Marija and I packed up at Wood Wood on Friday, the 7th day of November 2025, and headed west towards Ouyen, where we had booked in to stay for one night before heading home. There were so many VKFF parks in the area, but we just did not have the time to activate them all. We decided to activate the Chinkapook silo VK-CHK3.
Chinkapook is about 66 km east of Ouyen.
Above: Map showing the location of Chinkapook. Map c/o Google Maps
Along the way, on the road, we saw several tractors towing agricultural machinery.
The Chinkapook district was originally part of the Eureka pastoral run, which was established in 1848. In the 1880s, the run was subdivided for pastoral leaseholds. In 1903, a township was surveyed. There are various opinions on the origin of the name Chinkapook. It is believed to be derived from the Aboriginal language, meaning red pool or red ochre. (Victorianplaces.com.au 2026)
On the 12th day of September 1910, the Post Office opened as Christmas Tank. It was renamed Chinkapook in 1914 and closed in 1974. In 1913, the Mangatang railway was extended and travelled through Chinkapook. A boarding house, Post office, general store, school, and public hall were built. (Victorianplaces.com.au 2026) (Wikipedia 2025)
Above: main street of Chinkapook. Image c/o Museums Victoria
Chinkapook had football, cricket, and tennis clubs. (Victorianplaces.com.au 2026)
Above: article from the Ultima and Chillingollah Star, Fri 18 Jun 1915. Image c/o Trove
In 1917, a severe mouse plague occurred in the district, with mice eating the notebooks kept by the Australian poet John Shaw Neilson whilst he was in the district. (Victorianplaces.com.au 2026)
Above: part of an article from the Newcastle Morning Herald, Sat 29 Nov 1947. Image c/o Trove
Today, not much remains at Chinkapook.
The Chinkapook silos are located on the southern side of Springfield Road.
Marija and I parked alongside the silos and operated from the 4WD. We ran the Icom IC-7000, 100 watts, and the Codan 9350 antenna with the 1.5 metre stainless steel whip.
Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-
- VK2IO
- VK2GEZ
- VK2ZR
- VK2AZR
- VK2ZRX
- VK5DW
- VK3LDX
- VK3PF
- VK5NOU
I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-
- VK2IO
- VK2GEZ
- VK2ZR
- VK2AZR
- VK2ZRX
- VK5DW
- VK3LDX
- VK3PF
- VK5NOU
During our activation, Peter VK3PF advised us that the silo activation zone included the Box Flat Bushland Reserve, so we quite our silo activation and headed to the park to undertake a dual activation.
References.
- Victorianplaces.com.au. (2026). Chinkapook | Victorian Places. [online] Available at: https://www.victorianplaces.com.au/chinkapook. [Accessed 18 Apr. 2026]
VK5PAS 