserve. Map c/o Google Maps.

Before activating Bangerang I101 Bushland Reserve, we drove past the Kellalac Bushland Reserve to see if access was possible. However, after viewing the park on MapshareVic we found that the land was leased and we could not see a nearby farmhouse.

Above:- View of the Kellalac Bushland Reserve.

We then stopped briefly to look at the site of the old Challambra School which operated from 1882 to 1913. Challambra is derived from an aboriginal word allambee meaning to sit or recline. (Blake 1978)

The Bangerang I101 Bushland Reserve also showed as being leased on MapshareVic. However, we could see a nearby farmhouse so we decided to try our luck. Marija spoke with the extremely friendly landowner who allowed us access to the reserve.

Access to the reserve is via a dirt track running off the southern side of Borung Highway. The Highway is named after the Boorung aboriginal people. (Wikipedia 2024)

Above:- An aerial view of the Bangerang I101 Bushland Reserve. Image c/o Google Earth.

The reserve is about 7 hectares in size and was established on the 22nd day of September 1987. Bangerang is derived from the aboriginal words barn meaning bullock and gerang meaning leaf or branch. (Blake 1978) (CAPAD 2022)

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

It was a pleasure to get Phillip in the log on 40m. It was Phillip’s first HF contact.

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK3SQ
2. VK2BD
3. VK5CZ
4. VK5HS
5. VK5NHG
6. VK3CEO
7. VK3APJ
8. VK3MGM
9. VK3NCR
10. VK3AMO

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK3SQ
2. VK2BD
3. VK5CZ
4. VK5HS
5. VK5NHG
6. VK3CEO
7. VK3APJ
8. VK3MGM
9. VK3NCR
10. VK3AMO
11. VK2AGU
12. VK3KRL
13. VK1AO
14. VK2MET
15. VK5WU
16. VK3BFT
17. VK2KYO
18. VK7KT
19. VK3ACR
20. VK2IO/M
21. VK2GEZ/M
22. VK3LRO
23. VK3PWG
24. VK3TTK
25. VK2SLB
26. VK2BRN
27. VK2KBT
28. VK3ZSC
29. VK5PE
30. VK7XX
31. VK5DW
32. VK5QA
33. VK5TN
34. VK3DL
35. VK5NOU

I worked the following station on 40m AM:-

1. VK5DW

I worked the following stations on 40m FT8:-

1. VK5LA
2. VK3CEO
3. VK3APJ
4. VK1AD
5. VK1NAM

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

1. VK2VW
2. VK2HFI
3. VK2AKA
4. VK2BUG
5. VK5HS

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 7 Jan. 2025].‌
2. Leslie James Blake, 1978, Place Names of Victoria.
3. Wikipedia Contributors (2024). Borung Highway. Wikipedia.‌

Our first activation for Wednesday 23rd October 2024 was the Bangerang I102 Bushland Reserve VKFF-4540.

The reserve is located about 15 km east of Warracknabeal and about 328 km northwest of Melbourne.

Above:- Map showing the location of the Bangerang I102 Bushland Reserve. Map c/o Google Maps.

Along the way, we saw several farmers out in their fields spraying their crops.

Bangerang is derived from the aboriginal words barn meaning bullock, and gerang meaning leaf or branch. (Blake 1978)

The township of Bangerang once had a Mutual Improvement Association, a Red Cross Society branch and a primary school Local Bangerang residents could join the Rifle Club, Cricket club or go to the public library. (Trove 2025)

Above:- Article from The Horsham Times, Fri 19 Sept 1884. Image c/o Trove.

The Bangerang I102 Bushland Reserve is located at the corner of Sheep Hills-Bangerang Road and Vollprecht Road.

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

The reserve is only small, about 2 hectares in size. It was established on the 22nd day of September 1987. (CAPAAD 2022)

The reserve is surrounded by land cleared for cropping.

This was an easy park to access. Marija and I drove in and set up as there were no fences. We ran the Yaesu FT857, 40 watts, and the 20/40/80m linked dipole.

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB before the UTC rollover:-

1. VK3PF
2. VK3KAI
3. VK2IO
4. VK2GEZ
5. VK3CJN
6. VK3QHU
7. VK3DAC
8. VK4FE/P
9. VK1AO
10. VK2MET
11. VK3CEO
12. VK3ZSC
13. VK3NDG
14. VK3FACD
15. VK3BTP
16. VK3NVY
17. VK2VW
18. VK2HFI
19. VK2AKA
20. VK2BUG
21. VK3HJW
22. VK2AJG/P
23. VK3BEL
24. VK5ZL
25. VK3APJ
26. VK2SLB
27. VK2BRN
28. VK2KBT
29. VK5PE
30. VK3MGM
31. VK3TDX
32. VK3FG

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB after the UTC rollover:-

1. VK3NDG/P (VKFF-1877)
2. VK3PF
3. VK3KAI
4. VK3GJG
5. VK3SQ
6. VK2BD
7. VK1AO
8. VK2MET
9. VK2VW
10. VK2HFI
11. VK2AKA
12. VK2BUG
13. VK3TZT
14. VK3DL
15. VK3HJW
16. VK3VIN
17. VK3DAC
18. VK4FE/P
19. VK5WU
20. VK3CEO

Marija worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

1. VK2VW
2. VK2HFI
3. VK2AKA
4. VK2BUG
5. VK4EMP
6. VK4TI
7. VK4GKO
8. VK1AO
9. VK2MET

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK3PF
2. VK3KAI
3. VK2IO
4. VK2GEZ
5. VK3CJN
6. VK3QHU
7. VK3DAC
8. VK4FE/P
9. VK1AO
10. VK2MET
11. VK3CEO
12. VK3ZSC
13. VK3NDG
14. VK3FACD
15. VK3BTP
16. VK3NVY
17. VK2VW
18. VK2HFI
19. VK2AKA
20. VK2BUG
21. VK3HJW
22. VK2AJG/P
23. VK3BEL
24. VK5ZL
25. VK3APJ
26. VK2SLB
27. VK2BRN
28. VK2KBT
29. VK5PE
30. VK3MGM
31. VK3TDX
32. VK3FG
33. VK3NDG/P (VKFF-1877)

I worked the following stations on 40m FT8:-

1. VK3CEO
2. VK3APJ
3. VK3PF
4. VK3PRG
5. VK3KAI
6. VK1TTY
7. VK3DL
8. VK1AO
9. VK1AD
10. VK2MET
11. VK1NAM

I worked the following stations on 20m FT8

1. VK1AO
2. VK4EMP
3. VK4TI
4. VK2MET
5. VK4GKO

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 6 Jan. 2025].‌
2. Leslie James Blake, 1978, Place Names of Victoria.
3. Trove. (2025). BANGERANG. – The Horsham Times (Vic. : 1882 – 1954) – 19 Sep 1884. [online] Available at: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/72952903?browse=ndp%3Abrowse%2Ftitle%2FH%2Ftitle%2F225%2F188%2F1884%2F09%2F19%2Fpage%2F7084259%2Farticle%2F72952903 [Accessed 6 Jan. 2025].‌
4. Trove. (2025). Bangerang, – Minyip Guardian and Sheep Hills Advocate (Vic. : 1915 – 1918) – 31 Oct 1916. [online] Available at: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/154363534?browse=ndp%3Abrowse%2Ftitle%2FM%2Ftitle%2F788%2F191%2F1916%2F10%2F31%2Fpage%2F17862835%2Farticle%2F154363534 [Accessed 6 Jan. 2025].
5. ‌Trove. (2025). Bangerang. – Minyip Guardian and Sheep Hills Advocate (Vic. : 1915 – 1918) – 24 Aug 1915. [online] Available at: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/154364361?browse=ndp%3Abrowse%2Ftitle%2FM%2Ftitle%2F788%2F191%2F1915%2F08%2F24%2Fpage%2F17862428%2Farticle%2F154364361 [Accessed 6 Jan. 2025].‌

A few days ago in the mail, I received the QSL card below for my reception of the Voice of Turkey.

• 17620 kHz 28th July 2024
• 17815 kHz – 27th July 2024
• 17580 kHz – 24th July 2024

Our final activation for Tuesday 22nd October 2024, was the Woomelang Bushland Reserve VKFF-6135 and the Woomelang silo VK-WMG3.

Woomelang is a small town located about 363 km northwest of the city of Melbourne.

Above:- Map showing the location of Woomelang, Victoria. Map c/o Google Maps.

Woomelang is an aboriginal word for poor or miserable. It’s not a great name for a town. Perhaps they should have settled with the original name which was Cronomby Tanks. Despite the meaning of its name, Woomelang is a nice little town, well worth a visit. (Blake 1978)

Prior to European settlement, the Woomelang area was home to the Wegaiai and Wotjobaluk aboriginal people. By the 1870s Europeans had settled in the area and a settlement known as Cronomby Tanks was established. It had a hotel and a general store. Cronomby Tanks were farm water storages on the Lake Wilhelmina pastoral station. They were also used to fill visiting steam engines with water. (Aussie Towns 2024) (Victorian Places 2015)

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

In 1897 the name of the town was changed from Cronomby Tanks to Woomelang. It has been reported that a traveller riding a horse named Melang, said ‘Whoa Melang’ and thus the township became known as Woomelang. However, this is only local folklore and there is no apparent evidence to support the claim. In fact, the town was renamed to avoid confusion with another similar-sounding railway station. (Aussie Towns 2024) (Victorian Places 20215)

On the 10th day of August 1900, the Post office opened. In 1904 the Woomelang Football Club was established. They initially competed in the Woomelang District Football Association in 1911 and in 1912 there were undefeated premiers. In 1951 Woomerlang merged with the Lascelles Football Club. (Aussie Towns 2024) (Phoenix 2022) (Wikipedia 2023)

The Woomelang bakery, c. 1914. Image c/o flickr.

Two historic buildings in the town include the old railway station and the former hotel.

In June 2020, Woomelang invited seven artists to transform mini silo bins into pieces of art. Among the artists involved were Jimmy Dvate, Andrew J Bourke, and Kaffeine. Each bin features an endangered species that is native to the Woomelang area including the Spotted tail quoll. Other painted bins feature a pygmy possum, a Heath monitor, and a Mallee Emu-Wren. (Aussie Towns 2024) (Australian Silo Art n.d.)

Below is an excellent video on the idea of the Woomelang Silo Art Trail.

Marija and I had specifically driven out to this part of Victoria to visit the old Woomelang shearing shed. It was constructed during the Second World War and due to wartime shortages of materials, the shed is constructed of compacted egg tins. (Aussie Towns 2024) (Wikipedia 2023)

We then headed to the Woomelang silos which are located on the railway line. Access via the Cronomby campground. The silos were built in 1939. (Victorian Places 2015)

We also hoped to activate the Woomelang Bushland Reserve, which showed up on our mapping site as a tiny piece of scrub off the Hopetoun-Sea Lake Road and two other sections that were just to the southeast of the Woomelang Recreation Reserve.

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

The three sections of the reserve are about 9 hectares in size and the reserve was established on the 8th day of May 1990. (CAPAD 2022)

We opted to operate from the section of scrub off the Hopetoun-Sea Lake Road. But it wasn’t easy. It was getting dark and there was only just enough room to string out the dipole.

Above:- the activation zone at the Woomelang silos. Image c/o SiOTA website.

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK5HS
2. VK3PF
3. VK2IO
4. VK2GEZ
5. VK4HMI
6. VK5WU
7. VK5DW
8. VK3WSG
9. VK7DW
10. VK1AO
11. VK2MET

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK5HS
2. VK3PF
3. VK2IO
4. VK2GEZ
5. VK4HMI
6. VK5WU
7. VK5DW
8. VK3WSG
9. VK7DW
10. VK1AO
11. VK2MET
12. VK3TZT
13. VK3APJ
14. VK7PJM
15. VK5LA
16. VK5KAW
17. VK4NH
18. VK4DXA
19. VK5FANA
20. VK3GJG
21. VK4XF
22. KD1CT
23. VK3PWG
24. VK3TTK
25. VK2LEE
26. VK7AAE
27. VK5HW
28. VK3UAO

I worked the following stations on 80m SSB:-

1. VK5HS
2. VK2IO
3. VK2GEZ
4. VK5LA
5. VK5KAW
6. VK3PWG
7. VK3TTK
8. VK3PF
9. VK3WSG
10. VK5MRE
11. VK3KIY
12. VK3VEF
13. VK5MRS
14. VK3CWM
15. VK5LDM
16. VK3APJ

We packed up and then drove back to Warracknabeal.

References.

1. Aussie Towns. (2024). Woomelang, VIC – Aussie Towns. [online] Available at: https://www.aussietowns.com.au/town/woomelang-vic [Accessed 5 Jan. 2025].
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 5 Jan. 2025].‌
3. Leslie James Blake, 1978, Place Names of Victoria.
4. Phoenixauctions.com.au. (2022). Post Office List – Phoenix. [online] Available at: https://www.phoenixauctions.com.au/cgi-bin/wsPhoenix.sh/Viewpocdwrapper.p?SortBy=VIC&filter=. [Accessed 5 Jan. 2025].‌
5. ‌Victorianplaces.com.au. (2015). Woomelang | Victorian Places. [online] Available at: https://www.victorianplaces.com.au/woomelang [Accessed 5 Jan. 2025].‌
6. Wikipedia Contributors (2023). Woomelang. Wikipedia.‌
7. http://www.australiansiloarttrail.com. (n.d.). Woomelang Mobile Silo Art. [online] Available at: https://www.australiansiloarttrail.com/woomelang. [Accessed 5 Jan. 2025].‌‌

Our next activation for Tuesday 22nd October 2024 was the Lascelles silo VK-LSS3 for the Silos On The Air (SiOTA) program.

Lascelles is located about 377 km northwest of the city of Melbourne.

Above:- Map showing the location of Lascelles, Victoria. Map c/o Google Maps.

The township of Lascelles is named in honour of Edward Harewood Lascelles (b. 1847. d. 1917), a pastoralist and businessman. He was born in 1847 in Van Diemans Land (Tasmania). By the age of 21, he was a partner in his uncle’s wool broker firm in Geelong. He became an expert wool classer and broker. (Wessels 1974)

During the 1870s Lascelles developed an interest in the Mallee region of Victoria. He became the owner of Lake Corrong sheep station. The property later included the Minapre and Wilhelmina runs. (Wessels 1974)

In 1887 Lascelles married Ethel Dennys. They had six children. Lascelles died in 1917. (Wessels 1974)

Above:- Edward Harewood Lascelles. Image c/o Wikipedia.

Prior to European settlement, the Lascelles area was home to the Wergaia and Wotjobaluk aboriginal people. In 1891 Edward Lascelles surveyed the nearby township of Hopetoun and he also served the township of Minapre. The Lascelles Post office opened in 1903 following the arrival of the railway. By 1905 Minapre had a hotel and a Mechanics Institute. The following year a school was opened, followed by a Presbyterian church. In 1909 Minapre was renamed Lascelles. At its peak, Lascelles had its own football team. (Aussie Towns 2021) (Phoenix 2022)

Following an unusually warm winter in 1917, Lascelles suffered from a mouse plague. It was so large that mice filled every square inch of ground. It is estimated that over 100 million mice were slaughtered before the end of the plague. (Trove 2025)

Above:- Article from The Argus Melbourne, Sat 31 Mar 1917. Image c/o Trove

Other than the silo art there is not a lot to see in Lascelles. We stopped to view the Lascelles War Memorial Gates that were erected to honour the men of Lascelles and District who served during the First World War. (Vwma.org.au 2024)

The grain silos at Lascelles were built in 1939. (Aussie Towns 2021)

The silos are part of the Australian SIlo Art Trail. They were painted by artist Rone and feature a local farming couple, Greg and Merrilyn Horman. (Aussie Towns 2021)

Rone painted the silos in mid-2017. It took Rone two weeks to paint the silos. He used a unique technique which included the addition of water to the paint. (Australiansiloarttrail 2024)

Marija and I parked on Lascelles W Road and operated from the 4WD. We ran 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 Lascelles silo. Image c/o SiOTA website.

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK3CJN
2. VK3QHU
3. VK3PF
4. VK3APJ

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK3CJN
2. VK3QHU
3. VK3PF
4. VK3APJ
5. VK1AO
6. VK2MET
7. VK4NH
8. VK4DXA
9. VK2LEE
10. VK2IO
11. VK3ALF
12. VK7DD
13. VK1TTY
14. VK7PJM
15. VK2SLB
16. VK4MPB (Rosins Lookout Conservation Park VKFF-1635)
17. VK4CEG (Rosins Lookout Conservation Park VKFF-1635)
18. VK5AYL
19. VK5HS
20. VK4EMP
21. VK4TI
22. VK4GKO
23. VK1CBR

Following the quick activation we headed to the Minapre Hotel for dinner. Marija and I had driven past this hotel a few years prior and thought it was such an impressive building that we had to visit.

Above:- Article from the Ouyen Mail, Wed 5 Oct 1927. Image c/o Trove.

Sadly our visit was not a memorable one. The meal (average) took a very long time to come out despite the hotel not being busy. And to make things worse there was a local who clearly had consumed a little too much alcohol who was swearing and cursing in the outside beer garden area. When joined by some other people, he commenced to swear and brag how he was going build some cabins to rip off the tourist suckers (that is my polite language) who came to the town to look at the silo art.

Meal consumed and we were out of there.

References.

1. Aussie Towns. (2021). Lascelles, VIC – Aussie Towns. [online] Available at: https://www.aussietowns.com.au/town/lascelles-vic [Accessed 5 Jan. 2025].
2. ‌Australiansiloarttrail.com. (2024). Lascelles Silo Art. [online] Available at: https://www.australiansiloarttrail.com/lascelles [Accessed 5 Jan. 2025].
3. ‌Phoenixauctions.com.au. (2022). Post Office List – Phoenix. [online] Available at: https://www.phoenixauctions.com.au/cgi-bin/wsPhoenix.sh/Viewpocdwrapper.p?SortBy=VIC&filter=. [Accessed 5 Jan. 2025]‌
4. ‌Trove. (2025). MICE PLAGUE. – MILLIONS SLAUGHTERED. Numbers Not Decreasing. – The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 – 1957) – 31 Mar 1917. [online] Available at: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/1607868 [Accessed 5 Jan. 2025].
5. ‌Vwma.org.au. (2024). Lascelles War Memorial Gates, Lascelles, Victoria, Australia. [online] Available at: https://vwma.org.au/explore/memorials/3301 [Accessed 5 Jan. 2025].
6. ‌Wessels, S.F. (1974). Lascelles, Edward Harewood (1847–1917). [online] Anu.edu.au. Available at: https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/lascelles-edward-harewood-582 [Accessed 5 Jan. 2025]‌

After packing up at Chiprick I177 Bushland Reserve on Tuesday 22nd October 2024, Marija and I headed to our next activation, the Double Yards Bushland Reserve VKFF-4916.

The reserve is located about 4 km southwest of Lascelles and about 380 km northwest of the city of Melbourne.

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

The reserve is located on the northwest side of Henty Highway between Maidavale Road and Wilsons Road.

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

The Henty Highway is named in honour of Edward Henty (b. 1810. d. 1878) who was a British colonist and regarded as the first permanent European settler of the Port Phillip District. (Wikipedia 2023)

Above:- Edward Henty. Image c/o Wikipedia.

The reserve is about 15 hectares in size and was established on the 1st day of May 1979. (CAPAD 2022)

Marija worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

1. VK2VW
2. VK2HFI
3. VK2AKA
4. VK2BUG
5. VK1AO
6. VK2MET
7. VK4NH
8. VK4DXA
9. ZL3MR

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK5TN

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

1. VK2VW
2. VK2HFI
3. VK2AKA
4. VK2BUG
5. VK1AO
6. VK2MET
7. VK4NH
8. VK4DXA
9. ZL3MR

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK5TN
2. VK1AO
3. VK2MET
4. VK2IO
5. VK2GEZ
6. VK5NOU
7. VK2LEE
8. VK3NCR/P
9. VK3SQ
10. VK2BD
11. VK5WU
12. VK7PJM
13. VK4NH
14. VK4DXA
15. VK3AHM
16. VK3DL
17. VK3ALF
18. VK3MJF/P
19. VK3MDC
20. VK5FANA
21. VK3APJ
22. VK3QHU
23. VK3CJN
24. VK3MGM

I worked the following stations on 40m FT8:-

1. VK5LA
2. VK3APJ
3. VK3CEO
4. VK2IO
5. VK1AO
6. VK2MET
7. VK3SQ
8. VK3PF
9. VK4ZP
10. VK3KAI
11. VK3UAO
12. VK4GKO
13. VK3NCR
14. VK4EMP

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 5 Jan. 2025].‌
2. Wikipedia. (2023). Edward Henty. [online] Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Henty [Accessed 5 Jan 2025]‌

Our next activation for Tuesday 22nd October 2024 was the Chiprick I177 Bushland Reserve VKFF-4776.

The reserve is located about 18 km northwest of Hopetoun and about 387 km northwest of the city of Melbourne.

Above:- Map showing the location of the Chiprick I177 Bushland Reserve. Map c/o Google Maps.

The reserve is located on Maidavale Road, Hopetoun.

Above:- An aerial view of the Chiprick I177 Bushland Reserve. Image c/o Google Earth.

It is located in the Parish of Chiprick. Chiprick is derived from the aboriginal word chipjerreng meaning rage. (Blake 1978)

Above:- The Parish of Chiprick. Image c/o MapshareVic

The reserve is about 12 hectares in size and was established on the 1st day of May 1979. (CAPAD 2022)

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. VK5HS
2. VK3SSS
3. VK3FQSO
4. VK5WU
5. VK3PF
6. VK3KAI
7. VK3APJ
8. VK3CEO
9. VK1AO
10. VK2MET

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK5HS
2. VK3SSS
3. VK3FQSO
4. VK5WU
5. VK3PF
6. VK3KAI
7. VK3APJ
8. VK3CEO
9. VK1AO
10. VK2MET
11. VK5TN
12. VK3HJW
13. VK5NHG
14. VK2UW/M
15. VK2SLO
16. VK3PWG
17. VK3TTK
18. VK3UAO
19. VK5FANA

I worked the following stations on 40m FT8:-

1. VK3KAI
2. VK3CEO
3. VK3PF
4. VK3APJ
5. VK3UAO
6. VK5WU
7. VK1AD
8. VK5DXT
9. VK1AO
10. VK7XX
11. VK5CZ
12. VK4DNO
13. VK3DL
14. VK3DNO
15. VK3SQ
16. VK2BYF

I worked the following stations on 20m FT8:-

1. VK1AO
2. VK2SN
3. VK5CZ
4. VK1AD
5. VK1NAM

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

1. VK4NH
2. VK4DXZ
3. VK2VW
4. VK2HFI
5. VK2AKA
6. VK2BUG
7. VK2MG
8. ZL3MR
9. VK1AO
10. VK2MET

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 5 Jan. 2025].‌
2. Leslie James Blake, 1978, Place Names of Victoria.

Our next activation for Tuesday 22nd October 2024 was the Batchica silo VK-BTA3 for the Silos On The Air (SiOTA) program.

Batchica is located about 290 km northwest of Melbourne and about 9 km north of Warracknabeal.

Above:- Map showing the location of Batchica, Victoria. Map c/o Google Maps.

Batchica is derived from an aboriginal word batchik meaning fly. The Batchica Post Office opened at Yallangip South in 1908. It was renamed Batchica in 1909 and closed in 1931. Batchica once had a State School. In 1 1916 newspaper article it was reported that “Batchica State School holds the proud distinction of being able to state that every boy who has attended it and who is of age has enlisted to assist the Empire in its present struggle.” I wonder how many of those paid the ultimate sacrifice? (Blake 1978) (Wikipedia 2024)

Above:- Article from the Warracknabeal Herald, Tue 17 Oct 1916. Image c/o Trove.

The Batchica silos are located on the eastern side of Henty Highway between Darts Road and Batchica Lane.

Marija and I parked right alongside the silo and operated from the 4WD. We ran 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 Batchica silo. Map c/o SiOTA website.

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK3PF
2. VK3TKK/P (Ah Knows Gully Reference Area VKFF-6228)
3. VK1AO
4. VK2MET
5. VK3APJ
6. VK4DNO
7. VK3DNO
8. VK3ZSC
9. VK3TKK/P (Lerderderg River Heritage Area VKFF-4434)

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK3PF
2. VK3TKK/P (Ah Knows Gully Reference Area VKFF-6228)
3. VK1AO
4. VK2MET
5. VK3APJ
6. VK4DNO
7. VK3DNO
8. VK3ZSC
9. VK3TKK/P (Lerderderg River Heritage Area VKFF-4434)
10. VK5DW
11. VK3DAC

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

1. VK4EMP
2. VK4TI
3. VK4GKO
4. VK1AO
5. VK2MET
6. VK2MG
7. VK4NH
8. VK4DXA
9. ZL1TM
10. VK2VW
11. VK2HFI
12. VK2AKA
13. VK2BUG

References.

1. Leslie James Blake, 1978, Place Names of Victoria.
2. Wikipedia Contributors (2024). Warracknabeal. Wikipedia.‌

Our first park activation for Tuesday 22nd October 2024 was the Warracknabeal Rifle Range Flora Reserve VKFF-2478.

Above:- Map showing the location of the Warracknabeal Rifle Range Flora Reserve. Map c/o Google Maps.

The reserve is located on the northern side of Golf Links Road, opposite the Warracknabeal Golf Club.

Above:- Aerial view of the reserve. Image c/o Google Earth.

The reserve is about 71 hectares in size and was established on the 26th day of February 1957. A total of 39 native flora species have been recorded in the park. (CAPAD 2022) (VicFlora n.d.)

Marija and I 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. VK3PF
2. VK3KAI
3. VK3SQ
4. VK2BD
5. VK5AAF
6. VK3CEO
7. VK2VAR
8. VK2GOM
9. VK5IS
10. VK5PE
11. VK3DWL
12. VK4DNO
13. VK1AO
14. VK2MET
15. VK5DW
16. VK5AYL
17. VK1AD
18. VK1NAM
19. VK3TKK/P (Ah Knows Gully Reference Area VKFF-6228)

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK3PF
2. VK3KAI
3. VK3SQ
4. VK2BD
5. VK5AAF
6. VK3CEO
7. VK2VAR
8. VK2GOM
9. VK5IS
10. VK5PE
11. VK3DWL
12. VK4DNO
13. VK1AO
14. VK2MET
15. VK5DW
16. VK5AYL
17. VK1AD
18. VK1NAM
19. VK3NDG
20. VK3FACD
21. VK3BTP
22. VK3NVY
23. VK2IO
24. VK2GEZ
25. VK3ZSC
26. VK5HAA
27. VK7FEAT
28. VK3TKK/P (Ah Knows Gully Reference Area VKFF-6228)

I worked the following stations on 40m FT8:-

1. VK4DNO
2. VK3PF
3. VK3SQ
4. VK3KAI
5. VK3DNO
6. VK3APJ

I worked the following stations on 20m FT8:-

1. VK1AO
2. VK2MET
3. VK3PF
4. VK3KAI
5. VK4EMP
6. VK4TI
7. VK4GKO
8. VK7XX

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

1. VK4NH
2. VK4DXA
3. ZL3MR
4. VK1AO
5. VK2MET
6. VK2VW
7. VK2HFI
8. VK2AKA
9. VK2BUG
10. VK4EMP
11. VK4TI
12. VK4GKO
13. ZL3TBC

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 4 Jan. 2025].‌
2. vicflora.rbg.vic.gov.au. (n.d.). Flora of Victoria. [online] Available at: https://vicflora.rbg.vic.gov.au. [Accessed 4 Jan. 2025].‌‌