Our final activation for Thursday, the 6th day of November 2025, was Mystic Park Bushland Reserve VKFF-5618. The park is located about 17km southeast of Lake Boga.

Above: Map showing the location of Mystic Park Bushland Reserve. Map c/o Google Maps

We drove along the western side of Kangaroo Lake.

We crossed several irrigation channels.

Mystic Park Bushland Reserve is located on the western side of Murray Valley Highway. The southern boundary is Mystic Park E Road. The northern boundary is Bailey Road.

Above: the boundaries of Mystic Park Bushland Reserve. Image c/o Google Earth

The locality of Mystic Park takes its name from the Mystic Park Hotel, which was established in 1879 on the stagecoach run to Swan Hill. The publican had an affection for horse racing, and as there was a Mystic Park race track in Massachusetts, USA. In 1890, a railway station was opened on the Piangil Railway line. In 1893, a township was gazetted. In its heyday, it contained a church, a school, a mechanics institute and a football club. (Victorianplaces.com.au, 2026) (Wikipedia 2024)

Above: article from The Kerang Times, Fri 9 Jun 1893. Image c/o Trove

John Gorton was the Prime Minister of Australia from 1968 to 1971. He lived in Mystic Park for a significant portion of his life. (Wikipedia 2024)

Above: John Gorton. Image c/o Wikipedia

In April 1946, at Mystic Park Hall, Gorton delivered an address to a welcome-home gathering for returned soldiers. It was described by some as “Australia’s best unknown political speech.

I want you to forget it is I who am standing here. And I want you to see instead Bob Davey. And behind him I want you to see an army; regiment on regiment of young men, dead. They say to you, burning in tanks and aeroplanes, drowning in submarines, shattered and broken by high explosive shells, we gave the last full measure of devotion. We bought your freedom with our lives. So take this freedom. Guard it as we have guarded it, use it as we can no longer use it, and with it as a foundation, build. Build a world in which meanness and poverty, tyranny and hate, have no existence. If you see and hear these men behind me – do not fail them. (Wikipedia 2019)

Mystic Park Bushland Reserve is about 645 hectares in size and was established on the 8th day of May 1990. Sadly, we found that vandals had spray-painted graffiti on the park sign. (Dcceew.gov.au 2025)

We ran the Yaesu FT857, 40 watts, and the 20/40/80m linked dipole.

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK5NJ
2. VK3PF/M
3. VK3KAI/M
4. VK4SMA
5. VK2IO
6. VK2GEZ
7. VK5FANA
8. VK4FODM
9. VK3TDK
10. VK3NYC

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK5NJ
2. VK3PF/M
3. VK3KAI/M
4. VK4SMA
5. VK2IO
6. VK2GEZ
7. VK5FANA
8. VK4FODM
9. VK3TDK
10. VK3NYC
11. VK4EMP
12. VK4TI
13. VK4GKO
14. VK4QRZ
15. VK4GAP
16. VK2NP
17. VK2EXA
18. VK2BL
19. VK2USH
20. VK3KBC
21. VK3NS
22. VK2HAK
23. VK3DAC
24. VK3MIJ
25. VK2VIC
26. VK1VIC
27. VK2GOY
28. VK3APJ
29. VK4CK
30. VK1CHW
31. VK3AIK
32. VK2DA
33. VK1DA
34. VK3UH
35. VK3JDO
36. VK7KT
37. VK3AIW

I worked the following stations on 40m AM:-

1. VK3KBC
2. VK3NS
3. VK4CPS
4. VK2USH
5. VK2JPR
6. VK3DAC
7. VK2VIC
8. VK1VIC
9. VK2GOY
10. VK4CK
11. VK2CHW
12. VK1CHW
13. VK2HAK

Marija and I packed up and we headed back towards Swan Hill.

We stopped at the site of Burke and Wills Camp 14 on the Murray Valley Highway between Mystic Park and Lake Boga. It is one of 54 recognised camp sites between Melbourne and Coopers Creek during the ill-fated Burke and Wills expedition in 1860.

Below is an excellent video on the Burke and Wills expedition.

Marija and I then headed out for dinner. It had been a great day of activating.

References.

1. Dcceew.gov.au. (2025). Collaborative Australian Protected Areas Database 2024 – DCCEEW. [online] Available at: https://www.dcceew.gov.au/environment/land/nrs/science/capad/2024. [Accessed 17 Apr. 2026]‌
2. Victorianplaces.com.au. (2026). Mystic Park | Victorian Places. [online] Available at: https://www.victorianplaces.com.au/mystic-park [Accessed 17 Apr. 2026].
3. ‌Wikipedia Contributors (2024). Mystic Park. Wikipedia.‌
4. Wikipedia Contributors (2019). John Gorton. [online] Wikipedia. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Gorton. [Accessed 17 Apr. 2026]‌

It was getting towards the end of Thursday, the 6th day of November 2025, but we still had some time to squeeze in a few more park activations for the World Wide Flora Fauna (WWFF) program.

Above: Map showing the location of Cullens Lake Wildlife Reserve. Map c/o Google Maps

Marija and I drove south along Benjeroop-Lake Charm Road into the little town of Lake Charm. The town is surrounded by a series of lakes: Lake Charm to the northeast, Salt Lake to the north, Racecourse Lake to the west, and Little Lake Charm to the south.

It is believed that Lake Charm takes its name from the Aboriginal word ‘charam’, meaning reed spear. However, other sources suggest that the lake was named after an Aboriginal Chief. Several of his tribal members were murdered in reprisal for the murder of two shepherds during the 1840s who worked on the Kerang Run. It was reported that one of the shepherds ran into the lake and he was speared to death. It was reported that the water around him was red with his blood. As a result, the lake was known as Murdering Lake and then changed to Lake Cham in honour of the Chief, and finally to Charm in 1876. (Trove 2026) (Victorianplaces.com.au, 2026)

In 1858, an Inn was established at Lake Charm, which was on the route for a mail and coach service between Kerang and Swan Hill. A store and post office were then opened. In 1879, a school was opened. (Victorianplaces.com.au, 2026)

We stopped in at the information display on Murray Valley Highway. It contains some excellent detail on the history of the Kerang Lakes, the flora and fauna of the region, and some information on Captain Albert Jacka V.C., M.C. and BAR.

We then drove the short distance to Lake Cullen. The reserve includes all of Lake Cullen and an area to the north of the lake.

Above: the boundaries of Cullens Lake Wildlife Reserve. Image c/o Google Earth

Cullen Lake is part of the Kerang Lake Ramsar site that consists of 23 individual wetlands.

The reserve is about 733 hectares in size and was established on the 8th day of May 1990. (Dcceew.gov.au 2025)

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. VK1AC
2. VK3PF
3. VK3KAI
4. VK3APJ
5. VK5FANA
6. VK2IO
7. VK2GEZ
8. VK2ZR
9. VK2AZR
10. VK3UH
11. VK3WSG
12. VK2YL

Marija worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

1. VK2IO
2. VK2GEZ

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK1AC
2. VK3PF
3. VK3KAI
4. VK3APJ
5. VK5FANA
6. VK2IO
7. VK2GEZ
8. VK2ZR
9. VK2AZR
10. VK3UH
11. VK3WSG
12. VK2MOE
13. VK1MO
14. VK2DA
15. VK1DA
16. VK2YL
17. VK2EXA
18. VK3KRL
19. VK2NP
20. VK3BWS
21. VK2FALL
22. VK2DXX
23. VK2MAB
24. VK5SGX
25. VK3VPM
26. VK2TH
27. VK3MDC
28. VK2VW
29. VK2HFI
30. VK2AKA
31. VK2BUG
32. VK3AIW
33. VK2MJW
34. VK5AYL

I worked the following stations on 40m AM:-

1. VK2VW
2. VK2HFI
3. VK2AKA
4. VK2BUG

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

1. VK2IO
2. VK2GEZ
3. VK2V2
4. VK2HFI
5. VK2AKA
6. VK2BUG

References.

1. Dcceew.gov.au. (2025). Collaborative Australian Protected Areas Database 2024 – DCCEEW. [online] Available at: https://www.dcceew.gov.au/environment/land/nrs/science/capad/2024. [Accessed 17 Apr. 2026]‌
2. Trove. (2026). Early Days Of Settlemet. – REMINISCENCES OF OLD PIONEERS. – Kerang New Times (Vic. : 1901 – 1918) – 9 Nov 1909. [online] Available at: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/222447705?searchTerm=murdering%20lake [Accessed 17 Apr. 2026].
3. ‌Victorianplaces.com.au. (2026). Lake Charm | Victorian Places. [online] Available at: https://www.victorianplaces.com.au/lake-charm [Accessed 17 Apr. 2026].‌

Our next park for Thursday, the 6th day of November 2025, was the Winlaton Nature Conservation Reserve VKFF-2232. It was just a short drive from our last park, the Tutchewop Wildlife Reserve.

Above: Map showing the location of Winlaton NCR. Map c/o Google Maps

On the way to the park, we stopped at the monument for the Winlaton School No. 4074, on the Benjeroop-Tresco Road. The school operated from 1922 to 1937.

Next stop was the monument for the final home of the Winlaton Cricket Club on the corner of Wells Road and Tresco Road. Its last season was c. 1973-1974.

The Winlaton NCR consists of 3 separate sections. The main section is on the northern side of Benjeroop-Tresco Road The other 2 sections are located on the southwestern corner of Benjeroop-Tresco Road and Wells Road.

Above: the boundaries of Winlaton NCR. Image c/o Google Earth

The reserve is about 86 hectares in size and was established on the 13th day of December 2004. (Dcceew.gov.au 2025)

We ran the Yaesu FT857, 40 watts, and the 20/40/80m linked dipole for this activation. Again, we had to wear our hats with the fly nets, such were the flies.

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK3PF
2. VK2HAK
3. VK3SQ
4. VK2BD
5. VK3JT
6. VK2IO
7. VK2GEZ
8. VK2VW
9. VK2HFI
10. VK2AKA
11. VK2BUG
12. VK3ANL/P (VKFF-4639)
13. VK2HBG/P (VKFF-2736)

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK3PF
2. VK2HAK
3. VK3SQ
4. VK2BD
5. VK3JT
6. VK2IO
7. VK2GEZ
8. VK2VW
9. VK2HFI
10. VK2AKA
11. VK2BUG
12. VK3ANL/P (VKFF-4639)
13. VK5FANA
14. VK2MOE
15. VK1MO
16. VK2MAB
17. VK2NP
18. VK2HBG/P (VKFF-2736)
19. VK3GJG
20. VK2DHN
21. VK1RX/2
22. VK3FS/M
23. VK3ATT/M
24. VK5LA
25. VK5KAW
26. VK3WSG
27. VK2XI/P
28. VK5WU
29. VK3SO
30. VK3SFG
31. VK2COS
32. VK2DA
33. VK1DA
34. VK2ZR
35. VK2AZR
36. VK2YAK
37. VK4YAK
38. VK7AAE
39. VK3APJ
40. VK2EXA
41. VK2KAD

I worked the following stations on 40m AM:-

1. VK2ZR
2. VK2AZR
3. VK2HAK
4. VK2DA
5. VK1DA
6. VK2MOE
7. VK1MO
8. VK2YAK
9. VK4YAK

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

1. KG5CIK

References.

1. ‌Dcceew.gov.au. (2025). Collaborative Australian Protected Areas Database 2024 – DCCEEW. [online] Available at: https://www.dcceew.gov.au/environment/land/nrs/science/capad/2024. [Accessed 17 Apr. 2026]‌

After leaving Lake Mannaor on Thursday, the 6th day of November 2025, Marija and I headed to our next park activation at Tutchewop Wildlife Reserve VKFF-5979. Tutchewop is about 31 km southeast of Swan Hill in Victoria.

Above: Map showing the location of Tutchewop Wildlife Reserve. Map c/o Google Maps

The park is located on the eastern side of Murray Valley Highway and on the western shore of Lake Tutchewop.

Above: the boundaries at the Tutchewop Wildlife Reserve. Image c/o Google Earth

We found a dirt track leading into the park.

The park is about 508 hectares in size and was established on the 8th day of May 1990. (Dcceew.gov.au 2025)

In April 2021, a small monument was unveiled at Lake Tutchewop to commemorate the former Lake Tutchewop Athletic and Aquatic Club.

Lake Tutchewop was once the district’s most popular lake and contained a sandy beach. It became known as the ‘St Kilda beach of the north’ following the formation in 1928 of the Lake Tutchewop Athletic and Aquatic Club by Tresco settlers.  Bathing boxes were constructed, willow trees planted along the beach, and an athletic running track was established between the lake and the road. A pier and a diving board were built, with the 20-acre area known as Tutchewop Park.  

On New Year’s Day 1929, the first carnival was held, which attracted over 600 people.

Above: article from The Age, Wed 2 Jan 1929. Image c/o Trove

Subsequent carnivals were held on each New Year’s Day until 1936. The carnivals attracted people from Kerang, Swan Hill, Ultima and Deniliquin. In 1930, Alan Dunoon, a well-known Swan Hill aviator, landed his plane in a nearby paddock and took people for joyriders at $3 per flight.

Above: article from The Horsham Times, Tue 13 May 1930. Image c/o Trove

Swimming lessons for local school children were conducted at the lake. Professional fishermen caught fish in the lake, and these were sent by rail from the Tresco Railway Station to the Melbourne market.

Lake Tuchewop was decommissioned by the Water Commission, and it was bypassed with a large channel. In 1968, the lake became a salt disposal basin for the Barr Creek. Today, Lake Tutchewop generally remains dry with a skin of salt on its base.

The bathing boxes remain, but have been subject to vandalism.

We were rewarded during our visit with a variety of bird of prey soaring over the lake.

The flies at the park were relentless and we were forced to wear our hats with the fly netting.

Marija and I ran the Yaesu FT857, 40 watts, and the 20/40/80 m linked dipole for this activation.

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK2HBG/P (VKFF-2736)
2. VK2GRB/P (VKFF-2736)
3. VK2GDX/P (VKFF-2736)
4. VK2ALY/P (VKFF-2736)
5. VK2VAR
6. VK2GOM
7. VK1AO/P (VKFF-1271)
8. VK2MET/P (VKFF-1271)
9. VK2EXA
10. VK3UP
11. VK2HRX

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK2HBG/P (VKFF-2736)
2. VK2GRB/P (VKFF-2736)
3. VK2GDX/P (VKFF-2736)
4. VK2ALY/P (VKFF-2736)
5. VK2VAR
6. VK2GOM
7. VK1AO/P (VKFF-1271)
8. VK2MET/P (VKFF-1271)
9. VK2EXA
10. VK3UP
11. VK5LA
12. VK5KAW
13. VK2IO
14. VK2GEZ
15. VK2HRX
16. VK3PF
17. VK3KAI
18. VK7ALB
19. VK2VW
20. VK2HFI
21. VK2AKA
22. VK2BUG
23. VK3WSG
24. VK3UH
25. VK3MAP
26. VK2NP
27. VK5HS
28. VK2YL
29. VK2DA
30. VK1DA
31. VK7AN
32. VK2HBR
33. VK5CZ
34. VK5XE
35. VK3HJW
36. VK3CLD
37. VK5QA
38. VK2DBF
39. VK2OZO
40. VK2MAB
41. VK2HAK
42. VK3WAR
43. VK5HRB
44. VK5SGX
45. VK5DW
46. VK2COS

References.

1. Bridge Contributors (2021). Historic Monument Unveiled. [online] The Bridge. Available at: https://www.thebridgenews.com.au/historic-monument-unveiled/ [Accessed 15 Apr. 2026].
2. ‌Dcceew.gov.au. (2025). Collaborative Australian Protected Areas Database 2024 – DCCEEW. [online] Available at: https://www.dcceew.gov.au/environment/land/nrs/science/capad/2024. [Accessed 17 Apr. 2026]‌

Our third activation for Thursday, the 6th day of November 2025, was Lake Mannaor Wildlife Reserve VKFF-5311. The reserve is about 5 km (by road) east of Lake Boga and about 21 km south of Swan Hill.

Above: Map showing the location of Lake Mannaor Wildlife Reserve. Map c/o Google Maps

The reserve is located on the southern and northern sides of Fish Point Road and includes Lake Mannaor itself.

Above: the boundaries of Lake Mannaor. Image c/o Google Earth

Lake Mannaor is about 83 hectares in size and was established on the 8th day of May 1990. Mannaor is derived from the Aboriginal word manua, meaning wattle tree. (Blake 1977) (Dcceew.gov.au 2025)

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB before the UTC rollover:-

1. VK2HBG/P (VKFF-1177)
2. VK2GRB/P (VKFF-1177)
3. VK2GDX/P (VKFF-1177)
4. VK2ALY/P (VKFF-1177)
5. VK5GY
6. VK5CS
7. VK2IO
8. VK2GEZ

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB after the UTC rollover:-

1. VK2VW
2. VK2HFI
3. VK2AKA
4. VK2BUG
5. VK2IO
6. VK2GEZ
7. VK2HBG/P (VKFF-1177)
8. VK2GRB/P (VKFF-1177)
9. VK2GDX/P (VKFF-1177)
10. VK2ALY/P (VKFF-1177)
11. VK3WSG
12. VK1AD
13. VK1NAM
14. VK3PF
15. VK2NP
16. VK7DIK
17. VK3APJ
18. VK3EJ
19. VK5EDY
20. VK5HS
21. VK1AC
22. VK3UH
23. VK3CLD
24. VK5QA
25. VK2DBF
26. VK3BEL
27. VK3BEB
28. VK5GY
29. VK5CS

Marija worked the following stations on 40m AM:-

1. VK1AC
2. VK1AD
3. VK1NAM
4. VK5HS

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB before the UTC rollover:-

1. VK2HBG/P (VKFF-1177)
2. VK2GRB/P (VKFF-1177)
3. VK2GDX/P (VKFF-1177)
4. VK2ALY/P (VKFF-1177)
5. VK5GY
6. VK5CS
7. VK2IO
8. VK2GEZ
9. VK2VW
10. VK2HFI
11. VK2AKA
12. VK2BUG

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB after the UTC rollover:-

1. VK2VW
2. VK2HFI
3. VK2AKA
4. VK2BUG
5. VK2IO
6. VK2GEZ
7. VK2HBG/P (VKFF-1177)
8. VK2GRB/P (VKFF-1177)
9. VK2GDX/P (VKFF-1177)
10. VK2ALY/P (VKFF-1177)
11. VK3WSG
12. VK1AD
13. VK1NAM
14. VK3PF/M
15. VK2NP
16. VK7DIK
17. VK3APJ
18. VK3EJ
19. VK5EDY
20. VK5HS
21. VK1AC
22. VK3UH
23. VK3CLD
24. VK2DBF
25. VK5QA
26. VK3BEL
27. VK3BEB
28. VK5GY
29. VK5CS
30. VK3SQ
31. VK2BD
32. VK3JT

I worked the following stations on 40m AM:-

1. VK1AC
2. VK1AD
3. VK1NAM
4. VK5HS

Marija and I packed up, and we headed to the Lake Boga Flying Boat Museum. The museum features over 500 artefacts that relate to Lake Boga’s history associated with the First World War, including the historic Catalina Flying Boat. The concept of the museum was first discussed in a Lake Boga hotel in 1983 by members of the Lake Boga Lions Club. The current modern hangar was officially opened on the 21st day of April 2012. (Artful 2026)

As we arrived, we saw a number of trikes parked in the car park. Over the previous days, we had seen several trikes on the road during our travels.

In front of the museum are some Flying Boat mooring blocks. They were constructed on the shore of Lake Boga and then transported out to the water, where the heavy chain was attached and coupled to a large balloon. The flying boats were then able to moor at the balloons.

Inside is a very impressive collection of WW2 memorabilia.

And of course, the primary attraction is the Catalina.

The Consolidated Model 28, more commonly known as the PBY Catalina. The aircraft on display is a Catalina PBY5 A24-30. The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) operated Catalinas as night raiders, with four squadrons Nos. 11, 20, 42, & 43 laying mines from April 1943 until July 1945 in the southwest Pacific. This particular Catalina was a Dutch aircraft and was acquired by the Royal Australian Air Force in 1942. Following the end of WWII, it was sold to Kingsford Smith Airlines, which used it for spare parts. The body of the Catalina was sent to Lake Boga for scrap; however, it was purchased by a local farmer and taken to Nyah, where some of the parts were used, with most of the aircraft left under a tree for 40 years. It was donated to the Lake Boga Lions Club by the farmer’s family, and it was restored. (Artful 2026) (Wikipedia 2019)

You can view the inside of the Catalina and start to imagine what these brave men endured during the Second World War.

On display is an emergency radio from a Sunderland aircraft.

I also found this morse code unit.

There is a large collection of WW11 historical items.

One of the displays I found very interesting was the 1945 Ford field ambulance.

On display is a left-hand drive WWII USA Army jeep.

You can also view a 1942 WLA Harley Davidson motorcycle known as the ‘Liberator.’

There are various other military vehicles on display.

After wandering around the museum, we headed to the communications bunker.

In early 1997, work commenced on creating the bunker into a museum to house exhibits that had been donated and collected. The bunker museum was officially opened in November 1997. In 2011, the museum was relocated from the bunker into the current hangar museum.

The bunker contains various displays and communications equipment. It has been reconstructed from old photographs and an original floor plan drawing. (Artful 2026)

I found the Morse key below and tapped out some Morse for Marija.

References.

1. Artful (2026). Lake Boga Flying Boat Museum | Catalina Flying Boat Museum Swan Hill. [online] Flyingboat.org.au. Available at: https://www.flyingboat.org.au/ [Accessed 15 Apr. 2026].
2. ‌Blake, L, 1977, Place Names of Victoria
3. Dcceew.gov.au. (2025). Collaborative Australian Protected Areas Database 2024 – DCCEEW. [online] Available at: https://www.dcceew.gov.au/environment/land/nrs/science/capad/2024. [Accessed 15 Apr. 2026]‌
4. Wikipedia Contributors (2019). Consolidated PBY Catalina. [online] Wikipedia. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Consolidated_PBY_Catalina.‌ [Accessed 15 Apr. 2026]

Our next activation for Thursday, the 6th day of November 2025, was the Tresco West Bushland Reserve VKFF-5961. The reserve is about 22 km south of Swan Hill in Victoria.

Above: Map showing the location of Tresco West Bushland Reserve. Map c/o Google Maps

Before heading to the reserve, we had a bit of a walk around Lake Boga, next to the town of the same name. The lake is about 940 hectares (2,300 acres) in size and has a capacity of 37,794 megalitres. (Wikipedia 2024)

The Tresco district takes its name from the Tresco Estate, owned by William Cornish. He purchased Murrabit Station in 1897 and renamed it Tresco. His father resided in Trescowe, near Penzance in Cornwall, England, and he named his property and homestead in honour of his father’s town.. Tresco homestead overlooked Lake Boga. (Victorianplaces.com 2026)

In 1912, Australian Farms Limited commenced to draw water from Long Lake at Tresco for irrigation. One of the Australian Farms Limited ventures was John Rose Gorton, the father of future Australian Prime Minister John Grey Gorton. He managed an orchard at nearby Mystic Park prior to the First World War. (Victorianplaces.com 2026)

Above: John Gorton. Image c/o Wikipedia

In 1914, a school was opened, and this was followed by a post and railway station in 1915. Severe drought in the district at this time caused severe losses for farmers. However, by the 1920s, there was a boom in the district with a store being established, an Anglican church, a fruit packing shed, a Masonic Lodge, a hall, and the Baptist church. Tresco’s population was about 318 people. Sadly, by the end of the 1980s, most of these had closed. The school continued, but it also closed in 1992. (Victorianplaces.com 2026)

The Tresco West Bushland Reserve comprises three separate areas surrounding Golf Course Lake.

Above: the boundaries of Tresco West Bushland Reserve. Image c/o Google Earth

Marija and I accessed the park via Lake View Track, which runs off Wilson Road on the eastern side of the reserve.

The reserve is about 90 hectares in size and was established on the 1st day of May 1979. (Dcceew.gov.au 2026)

Marija and I parked the 4WD on Lake View Track and set up our station, comprising the Yaesu FT857, 40 watts, and the 20/40/80m linked dipole, supported by the 7 metre heavy-duty telescopic squid pole.

The band conditions were absolutely awful, and it was a struggle to get contacts. There was also some sort of pulsing signal across the 40m band, which made it difficult to hear the low-down stations that were calling.

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK2MOE
2. VK1MO
3. VK2VW
4. VK2HFI
5. VK2AKA
6. VK2BUG
7. VK3CLD
8. VK5QA
9. VK2DBF
10. VK5GY
11. VK2IO
12. VK2GEZ
13. VK2COS
14. VK3PF
15. VK3KAI
16. VK1AO
17. VK2MET
18. VK2VIC
19. VK1VIC
20. VK2GOY
21. VK5CS
22. VK1AD
23. VK1NAM
24. VK2NP
25. VK2AN
26. VK2VAR
27. VK2GOM
28. VK2JPR
29. VK5WE
30. VK5HS
31. VK5AYL
32. VK2HBG/p (VKFF-1177)

Marija worked the following stations on 40m AM:-

1. VK2VAR
2. VK2GOM
3. VK5WE
4. VK3PF
5. VK3KAI

Marija worked the following stations on 80m SSB:-

1. VK3PF
2. VK3KAI

Marija worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

1. VK2VW
2. VK2HFI
3. VK2AKA
4. VK2BUG

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK2MOE
2. VK1MO
3. VK2VW
4. VK2HFI
5. VK2AKA
6. VK2BUG
7. VK3CLD
8. VK5QA
9. VK2DBF
10. VK5GY
11. VK2IO
12. VK2GEZ
13. VK2COS
14. VK3PF
15. VK3KAI
16. VK1AO
17. VK2MET
18. VK2VIC
19. VK1VIC
20. VK2GOY
21. VK5CS
22. VK1AD
23. VK1NAM
24. VK2NP
25. VK2AN
26. VK2JPR
27. VK5WE
28. VK5HS
29. VK5AYL
30. VK2HBG/p (VKFF-1177)

I worked the following stations on 40m AM:-

1. VK5GY
2. VK5CS
3. VK2VAR
4. VK2GOM
5. VK5WE
6. VK3PF
7. VK3KAI

I worked the following stations on 80m SSB:-

1. VK3PF
2. VK3KAI

I worked the following stations on 20m SSBL-

1. VK2VW
2. VK2HFI
3. VK2AKA
4. VK2BUG

References.

1. Dcceew.gov.au. (2025). Collaborative Australian Protected Areas Database 2024 – DCCEEW. [online] Available at: https://www.dcceew.gov.au/environment/land/nrs/science/capad/2024. [Accessed 14 Apr. 2026]
2. ‌Victorianplaces.com.au. (2026). Tresco | Victorian Places. [online] Available at: https://www.victorianplaces.com.au/tresco [Accessed 13 Apr. 2026].‌
3. Wikipedia Contributors (2024). Lake Boga (Victoria). Wikipedia.‌

Our first activation for Thursday, 6th November 2025, was the Lake Boga silo VK-LKA3, for the Silos On The Air (SiOTA) program. Lake Boga is located about 17 km south of Swan Hill, and about 323 km north of Melbourne.

Above: Map showing the location of Lake Boga, Victoria. Map c/o Google Maps

The Lake Boga silo is located on the western side of the Murray Valley Highway, opposite Lake Boga. The silos are operated by GrainCorp.

The Lake Boga silos are part of the Australian Silo Art Trail and feature magnificent art, the work of Tim Bowtell. They were completed in October 2023 and feature a Pelican, a speedboat on Lake Boga, a Catalina Flying Boat and its commanding officer, George ‘Scotty’ Urquhart Allan. (Australiansiloarttrail.com 2023)

George Urquhart Allan was born on the 2nd day of February 1900 in Bellshill, Lanarkshire, Scotland, to James John Allan and Elspet Elsie Allan, nee Aitken. In 1917, when aged just 17 years old, he joined the Royal Flying Corps (RFC). During the First World War, he served on the Western Front. This included service with the 71 Squadron RFC. He later served with the Royal Air Force (RAF) in several squadrons, including 11, 47, and 58 Squadrons. At the conclusion of the war, he continued to serve with the RAF and was stationed in the Middle East. (ancestry 2016) (Australiansiloarttrail.com 2023)

Above: George Allan. Image c/o ancestry.com.au

In 1929, he emigrated to Australia and commenced work for Charles Ulm and Charles Kingsford Smith at Australian National Airways. He soon gained a reputation for his exceptional piloting skills, particularly in the Avro X aircraft. He was involved in the first airmail flights from Sydney to Brisbane with Kingsford-Smith and from Sydney to Melbourne with Pat Hall. He acted as a co-pilot for Kingsford-Smith and Ulm on several long-distance flights. In 1933, he flew aboard the aircraft ‘Faith in Australia’, with Charles Ulm and Sir Patrick Gordon Taylor on the record-breaking flight from England to Australia. The following year, in 1934, he joined QANTAS, where he flew aircraft between Brisbane and Singapore. (Australiansiloarttrail.com 2023)

Above: article from the Murrumbidgee Irrigator, Fri 3 Nov 1933. Image c/o Trove

Allan also worked as a flight instructor and trained Dr Robert Kingsbury Lee Brown, who sadly, was killed in a plane crash in April 1934 at Brighton Le Sands. (Australiansiloarttrail.com 2023)

On the 22nd day of June 1935, Allan married Dr Brown’s widow, Ailsa Lee-Brown, in Binnaway, New South Wales. Ailsa was also a pilot and an artist. (ancestry 2016) (Trove 2026) (Wikitree 2026)

Above: article from The Mail, Sat 22 Jun 1935. Image c/o Trove

In September 1940, Allen was commissioned in the Royal Australian Air Force for service during WWII. He was posted as the commanding officer of the Seaplane Training Flight at Rathmines, N.S.W. In 1941 he was the first pilot to fly a Catalina flying boat from San Diego, California, to Australia. This was only the third time that such a flight had been made, after Kingsford-Smith & Ulm, and Kingsford-Smith and P.G. Taylor. (Wikitree 2026)

In January 1942, at the rank of Flight Lieutenant, he was awarded the Air Force Cross. (Wikitree 2026)

Sadly, Allen’s wife Ailsa died in 1943 in Palm Beach, New South Wales, after being struck by a bicycle rider. Allan was in the United States of America at the time negotiating the purchase of a DC-4 Symaster aircraft. (Wikitree 2026)

Allan attained the rank of Wind Commander and was posted to the No. 1 Flying Boat Repair Depot at Lake Boga. (Wikitree 2026)

In 1945, Allan married Barbara Millbourn in England. (ancestry 2016).

Above: article from The Telegraph, Sat 24 Mar 1945. Image c/o Trove

Following WWII he became Deputy General Manager for QANTAS. In the 1957 New Year’s Honours, he was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for his service to QANTAS. (Wikitree 2026)

George Allan died on the 12th day of August 1996, in Sydney, New South Wales. He is buried in the New South Wales Garden of Remembrance, Rookwood, N.S.W. (ancestry 2016) (Wikitree 2026)

Marija and I parked alongside the silo and operated from the 4WD, running the Icom IC-7000, 100 watts, and the Codan 9350 antenna with the 1.5 metre stainless steel whip.

Unfortunately, we found band conditions to be very poor. We called CQ for 5 solid minutes on 40m before getting our first contact in the log.

Above: the activation zone at the Lake Boga silo. Image c/o SiOTA website

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK2IO
2. VK5NHG
3. VK7HOB

Marija worked the following stations on 80m SSB:-

1. VK3PF
2. VK5LA
3. VK5KAW

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK2IO
2. VK5NHG
3. VK7HOB

I worked the following stations on 80m SSB:-

1. VK3PF
2. VK5LA
3. VK5KAW

I worked the following station on 20m SSB:-

1. VK4LP

References.

1. ancestry (2016). Ancestry® | Genealogy, Family Trees & Family History Records. [online] Ancestry.com.au. Available at: https://www.ancestry.com.au/. [Accessed 13 Apr. 2026]
2. ‌Australiansiloarttrail.com. (2023). \r\n \n Graincorp Silo Art Lake Boga\n \r\n. [online] Available at: https://www.australiansiloarttrail.com/lake-boga [Accessed 13 Apr. 2026].‌
3. Wikitree.com. (2026). George Urquhart Allan CBE AFC (1900-1996) | WikiTree FREE Family Tree. [online] Available at: https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Allan-5500. [Accessed 13 Apr. 2026]‌

I received the three DXCC certificates in the mail a few days ago for VK5IPA.

This morning I received the award certificates below from the Natal Digital Group (NDG).

• W10SA Award – issued for contacting 10 DXCC entities in South America on digital modes
• WAB Award (10) – issued for contacting 10 Barzilian states using digital modes

Our final activation for Wednesday, 5th November 2025, was the Murray Downs silo VK-MRD2 in New South Wales.

Above: Map showing the location of Murray Downs, N.S.W. Map c/o Google Maps

Marija and I crossed over the Murray River on the historic bridge from Victoria into New South Wales.

Prior to European settlement, it is believed that the largest population of Aboriginal people in what was to become the Colony of Victoria lived in the Swan Hill area. It is estimated that this was about 600 people. The first Europeans in the district were Captain Charles Sturt and his expeditionary team in 1830. This was followed by Major Thomas Mitchell in 1836 during his Australia Felix explorations in Victoria. It was Mitchell who named the district Swan Hill. In 1838, Joseph Hawdon, Charles Bonney, and Edward Eyre had all overlanded the very first cattle and sheep from Albury in New South Wales, along the Murray River, into South Australia. (Flickr 2026)

In 1847, one of the first official leaseholds was granted for Murray Downs. From c. 1862 Murray Downs was owned by Suetonius and Charles Officer. The run was 150,000 acres in size. In 1870, the Murray Downs homestead was built. In 1884, Charles Campbell entered into a partnership with Alfred Felton to purchase Murray Downs. They established the largest irrigated area at that time on the Murray River. In 1889, Murray Downs sent 397 bales of wool downriver to Echuca. (Flickr 2026) (Poynter 2005)

Charles Myles Officer was born on the 14th day of July 1827 in New Norfolk, Tasmania. His brother, Suetonious Henry Officer was born on the 3rd day of October 1800, in New Norfolk, Tasmania. Their parents are Robert Officer and Jamima Officer, nee Patterson. (ancestry 2016)

Above: Charles Myles Officer. Image c/o ancestry.com.au

Charles McLean Campbell was born on the 14th day of January 1840 in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. After emigrating to Australia in 1858, he married Mary Helen Smith in 1861. He died on the 13th day of September 1905 at East Melbourne, Victoria.

Above: article from The Australasian, Sat 24 Jul 1937. Image c/o Trove

The Murray Downs silo is located on Cygnet Lane, on the northern side of Swan Hill Road.

Marija and I parked in Cygnet Lane 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.

Above: the activation zone at the Murray Downs silo. Image c/o SiOTA website

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK2YAK
2. VK4YAK
3. VK2ZR
4. VK2AZR
5. VK3PF
6. VK4CBT

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK2YAK
2. VK4YAK
3. VK2ZR
4. VK2AZR
5. VK3PF
6. VK4CBT
7. VK5WU
8. VK1AO
9. VK2MET
10. VK5NJ
11. VK2IO
12. VK3UZI
13. VK3WSG
14. VK2HLM
15. VK3MCA
16. VK3KRL
17. VK5DMO
18. VK1CHW
19. VK3TDK
20. VK3NYC
21. VK3BVQ
22. VK2VIC
23. VK1VIC
24. VK2GOY
25. VK3SMW

Marija and I then sat back and admired the Beaver Supermoon. It was the closest, largest, and brightest full moon of 2025. 

We then drove back into Swan Hill, stopping briefly to admire the Swan Hill water tower, which was lit up. The water tower was constructed in 1883.

We also admire the Swan Hill Town Hall.

The Swan Hill Town Hall was officially opened on Tuesday, the 17th day of September 1935. A Gala Ball was held that was attended by over 1,000 people. (Trove 2026)

Above: part of an article from The Age, Wed 18 Sept 1935. Image c/o Trove

It was time to head back to the motel room for a good night’s sleep. It had been a long day.

References.

1. ancestry (2016). Ancestry® | Genealogy, Family Trees & Family History Records. [online] Ancestry.com.au. Available at: https://www.ancestry.com.au/. [Accessed 11 Apr. 2026]
2. ‌Flickr. (2026). Swan Hill. Across the River Murray is Murray Downs pastoral estate. These are the entrance gates. Murray Downs has an early homestead. [online] Available at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/82134796@N03/25320793337 [Accessed 11 Apr. 2026].
3. ‌Poynter, J.R. (2005). Campbell, Charles (1840–1905). [online] Anu.edu.au. Available at: https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/campbell-charles-12836 [Accessed 11 Apr. 2026].‌
4. Trove. (2026). The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 – 1954) – 18 Sep 1935 – p16. [online] Available at: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/19254742?searchTerm=swan%20hill%20town%20hall [Accessed 11 Apr. 2026].‌