Author Archives: Paul VK5PAS

Kauwi-marnirla – Field River Conservation Park VKFF-6415

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After leaving Glenthorne on Wednesday, the 1st day of July 2026, I headed to the Kauwi-marnirla – Field River Conservation Park VKFF-6415. This was to be another new park for me for the World Wide Flora Fauna (WWFF) program.

Above: Map showing the location of Field River CP. Map c/o Google Maps

The park is located in the southern suburbs of Adelaide, about 22 km south of the Adelaide CBD. (NPWS 2025)

Above: an aerial view of the Field River CP. Image c/o Google Maps

Kauwi-marnir­la — Field Riv­er Con­ser­va­tion Park is about 177 hectares in size and was established in 2025. (NPWS 2025)

The Field River flows through the park and was named in honour of William George Field, a British naval officer, first mate of HMS Rapid and deputy to William Light, the designer/surveyor of the city of Adelaide. He was born in 1807 and arrived at Kangaroo Island in August 1836. He became the first European man to enter the Port River. Field is credited with introducing orange trees into South Australia. Field died on the 30th day of November 1850. He is buried at Saint Stephens Anglican Cemetery, Willunga, South Australia. (Findagrave 2025) (Nla 2026) (Wikipedia 2001)

Above: the headstone of Lt. William George Field. Image c/o findagrave.com

In 1980, members of the Royal Geographical Society of Australasia discovered Field’s headstone while researching his activities. The headstone was in a considerable state of disrepair. (Nla 2026) (Wikipedia 2001)

Above: Article from the Victor Harbour Times, Wed 21 Jan 1981. Image c/o Trove

The Abo­rig­i­nal co-name of the park, Kauwi-marnirla, translates to ‘place of two good waters’. It is pro­nounced ​‘Cowee-ma-rni-rla’.  (NPWS 2025)

In 1992, the 70,000-year-old fossilised remains of a Diprotodon were discovered in the park. The Diprotodon was the world’s largest marsupial. (Wikipedia 2001)

Above: Diportodon. Image c/o Eleanor (Nellie) Pease Wikipedia

In the 1840s, copper was discovered on land owned by Alfred Hallett, and the Worthing Mine was established. The Field River was used to transport the mined copper ore to the sea. The mine closed in 1856 as a result of no further money being invested in its activities. The ruins of the mine can be seen in the park. (Wikipedia 2001)

Above: Alfred Hallett. Image c/o Old Adelaide & South Australia Album Facebook page

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK3UAO
  2. VK5MAZ
  3. VK3UH
  4. VK3AUX
  5. VK3PF
  6. VK3KAI
  7. VK3VBA
  8. VK3SQ
  9. VK3JT
  10. VK2BD
  11. VK2PKT
  12. VK2KFT
  13. VK5FL
  14. VK5CHD
  15. VK3DCQ
  16. VK2EXA
  17. VK2IO
  18. VK2GEZ
  19. VK2VW
  20. VK2HFI
  21. VK2AKA
  22. VK2BUG
  23. VK4FW
  24. VK3KRL
  25. VK3DL
  26. VK3CJN
  27. VK3QHU
  28. VK3FB/p
  29. VK3AKD
  30. VK7AN

I worked the following stations on 15m SSB:-

  1. VK4KTW
  2. VK4NH
  3. VK4DXA
  4. VK6AAX
  5. VK4FW
  6. VK5MAZ

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

  1. VK6XL
  2. VK2IO
  3. VK2GEZ
  4. VK4KTW
  5. OH1MM
  6. VK2NP
  7. VK4NH
  8. VK4DXA
  9. VK5MAZ

References.

  1. Findagrave.com. (2025). Lt. William George Field (1807-1850) – Find a… [online] Available at: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/61552409/william-george-field [Accessed 13 July 2026].
  2. National Parks and Wildlife Service South Australia. (2025). Kauwi-marnirla-Field River Conservation Park. [online] Available at: https://www.parks.sa.gov.au/parks/kauwi-marnirla-field-river-conservation-park [Accessed 13 July 2026].
  3. Nla.gov.au. (2026). Historic grave at Willunga [online] Available at: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/187380991 [Accessed 13 July 2026].
  4. Wikipedia (2001). Wikipedia. [online] Wikipedia. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org [Accessed 13 July 2026].

Glenthorne-Ityamaiitpinna Yarta National Park VKFF-3027

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On Wednesday the 1st day of July 2026, I ventured down to the city to collect a prize from RFShop Australia for the upcoming 2026 VKFF National Get Together.

After collecting the roll of coax and chatting to the staff, I headed for a coffee at the home QTH of Chris VK5FR.

After leaving Chris’ home, I decided to activate the Glenthorne-Ityamiitpinna Yarta National Park VKFF-3027. This would be a first-time activation for me for the World Wide Flora Fauna (WWFF) program. I activated this park when it was previously known as the O’Halloran Hill Recreation Park.

The Glenthorne-Ityamiitpinna Yarta National Park is located in the southern suburbs of Adelaide, about 16 km south of the Adelaide CBD.

Above: Map showing the location of Glenthorne-Ityamiitpinna Yarta NP. Map c/o Google Maps

The park opened to the public in November 2020. (Wikipedia 2001)

Above: An aerial view showing the park looking north towards Adelaide. Image c/o Google Maps

Over 90 species of birds have been recorded in the park, including Adelaide Rosella, Grey Fantail, Kookaburra, Willie Wagtail, Yellow-tailed black cockatoo, and Yellow-faced Honeyeater. (Wikipedia 2001)

The park is located on the former Glenthorne property owned by South Australia’s first Police Commissioner, Major Thomas Shuldham O’Halloran. He arrived in the colony of South Australia in 1838. By 1839, he had been gazetted as a Justice of the Peace and had been sworn in as a Magistrate. In 1840, he was appointed the first Police Commissioner. By 1840, he was living with his family at their home, ‘Lizard Lodge’ at O’Halloran Hill. He established wells and a lime kiln. (NPWS 2024)

Above: Major O’Halloran. Image c/o Wikipedia

In 1913, about 208 hectares of Glenthorne was purchased by the Australian Commonwealth Government and used by the Australian Army as a remount depot between 1913 to 1947. Between 1948 to 1996, Glenthorne was used as a field station by the CSIRO for experimental work. In 1998, the South Australian State Government entered into an agreement with the Federal Government to purchase the property. (Smith 2015)

Glenthorne National Park was proclaimed on the 28th day of May 2020.

The video below explains the Aboriginal name for the park.

I ran the Icom IC-7000, 100 watts, and the Codan 9350 antenna with the 1.5 metre stainless steel whip.

After a slow start, I managed to qualify the park for the WWFF program with 46 QSOs.

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK3CLD
  2. VK5QA
  3. VK2DBF
  4. VK5MAZ
  5. VK3PF
  6. VK3KAI
  7. VK3VBA
  8. VK3LF
  9. VK3FB/P
  10. VK2EXA
  11. VK2AGS
  12. VK2MAB
  13. VK2VW
  14. VK2HFI
  15. VK2AKA
  16. VK2BUG
  17. VK4NH
  18. VK4DXA
  19. VK2NP
  20. VK2IO
  21. VK2GEZ
  22. VK4FW
  23. VK2VH
  24. VK4AAC
  25. VK3AXH
  26. VK3DL
  27. VK3ZSC
  28. VK3BSC
  29. VK5HS
  30. VK3AMO
  31. VK3UAO
  32. VK2VAR
  33. VK2GOM
  34. VK3VIN

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

  1. F5PYI
  2. VK6XL
  3. VK4CK
  4. VK1AD
  5. VK1NAM
  6. VK1OE
  7. VK6LDX
  8. VK7ZR
  9. VK6DS/M
  10. VK7PJM

I worked the following stations on 15m SSB:-

  1. VK4FW
  2. VK6MFP

References.

  1. National Parks and Wildlife Service South Australia. (2024). Glenthorne National Park-Ityamaiitpinna Yarta. [online] Available at: https://www.parks.sa.gov.au/parks/glenthorne-national-park-ityamaiitpinna-yarta.
  2. Smith, P. 2015, Review of the current status of the South Australian State heritage listed buildings at Glenthorne
  3. Wikipedia (2001). Wikipedia. [online] Wikipedia. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org.

VE9CF certificate

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This morning, I received an email from my good mate Stuart VE9CF. He has introduced an online award via HamLog for the number of QSOs that you have made with VE9CF.

I have made 17 QSOs with Stuart since 2024, so I have qualified for the basic 10 QSOs award. Just a few more for the next level at 25 QSOs.

Nice idea mate.