Our next silo activation for Sunday, 2nd November 2025, was the Urana silo VK-URA2.
Above: Map showing the location of Urana, NSW. Map c/o Google Maps
It is believed that Urana is derived from the Wiradjuri Aboriginal word ‘airana’ which is used to describe a temporary shelter. Others suggest ot comes from ‘aurana’ meaning camping ground.
Prior to European occupation, the area was inhabited by the Wiradjuri Aboriginal people. During the 1850s, European settlers commenced taking up land in the district. In 1859, Surveyor Hayes approved a design for the town of Urana.
On the 1st day of January 1861, the Urana Post Office was opened.
In 1866, the Urana township comprised two public houses, a post office, two large stores, a police station and lock-up, the Urana Hotel and the Royal Hotel. (Wikipedia 2026)
Urana has seen bushranger activity, including that of John Fuller, alias Daniel Morgan and ‘Mad Dog Morgan’. He was born on the 30th day of April 1830, at Appin, New South Wales.
Above: the bushranger Daniel Morgan. Image c/o Wikipedia
Morgan teamed up with a man known as ‘Flash Clarke’ and ‘German Bill’. His true identity was never discovered. (A Guide to Australian Bushranging 2019) (Wikipedia 2023)
On Thursday, the 20th day of August 1863, Henry Bayliss, the Police Magistrate from Wagga Wagga, was riding along the road from Bullenbong to Brookong Station en route to Urana to attend court. He encountered Morgan and Clarke who attempted to rob Bayliss. They were armed with pistols and shotguns. (A Guide to Australian Bushranging 2019) (Wikipedia 2023)
Above: Henry Bayliss. Image c/o Wikipedia
Bayliss galloped away on his horse but was pursued and fired upon. He was eventually apprehended by the bushrangers who demanded his valuables. Bayliss refused and threats were made that he would be shot. Bayliss handed over his watch and £4. Upon learning the identity of their victim, Morgan returned the money and watch that he had taken from Bayliss. Morgan and Clarke cut down a telegraph pole, which cut off all communication between Urana and Wagga Wagga, and they rode off. (A Guide to Australian Bushranging 2019) (Wikipedia 2023)
Above: article from the Leader, Melbourne, Sat 5 Sep 1863. Image c/o Trove
Bayliss rode to Urana and telegraphed Wagga Wagga via Melbourne. Headed by Sub-Inspector Morrow, a team of police headed to Urana. The party also included Constable Brown and Constable Charlton. Bayliss then led the party of police in search of Morgan and Clarke. £4 (Wikipedia 2023)
On Wednesday, the 26th day of August, Bayliss and the police discovered a camp in dense scrub about ‘seven miles’ from Urangaline Creek only a short distance from Urana. Items belonging to the bushrangers, including Morgan’s distinctive poncho and a bible were located. Morgan and Clarke were not present. Sub-Inspector Morrow, Trooper Brown and Baylis remained at the camp awaiting the return of Morgan and Clarke. (Wikipedia 2023)
Late that evening, Constable Brown heard noises in the scrub. It was reported that Bayliss scoffed and stated the noise was due to a possum. Bayliss and his team heard a noise near the camp. They advanced and shots rang out. Bayliss was shot in the right chest and fell to the ground. The police fired upon the camp, however Morgan and Clarke decamped. Constable Brown rode to Wagga Wagga and alerted others to what had occurred. (Wikipedia 2023)
On Thursday, the 27th day of August, a shepherd named Haley was confronted and shot by two men suspected to be Morgan and Clarke. It was reported that this was retribution for the shepherd providing information to the police regarding the location of Morgan and Clarke’s camp at Urangaline Creek. (A Guide to Australian Bushranging 2019) (Wikipedia 2023)
Above: article from The Kiama Indpendent, Tue 8 Sept 1863. Image c/o Trove
Clarke had been severely wounded in the shootout with the police. Morgan took him to Mahonga Station, southeast of Urana. I have a connection with Mahonga Station myself. My great-great-great-grandfather William Slade, was a boundary rider at Mahonga. My great-great-grandfather, Matthew Slade was raised there as a child. (A Guide to Australian Bushranging 2019) (Wikipedia 2023)
Clarke died at Mahonga Station due to his gunshot wounds. He was taken to a remote location on the station, and MLorgan then rode off. Several years later a decomposed body was located on the run. The body was wearing the black coat that Clarke was wearing on the night of the shootout. (A Guide to Australian Bushranging 2019) (Wikipedia 2023)
Following the shootout, Baylis offered a reward of £200 for “any person who shall give such information as will lead to the apprehension of the offender”. (A Guide to Australian Bushranging 2019) (Wikipedia 2023)
Morgan continued his bushranging activities, which included several murders, arson, and armed robbery. In April 1865, Morgan was shot and killed near Wangaratta, Victoria. He was 34 years old. (A Guide to Australian Bushranging 2019) (Wikipedia 2023)
Above: the capture of Morgan. Image c/o Wikipedia
Bayliss was paid £1500 in compensation, but this was subsequently reduced to £300. The authorities did this to discourage others injured in the line of duty from seeking a payout. Bayliss was presented with a bravery medal. Upon his retirement, Bayliss was presented by his fellow Magistrates with the bullet which had struck him. It was enclosed in a gold casket suspended to a watch chain. (A Guide to Australian Bushranging 2019) (Trove 2026)
Above: article from the Ovens and Murray Advertiser, Sat 18 Dec 1875. Image c/o Trove
Below is a very good video on the life of the bushranger Morgan.
The Urana silos are located on Stephen Street on the eastern side of the town.
Marija and I parked the 4WD on Stephen Street opposite the silos. We ran the Icom IC-7000, 100 watts, and the Codan 9350 antenna with the 1.5 metres stainless steel whip.
Above: the activation zone at the Urana silo. Image c/o SiOTA website
Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-
- VK2IO/p (VKFF-3932)
- VK3WSG
- VK5LA
- VK1AO
- VK2MET
- VK3OAK
I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-
- VK2IO/p (VKFF-3932)
- VK3WSG
- VK5LA
- VK1AO
- VK2MET
- VK3OAK
- VK3KLI
- VK1FM
- VK2HAK
- VK3SQ
- VK3JT
- VK2BD
- VK3WRT
- VK2KJJ
- VK5AYL
- VK3GJG
References.
- A Guide to Australian Bushranging. (2019). Morgan and the Magistrate. [online] Available at: https://aguidetoaustralianbushranging.wordpress.com/2019/11/20/morgan-and-the-magistrate/ [Accessed 20 Mar. 2026].
- Trove. (2026). Personal. – The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate (Parramatta, NSW : 1888 – 1950) – 10 Dec 1898. [online] Available at: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/85842210?searchTerm=enclosed%20in%20a%20gold%20casket%20%2B%20bayliss%20%2B%20morgan [Accessed 21 Mar. 2026].
- Wikipedia. (2023). Daniel Morgan (bushranger). [online] Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Morgan_(bushranger). [Accessed 21 Mar. 2026]
- Wikipedia Contributors (2026). Urana. Wikipedia.
VK5PAS 