After leaving the Shepherds silo on Thursday, 223rd October 2025, Marija and I drove a little further north on Byrnes Road until we reached the Harefield silo VK-HRD2.
Harefield is located about 11 km south of Junee and about 35 km north of Wagga Wagga.
Above: Map showing the location of Harefield, NSW. Map c/o Google Maps
Harefield was originally known as Gerilgambeth. The Post Office opened on the 1st day of September 1879 and was renamed Wallaceton in 1880. It became Harefield in 1882 and closed in 1980. (Wikipedia 2025)
The Harefield Railway Station opened on the 3rd day of September 1878, following the extension of its previous terminus at the Junee Railway Station to Bomen Railway Station. It was known as Wallace Tow, but was renamed Harefield on the 1st day of March 1882, shortly after the renaming of the Post Office. Up until its closure in 1983, Harefield served passengers. The station fell into a state of disrepair and was demolished. In 2012, Harefield became a freight container terminal. (Wikipedia 2025)
Sadly, Harefield has seen some accidents over the years. In 1913, a railway porter was killed.
Above: article from The Sydney Morning Herald, Tue 4 Mar 1913. Image c/o Trove
In 1917, the night officer at the railway station was knocked down during shunting operations, resulted in a severely broken arem.
Above: article from the Daily Advertiser, Wagga Wagga, Fri 25 May 1917. Image c/o Trove
The silos are located on the western side of Byrnes Road, just south of Patterson’s Road.
Marija and I parked on a dirt track running off Byrnes Road. We operated from the 4WD running the Icom IC7000, 100 watts, and the Codan 9350 antenna with the 1.5 metre stainless steel whip.
Above: the activation zone at the Harefield silo. Image c/o SiOTA website.
Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-
VK3PF
VK5NJ
VK2IO
VK1AO
VK2MET
VK4SMA
VK5HS/M
VK1AD
VK1NAM
VK4SOE/P
VK4CO
I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-
VK3PF
VK5NJ
VK2IO
VK1AO
VK2MET
VK4SMA
VK5HS/M
VK1AD
VK1NAM
VK4SOE/P
VK4COA/P
VK3KRL
References.
Wikipedia Contributors (2025). Harefield. Wikipedia.
Our first activation for Thursday, 23rd October 2025, was Shepherds silo VK-SHS2 for the Silos On The Air (SiOTA) program.
The silo is located at Brucedale, about 18 km northeast of Wagga Wagga, and about 453 km southwest of the city of Sydney.
Above: Map showing the location of Shepherds silo, NSW. Map c/o Google Maps
The silo is located at the intersection of Byrnes Road and Shepherds Siding Road at Brucedale. The silos take their name from Shepherds railway station on the Main Southern line. (Wikipedia 2025)
Shepherds Railway Station opened on the 10th day of March 1893 as Shepherds Siding. It was renamed Shepherds on the 31st day of October 1925. It was closed on the 19th day of July 1975 and served passengers right up until its closing. The station was subsequently demolished. (Wikipedia 2025)
Sadly, the rail crossing at Shepherds Siding saw a tragedy in 1925, when a local farmer driving his car collided with a train at the crossing. (Trove 2026)
Above: article from The Labor Daily, Sydney, Thu 10 Dec 1925. Image c/o Trove
Marija and I parked on Shepherds Siding Road 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 Shepherds silo. Image c/o SiOTA website
Our next activation for Wednesday, 22nd October 2025, was Galore Hill VK2/ RI-047 for the Summits On The Air (SOTA) program.
Along the way, we stopped off in the tiny locality of Tootool, about 16 km west of The Rock.
The town takes its name from the Tootool Run, which was established by Robert and Archibald Irvine. Archibald Irvine was born in 1815 in Fermanagh, Ireland. Robert was born in c. 1823 in Fermanagh, Ireland. They emigrated to Australia in 1841 aboard the Berkshire. (ancestry 2016)
Both Robert and Archibald died under very sad circumstances.
Robert died in 1862 at Tootool Station. His cause of death was suicide as a result of the ingestion of strychnine. It appears from an item in The Pastoral Times in 1863 that Robert was an alcoholic and had been discussing suicide. (Trove 2026)
Above: part of an article from The Pastoral Times, Sat 10 Jan 1863. Image c/o Trove.
Archibald died in 1874 in the hospital at the Goulburn Gaol. In February 1874, he had been brought before the Goulburn Police Court, having been charged with being of unsound mind through excessive drinking.
Above: article from Australian Town and Country Journal, Sydney, Sat 7 Mar 1874. Image c/o Trove
The run was then acquired by Edward Ashcroft. He was born in December 1828 in Campbelltown, New South Wales. By 1864, he was living at Tootol Station. His eighth child, Alfred, was born there. He died in July 1896 at Tootool Station. (ancestry 2016)
Above: the Ashcroft family. Edward Ashcroft is 2nd from the left in the back row. Image c/o ancestry.com.au
In November 1901, a fire broke out at the Tootool run homestead. This resulted in the total destruction of the eight-roomed homestead. (Trove 2026)
Above: article from the Wagga Wagga Express, Thu 21 Nov 1901. Image c/o Trove
The Tootol Public School opened in 1887 and closed in 1968. The Tootool Post Office opened on the 1st day of August 1901. It closed in 1966. Tootool had its own cricket team. (Trove 2026) (Wikipedia 2021)
Above: a letter which appeared in The Albury Banner & Wodonga Express, Fri 4 Jul 1913. Image c/o Trove
Some interesting events have occurred at Tootool or been linked to Tootool. In 1906, an elderly man, David Wallace, was arrested and charged with having wilfully and maliciously set fire to natural grass at Tootool. He was convicted and sentenced to two years’ hard labour in the Goulburn Gaol.
Above: part of an article from the Wagga Wagga Advertiser, Thu 22 Feb 1906. Image c/o Trove
In February 1910, Christopher James Bolger was born at Tootool. Chris was a keen sportsman and was well known as a child for his tightrope walking. His family had a farming property known as Mount Austin and Toronto at Tootool.
Above: part of an article from the Daily Advertiser, Mon 29 Oct 1917. Image c/o Trove
Sadly, Chris was murdered at his property near Wagga Wagga. His body was found in a well, with two bullet wounds to the head, and his feet were tied, and a bag was over his head. Roy Soutar, who had been employed by Chris as a dairy hand, was charged with his murder. He was convicted and sentenced to death, which was commuted to life imprisonment. (Trove 2026)
Above: part of an article from The Truth, Sydney, Sun 5 Jan 1936. Image c/o Trove
On a happier note, the Tootool rest area is certainly well worth a visit. In 2000, a Tootool and French Park reunion celebration was held with a book being published. With some money left over, it was decided that a roadside rest stop complex would be built. Hats off to all those involved as this is a great little place to step out of your vehicle, stretch your legs, and read about this hsitoric little place.
The rest area includes a rotunda which contains an extensive amount of information about the district.
There is an old windmill and an old tree stump adorned with coourful bird nesting boxes.
The Tootool War Memorial is also located at the rest area. The memorial consists of a cement pillar on a four-stepped base, set on brick paving surround with each face inlaid with grey polished granite. On each granite face are the names of Tootool residents who served, with their fate marked with a + meaning killed in action, * died of wounds, X died of sickness, and ☒ cause of death unknown. (NSW.gov.au 2025)
There is also a memorial for the fatal collision of two Wirraways in August 1943. Both aircraft were from the RAAF 5 Service Flying School at Uranquinty. Three members of the RAAF were killed: Leading Aircraftsmen Frank Kenneth Smith, John Christopher Chandler and Raymond Thomas Cooper. St Leonard Hardy White, the pilot, successfully parachuted out of one of the aircraft. Sadly, he was killed in another air accident only three months later. (Nsw.gov.au 2019)
A little further up the road from the rest area, you will find the Tootool Telstra Telephone Exchange building mural. The artwork on the building was created by Australian-USA-based artist Damien Mitchell. He is originally from the Riverina region of New South Wales. The artwork features an old telephone, the Tootool Public School badge, the historic Tootool Bridge, native flora and fauna, and a swaggie. The artwork commenced on the 25th day of May 2023, and was completed the following day. (Visitnsw.com 2016)
We continued on to the little town of Mibrulong. This is an Aboriginal word meaning ‘rosella parrot.’ (Visit Lockhart 2022)
The Boundary Inn was built c. 1900 by Mr John Henry Menz. The hotel closed in November 1999. (Chirp Internet 2026)
Johann ‘John’ Henirich ‘Henry’ Herman Menz was born in November 1856 at Light Pass, South Australia. During his life, he was engaged in the hotel industry and farming at Jindera, Burrambuttock, Albury, and Mibrulong. He died in May 1901 at Albury, New South Wales. (Findagrave.com 2019)
On Tuesday, 7th December 1880, whilst living at Jindera and being the licensee of the local hotel, a brutal crime occurred at the home of his father, Martin Johann Menz. A swagman called Henry Wilkinson had been drinking at John’s hotel. The swaggie left the hotel to head to Albury. Later that night, John’s father was murdered, his daughter Maria Dorothea ‘Mary’ mortally wounded, and the house was set on fire. (Findagrave.com 2019)
Above: part of an article from Australian Town and Country Journal, Sat 11 Dec 1880. Image c/o Trove
After the house had been set alight, Mary, who had been shot three times with a revolver, fled the house with her 10-month-old son. She arrived at a nearby house owned by Mrs Douglass, suffering from a gunshot wound. She informed the homeowner that a male believed to be Wilkinson had shot her father and herself, robbed them, and then set fire to the house. (Findagrave.com 2019) (Trove 2026)
Following the murder, Wilkinsonson continued drinking at Jindera, using the money he had stolen. (Findagrave.com 2019)
Wilkinson was arrested at Jindera the following day. On Thursday, 16th December 1880. Mary died at the Albury Hospital from her injuries. (Findagrave.com 2019) (Trove 2026)
A trial took place at Albury, where Wilkinson was convicted and sentenced to death. He was hanged in the Albury Gaol on 4th June 1881. This was the only execution that took place at the Albury Gaol. (Findagrave.com 2019) (Trove 2026)
Above: article from The Australasian, Melbourne, Sat 4 Jun 1881. Image c/o Trove
The Mibrulong Post Office opened on the 7th day of August 1899 and closed in 1976. The Mibrulong Railway Station was opened in late 1900. In its heyday, Mibrulong had its own football club. (Wikipedia 2025)
Mibrulong has an excellent water tower tank art project. It was painted by Scott Nagy and Krimsone in May 2020. It features the Eastern Rosella, which is native to the Mibrulong district. (Australiansiloarttrail.com, 2020)
We then continued on to the town of Lockhart, which is known as the historic verandah town. We had a very quick look around the town (we did come back about a week later for a much better look).
Lockhart has a very interesting attraction called Pastoral Shadows of Brookong. It features a series of rural scenes that have been created with rusted iron, metal scraps and natural materials.
CWA Park in Lockhart features a series of metal sculptures.
Lockhart also has an excellent water tank mural art project. This project was also undertaken by artists Scott Nagy and Janne Birkner @ Krimsone. It was completed in October 2018, and was completed in just over 2 weeks. The artists used freehand spray cans and cost about $28,000.00. (Australiansiloarttrail.com 2026)
We then left Lockhart and headed to Galore Hill. As we drove along the Lockhart Kywong Road, Marija and I were able to get some nice views of Galore Hill across the paddocks.
Marija and I soon reached the Galore Hill Scenic Reserve. Sadly, the reserve does not qualify for the World Wide Flora Fauna (WWFF) program, as it is a council reserve under the control of the Lockhart Shire Council. The reserve is about 500 hectares in size and was proclaimed in 1968. Over 140 species of birds have been recorded in the reserve. Native mammals include kangaroos, wallabies, and echidnas. The reserve is home to rare ground-dwelling orchids, including Pink Fingers and Blue Fairies. (Lockhart Shire Council n.d.)
The first European to sight Galore Hill was the explorer, Captain Charles Sturt.
Above: Captain Charles Sturt. Image c/o WIkipedia
It is believed that Henry Osborne, who was an early settler, is responsible for the naming of the hill. In 1847, he climbed the hill, and it has been recorded that following climbing to the top, he shouted, “There’s land enough and galore for me.”
Osborne was born in February 1803 in County Tyrone, Ireland. He emigrated to Australia in 1829, arriving in Sydney. By 1839, he had acquired large land holdings in New South Wales. In 1851, he became a member of the Legislative Council, and in 185,6 he was elected to the Legislative Assembly. Sadly, just 3 years later, in March 1859, he died at Wollongong, New South Wales. (Osborne, 1967)
Above: Henry Osborne. Image /co Lockhart Shire Council
It is reputed that the most feared bushranger in Australia, Daniel ‘Mad Dog’ Morgan, used caves on Galore Hill as hideouts from the authorities.
John Owen @ Daniel Morgan, was born in April 1830 in Appin, New South Wales. He attended a Catholic school in Campbelltown, NSW, but was characterised as a ‘n’er-do-well’ with antisocial tendencies. He became a horse and cattle stealer in the late 1840s. In 1854, he was captured by police after robbing two travelling hawkers in the Castlemaine district. He was sentenced to 12 years’ hard labour. Following his release, Morgan commenced his bushranging activities and murder. (Wikipedia 2023)
Above: Daniel ‘Mad Dog’ Morgan. Image c/o Wikipedia
On the 9th day of April 1865, Morgan was shot at Peechelba Station near Wangaratta. He initially survived, but died from his wounds later that day. (Wikipedia 2023)
Above: the capture and death of Morgan. Image c/o Wikipedia
Immediately following his death, a crowd of about 50 onlookers arrived at Peechelba Station. Some commenced to cut locks from his hair. On the 11th day of April, Morgan’s body was conveyed to Wangaratta and placed on public display. Rather morbidly, his head was removed, and his beard and the underlying skin from his face were flayed. It was reported that this was used to make a tobacco pouch. His headless body was buried in a pine coffin in the Wangaratta cemetery. (Wikipedia 2023)
Above: a post-mortem photograph of Morgan. Image c/o Wikipedia
Below is an excellent video on Morgan
Galore Hill is 386 metres above sea level and is worth just 1 point in the SOTA program. It has been activated 9 times since 2013. I was the second person to activate the summit, back in October 2015. (Sotadata.org.uk 2026)
Above: an aerial view of Galore Hill. Image c/o Google Maps.
On the top of Galore Hill, you can find an observation tower which offers spectacular views of the surrounding countryside.
We were on the hill a little late, but we were still rewarded with some brilliant views of the countryside surrounding Galore Hill.
It was a fine late afternoon, but it was absolutely blowing a gale. So we took advantage of the shelter shed on the hill. We were very concerned during the activation that we would end up with a snapped squid pole. Fortunately, that did not occur.
We ran the Yaesu FT857, 40 watts, and the 20/40/80m linked dipole, supported on a 7 metre telescopic heavy-duty squid pole.
Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-
VK3WSG
VK1CHW
VK3PF
VK5IS
VK3GOW
VK2ETI
VK1AO
VK2IO
VK5FR/p (VKFF-1178)
VK5LA/p (VKFF-1974)
I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-
VK3WSG
VK1CHW
VK3PF
VK5IS
VK3GOW
VK2ETI
VK1AO
VK2IO
VK3ACZ
VK4GAP
VK2MFW
VK5FR/p (VKFF-1178)
VK3AMO
VK3TDK
VK3NYC
VK4SMA
JG0AWE
VK5LA/p (VKFF-1974)
VK4SOA/p
VK4COA/p
VK2HBG
VK4DJF
VK2JPB
VK2HEY
With the summit activated, it was time to head off to Wagga Wagga.
References.
ancestry (2016). Ancestry® | Genealogy, Family Trees & Family History Records. [online] Ancestry.com.au. Available at: https://www.ancestry.com.au/. [Accessed 10 Jan. 2026].
After leaving The Rock West silo on Wednesday, 22nd October 2025, Marija and I drove a short distance to our next activation, The Rock silo VK-THK2.
Above: Map showing the location of The Rock. Map c/o Google maps.
The silos are located in close proximity to the historic The Rock railway station. The station is located on the Main Southern line. The station building was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on the 2nd day of April, 1999. (Wikipedia 2025)
A temporary station had been opened by September 1880 and was known as Hanging Rock. This was following the extension of the Main South line from Wagga Wagga to Gerogery. The Wagga Wagga Advertiser recorded that the building used as the station was only temporary. It was reported that the building of a station, a goods shed, and a station master’s residence was expected to be completed in about three months. (Nswrail.net 2026) (Trove 2026)
Above: part of a newspaper article from the Wagga Wagga Advertiser, Thu 2 Sept 1880. Image c/o Trove
By February 1881, it was reported that a small passenger station, goods warehouse and station master’s house were at Hanging Rock. (Trove 2026)
Above: part of an article from the Evening News, Sydney, Wed 2 Feb 1881. Image c/o Trove
On the 28th day of December 1887, it was renamed Kingston. And then on the 10th day of February 1883, it was renamed The Rock. (Nswrail.net 2026)
The silos are located alongside the railway line and on the northern side of Railway Street.
Construction of The Rock silos commenced in 1918. (Trove 2026)
Above: article from the Daily Advertiser, Wagga Wagga, Thu 27 Jun 1918. Image c/o Trove
The silos were officially opened on the 24th day of October 1918. Mr Watt, the Acting Prime Minister, was invited to be present. (Trove 2026)
Above: A view of the The Rock railway complex with the footings of the grain silos. Image c/o NSW Archives.
Marija and I operated from alongside the silos. We operated from the 4WD running 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 Rock silo. Image c/o SiOTA website
After leaving The Rock Nature Reserve on Wednesday, 22nd October 2025, Marija and I drove a short distance to The Rock West silo VK-THT2, for an activation for the Silos On The Air (SiOTA) program.
Above: Map showing the location of The Rock, NSW. Map c/o Google Maps
The silo is located on the northern side of the Lockhart-The Rock Road, and alongside the Oaklands branch railway line. The line is a branch line of the Main South line at The Rock and heads in a southwesterly direction through the towns of Boree Creek and Urana, terminating at Oaklands. The branch line opened to Lockhart in 1901 and then Oaklands in 1912. (Wikipedia 2023)
The silos are opposite The Rock summit and the Nature Reserve.
Above: Aerial view of the silos and The Rock summit. Image c/o Google Maps
Marija and I parked alongside the silos and operated from the 4WD. We ran the Icom IC7000, 100 watts, and the Codan 9350 antenna with the 1.5 metre stainless steel whip.
Above: the activation zone at The Rock West silo. Image c/o SiOTA website
I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-
VK3WSG
VK2IO
VK2GEZ
VK2ZR
VK3PF
VK3BDW
VK3ZPF
VK3BWS
VK7IAN
VK1CHW
VK3MCK
References.
Wikipedia Contributors (2023). Oaklands railway line. Wikipedia.
Back in mid-December 2025, whilst operating as VK5IPA, I was fortunate to make contact on 20m FT8 with Gabor HA3JB, HG60IPA, and HG3IPA in Hungary.
HG60IPA was a special event station celebrating the 60th anniversary of the International Police Association (IPA).
As a result, Gabor sent me the special Hungarian IPARC Award. I was incredibly pleased to have made contact with Gabor and to have received the certificate.
VK5PAS 