Our next activation for Monday, 3rd November 2025, was South West Woodland Nature Reserve VKFF-2724. This particular section of the reserve is located about 53 km north of Jerilderie.
Above: Map showing the location of South West Woodland Nature Reserve – Kulki. Map c/o Google Maps
The Kulki section of South West Woodland Nature Reserve is located at the junction of Cadell Road and Stud Park N Road, Gala Vale.
Above: The boundaries of South West Woodland Nature Reserve – Kulki. Image c/o Google Earth
Just around the corner from the reserve is Gala Vale homestead. Charles W.L. Bull purchased the property in 1896. He constructed a pise house on the site of the current homestead. Pise houses are built using rammed earth. During the early 1920s, he removed the front section of the pise house, and he commenced building the current homestead. During the 1930s further sections of the homestead were completed, including the kitchen, dining room and sunroom. The last part of the pise house was demolished during the 1960s. This section of the pise house contained the old Gala Vale telephone exchange. (Murrumbidgee Council 2021)
An annual Gymkhana was held at Gala Vale.
Above: article from te Narandera Argus, Tue 24 Oct 1939. Image co Trove
South West Woodland Nature Reserve consists of 27 separate sections which range from Peak Hill in the north to Berrigan in the south, a distance of about 400 km. The total area of the reserve is about 13,840 hectares (34,200-acres). (Wikipedia 2026)
Above: An aerial view of South West Woodland NR – Kulki. Image c/o Google Maps
Prior to the declaration of the reserve on the 1st day of January 2011, the various sections were State Forests, which retained their forest names. They were gazetted State Forests between 1913 and 1977 and were managed by the Forestry Commission of NSW for logging and timber harvesting activities. (Wikipedia 2026)
The Kulki section was declared a State Forest on the 15th day of June 1917. It covers an area of about 172 hectares (430 acres). (Wikipedia 2026)
Upon our arrival near the park, there were dozens of kangaroos. It was very slow going along the road.
Marija and I ran the Yaesu FT857, 40 watts, and the 20/40/80m linked dipole supported on the 7-metre heavy duty squid pole.
Unfortunately we experienced strength 7 lightning crahses on the 40m band and it started to rain towards the end of our activation, which forced us to pack up.
Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-
- VK2OKR/P (VKFF-1410)
- VK2BXB/P (VKFF-1410)
- VK2AUS/P (VKFF-1410)
- VK2AUR/P (VKFF-1410)
- VK2AUT/P (VKFF-1410)
- VK2HAK
- VK2NP
- VK1AO
- VK2MET
- VK3SQ
- VK3JT
- VK3BD
- VK2IO/P (VKFF-0992)
- VK2GEZ/P (VKFF-0992)
I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-
- VK2OKR/P (VKFF-1410)
- VK2BXB/P (VKFF-1410)
- VK2AUS/P (VKFF-1410)
- VK2AUR/P (VKFF-1410)
- VK2AUT/P (VKFF-1410)
- VK2HAK
- VK2NP
- VK1AO
- VK2MET
- VK3SQ
- VK3JT
- VK3BD
- VK3MIJ
- VK3KRL
- VK2HBG/M
- VK3QA
- VK6ASK/M
- VK3CLD
- VK5QA
- VK2DBF
- VK3BAP
- VK3JSD
- VK2GSV
- VK5FANA
- VK3TDX
- VK2DA
- VK1DA
- VK7PJM
- VK2KEV/P
- VK5AYL
- VK2IO/P (VKFF-0992)
- VK2GEZ/P (VKFF-0992)
- VK1DI
- VK3UH
- VK5LA
- VK5KAW
- VK2AIH
- VK4HMI
- VK1FM
- F5PYI
- VK7MAT
- VK3HJW
- VK2XGB/M
- VK1AD
- VK1NAM
- VK5DMO
At the conclusion of the activation, we made our way back towards Jerilderie, where we planned to get some dinner. It was drizzling with rain at the time, and out in front of ran two kangaroos. Fortunately, I was not travelling too fast at the time, and I managed to brake to avoid hitting them. However, one slipped on the wet road and slid underneath the 4WD, killing it instantly. I stopped to check on its welfare, but sadly, it was deceased and had no joey. The next thing was to check for damage underneath the 4WD. Luckily, there was none.
References.
- Murrumbidgee Council, 2021, Murrumbidgee Council Heritage Review Inventory Report
- Wikipedia Contributors (2026). South West Woodland Nature Reserve. Wikipedia.
VK5PAS 