Roachdale Reserve VKFF-4052

Posted on by

Our third park activation for Saturday, 23rd November 2024, was the Roachdale Reserve VKFF-4052. The park is located about 38 km northeast of the city of Adelaide.

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

Along the way, we passed the Union Bridge Brewery and Distillery. This was the old Cudlee Creek Cold Stores that date back to 1922.

We then stopped at Chain of Ponds and the historic Philpton cemetery. Some mongrel had stolen the plaque outside the cemetery which listed those who were buried here.

We continued on to the Roachdale Reserve, which is located on the corner of South Para Road and Wattle Road.

Above:- An aerial view of Roachdale Reserve. Image c/o Google Earth.

Roachdale Reserve was the first property to be donated to the National Trust of South Australia. Miss Hilda Roach donated 45 hectares of Humbug Scrub in 1957. It was later named Roachdale. (National Trust, 2025)

Hilda was born on the 11th day of October 1885 at Burra, South Australia. She never married. Hilda died on the 26th day of September 1970 at Kersbrook, South Australia. Hilda is buried in the family plot at the North Road cemetery, Nailsworth, South Australia; however, her name is not inscribed on the headstone. (Ancestry.com.au 2021) (Findagrave.com 2025)

Above:- the Roach family plot. Image c/o http://www.findagrave.com

Roachdale Reserve protects one of the few remaining stands of Long-leafed Box forest, and during spring and summer, the park has magnificent displays of wildflowers, orchids and lilies. The majority of the land in the vicinity of the park has been cleared for agriculture. About 225 native plants have been recorded in the park, including 32 of conservation significance. (National Trust, 2025)

This was a difficult park to activate due to the very thick scrub and lack of any clearing. We ran the Yaesu FT857, 40 watts, and the 20/40/80m linked dipole, which had the 80m sections lying on the ground.

We qualified the park for VKFF with 10 contacts, but we had to pack up due to rain.

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK2IO/p (VKFF-0347)
  2. VK2GEZ/P (VKFF-0347)
  3. VK3KLI/M
  4. VK3WSG
  5. VK3MKE
  6. VK2YK/P (VKFF-2888)
  7. VK5GA/P (VKFF-2888)
  8. VK1AO/P (VKFF-1778)
  9. VK2MET/P (VKFF-1778)
  10. VK5QA
  11. VK3CLD
  12. VK2DBF
  13. VK3DAC/P (VKFF-0333)
  14. VK1DI/P (VKFF-1775)
  15. VK3KK/P
  16. VK3VEO
  17. VK3MRG
  18. VK3KLI/P (VKFF-6010)

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK2IO/p (VKFF-0347)
  2. VK2GEZ/P (VKFF-0347)
  3. VK3KLI/M
  4. VK3WSG
  5. VK3MKE
  6. VK2YK/P (VKFF-2888)
  7. VK5GA/P (VKFF-2888)
  8. VK1AO/P (VKFF-1778)
  9. VK2MET/P (VKFF-1778)
  10. VK5QA
  11. VK3CLD
  12. VK2DBF
  13. VK3DAC/P (VKFF-0333)
  14. VK1DI/P (VKFF-1775)
  15. VK3KK/P
  16. VK3VEO
  17. VK3MRG
  18. VK3KLI/P (VKFF-6010)

References.

  1. Ancestry.com.au. (2021). Ancestry – Sign in. [online] Available at: https://www.ancestry.com.au/family-tree/person/tree/37820082/person/19146556035/facts [Accessed 11 Jun. 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 11 Jun. 2025].‌
  3. Findagrave.com. (2025). Hilda Roach (1885-1970) – Find a Grave Memorial. [online] Available at: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/282151760/hilda-roach [Accessed 11 Jun. 2025].
  4. ‌National Trust. (2025). Roachdale Reserve – National Trust. [online] Available at: https://www.nationaltrust.org.au/places/roachdale-reserve/ [Accessed 11 Jun. 2025].‌

Leave a comment