Daily Archives: June 16, 2025

ANZA DX Net 55 year anniversary

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On Tuesday 20th May 2025, the Australia New Zealand Africa (ANZA) DX Net celebrated its 55 year anniversary. The net was started way back in 1970 by Percy VK3PA.

I decided to design a certificate for the occasion, which I emailed to each person who checked into the net on the day.

You can read more about the history of the ANZA DX Net on my website at…..https://www.vk5pas.com/anza-dx-net.html

Pengilly Scrub (Mudla Wirra) VKFF-4050

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Our final activation for Monday 21st April 2025, was Pengilly Scrub (Mudla Wirra) VKFF-4050. The reserve is located about 16 km north of Gawler and about 66 km north of Adelaide.

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

The reserve is located on the northern side of Molloy Road, Wasleys.

Above:- An aerial view of Pengilly Scrub. Image c/o Google Earth.

The reserve comprises 20 hectares of native scrub, which is surrounded by cleared land for farming. There are three main vegetation habitats in the reserve: Peppermint Box woodland, Native Pine woodland, and Mallee Woodland. Sadly, most of the scrub was burnt during the Pinery wildfire in November 2015. Over 85,000 acres were burned during the fire. 470 structures were destroyed, including 91 houses. Sadly, there were 2 fatalities. (Birds SA 2016) (Wikipedia 2021)

A total of 66 native birds have been recorded in the park, including Crested Pigeon, Red-rumped Parrot, Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater, Singing Honeyeater, White-browed Babbler, and Willie Wagtail. (Birds SA 2016)

Sadly, it was almost dark by the time we reached the park, so we did not get to enjoy this lovely piece of scrub.

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. VK3PF/M
  2. VK3KAI/M
  3. VK1AO
  4. VK2MET
  5. VK4SMA
  6. VK3CEO
  7. VK2LEE
  8. VK5FC
  9. VK3ANL
  10. VK3APJ
  11. VK3GJG/P (VKFF-0269)
  12. VK2IO/P (VKFF-0191)
  13. VK2GEZ/P (VKFF-0191)

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK3PF/M
  2. VK3KAI/M
  3. VK1AO
  4. VK2MET
  5. VK4SMA
  6. VK3CEO
  7. VK2LEE
  8. VK5FC
  9. VK3ANL
  10. VK3APJ
  11. VK3JV
  12. VK2EXA
  13. VK3GXL
  14. VK3CAL
  15. ZL2BB
  16. VK2YK
  17. VK5GA
  18. VK2EG
  19. VK3WSG
  20. VK3UCD
  21. VK2ADI
  22. VK7PJM
  23. VK3GJG/P (VKFF-0269)
  24. VK4HNS
  25. VK4NH
  26. VK4DXA
  27. VK5AV
  28. VK2USH
  29. VK4HMI
  30. ZL1GGL
  31. VK6ALE
  32. VK3GOW
  33. VK2WJM
  34. VK2MI
  35. VK2IO/P (VKFF-0191)
  36. VK2GEZ/P (VKFF-0191)
  37. VK5CZ
  38. VK6BSA
  39. VK2LWK
  40. VK3SPG
  41. VK5JBJ
  42. VK3SMW
  43. VK5VST
  44. VK6ACA

At the conclusion of the activation, we headed to the Roseworthy Hotel for an evening meal, before making our way back home. It had been a fun day out, with five new parks activated.

References.

  1. Birdssa.asn.au. (2016). Mudla Wirra Reserve (Pengilly Scrub) – Birds SA. [online] Available at: https://birdssa.asn.au/location/mudla-wirra-reserve-pengilly-scrub/ [Accessed 16 Jun. 2025].‌
  2. Wikipedia. (2021). 2015 Pinery bushfire. [online] Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2015_Pinery_bushfire.‌ [Accessed 16 Jun. 2025].‌

Altona Landcare Reserve VKFF-4028

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Our fourth park for Monday 21st April 2025, was the Altona Landcare Reserve VKFF-4028. The reserve is located about 3 km northwest of Lyndoch in the world-famous wine growing region of the Barossa Valley.

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

The park is located on Altona Road. A heritage agreement adjoins the western side of the reserve.

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

The reserve is a Heritage Agreement that is owned by the Williamstown, Lyndoch & Districts Landcare Group. It consists of 70 hectares of native scrub and is one of the last remaining areas of scrub in the district. The reserve is home to over 213 species of native plants. About 63 of those have national, state, or regional conservation status. A total of 96 species of native birds have been recorded, with 10 having national, state, or regional conservation ratings. (The Barossa Council, 2025)

Below is an excellent video on the reserve.

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. VK3PF/M
  2. VK3KAI/M
  3. VK3ANL
  4. VK1AO
  5. VK2MET
  6. VK2VW
  7. VK2HFI
  8. VK2AKA
  9. VK2BUG
  10. VK2EXA
  11. VK2IO/P (VKFF-0191)
  12. VK2GEZ/P (VKFF-0191)

Marija worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

  1. VK2IO/P (VKFF-0191)
  2. VK2GEZ/P (VKFF-0191)

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK3PF/M
  2. VK3KAI/M
  3. VK3ANL
  4. VK1AO
  5. VK2MET
  6. VK2VW
  7. VK2HFI
  8. VK2AKA
  9. VK2BUG
  10. VK2EXA
  11. VK3JV
  12. VK2LEE
  13. VK3WSG
  14. VK3APJ
  15. VK3YSA
  16. VK3CEO
  17. VK3JFR
  18. VK4NH
  19. VK4DXA
  20. VK4HMI
  21. VK3OCD
  22. VK3LPG
  23. VK2XB/M
  24. VK3BSB/M
  25. VK4SMA
  26. VK3UH
  27. VK2IO/P (VKFF-0191)
  28. VK2GEZ/P (VKFF-0191)
  29. VK2AC
  30. VK2RO
  31. VK2YK
  32. VK5GA
  33. VK3AEK
  34. VK2AKG
  35. VK1ARQ
  36. VK2USH
  37. VK2MOE/M
  38. VK1MO/M
  39. VK2NTM/M

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

  1. VK2IO/P (VKFF-0191)
  2. VK2GEZ/P (VKFF-0191)
  3. VK4CZ
  4. VK2USH
  5. VK2MOE
  6. VK1MO
  7. IK1GPG
  8. DL8ND
  9. VK6JK
  10. UT5PI
  11. KG5CIK
  12. VK4HNS
  13. IW2BNA

References.

  1. The Barossa Council. (2025). Altona Reserve. [online] Available at: https://www.barossa.sa.gov.au/environment/altona-reserve [Accessed 16 Jun. 2025].‌

Moorunde Wildlife Reserve VKFF-4045

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Our third park for Monday 21st April 2025, was the Moorunde Wildlife Reserve VKFF-4045. The reserve is located about 100 km northeast of Adelaide, between Blanchetown and Swan Reach.

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

The Moorunde Wildlife Reserve is 6,900 hectares (17,000 acres) in size and comprises several Heritage Agreements of mallee country. The northern boundary of the reserve is Stury Highway. The southern boundary is Moorundie Road. To the north of the reserve is Brookfield Conservation Park, which was purchased by the Chicago Zoological Society in 1971 for the conservation of the Southern hairy-nosed wombat. (Nat Hist Soc SA 2014) (Wikipedia 2025)

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

The Moorunde Wildlife Reserve was the first sanctuary established specifically to preserve the habitat of the Southern Hairy-nosed Wombat. It is one of the largest wombat sanctuaries in the world and is owned by the Natural History Society of South Australia. (Nat Hist Soc SA 2014)

Before the land was established as a Wildlife Sanctuary, it had been cleared for sheep grazing, wood fuel and charcoal production. (Wombats SA, 2020)

During the mid-1960s, the Natural History Society of South Australia lobbied the South Australian State Government to create a wombat sanctuary on the Nullabor Plains on the West Coast of South Australia. Sadly, this did not eventuate. In 1967, Jack and Peg Conquest approached the Natural History Society of South Australia. They were eager to establish a sanctuary for the Southern Hairy-nosed Wombat. (Nat Hist Soc SA 2014)

In 1968, the Society launched a public appeal to raise money to purchase land in the Murraylands. A total of $12,000 was required to purchase the property, and a further $6,000 for infrastructure. This appeal was very successful with the publicity and support of the Sunday Mail newspaper and the Adelaide Bank. The appeal also received donations from schools, community groups, private businesses and individuals. In the first week, a total of $4,000 had been raised. As a result of the appeal, the Society purchased 2,000 hectares of land near Blanchetown that was formerly part of Portee Station owned by Louis Power.  (Adelaide AZ, 2025) (Nat Hist Soc SA 2014)

The name of the reserve was chosen as Moorunde to acknowledge the traditional owners of the land and the explorer Edward John Eyre (b. 1815. d. 1901). In 1841, he was appointed the ‘Protector of the Aborigines’. Near present-day Blanchetown, he established a station which he named Moorunde. Moorundi is an Aboriginal name for the Murray River. (Nat Hist Soc SA 2014)

Above:- Edward John Eyre. Image c/o Wikipedia.

In 1973, the Chicago Zoological Society purchased land north of the reserve and established the Brookfield Conservation Park as a wombat sanctuary. (Nat Hist Soc SA 2014)

During the 1990s, Earth Sanctuaries established Yookamurra Sanctuary to the south of the Moorunde Reserve. (Nat Hist Soc SA 2014)

Above:- Article from The Sydney Morning Herald, 19 Jan 2002, re Earth Sanctuaries. Image c/o newspapers.com

In 2007, the Society purchased a further 4,900 hectares of adjacent land on Portee Station known as the Twelve Mile Plain. This brought the total area of the reserve to 6,900 hectares. This was made possible with some bequests in the bank and donations from the Society’s patrons, John and Mary Holt, other members and organisations. (Nat Hist Soc SA 2014) (Wombats SA, 2020)

The Southern Hairy-nosed Wombat is one of three species of wombat. It lives in semi-arid regions of South Australia. This particular species of wombat was adopted by the South Australian State Government in 1970 as the faunal emblem of South Australia. (Nat Hist Soc SA 2014)

It is estimated by Wombats SA that in 1968, there were 150 wombats on the reserve. Today, it is believed that about 2,000 southern hairy-nosed wombats call the reserve home.  (Adelaide AZ, 2025) (Wombats SA, 2020)

Below is a video detailing the history of the Moorunde Wildlife Reserve.

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. VK3TKK/p (VKFF-5566)
  2. VK3PF/P (VKFF-4443)
  3. VK3KAI/P (VKFF-4443)
  4. VK3ZPF
  5. VK3JW
  6. VK3PJF
  7. VK5CZ
  8. VK3SQ
  9. VK2BD
  10. VK3JT

Marija worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

  1. VK3YV/P (VKFF-5536)
  2. VK3TNL/P (VKFF-5536)

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK3TKK/p (VKFF-5566)
  2. VK3PF/P (VKFF-4443)
  3. VK3KAI/P (VKFF-4443)
  4. VK3ZPF
  5. VK3JW
  6. VK3PJF
  7. VK5CZ
  8. VK3SQ
  9. VK2BD
  10. VK3JT
  11. VK3AMO
  12. VK5WU
  13. VK2EXA
  14. VK3CEO
  15. VK3JV
  16. VK3PI
  17. VK3UH
  18. VK3GCM/P (SILO VK-LCT3)
  19. VK1AD
  20. VK1NAM
  21. VK3LBW
  22. VK5DW
  23. VK2PKT
  24. VK3SKS
  25. VK2YK
  26. VK5GA
  27. VK5HS
  28. VK5FL
  29. VK3APJ
  30. VK2VW
  31. VK2HFI
  32. VK2AKA
  33. VK2BUG

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

  1. VK2HDT
  2. VK7XX
  3. VK4JT
  4. K55CIK
  5. VK1AO
  6. VK2MET
  7. VK3YV/P (VKFF-5536)
  8. VK3TNL/P (VKFF-5536)
  9. VK3CLD/P
  10. VK3CEO
  11. VK4SUN
  12. VK4NH
  13. VK4DXA
  14. ZL1CZ
  15. ZL1TM
  16. VK3OAK/P (VKFF-0010_
  17. VK3GUM/P (VKFF-0010)
  18. VK4HNS
  19. VK3AMO
  20. UT5PI
  21. OH1MM
  22. VK6JK
  23. VK2VW
  24. VK2HFI
  25. VK2AKA
  26. VK2BUG
  27. SP7MW
  28. VK2MOR
  29. VK1MDP
  30. VK2IO
  31. VK2GEZ
  32. VK2MG
  33. F5PYI
  34. VK3GTO
  35. VK3ANL
  36. VK3PF/P (VKFF-4443)
  37. VK7AAE
  38. OH5TQ
  39. VK4IQ
  40. VK4SMA
  41. VK3SQ
  42. VK2BD
  43. VK3JT
  44. VK2AGU
  45. ZL2BEJ
  46. VK4EW
  47. VK4MGL

References.

  1. Adelaide AZ. (2025). Starving wombats on mallee country spark 1968 South Australian community campaign for Moorunde reserve | Adelaide AZ. [online] Available at: https://adelaideaz.com/articles/starving-wombats-on-mallee-country-spark-south-australian-community-campaign-to-set-up-moorunde-wildlife-reserve-in-1968_copy [Accessed 16 Jun. 2025].
  2. ‌Natural History Society SA, 2014, Moorunde Wildlife Reserve brochure
  3. Wikipedia Contributors (2025). Brookfield Conservation Park. Wikipedia.‌
  4. Wombats SA. (2020). Moorunde Wildlife Reserve – Wombats SA. [online] Available at: https://wombatssa.org.au/our-reserves/moorunde/ [Accessed 16 Jun. 2025].‌

Heritage Agreement (No.HA1446) VKFF-4057

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Our next activation for 21st April 2025 was Heritage Agreement (No.HA1446) VKFF-4057, at Palmer. The park is located about 4 km north of the town of Palmer, and about 75 km east of the city of Adelaide.

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

Prior to European settlement, Palmer was located on the western edge of the Ngaralta Aboriginal people. The first European exploration in the area was in 1838 by Dr. George Imlay and John Hill. In September 1846, the Reedy Creek special survey was granted to Enthoven, Capper and Masterman with Samuel Davenport as the agent. In August 1873, the township of Palmer was laid out, named in honour of Lt Colonel George Palmer, a South Australian Colonisation Commissioner. (Wikipedia 2019)

Above:- Lt Col. George Palmer. Image c/o Wikipedia.

You can undertake a History Walk in Palmer, with many of the historic buildings having information boards detailing their history.

We then headed out to the park, which on Google Maps indicated a road leading into it. However, what was found was a locked gate with ‘No entry’ signs. Marija and I managed to find a mobile telephone number as a contact point for the park, which we called. We spoke with the landowner, Greg Johns, who very kindly allowed us access to the park.

The park is located on the eastern side of Davenport Road.

Just inside the gate is an information board with a great amount of detail about the heritage agreement.

On the property is Leif’s Valley. It is named in honour of 21-year-old Leif Indigo Justham. On the 22nd day of March 2021, Leif set off from Adelaide on an adventure to cycle solo around Highway 1 in Australia, to promote the need to divest from polluting industries. On the 6th day of April 201, he was struck by a truck on the Nullabor in Western Australia and was killed. The truck driver was charged with Dangerous driving occasioning death and was sentenced in December 2022. (Leifjustham.com, 2021)

As it was a little wet and windy, Marija and I set up underneath the sheltered information area. We ran the Yaesu FT857, 40 watts, and the 20/40/80m linked dipole.

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK2IO/P (VKFF-3250)
  2. VK2GEZ/P (VKFF-3250)
  3. VK3CEO
  4. VK3PF/P (SOTA VK3/ VT-047 & VKFF-4443)
  5. VK3KAI/P (SOTA VK3/ VT-047 & VKFF-4443)
  6. VK2YK
  7. VK5GA
  8. VK1RX/M
  9. VK2EXA
  10. VK5HS
  11. VK3AMO
  12. VK3TKK/P (VKFF-4637)
  13. VK5BJE
  14. VK3YV/P (VKFF-4440)

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK2IO/P (VKFF-3250)
  2. VK2GEZ/P (VKFF-3250)
  3. VK3CEO
  4. VK3PF/P (SOTA VK3/ VT-047 & VKFF-4443)
  5. VK3KAI/P (SOTA VK3/ VT-047 & VKFF-4443)
  6. VK2YK
  7. VK5GA
  8. VK1RX/M
  9. VK2EXA
  10. VK5HS
  11. VK3AMO
  12. VK3ZSC
  13. VK5CZ
  14. VK3ZPF
  15. VK3JW
  16. VK3UH
  17. VK3DCU
  18. VK5AR
  19. VK5UV
  20. VK3JV
  21. VK3APJ
  22. VK6XL/7
  23. VK5SRF
  24. VK2LEE
  25. VK5BJE
  26. VK2USH
  27. VK3MDC
  28. VK2VW
  29. VK2HFI
  30. VK2AKA
  31. VK2BUG
  32. VK4DNO
  33. VK3DNO
  34. VK3TKK/P (VKFF-4637)
  35. VK2YW
  36. VK2PET
  37. VK5PE
  38. VK3VRL
  39. VK3YV/P (VKFF-4440)
  40. VK3TNL/P (VKFF-4440)

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. VK6XL/7
  10. ZL1TM
  11. VK5HS
  12. VK4CK/M
  13. ZL1HIM
  14. KG5CIK
  15. VK7EE
  16. VK2IWU
  17. VK4MWL
  18. VK6JK
  19. VK7XX
  20. VK1JIM
  21. VK2TER
  22. VK2USH
  23. ZL1JLM
  24. VK2MG
  25. VK6NU
  26. VK2BUM
  27. VK2GWB

References.

  1. Leifjustham.com. (2021). Leif Indigo Justham. [online] Available at: https://leifjustham.com/index.html [Accessed 16 Jun. 2025].
  2. ‌Wikipedia Contributors (2019). Palmer. [online] Wikipedia. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palmer. [Accessed 16. Jun 2025]‌

Murray Park Reserve VKFF-4048

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On Easter Monday, 21st April 2025, Marija and I decided to head out into the field to activate some parks. I intended to use the special event call of VI100IARU.

Our first park for the day was Murray Park Reserve VKFF-4048, at Murray Bridge, about 75 km east of Adelaide.

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

Murray Park Reserve is bordered by Eleanor Terrace, Thomas Street, and Albert Terrace.

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

Murray Park Reserve is a small piece (6 hectares) of remnant scrub located in the residential/industrial area of Murray Bridge.

A small area in the park is excluded from the park. It is the old Murray Park cemetery that was used as the first cemetery in Murray Bridge from 1885 to 1886.

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. VK5IS
  2. VK2YK
  3. VK5GA
  4. VK3ZPF
  5. VK3JW
  6. VK3SO
  7. VK3CEO
  8. VK3SQ
  9. VK2BD
  10. VK3ALF
  11. VK3MCK

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

  1. VK5IS
  2. VK2YK
  3. VK5GA
  4. VK3ZPF
  5. VK3JW
  6. VK3SO
  7. VK3CEO
  8. VK3SQ
  9. VK2BD
  10. VK3ALF
  11. VK3MCK
  12. VK3ZSC

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

  1. VK3CEO
  2. VK3APJ
  3. VK2EXA
  4. VK3VIN
  5. VK2YK
  6. VK5GA
  7. VK3ZSC
  8. VK6XL/7
  9. VK1MA
  10. VK5PL
  11. VK3PAH

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB before the UTC rollover:-

  1. VK4/ZL3MR
  2. ZL2BB
  3. VK2IO
  4. VK2GEZ

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB after the UTC rollover:-

  1. VK2IO
  2. VK2GEZ
  3. VK2KET
  4. VK2VW
  5. VK2HFI
  6. VK2AKA
  7. VK2BUG
  8. VK1AO
  9. VK2MET
  10. VK2USH
  11. VK7TO
  12. ZL2BB
  13. ZL1POTA
  14. VK4BJS
  15. VK4SYD
  16. ZL3RIK
  17. VK4HNS
  18. VK2BUS
  19. VK2MG

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 16 Jun. 2025].‌

HEMA Mount Observation VK5/ HSE-027

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On Tuesday 15th April 2025, I activated Mount Observation VK5/ HSE-027 for the HEMA program. The summit is located about 11 km south of Ashbourne and about 81 km south of the city of Adelaide.

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

I first tried to activate the summit via Signal Flat Road, which involved some door knocking. I got permission from one land owner, but this resulted in me falling short of the activation zone of the summit.

So I headed around to the western side of the summit and tried access via Bull Creek Road. I was lucky to find the electronic gate open at the commencement of the track leading to the summit. I knocked on a few doors of farms on the track and was very kindly granted permission to activate the summit.

The summit has a tower with radio communication equipment on it.

There are some nice views to be enjoyed of the surrounding countryside from the summit, which is about 262 metres above sea level and has a prominence of 101 metres. (HEMA 2021)

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

I tried my best to get the laptop up and going with FT8 during this activation, but I was unsuccessful with accurate timing.

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK3PF
  2. VK5HS
  3. VK5LA
  4. VK3TUX
  5. VK5PE
  6. VK5FANA
  7. VK3BEL
  8. VK3SQ

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

  1. VK3PF
  2. VK2VW
  3. VK1BPM
  4. VK1AO
  5. VK2IO
  6. VK3YV
  7. VK4AS
  8. VK2LDJ

References.

  1. Hema.org.uk. (2021). HEMA VK5/HSE-027 – Mount Observation. [online] Available at: http://www.hema.org.uk/fullSummit.jsp?summitKey=59876 [Accessed 16 Jun. 2025].‌