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].‌

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