After leaving Tallageira, Marija and I doubled back a bit further into Victoria and headed to the Minimay Swamp Wildlife Reserve VKFF-5488.
Above:- Map showing the location of the Minimay Swamp Wildlife Reserve. Map c/o Google Maps.
We drove through the little town of Minimay to get to the park. Minimay is derived from the Aboriginal words mina, meaning see, and may, meaning wind, e.g. see the wind or eye of the wind. (Blake 1978)
The Minimay Post Office opened on the 1st day of November 1877. During the early 1880’s selectors took up 320-acre blocks in the Minimay district. The first store in Minimay was opened in the 1880s and was operated by Mr & Mrs. Egan from the nearby town of Harrow. The store was destroyed by fire and was rebuilt in 1901. It was demolished in 1976. In 1885, Minimay School No. 2600 was opened and could hold 30-40 children in a small room. The school was closed in 1902 while being renovated and was reopened some years later. (Wikipedia 2025)
Above:- Article from The Horsham Times, Fri 24 Jun 1887. Image c/o Trove.
The Australian lyric poet John Shaw Neilson grew up in Minimay in the 1880s. (Wikipedia 2025)
Above:- John Shaw Nelson. Image c/o Wikipedia.
The Minimay Swamp WIldlife Reseve is located on the western side of Minimay-Frances Road.
Above:- An aerial view of the Minimay Swamp Wildlife Reserve. Image c/o Google Earth.
The reserve is about 167 hectares in size and was established on the 22nd day of September 1987. (CAPAD 2022)
On Saturday, 2nd September 2024, after leaving the Jallakin I15 Bushland Reserve, Marija and I continued on our journey to our home in South Australia.
We stopped at Lake Charlegark, about 33 km north of Edenhope in southwest Victoria. Charlegark is from the Aboriginal words charrh, meaning earth and goorook, meaning big lake. The lake covers an area of about 40 hectares, and it was incredibly busy during our visit. (Blake 1978)
We left Charlegark and headed towards Lake Bringalbert. It was slow going at times along the way with kangaroos and stock crossing the road.
Lake Bringalbert takes its name from the Parish of Bringalbert. The earliest known European occupation of the area was Thomas Gibson, who squatted in the area in 1845. Bringalbert is an Aboriginal word for sandy spring or place of sickness. This was another place that was very busy with caravaners and campers during our visit. (Blake 1978).
Lake Bringalbert was the site of the first cricket match between Aboriginal and European station hands. There is a monument here and some very interesting information boards.
We left Lake Bringalbert and headed to the Tallageira Nature Conservation Reserve VKFF-2203, which is located very close to the South Australia and Victoria state border.
Above:- Map showing the location of the Tallageir NCR. Map c/o Google Maps.
As can be seen below, the reserve is divided into several separate pieces of native scrubland.
Above:- An aerial view of the Tallageir NCR. Image c/o Google Earth.
The reserve takes its name from the Tallageira pastoral run that was run by Derwas Jones in 1844. (Blake 1978)
Above:- Derwas Jones. Image c/o State Library South Australia.
The reserve is large, comprising about 3,750 hectares and was established on the 13th day of October 2004. (CAPAD 2022)
This was an easy park to access. We drove in and set up in a clearing amongst the scrub. We ran the Yaesu FT857, 40 watts, and the 20/40/80m linked dipole.
Our next park for Saturday, 2nd November 2024, was the Jallakin I15 Bushland Reserve VKFF-5165. The reserve is located about 13 km north of Edenhope in southwest Victoria.
Above:- Map showing the location of the Jallakin I15 Bushland Reserve. Map c/o Google Maps.
The reserve is located on the corner of Kaniva-Edenhope Road and Ian Forsters Road.
Jallakin is an Aboriginal word meaning kangaroo rat. (Blake 1978)
The reserve is about 7 hectares in size and was established on the 22nd day of November 1983. (CAPAD 2022)
We ran the Yaesu FT857, 40 watts, and the 20/40/80m linked dipole for this activation.
Our next activation for Saturday, 2nd November 2024, was the Brig Brig Swamp Wildlife Reserve VKFF-4662. The reserve is located about 11 km north of Edenhope.
We found that the reserve was on private property, but we were very fortunate that the farmer, Trevor, allowed us access to the reserve. We are very grateful. Thank you, Trevor.
The reserve is located on the eastern side of Kaniva-Edenhope Road, Patyah. Patya is an Aboriginal word meaning flower. (Blake 1978)
Above:- An aerial view of Brig Brig Swamp Wildlife Reserve. Image c/o Google Earth.
The reserve is about 83 hectares in size and was established on the 22nd day of November 1983. (CAPAD 2022)
Trevor informed us that the swamp had not had any water in it since the 1970s. Trevor stated that Redfin were once caught in the swamp. He also informed us that the lake was used as a watering point for bullock teams in the 1800s.
We ran the Yaesu FT857, 40 watts, and the 20/40/80m linked dipole for this activation.
It was now Saturday, 2nd November 2024, and the last day of our Bendigo trip. After breakfast, we had a look around the town of Edenhope.
Current day Edenhope is in the area that was occupied by the 120,000-acre Lake Wallace pastoral run established in 1845 by George and James Hope. The station takes its name from Lake Wallace, which was discovered in April 1843 by Scotsman William Wallace. (Blake 1978) (Victorian Places 2015)
The township of Edenhope was surveyed in 1862 by G.W. Langford. It was gazetted on the 8th day of January 1862. The town’s name derives from the Hope brothers’ fatherland of the River Eden in Scotland. In 1865, a school was opened. The town also had a hotel and a coach service operated from Edenhope to Hamilton. A school was opened in 1865. There was also a hotel and a coach service from Edenhope to Hamilton. (Blake 1978) (Victorian Places 2015)
In the main street, you can find some information boards on the Aboriginal Cricket team that toured England in the 1860s.
Another interesting point in Edenhope is ‘The Icons of Edenhope’, a series of large paintings in the main street that are the work of Geoffrey Carran, who grew up in the Wimmera region of Victoria. The murals feature the birdlife found in the district. (Carran 2021)
The Edenhope War Memorial can be found on the main street. The monument was unveiled by Senator Brigadier General Elliott, D.S.O., D.C.M., D.C., D.M. on the 2nd day of September 1922. The monument features a life-size Australian soldier and honours those men of the Edenhope district who served and died in service during the First World War. The names of those killed in action during the Second World War were added at a later time. (Monument Aus 2025)
Also on the main street is a monument for the Edenhope State School No. 817, which was built in 1878. It provided education for students up to Grade 8 (Merit Certificate).
Nearby is an old timber jinker. They were used to transport timber after harvest to the sawmill. The log on this jinker came from John Warner’s property ‘Content’ at Powers Creek. It was used to drag logs from ‘Kadnook Station’ owned by Ronald Fyfe Jamieson, to the Western Sawmilling Company at the Black Water Hole on the Harrow Road.
Across the road is the old Presbyterian Church, which was opened on the 21st day of September 1868.
The Lake Wallace Hotel was established in 1862.
We then headed to the Edenhope College, where you can find a monument for the Aboriginal cricket team. It is near this site that the team trained prior to their departure for England.
On the side of one of the college buildings is an excellent mural featuring the Aboriginal cricket team. The mural is the work of local artists Win Forster and Ella McLaren, assisted by Kerry Dixon and the 2008 Year 9 & 10 at Edenhope College.
Our next stop was the Bigeye Scad sculpture, which was on one of the barges along the Yarra River during the 2006 Commonwealth 72 fish each representing a nation participating in the Games.
We then headed out to the Edenhope Racecourse.
It was then off to the Awonga I19 Bushland Reserve VKFF-4510, about 5 km northeast of Edenhope
Above:- A map showing the location of the Awonga I19 Bushland Reserve. Image c/o Google Maps.
The reserve is located on the northern side of Sims Road, which runs off Wimmera Highway.
Above:- An aerial view of the Awonga I19 Bushland Reserve. Image c/o Google Earth.
The reserve is about 91 hectares in size and was established on the 22nd day of November 1983. (CAPAD 2022)
Our final park activation for Friday 1st November 2024, was the Lake Cogumbal Wildlife Reserve VKFF-5278. The reserve is located about 14 km northeast of Edenhope in southwest Victoria.
Above:- Map showing the location of Lake Cogumbal Wildlife Reserve. Map c/o Google Maps.
The reserve is located on the corner of Wimmera Highway and Muddy Lake Road.
Above:- An aerial view of Lake Cogumbul Wildlife Reserve. Image c/o Google Earth.
Cogumbul is an Aboriginal word meaning shadow. (Blake 1978)
The reserve is about 74 hectares in size and was established on the 22nd day of November 1983. (CAPAD 2022)
We did not plan on activating this park, but as we were heading back to Edenhope, we noticed the park sign, so we decided to pop in for a quick activation.
We ran the Yaesu FT857, 40 watts, and the 20/40/80m linked dipole.
Our next activation for Friday, 1st November 2024, was the Little Donkey Woman Swamp Wildlife Reserve VKFF-5379. The reserve is located about 27 km northeast of Edenhope in southwest Victoria.
Above:- Map showing the location of Little Donkey Woman Swamp Wildlife Reserve. Map c/o Google Maps.
The reserve is located on the eastern side of Goroke-Harrow Road, south of the Wimmera Highway.
Above:- An aerial view of the Little Donkey Woman Swamp Wildlife Reserve. Image c/o Google Earth
The reserve is about 11 hectares in size and was established on the 22nd day of November 1983. (CAPAD 2022)
This was an easy park to access, with a track leading into the park. We ran the Yaesu FT-857, 40 watts, and the 20/40/80m linked dipole.
Our next stop on Friday 1st November 2024, was the town of Harrow in southwest Victoria. We had been there before, but we wanted to visit the Harrow Discovery Centre again which has an excellent cricket museum.
As we approached the town of Harrow, we came across the interesting property below. It had a Halloween collection and a display for the Harrow National Billycart championships.
Harrow is located on the west side of the Glenelg River, about 391 km northwest of Melbourne.
Prior to European settlement, the district was the traditional home of the Madi Madi and Wutjubaluk First Nations people. The first European settlement in the area were large pastoral runs. This included “Clunie,” “Longlands,” “Mullagh,” and “Second Kout Narin”. (Aussie Towns, 2023) (Swvic.au, 2021)
Major Thomas Mitchell crossed the Glenelg River near Harrow on the 31st day of July 1836 during his Australia Felix expedition. (Victorianplaces.com.au, 2015)
Above:- Major Mitchell. Image c/o Wikipedia.
At the Glenelg River bridge you can find a monument to commeorate his crossing of the river.
Harrow was originally known as Upper Glenelg, a crossing point on the Glenelg River. By 1849, the settlement had a hotel the Foresters Arms Inn, a blacksmith, and a store operated by R.H. Evans. On the 16th day of 1849, it was announced that a Post Office would operate out of Mr R. H. Evans store.(Wikipedia, 2020)
Above:- Article from The Argus, Fri 16 Mar 1849. Image c/o Trove.
The town was surveyed in 1852 which was renamed Harrow, inspired by Harrow in England. In October 1853, township blocks were auctioned at Portland. This was amongst allegations that the owner of Clunie station had purchased all of the blocks in an effort to prevent occupation of the town. By 1853 a police post was established at Harrow. At its peak, Harrow had two hotels, three general stores, a blacksmith’s, a saddlery, a drapery store, a shoemaker, a baker, flour mills, a brickworks and Chinese market gardens. (Wikipedia, 2020) (The Sydney Morning Herald, 2004)
A number of historic buildings remain in Harrow. This includes the Hermitage Hotel which was originally Hermitage Stores and built in 1848. Its licence was granted in 1853.
The National Australia Bank building was built in 1874. It features some magnificent murals on the side of the building.
Kolmar House was built in 1881 for the Rosenthal Brothers as a licenced grocery store.
The Harrow War Memorial Obelisk is located outside the old Harrow courthouse (now RSL) built in 1877. The obelisk is on the Victorian Heritage Database.
St Paul’s Anglican Church was built in 1933.
In the main street (Blair Street) you can find these quirky headstones in the Harrow Boneyard.
Kalang Cottage was built in 1876 as a settler’s cottage. It was subsequently moved into town to Gardner Park and was restored in 1988.
Near the cottage is an old horse drawn fire tank and an old tyre shrinker that was used by blacksmiths to shrink iron tyres to fit wooden wheels.
The oldest surviving building in Harrow is the old log gaol built in 1859 from locally sawn logs. It was used by the police until 1869.
The log gaol is one of only a few remaining in existence in Victoria.
Near Kalang Cottage is an old wall that is the remains of a stable that is believed to have been used by Cobb & Co coaches in the early days of Harrow.
The jewell in the Crown of Harrow, in our opinion, is the Harrow Discovery Centre and Johnny Mullagh Interpretative Centre.
The centre has an excellent collection of cricket memorabillia.
The centre also tells the story of the Aboriginal cricket team that toured England in the 1860s. This was 14 years before the first Ashes matches in England.
There is some emphasis on Johnny ‘Unarrimin’ Mullagh who was born on Mullagh Station near Harrow in c. 1841. Mullagh Station was established in 1844 by Patrick Riley and Thomas Barrett As was usual for those times in the 1800s Aboriginal workers were employed on the stations. Unarrim was employed at Mullagh Station and was given the European name Johnny Mullagha.
Below is an excellent video on Johnny ‘Unarrimin’ Mullagh.
The centre also has an excellent collection of Don Bradman cricket memorabaillia.
For those reading this post from overseas who know nothing about Bradman and cricket, you can view a very interesting video below.
The centre contains the original Harrow Bank which was built in 1873 at a cost of 2,400 pounds. It was originally the Bank of Victoria, before merging with the Commonwealth Banking Company in 1927.
There is also a room dedicated to the 1988 Aboriginal Cricket team, who 120 years after the 1868 aboriginal cricket team, retraced the steps of the first team to coincide with the bicentennial celebrations
Next door is the Harrow Historical Society building that was originally erected in 1868 for the North Harrow Roads Board. It later became the Kowree Shire Council Offices building from 1872 to 188. It was purchased and restored by the Harrow Historical Society in 1985.
Marija and I left Harrow and headed out to activate Lake Mullancoree Wildlife Reserve VKF-5315.
Above:- Map showing the location of Lake Mullancoree Wildlife Reserve. Map c/o Google Maps.
The reserve is located on the eastern side of Goroke-Harrow Road.
Above:- An aerial view of the Lake Mullancoree Wildlife Reserve. Image c/o Google Earth.
The reserve is located at Wombelano, which is an aboriginal word meaning beautiful. (Blake 1978)
We were given permission to access the reserve by the landowner.
We ran the Yaesu FT857, 40 watts, and the 20/40/80m linked dipole.
Our next activation for Friday, 1st November 2024, was the School Swamp Wildlife Reserve VKFF-5819. The reserve is located about 13 km north of Edenhope in southwest Victoria.
Above:- Map showing the location of School Swamp Wildlife Reserve. Map c/o Google Maps.
The reserve is located on the southern side of Old School Lane, which runs off Kaniva-Edenhope Road.
Above:- an aerial view of the School Swamp Wildlife Reserve. Image c/o Google Earth.
The reserve is about 30 hectares in size and was established on the 22nd day of November 1983. (CAPAD 2022)
VK5PAS 