Albacutya silo VK-ALA3

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After leaving the Elam silo on 23rd October 2024, Marija and I continued north towards our next activation, the Albacutya silo VK-ALA3.

Above:- Map showing the location of Albacutya. Map c/o Google Maps.

As we drove into the town of Rainbow, we stopped briefly to look at Rainbow Lake, a man-made lake popular for swimming and kayaking.

We then visited the little town of Rainbow on the southern edge of the Victorian Mallee country. The town’s name comes from a property in the area known as ‘Rainbow Rise’ which in turn was named due to it being located near a crescent-shaped ridge that in spring was alive with colourful wildflowers. (Aussie Towns 2025)

Rainbow has several murals that are located in and around Federal Street. The Centennary of Rail to Rainbow mural depicts one of the first passenger trains into Rainbow Station. The Commonwealth Hotel mural depicts the magnificent hotel that was demolished in 1959.

Marija and I then had a look at Yurunga Homestead in Rainbow. This heritage listed Edwardian style home was built in 1909 by Mr. A.G. Cust. (Visit Wimmera Mallee 2025)

Rainbow is a beautiful little town. In the main street, Federal Street, you can find the Rainbow War Memorial. The monument commemorates all those from the Rainbow district who served in World War One and World War Two.

The monument is surrounded by dozens of rose bushes which were in full bloom during our visit.

Marija and I then had dinner at the Eureka Hotel in Rainbow. The Eureka Hotel was built in 1905. (Flickr 2025)

On our way to the Albacutya silo we stopped to have a look at the murals located on the corner of Hopetoun-Rainbow Road and Albacutya Road. There are three murals painted on large panels. They depict the history of nearby Lake Albacutya.

The Albacutya silos are part of the Australian Silo Art Trail. The silo art was completed in May 2021 and is the work of Melbourne artist Kitt Bennett. (Australiansiloarttrail.com, 2022)

Kitt Bennett spent several weeks exploring the local area and speaking with locals. He commenced compiling a series of sketches and paintings that would form the basis of the final design of the silos. Kitt drew on his childhood experience in growing up in the bush and catching yabbies in the creeks. The concept of the boy on the motorbike was based on the son of the silo owner.

Marija and I parked in the silo carpark 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:- Map showing the activation zone at the Albacutya silo. Image c/o SiOTA website.

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK3WSG
  2. VK1CHW
  3. VK7PJM
  4. VK3APJ

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK3WSG
  2. VK1CHW
  3. VK7PJM
  4. VK3APJ
  5. VK3USA
  6. VK2IO/m
  7. VK5WU
  8. VK5FB
  9. VK3SQ
  10. VK2BD
  11. VK1AO
  12. VK2MET
  13. VK7MAD

References.

  1. Aussie Towns. (n.d.). Rainbow, VIC. [online] Available at: https://www.aussietowns.com.au/town/rainbow-vic [Accessed 12 Feb. 2025]
  2. ‌Australiansiloarttrail.com. (2022). \r\n \n Albacutya Silo Art\n \r\n. [online] Available at: https://www.australiansiloarttrail.com/albacutya [Accessed 12 Feb. 2025].
  3. ‌Flickr. (2025). Rainbow. One of the two grand hotels built in Rainbow in 1905. This is the Eureka Hotel. Almost next door is the Royal Hotel. [online] Available at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/82134796@N03/24108525150 [Accessed 12 Feb. 2025].
  4. ‌Visit Wimmera Mallee. (2025). Yurunga Homestead – Visit Wimmera Mallee. [online] Available at: https://visitwimmeramallee.com.au/business-listing/yurunga-homestead/ [Accessed 14 Mar. 2025].‌

Ellam silo VK-ELM3

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After leaving Jeparit, Marija and I drove a short distance north towards Ellam where we planned on activating the Ellam silo VK-ELM3.

Ellam is located about 384 km northwest of the city of Melbourne, and about 15 km north of the town of Jeparit.

Marija and I drove down to the Wimmera River along the way to view the old bridge. The Wimmera River flows for a distance of about 278 km. It rises from the Great Dividing Range below Elmhurst and flows generally north and west before reaching its mouth at Lake Hindmarsh. The Wimmera River is joined by 14 minor tributaries. (Wikipedia 2023)

The Jeparit Bridge was constructed in 1891 and was opened the following year in 1892. It is one of Victoria’s oldest surviving timber road bridges. (Vic.gov.au, 2025)

There was a variety of birdlife along this stretch of the Wimmera River.

We then drove to the Ellam silos. They are located on the Ellam-Willenabrina Road. Ellam is Mallee spelt backwards. (Blake 1978)

We parked right alongside the silos and operated from the 4WD. We ran the Icom IC-7000, 100 watts, and the Codan 9350 antenna with the 1.5 metre staineless steel whip.

Above:- the activation zone at the Ellam silo. Image c/o SiOTA website.

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK5LA
  2. VK3DAC
  3. VK4FE/p
  4. VK3DL

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK5LA
  2. VK3DAC
  3. VK4FE/p
  4. VK3DL
  5. VK3APJ
  6. VK3PF
  7. VK1AO
  8. VK2MET
  9. VK3QH
  10. VK3SQ
  11. VK2BD
  12. VK5EBA
  13. VK3PWG
  14. VK3TTK
  15. VK5FB
  16. VK2VOM
  17. VK5GMH

References.

  1. Leslie James Blake, 1978, Place Names of Victoria.
  2. Vic.gov.au. (2025). VHD. [online] Available at: https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/68607 [Accessed 8 Feb. 2025].
  3. ‌Wikipedia Contributors (2023). Wimmera River. Wikipedia.‌

Jeparit silo VK-JPT3

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After leaving Crymelon on Wednesday 23rd October 2024, Marija and I headed to Jeparit, intending to activate the Jeparit silo for the Silos On The Air (SiOTA) program.

Above: The map shows the location of Jeparit in western Victoria. Map c/o Google Maps.

As we drove along the Jeparit-Warracknabeal Road, we passed through Peppers Plain. The area takes its name from John H. Pepper who held Coolanuck station in 1848.

Peppers Plain was once a thriving community. The old tennis courts are now an overgrown paddock. The clay tennis courts were the centre of the sporting and social life of the community from the 1930s until 1956. The Peppers Plain football oval was also located nearby.

The Peppers Plain School No. 3121 operated from 1922 to 1951. The school buildings were removed from the site in 1960.

One building that does remain is the old Peppers Plain Baptist Church. The foundation stone was laid in 1924 by Henry Sprigg.  (UBC Web Design, 2018)

Marija and I soon reached the little town of Jeparit. It is famous for being the birthplace of Sir Robert Menzies. Jeparit is believed to be a corruption of an aboriginal word meaning ‘the home of small birds’. (Aussie Towns 2024)

Robert Gordon Menzies (b. 1894. d. 1978) was Australia’s 12th and longest-serving Prime Minister. Menzies held the office of Prime Minister twice, from 1939 to 1941 and from 1949 to 1966. He held the office for over 18 years which to this day, is still the record term for an Australian Prime Minister. (National Archives of Australia, 2021)

We stopped at Menzies Square on the corner of Roy Street and Dimboola-Rainbow Road. There is an impressive mural painted on the side of a shed which features several local bird species.

Menzies Square is a tribute to the Menzies family. Several information boards detail the life of Sir Robert Menzies and his family.

In 1894, Mr. J Jeffrey announced his intention of erecting a Coffee Palace in Roy Street, Jeparit. The Coffee Palace was intended to be a spot where travellers and the general public could find the best accommodation, ample yard room, and good stabling for horses. Jeffrey erected a weatherboard premises and soon afterwards, his wife applied for a licence for the sale of wine and the operation of a billiard room. Unfortunately, the success of the business was seasonal and the Jeffries ran into financial difficulty, forcing them to close the business. (Vic.gov.au, 2024)

In 1895, John Rae, a timber merchant and undertaken, took over the business. However his life as the proprietor of the business was short-lived, and Mrs. Ellen Sheil took over and became the owner of Shiell’s Coffee Palace. (Vic.gov.au, 2024)

In November 1928 the original building was totally destroyed by fire. Four motor vehicles were also destroyed and several horses perished in the fire. (Vic.gov.au, 2024)

Above:- Article from The Horsham Times, Fri 9 Nov 1928. Trove.

In 1929 the current building was constructed in Spanish style. It is named after the first Governor of South Australia. (Vic.gov.au, 2024)

In 1925 the Jeparit Memorial Hall was opened with the dual purpose of being a public venue for the citizens of Jeparit and clubrooms for the Returned Soldiers League.  (Vic.gov.au, 2024)

We then visited the Menzies Spire, an 18-metre-tall grey steel column with a thistle on the top. It is located at the corner of Charles Street and Sands Avenue at the entrance to Robert Menzies Park. (Aussie Towns 2024)

There is a lot of history in the town of Jeparit which is reflected in the many information boards along the Jeparit Heritage Walk.

Marija and I then headed to the Jeparit silos, located on Mill Street.

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:- Map showing the activation zone at the Jeparit silo. Image c/o SiOTA website.

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK3AXH
  2. VK3PF
  3. VK2IO/M
  4. VK5FB
  5. VK3WRD
  6. VK3DL
  7. VK5KKT
  8. VK2RB/p

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK3AXH
  2. VK3PF
  3. VK2IO/M
  4. VK5FB
  5. VK3WRD
  6. VK3SQ
  7. VK2BD
  8. VK3WSG
  9. VK1AO
  10. VK2MET
  11. VK5KKT
  12. VK3HBG
  13. VK3DL

References.

  1. Cameron, T. (n.d.). Jeparit, VIC. [online] Aussie Towns. Available at: https://www.aussietowns.com.au/town/jeparit-vic [Accessed 8 Feb. 2025].
  2. ‌National Archives of Australia (2021). Robert Menzies | naa.gov.au. [online] Naa.gov.au. Available at: https://www.naa.gov.au/explore-collection/australias-prime-ministers/robert-menzies [Accessed 8 Feb. 2025].
  3. ‌UBC Web Design (2018). Peppers Plains Baptist Church – Former | Churches Australia. [online] Churchesaustralia.org. Available at: https://www.churchesaustralia.org/list-of-churches/denominations/baptist/directory/4034-peppers-plains-baptist-church-former [Accessed 8 Feb. 2025].
  4. ‌Vic.gov.au. (2024). Site 6 Hindmarsh Hotel. [online] Available at: https://www.hindmarsh.vic.gov.au/Visit-Hindmarsh/Discover-our-Heritage/Jeparit-Heritage-Walk/Site-6-Hindmarsh-Hotel [Accessed 8 Feb. 2025].
  5. ‌Vic.gov.au. (2024). Jeparit Memorial Town Hall. [online] Available at: https://www.hindmarsh.vic.gov.au/Community/Venues/Jeparit-Memorial-Town-Hall [Accessed 8 Feb. 2025].‌

Crymelon Bushland Reserve VKFF-4863

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Our next activation for Wednesday 23rd October 2024 was the Crymelon Bushland Reserve VKFF-4863.

The reserve is located about 18 km northwest of Warracknabeal and about 355 km northwest of the city of Melbourne.

Above:- Map showing the location of the Crymelon Bushland Reserve. Map c/o Google Maps.

Prior to heading to the park, Marija and I took a stroll along Yarriambiack Creek in Warracknabeal.

The Yarriambiack Creek is a distributary of the Wimmera River. The creek leaves the Wimmera River near Drug Drung, about 20km east of Horsham, and then flows northward through Warracknabeal and empties into Lake Coorong near Hopetoun. Its name is believed to derive from Jarambuik, the name of a sub-group of the indigenous Wotjobaluk people. It was also once spelt Yarriambiac, Yarramberger and Yarrambeak. (Wikipedia 2023)

On the creek’s edge at Warracknabeal is the site of the Warracknabeal East Station, the first permanent structure built in the district.

Nearby is a monument to commemorate the Scott Brothers, who established the first permanent settlement in the district in 1845.

Marija and I then headed towards Crymelon. We stopped to have a look at the site of the old Crymelon Baptist Church that operated from 1900 to 1968.

Crymelon was described as ‘an important Baptist stronghold’. (Trove 2025)

Above:- Article from The Horsham Times, Fri 5 Feb 1909. Image c/o Trove.

The reserve is located on the corner of Rainbow Road and Jeparit-Warracknabeal Road.

Above:- Aerial view of the Crymelon Bushland Reserve. Image c/o Google Earth.

The reserve is about 8 hectares in size and was established on the 22nd day of September 1987. (CAPAD 2022)

This was an easy park to access. It had no fences and there was a 4WD drive which we drove along. Marija and I 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. VK3SQ
  2. VK2BD
  3. VK5CZ
  4. VK2VW
  5. VK2HFI
  6. VK2AKA
  7. VK2BUG
  8. VK3NDG
  9. VK3FACD
  10. VK3BTP
  11. VK3NVY
  12. VK2IO/p (SOTA VK2/ ST-053 & VKFF-1971)
  13. VK2GEZ/p (SOTA VK2/ ST-053 & VKFF-1971)

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK3SQ
  2. VK2BD
  3. VK5CZ
  4. VK2VW
  5. VK2HFI
  6. VK2AKA
  7. VK2BUG
  8. VK3NDG
  9. VK3FACD
  10. VK3BTP
  11. VK3NVY
  12. VK3CEO
  13. VK1AO
  14. VK2MET
  15. VK3YV
  16. VK3VIN
  17. VK2HAK
  18. VK3APJ
  19. VK3MGM
  20. VK5DW
  21. VK5QA
  22. VK1AD
  23. VK1NAM
  24. VK3AMO
  25. VK3BEL
  26. VK3WSG
  27. VK3DL
  28. VK3GJG
  29. VK5WU
  30. VK5HS
  31. VK2SLB
  32. VK2BRN
  33. VK2KBT
  34. VK3UAO
  35. VK3KRL
  36. VK3HJW
  37. VK2IO/p (SOTA VK2/ ST-053 & VKFF-1971)
  38. VK2GEZ/p (SOTA VK2/ ST-053 & VKFF-1971)

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

  1. VK5HS
  2. VK4EMP
  3. VK4TI
  4. VK4GKO
  5. KG5CIK
  6. VK1AO
  7. VK2MET

I worked the following stations on 20m FT8:-

  1. IK2WRV
  2. F5IYE
  3. VK4EMP
  4. VK4TI
  5. VK4GKO
  6. PI4DX
  7. OP7B
  8. VK1AO
  9. M6JAY

References.

  1. Dcceew.gov.au. (2023). Collaborative Australian Protected Areas Database (CAPAD) 2022 – DCCEEW. [online] Available at: https://www.dcceew.gov.au/environment/land/nrs/science/capad/2022 [Accessed 9 Jan. 2025].‌
  2. Trove. (2025). A Record Church Offering – The Horsham Times (Vic. : 1882 – 1954) – 5 Feb 1909. [online] Available at: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/72826335?browse=ndp%3Abrowse%2Ftitle%2FH%2Ftitle%2F225%2F190%2F1909%2F02%2F05%2Fpage%2F7080460%2Farticle%2F72826335 [Accessed 9 Jan. 2025].
  3. ‌Wikipedia Contributors (2023). Yarriambiack Creek. Wikipedia.‌

Bangerang I101 Bushland Reserve VKFF-4539

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Our next activation for Wednesday 23rd October 2024 was the Bangerang I101 Bushland Reserve VKFF-4539.

The reserve is located about 15 km east of Warracknabeal and about 328 km northwest of the city of Melbourne.

Above:- Map showing the location of the Bangerang I101 Bushland Reserve. Map c/o Google Maps.

Before activating Bangerang I101 Bushland Reserve, we drove past the Kellalac Bushland Reserve to see if access was possible. However, after viewing the park on MapshareVic we found that the land was leased and we could not see a nearby farmhouse.

Above:- View of the Kellalac Bushland Reserve.

We then stopped briefly to look at the site of the old Challambra School which operated from 1882 to 1913. Challambra is derived from an aboriginal word allambee meaning to sit or recline. (Blake 1978)

The Bangerang I101 Bushland Reserve also showed as being leased on MapshareVic. However, we could see a nearby farmhouse so we decided to try our luck. Marija spoke with the extremely friendly landowner who allowed us access to the reserve.

Access to the reserve is via a dirt track running off the southern side of Borung Highway. The Highway is named after the Boorung aboriginal people. (Wikipedia 2024)

Above:- An aerial view of the Bangerang I101 Bushland Reserve. Image c/o Google Earth.

The reserve is about 7 hectares in size and was established on the 22nd day of September 1987. Bangerang is derived from the aboriginal words barn meaning bullock and gerang meaning leaf or branch. (Blake 1978) (CAPAD 2022)

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

It was a pleasure to get Phillip in the log on 40m. It was Phillip’s first HF contact.

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK3SQ
  2. VK2BD
  3. VK5CZ
  4. VK5HS
  5. VK5NHG
  6. VK3CEO
  7. VK3APJ
  8. VK3MGM
  9. VK3NCR
  10. VK3AMO

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK3SQ
  2. VK2BD
  3. VK5CZ
  4. VK5HS
  5. VK5NHG
  6. VK3CEO
  7. VK3APJ
  8. VK3MGM
  9. VK3NCR
  10. VK3AMO
  11. VK2AGU
  12. VK3KRL
  13. VK1AO
  14. VK2MET
  15. VK5WU
  16. VK3BFT
  17. VK2KYO
  18. VK7KT
  19. VK3ACR
  20. VK2IO/M
  21. VK2GEZ/M
  22. VK3LRO
  23. VK3PWG
  24. VK3TTK
  25. VK2SLB
  26. VK2BRN
  27. VK2KBT
  28. VK3ZSC
  29. VK5PE
  30. VK7XX
  31. VK5DW
  32. VK5QA
  33. VK5TN
  34. VK3DL
  35. VK5NOU

I worked the following station on 40m AM:-

  1. VK5DW

I worked the following stations on 40m FT8:-

  1. VK5LA
  2. VK3CEO
  3. VK3APJ
  4. VK1AD
  5. VK1NAM

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

  1. VK2VW
  2. VK2HFI
  3. VK2AKA
  4. VK2BUG
  5. VK5HS

References.

  1. Dcceew.gov.au. (2023). Collaborative Australian Protected Areas Database (CAPAD) 2022 – DCCEEW. [online] Available at: https://www.dcceew.gov.au/environment/land/nrs/science/capad/2022 [Accessed 7 Jan. 2025].‌
  2. Leslie James Blake, 1978, Place Names of Victoria.
  3. Wikipedia Contributors (2024). Borung Highway. Wikipedia.‌