My third park for Wednesday 21st August 2024 was the Kia I242 Bushland Reserve VKFF-4229.

It was just a short drive from the Kia I242A Bushland Reserve to reach this park which is located about 23 km north of Ouyen in northwest Victoria.

Above:- Map showing the location of the Kia I242 Bushland Reserve. Map c/o Google Maps.

The reserve is located in the southern side of Box Flat Road.

Above:- AN aerial view of the Kia I242 Bushland Reserve. Image c/o Google Earth.

The reserve is about 20 hectares in size and was established on the 8th day of May 1990. (CAPAD 2022)

This was another park that was not easy to string out the 20/40/80m dipole. So much so that the 80m sections were lying on the ground amongst the mallee scrub. But the antenna still seemed to perform okay.

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK5HS
2. VK5MOS
3. VK3WSG
4. VK3PF
5. VK5AYL
6. VK2EXA
7. VK3CEO
8. VK3UAO
9. VK3PWG
10. VK3TTK
11. VK5PL
12. VK5UV
13. VK3TKK/p (Ararat Bushland Reserve VKFF-4300)
14. VK3APJ
15. VK2HAK
16. VK2SLB
17. VK2BRN
18. VK2KBT
19. VK3CA
20. VK3HM
21. VK2MOE
22. VK1MO
23. VK3MTT
24. VK3KRL
25. VK2IO
26. VK2GEZ
27. VK2YAK
28. VK4YAK
29. VK3HJW
30. VK3EJ
31. VK2HMV
32. VK3MGM
33. VK2XD
34. VK2STO

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

1. VK2IO
2. VK2GEZ
3. VK2SLB
4. VK2BRN
5. VK2KBT
6. VK2VW
7. VK2HFI
8. VK2AKA
9. VK2BUG
10. VK6DS
11. VK5HS
12. VK6LK
13. VK6LMK
14. VK4EMP
15. VK4TI
16. VK4GKO
17. ZL1KVA

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 12 Nov. 2024].‌

My second activation for Wednesday 21st August 2024 was the Kia I242 Bushland Reserve VKFF-4230.

The reserve is located about 16 km north of Ouyen in northwest Victoria. This was the first time that I had activated the park for the World Wide Flora Fauna (WWFF) program.

Above:- Map showing the location of the Kia I242A Bushland Reserve. Map c/o Google Maps.

The reserve is located on the corner of Calder Highway and Chapman Road.

Above:- An aerial view of the Kia I242A Bushland Reserve. Image c/o Google Earth.

This is just a small park comprising about 8 hectares of mallee scrub. It was established on the 8th day of May 1990. (CAPAD 2022)

I access the park via Chapman Road. There was just enough room amongst the scrub for me to string out the 20/40/80m linked dipole. I ran the Yaesu FT857d and 40 watts.

It was nice to pick up six Park to Park contacts from this park.

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK2GOM/p (Parma Creek Nature Reserve  VKFF-2698)
2. VK2VAR/p (Parma Creek Nature Reserve  VKFF-2698)
3. VK3BBB
4. VK2CCP
5. VK3PWG
6. VK3TTK
7. VK5HS
8. VK3CJN
9. VK3QHU
10. VK3APJ
11. VK3DWL/m
12. VK3PF
13. VK3MTT
14. VK3BEL
15. VK2IO
16. VK2GEZ
17. VK2EXA
18. VK5UV
19. Vk3GP
20. VK3FRC
21. VK2KYO
22. VK3EJ
23. VK5MOS
24. VK3WSG
25. VK3UAO
26. VK2SLB
27. VK2BRN
28. VK2KBT
29. VK1DI
30. VK3CEO
31. VK1AD
32. VK1NAM
33. VK5CZ
34. VK2VW
35. VK2HFI
36. VK2AKA
37. VK2BUG
38. VK3CA
39. VK3MGM

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

1. VK2VW
2. VK2HFI
3. VK2AKA
4. VK2BUG
5. VK3PF
6. VK2IO
7. VK2GEZ
8. VK4HNS
9. VK6LK
10. VK6LMK
11. VK1DI
12. VK7EE
13. VK4EMP
14. VK4TI
15. VK4GKO
16. VK3KIM
17. VK2SLB
18. VK2BRN
19. VK2KBT
20. VK2USH/p (Lake Broadwater Conservation Park VKFF-1577)
21. VK6EH
22. VK2GOM/p (Parma Creek Nature Reserve  VKFF-2698)
23. VK2VAR/p (Parma Creek Nature Reserve  VKFF-2698)
24. VK3CEO
25. VK4JJ
26. VK2XD
27. VK3TKK/p (Noahs Ark Dam Natural Features Reserve VKFF-4301)

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 12 Nov. 2024].‌

My first activation for Wednesday 21st August 2024 was the Ouyen I34 Bushland Reserve VKFF-4210.

The reserve is located about 10 km north of Ouyen in northwest Victoria. This was the first time that I had activated the park for the World Wide Flora Fauna (WWFF) program.

Above:- Map showing the location of the Ouyen I34 Bushland Reserve. Map c/o Google Maps.

The reserve is located on the northern and southern sides of Dingo Tank Road on the Calder Highway’s eastern side. Presumably, there were dingoes or wild dogs in this area back in the day.

Above:- An aerial view of the park. Image c/o Google Earth.

The reserve is about 36 hectares in size and was established on the 1st day of May 1979. (CAPAD 2022)

This was another park that was unfenced and I was able to drive in and set up amongst a clearing in the mallee scrub. I ran the Yaesu FT857d, 40 watts, and the 20/40/80m linked dipole.

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK3PF
2. VK2EXA
3. VK3CEO
4. Vk3MCK
5. VK2IO
6. VK2GEZ
7. Vk3CA
8. VK3HM
9. VK3VIN
10. VK5GY
11. VK2MOE
12. VK1MO
13. VK2VW
14. VK2HFI
15. VK2AKA
16. VK2BUG
17. VK5DC
18. VK2SLB
19. VK2BRN
20. VK2KBT
21. VK2MES
22. VK3APJ
23. VK3PWG
24. VK3TTK
25. VK3CJN
26. VK3QHU
27. VK5IS
28. VK3HJW
29. VK2AB
30. VK3UAO
31. VK4EMP
32. VK4TI
33. VK4GKO
34. VK1ARQ
35. VK3EJ
36. VK3AMO
37. VK1DI
38. VK2GOM/p (Parma Creek Nature Reserve  VKFF-2698)
39. VK2VAR/p (Parma Creek Nature Reserve  VKFF-2698)
40. VK3ANL
41. VK4HNS
42. VK3KIM
43. VK3BCM/p (SOTA VK3/ VE-144)
44. VK3PXS/p (SOTA VK3/ VE-144)
45. VK5AAF

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

1. VK2VW
2. VK2HFI
3. VK2AKA
4. VK2BUG
5. ZL3QR
6. VK2SLB
7. VK2BRN
8. VK2KBT
9. VK4HNS
10. VK2IO
11. VK2GEZ
12. VK6NU

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 12 Nov. 2024].‌

Here are the latest FT8 award certificates for VI7POL.

Thankyou to all of the FT8 operators and to the various Award Managers.

My latest VKFF Hunter Honour Roll certificate, issued for having worked 2,125 VKFF references.

Thank you to all of the VKFF activators and to Adam VK2YK, the VK5 VKFF State Rep, for the certificate.

Today I uploaded my log for VI7POL to UAAC and I have started to receive some FT8 award certificates.

My final activation for Tuesday 20th August 2024 was the Blue Mountain Bushland Reserve VKFF-4220.

I headed to the park after enjoying a very nice meal at the Victoria Hotel at Ouyen.

The Victoria Hotel was built in c. 1920. It was extensively enlarged in 1934.

Above:- The Victoria Hotel Ouyen. Image c/o Walking Ouyen Facebook page.

The park is located about 13 km (by road) south of Ouyen in northwest Victoria.

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

The park is located on the southern side of Steele Road which runs off the western side of the Calder Highway.

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

The park is about 40 hectares in size and was established on the 1st day of May 1979. I am not sure how it was named as there is certainly no mountain in or near the reserve. (CAPAD 2022)

Above:- An aerial view of the park looking north towards Ouyen. Image c/o Google Maps.

By the time I arrived at the park, it was completely dark. I ran the Yaesu FT857d, 40 watts, and the 20/40/80m linked dipole for this activation.

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK2IO
2. VK2GEZ
3. VK2DWP
4. VK3SQ
5. VK2BD
6. VK3BBB
7. VK2CCP
8. VK4SMA
9. VK2YAK
10. VK4YAK
11. VK3APJ
12. VK5PL
13. VK3MTT
14. VK2EXA
15. VK2HAK
16. VK3PWG
17. VK3TTK
18. VK3GJG
19. VK3ANL
20. VK5CZ
21. VK7PJM
22. VK4FDJL
23. VK4WAB
24. VK2BW
25. VK4HMI
26. VK3PF
27. VK3HJW
28. VK4HNS
29. VK3ALF
30. VK3CA
31. VK7DIK
32. VK5FANA
33. VK3MKE
34. VK7AAE
35. VK7DWS
36. VK3HM
37. VK1AAF
38. VK3SWA

I worked the following stations on 80m SSB:-

1. VK5FANA
2. VK2IO
3. VK2GEZ
4. VK7DIK
5. VK3MKE
6. VK7AAE
7. VK7DWS
8. VK4HNS
9. VK3APJ
10. VK5CZ
11. VK3ANL
12. VK4EMP
13. VK4TI
14. VK4GOZ
15. VK3MBW
16. VK3GJG

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 10 Nov. 2024].‌

The next activation for Tuesday 20th August 2024, was the Nunga Bushland Reserve VKFF-4241 and the Nunga silo VK-NNG3.

Nunga is about 7 km south of Ouyen on the Calder Highway in northwest Victoria.

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

Nunga is an aboriginal word for ‘day. Interestingly it is also a term of self-identification for Aboriginal Australians and was originally used by Aboriginal people in the southern settled areas of South Australia. (Blake 1978) (Wikipedia 2024)

At one time Nunga had a State School and also had its own cricket club.

Above:- The State School, No. 3756, at Nunga. Image c/o Museums Victoria.

During the 1940’s Nunga saw a significant mice plague.

Above:- Article from The Inverell Times Wed 9 Apr 1947. Image c/o Trove.

The Nunga silos are located on Dunkley Road on the western side of the Calder Highway

The Nunga Bushland Reserve is located on the eastern side of the Calder Highway.

Above:- An aerial view of the park. Image c/o Google Earth.

The park is about 14 hectares in size and was established on the 1st day of May 1979. (CAPAD 2022)

I accessed the park via a 4WD track that led into the park. I ran the Yaesu FT857d, 40 watts, and the 20/40/80m linked dipole for this activation.

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK2VW
2. VK2HFI
3. VK2AKA
4. VK2BUG
5. VK3PF/m
6. VK5GY
7. VK2TOT
8. VK7PJM
9. VK3VIN
10. VK2IO
11. VK2GEZ
12. VK4SMA
13. VK2EXA
14. Vk2TM
15. VK3BEL
16. VK4HMI
17. VK3CA
18. VK3ACZ
19. VK3MTT
20. VK5PL
21. VK1DI
22. VK5WU
23. VK3HJW
24. VK2GQR
25. VK3SQ
26. VK2BD
27. VK4EMP
28. VK4TI
29. VK4GKO
30. VK5UV
31. VK5JK
32. VK3MJR
33. VK3SO
34. VK3SFG
35. VK3PWG
36. VK3TTK
37. VK3ANL
38. VK3APJ
39. VK4HNS
40. VK2SLB
41. VK2BRN
42. VK2KBT
43. VK5LA
44. VK5KAW
45. VK4FDJL
46. VK4WAB
47. VK2MOE
48. VK1MO
49. VK3BBB
50. VK2CCP
51. VK3CJN
52. VK3QHU
53. VK2PBC
54. VK2YAK
55. VK4YAK
56. VK3GJG
57. VK3UAO
58. VK2WGW
59. VK5PE/m
60. VK3GB
61. VK6DS
62. VK3MGM
63. VK1ARQ
64. VK4LGC
65. VK2KDA

I worked the following stations on 40m AM:-

1. VK3CA
2. VK3HM

I worked the following stations on 40m FM:-

1. VK3CA
2. VK3HM

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 10 Nov. 2024].‌
2. Leslie James Blake, 1978, Place Names of Victoria.
3. Wikipedia Contributors (2022). Nunga. Wikipedia.‌

After leaving the Kulwin Flora & Fauna Reserve, I headed to the similarly named but different park, the Kulwin Flora Reserve VKFF-2354.

The park is located about 27 km east of Ouyen in northwest Victoria.

Above:- Map showing the location of the Kulwin Flora Reserve VKFF-2354. Map c/o Google Maps.

The park is located on Boland Road, Kulwin.

Above:- An aerial view of the park. Image c/o Google Earth.

The park is recorded as the Kulwin Nature Conservation Reserve on Google Maps.

Above:- An aerial showing the park, looking north. Image c/o Google Maps.

However, it is accurately named on MapShare Victoria.

Above:- Screenshot from MapShare Victoria showing the park. Image c/o MapShare Victoria.

The park is about 109 hectares in size and was established on the 8th day of May 1990. (CAPAD 2022)

I ran the Yaesu FT857d, 40 watts, and the 20/40/80m linked dipole for this activation. There was plenty of room off Boland Road to set up. I started the activation on 20m by booking into the ANZA DX Net. However I did not get many callers, so I moved up to 14.300 and within a minute ended up with a mini pileup.

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

1. LX/DL1FAB
2. VK7XX
3. VK5QA/4
4. VK3CLD/4
5. VK3ZGJG
6. VK2VW
7. VK2HFI
8. VK2VW
9. VK2AKA
10. VK2BUG
11. VK4EMP
12. VK4TI
13. VK4GKO
14. F5PYI
15. OH2CGU
16. VK6DS
17. VK2SLB
18. VK2BRN
19. VK2KBT
20. VK2HDT

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK3BEL
2. VK3HJW
3. VK3CA
4. VK3GJG
5. VK2EXA
6. VK3PF/m
7. VK3SMW
8. VK3CJN
9. VK3QHU
10. VK5IS
11. VK2TM
12. VK3PWG
13. VK3TTK
14. VK5WU
15. VK3ZPF
16. VK3JW
17. VK3MGM
18. VK2VW
19. VK2HFI
20. VK2AKA
21. VK2BUG
22. VK4HNS
23. VK3CEO
24. VK3AMO
25. VK7AN
26. VK3EJ
27. VK7PJM
28. VK3SO
29. VK3SFG
30. VK3MCK
31. VK5JK
32. VK4HMI
33. VK2YAK
34. VK4YAK
35. VK5FANA
36. VK4EMP
37. VK4TI
38. VK4GKO
39. VK4FDJL
40. VK4WAB
41. VK5GY
42. VK3UAO
43. VK2IO
44. VK2GEZ
45. VK3WRD
46. VK5CX
47. VK4KLA
48. VK1AD
49. VK1NAM
50. VK3LJZ
51. VK2KYO
52. VK5LA
53. VK5KAW
54. VK3APJ
55. VK2BDS
56. VK2HBG
57. VK2GRB
58. VK2GDX
59. VK2ALY
60. VK4AAC/p (Burrum Coast National ParkVKFF-0070)
61. VK2VH/p (Burrum Coast National Park VKFF-0070)
62. VK2TOT

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 10 Nov. 2024].‌

Whilst I was away interstate I received another WWFF certificate…..Park to Park 1,944.

Thank you to all of the WWFF activators and thank you to Swa ON5SWA the Awards Manager.