Albacutya silo VK-ALA3

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After leaving the Elam silo on 23rd October 2024, Marija and I continued north towards our next activation, the Albacutya silo VK-ALA3.

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

As we drove into the town of Rainbow, we stopped briefly to look at Rainbow Lake, a man-made lake popular for swimming and kayaking.

We then visited the little town of Rainbow on the southern edge of the Victorian Mallee country. The town’s name comes from a property in the area known as ‘Rainbow Rise’ which in turn was named due to it being located near a crescent-shaped ridge that in spring was alive with colourful wildflowers. (Aussie Towns 2025)

Rainbow has several murals that are located in and around Federal Street. The Centennary of Rail to Rainbow mural depicts one of the first passenger trains into Rainbow Station. The Commonwealth Hotel mural depicts the magnificent hotel that was demolished in 1959.

Marija and I then had a look at Yurunga Homestead in Rainbow. This heritage listed Edwardian style home was built in 1909 by Mr. A.G. Cust. (Visit Wimmera Mallee 2025)

Rainbow is a beautiful little town. In the main street, Federal Street, you can find the Rainbow War Memorial. The monument commemorates all those from the Rainbow district who served in World War One and World War Two.

The monument is surrounded by dozens of rose bushes which were in full bloom during our visit.

Marija and I then had dinner at the Eureka Hotel in Rainbow. The Eureka Hotel was built in 1905. (Flickr 2025)

On our way to the Albacutya silo we stopped to have a look at the murals located on the corner of Hopetoun-Rainbow Road and Albacutya Road. There are three murals painted on large panels. They depict the history of nearby Lake Albacutya.

The Albacutya silos are part of the Australian Silo Art Trail. The silo art was completed in May 2021 and is the work of Melbourne artist Kitt Bennett. (Australiansiloarttrail.com, 2022)

Kitt Bennett spent several weeks exploring the local area and speaking with locals. He commenced compiling a series of sketches and paintings that would form the basis of the final design of the silos. Kitt drew on his childhood experience in growing up in the bush and catching yabbies in the creeks. The concept of the boy on the motorbike was based on the son of the silo owner.

Marija and I parked in the silo carpark 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:- Map showing the activation zone at the Albacutya silo. Image c/o SiOTA website.

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK3WSG
  2. VK1CHW
  3. VK7PJM
  4. VK3APJ

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK3WSG
  2. VK1CHW
  3. VK7PJM
  4. VK3APJ
  5. VK3USA
  6. VK2IO/m
  7. VK5WU
  8. VK5FB
  9. VK3SQ
  10. VK2BD
  11. VK1AO
  12. VK2MET
  13. VK7MAD

References.

  1. Aussie Towns. (n.d.). Rainbow, VIC. [online] Available at: https://www.aussietowns.com.au/town/rainbow-vic [Accessed 12 Feb. 2025]
  2. ‌Australiansiloarttrail.com. (2022). \r\n \n Albacutya Silo Art\n \r\n. [online] Available at: https://www.australiansiloarttrail.com/albacutya [Accessed 12 Feb. 2025].
  3. ‌Flickr. (2025). Rainbow. One of the two grand hotels built in Rainbow in 1905. This is the Eureka Hotel. Almost next door is the Royal Hotel. [online] Available at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/82134796@N03/24108525150 [Accessed 12 Feb. 2025].
  4. ‌Visit Wimmera Mallee. (2025). Yurunga Homestead – Visit Wimmera Mallee. [online] Available at: https://visitwimmeramallee.com.au/business-listing/yurunga-homestead/ [Accessed 14 Mar. 2025].‌

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