Our second park for Monday, the 4th day of May 2026, was Ryans Lagoon Nature Conservation Reserve VKFF-2186. The reserve is located about 14 km (by road) east of Wodonga in northeast Victoria.
Above: Map showing the location of Ryans Lagoon Nature Conservation Reserve. Map c/o Google Maps
The reserve is located at the junction of Ryans Road and Trabants Road, Bonegilla.
Above: the boundaries at Ryans Lagoon NCR. Image c/o Google Earth
There is a gate that takes you into the reserve, which has a yellow sign alongside which reads ’95 Ryans Road DDAC’. DDAC stands for the Duduroa Dhargal Aboriginal Corporation, which manages the reserve. The reserve was previously managed by Parklands Albury Wodonga. (Foyster and Foyster, 2024)
Ryans Lagoon is about 15 hectares in size and was once used for grazing. The reserve is included in the Directory of Important Wetlands in Australia due to its high biodiversity and ecological value. It is an excellent example of riverline billabongs in the upper sections of the Murray River. The reserve is home to at least 29 species of waterbirds. Sloane’s Froglet, which is listed as endangered, can be found in the reserve. (DAWE 2024) (Facebook 2016) (Parklands Albury Wodonga 2025)
Chris and I set up underneath the shelter just inside the gate. We ran the Yaesu FT857, 40 watts, and the 20/40/80m linked dipole.
I worked the following stations on 40m SSB before the UTC rollover:-
- VK3SQ
- VK2BD
- VK3JT
- VK4FNQ
- VK3GJG
- VK3TAZ
- VK2YW
- VK2IO/P (VKFF-4551)
- VK2GEZ/P (VKFF-4551)
- VK2MW
- VK2HSV
- VK2MOE
- VK1MO
- VK3SO
- VK3SFG
I worked the following stations on 40m SSB after the UTC rollover:-
- VK3SO
- VK3SFG
- VK2YW
- VK3ZSC
- VK3BSC
- VK3VCE
- VK3GJG
- VK3TAZ
- VK2MOE
- VK1MO
- VK2EXA
- VK1CHW
- VK2CHW
- VK2MW
- VK2HSV
- VK2VW
- VK2HFI
- VK2AKA
- VK2BUG
- VK5LA
- VK5KAW
- VK2LAX
- VK4NH
- VK4DXA
- VK4FNQ
- VK2VAR
- VK2GOM
- VK1VIC
- VK2VIC
- VK2GOY
- VK1AO/P (VKFF-2085)
- VK2MET/P (VKFF-2085)
- VK3PF (VKFF-5582)
- VK5LRB
- VK3CJN
- VK3QHU
- VK3DJB
- VK3FS
- VK3ATT
- VK3ETT
- VK4EMP
- VK4TI
- VK4GKO
- VK3SQ
- VK3JT
- VK2BD
- VK1DI/P (VKFF-0620)
- VK2IO/P (VKFF-4551)
- VK2GEZ/P (VKFF-4551)
I worked the following stations on 20m SBB:-
- VK4NH
- VK4DXA
- VK7AAE
References.
- DAWE. (2024). Environmental water to Ryan’s Lagoon wetland has the frogs singing. [online] Available at: https://www.dcceew.gov.au/cewh/resources-media/news/environmental-water-ryans-lagoon-wetland-has-frogs-singing. [Accessed 13 May 2026]
- Facebook.com. (2016). 12K views · 80 reactions | Once used as grazing area, Ryans Lagoon is a significant wetland 20 minutes out of Wodonga that is now being restored by Traditional Owners. Earlier this year, Traditional Owners planned and implemented their first burn of the area alongside CFA and Forest Fire Management Victoria. Firefighters worked to support the Duduroa Dhargal Aboriginal Corporation for the burn, with the aim to regenerate the area and reduce fuel load 🍃🔥 | CFA (Country Fire Authority). [online] Available at: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1043886127075875 [Accessed 13 May 2026].
- Foyster, G. and Foyster, G. (2024). River stories: Restoring Country at Ryans Lagoon. [online] Environment Victoria – Environment Victoria. Available at: https://environmentvictoria.org.au/2024/07/18/river-stories-restoring-country-at-ryans-lagoon/. [Accessed 13 May 2026]
- Nla.gov.au. (2026). Making sure you’re not a bot! [online] Available at: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/179818397?searchTerm=burke%20%2B%20wills%20%2B%20wakool%20crossing [Accessed 13 May 2026].
- Parklands Albury Wodonga. (2025). Ryans Lagoon in the Spotlight this World Wetlands Day – Parklands Albury Wodonga. [online] Available at: https://www.parklands-alburywodonga.org.au/2025/02/ryans-lagoon-in-the-spotlight-this-world-wetlands-day/. [Accessed 13 May 2026]
VK5PAS 