Kulwin Flora and Fauna Reserve VKFF-2353

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My next activation for Tuesday 20th August 2024 was the Kulwin Flora & Fauna Reserve VKFF-2353. The reserve is located about 30 km east of Ouyen in northwest Victoria.

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

This park is not to be confused with the Kulwin Flora Reserve VKFF-2353 which is located on Boland Road.

I travelled east along the Mallee Highway and soon reached the area of Kulwin. Kulwin is an aboriginal word meaning throwing stick. (Black 1978)

The Kulwin Post Office opened on the 16th day of August 1920 following the arrival of the railway. The Post office closed in 1974. The Kulwin State School (No. 4375) opened in the Kulwin Soldiers’ Hall on the 8th day of January 1929. In April 1933 a standalone building, formerly at Nowingi State School, was re-erected and occupied. In 1934 an additional workroom was erected by parents in 1934. The school closed in 1950, with the building being removed to the Robinvale Consolidated School. (Wikipedia 2024)

Above:- Plan of the town of Kulwin. Image c/o State Library Victoria.

Kulwin once had a hall that held dances and other functions. Kulwin also had its own cricket team and football team.

Above:- An article from the Ouyen Mail, Wed 25 May 1927. Image c/o Trove.

Today little remains at Kulwin. I visited the site of the old tennis courts which today are in a state of disrepair and covered with weeds.

The Kulwin Flora & Fauna Reserve is located on the northern and southern sides of the Mallee Highway.

Above:- An aerial view of the Kulwin Flora & Fauna Reserve. Image c/o Google Earth.

The reserve is about 170 hectares in size and was established on the 1st day of May 1979. (CAPAD 2022)

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

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

  1. VK7XX
  2. VK2IO
  3. VK2GEZ
  4. ZL3MR
  5. VK5QA/4
  6. VK3CLD/4
  7. VK6DS/p (Westralia Conservation Park VKFF-1442)
  8. F5PYI
  9. UT5PI
  10. VK2VW
  11. VK2HFI
  12. VK2AKA
  13. VK2BUG
  14. VK7AAE
  15. F1BLL
  16. DL2ND
  17. SQ9CWO
  18. OH1MM
  19. OH2CGU
  20. VK4HNS

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK2LQ/p (Mount Canobolas State Conservation Area VKFF-1353)
  2. VK3PF/m
  3. VK2KA
  4. VK2EXA
  5. VK5LA
  6. VK5KAW
  7. VK5FANA
  8. VK3CA
  9. VK3APJ
  10. VK2SLB
  11. VK2KBT
  12. VK2BRN
  13. VK2VW
  14. VK2HFI
  15. VK2AKA
  16. VK2BUG
  17. VK3NBL
  18. VK2IO
  19. VK2GEZ
  20. VK3SO
  21. VK3SFG
  22. VK3TV
  23. VK3HJW
  24. VK3CEO
  25. VK3CJN
  26. VK3QHU
  27. VK3ZPF
  28. VK3JW
  29. VK5NHG
  30. VK3UAO
  31. VK5WU
  32. VK5MSA
  33. VK5GY
  34. VK3MGM
  35. VK3BCM/p (SOTA VK3/ VN-007)
  36. VK3PXS/p (SOTA VK3/ VN-007)
  37. VK5IS

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 Nov. 2024].‌
  2. Leslie James Blake, 1978, Place Names of Victoria.
  3. Wikipedia Contributors (2023). Kulwin, Victoria. Wikipedia. [Accessed 7 Nov. 2024].‌‌

Wagant Bushland Reserve VKFF-4249

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My next activation for Tuesday 20th August 2024 is the Wagant Bushland Reserve VKFF-4249. The park is located about 25 km northeast of Ouyen in northwest Victoria.

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

The reserve is located on the northern and southern side of Edwards Road.

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

The park is about 48 hectares in size and was established on the 1st day of May 1979. The park was also signposted as Latimer’s Bushland Reserve. The sign was broken and it was clear that authorities had not been to the park for years. I am not sure when the name of the park was changed. Wagant is an aboriginal word meaning ‘hail’. (Blake 1978) (CAPAD 2022)

As I arrived at the park there was a Wedge Tailed eagle soaring way above me in the thermals. Unfortunately, he/she was too high up for a good photograph.

I drove into the park and set up in a clearing amongst the mallee scrub. I ran the Yaesu FT857, 40 watts, and the 20/40/80m linked dipole.

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK3BEL
  2. VK3HJW
  3. VK3ZDK
  4. VK1AD
  5. VK1NAM
  6. VK2VW
  7. VK2HFI
  8. VK2AKA
  9. VK2BUG
  10. VK2IO
  11. VK2GEZ
  12. VK3VIN
  13. VK2SLB
  14. VK2BRN
  15. VK2KBT
  16. VK3STV
  17. VK3CEO
  18. VK3ZPF
  19. VK3JW
  20. VK3APJ
  21. VK3SO
  22. Vk3SFG
  23. VK5AAF
  24. VK2EXA
  25. VK5WU
  26. VK3PF/m
  27. VK2YW
  28. VK5VK
  29. VK5FANA
  30. VK2EG/p (SOTA VK2/ MN-103 & Ngambaa Nature Reserve VKFF-1981)
  31. VK5KVA
  32. VK3CA
  33. VK1ARQ
  34. VK3WRD
  35. VK3UAO

I worked the following stations on 40m AM:-

  1. VK3CA
  2. VK3HM

I worked the following stations on 40m FM:-

  1. VK3CA
  2. VK3HM

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

  1. VK2EG (SOTA VK2/ MN-103 & Ngambaa Nature Reserve VKFF-1981)
  2. VK7XX
  3. VK2VW
  4. VK2HFI
  5. VK2AKA
  6. VK2BUG
  7. VK2IO
  8. VK2GEZ
  9. VK2TM
  10. VK4EMP
  11. VK4TI
  12. VK4GKO
  13. VK4HNS
  14. VK6DS/p (Westralia Conservation Park VKFF-1442)

References.

  1. Leslie James Blake, 1978, Place Names of Victoria.
  2. 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 Nov. 2024].‌

Wild Dog Tank Bushland Reserve VKFF-4252

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After leaving the Ouyen I83 Bushland Reserve on 20th August 2024, I headed to the Wild Dog Tank Bushland Reserve VKFF-4252. The park is located about 7 km east of Ouyen in northwest Victoria.

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

The reserve is located on the southern side of the Mallee Highway.

Above:- An aerial view of the Wild Dog Tank Bushland Reserve. Image c/o Google Earth.

The reserve is about 16 hectares in size and was established on the 1st day of May 1979. (CAPAD 2022)

This is another park that was easy to access. I drove in along a 4WD track. I ran the Yaesu FT857, 40 watts, and the 20/40/80m linked dipole.

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

  1. VK2VW
  2. VK2HFI
  3. VK2AKA
  4. VK2BUG
  5. VK5QA/4
  6. VK3CLD/4
  7. VK2SLB
  8. VK2BRN
  9. VK2KBT
  10. VK3PF
  11. VK6JK
  12. VK6DS/p (Westralia Conservation Park VKFF-1442)
  13. ZL/VE6TC
  14. VK4EMP
  15. VK4TI
  16. VK4GKO
  17. ZL1TM
  18. VK4JJ
  19. VK1ARQ

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK2SLB
  2. VK2BRN
  3. VK2KBT
  4. VK3PF/m
  5. VK5AAF
  6. VK3APJ
  7. VK2IO
  8. VK2GEZ
  9. VK3HJW
  10. VK3ANL
  11. VK3AXH
  12. VK5WU
  13. VK2VW
  14. VK2HFI
  15. VK2AKA
  16. VK2BUG
  17. VK2EXA
  18. VK3CA
  19. VK3BEL
  20. VK1DI
  21. VK5FANA
  22. VK3CEO
  23. Vk5CZ
  24. VK7XX
  25. VK3UAO
  26. VK5PL
  27. VK2VAR
  28. VK2GOM

I worked the following stations on 40m AM:-

  1. VK3CA
  2. VK3HM

I worked the following stations on 40m FM:-

  1. VK3CA
  2. VK3HM
  3. VK3CEO

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 6 Nov. 2024].‌

Ouyen I83 Bushland Reserve VKFF-4211

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My next activation for Tuesday 20th August 2024 was the Ouyen I83 Bushland Reserve VKFF-4211. The park is located about 4.5 km east of Ouyen in northwest Victoria.

Above:- Map showing the location of the Ouyen I83 Bushland Reserve. Map c/o Google Maps.

The Ouyen I83 Bushland Reserve is located on the northern side of the Mallee Highway.

Above:- An aerial view of the Ouyen I83 Bushland Reserve. Image c/o Google Earth.

The reserve is about 24 hectares in size and was established on the 1st day of May 1979. (CAPAD 2022)

This was an easy park to access. I was able to drive in along a 4WD track. I ran the Yaesu FT857, 40 watts, and the 20/40/80m linked dipole for this activation.

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK3PF
  2. VK5AYL
  3. VK3CEO
  4. VK3SQ
  5. VK2BD
  6. VK2SLB
  7. VK2BRN
  8. VK2KBT
  9. VK3BEL
  10. VK2EXA
  11. VK2MZ
  12. VK7XX
  13. VK1AAF
  14. VK3APJ
  15. VK2KYP
  16. VK2IO
  17. VK2GEZ
  18. VK5GVV
  19. VK4HNS
  20. VK5DC
  21. VK3CJN
  22. VK3QHU
  23. VK2DWP
  24. VK5FD
  25. VK3ANL
  26. VK2JDD
  27. VK2VAR
  28. VK2GOM
  29. VK2KA
  30. VK3SO
  31. VK3SFG
  32. VK3PWG
  33. VK3TTK
  34. VK3MDC
  35. VK7WN
  36. VK3UAO
  37. VK5CFW
  38. VK3VIN
  39. VK2VW
  40. VK2HFI
  41. VK2AKA
  42. VK2BUG
  43. VK1ARQ

I worked the following station on 40m AM:-

  1. VK3UAO

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

  1. VK7XX
  2. VK2VAR
  3. VK2GOM
  4. VK2SLB
  5. VK2BRN
  6. VK2KBT
  7. VK2VW
  8. VK2HFI
  9. VK2AKA
  10. VK2BUG
  11. VK6DS/p (Westralia Conservation Park VKFF-1442)
  12. VK5QA/4
  13. VK3CLD/4
  14. VK3PF
  15. VK1ARQ
  16. VK4ALA

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 6 Nov. 2024].‌

Ouyen I245 Bushland Reserve VKFF-4209 and Ouyen silo VK-OYN3

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My first park for Tuesday 20th August 2024 was the Ouyen I245 Bushland Reserve VKFF-4209 and the Ouyen silo VK-OYN3.

The reserve is just on the north edge of the town of Ouyen in northwest Victoria.

Above:- Map showing the location of the Ouyen I245 Bushland Reserve. Map c/o Google Maps.

The Ouyen area was first inhabited by the Wegaia aboriginal people. Ouyen, which is pronounced ‘Oh-Yen’, is believed to be derived from the Wegaia word ‘wuya wuya’ which is believed to mean ‘pink-eared duck’. Others claim that is means ‘ghost waterhole’. (Aussie Towns 2024) (Victorian Places 2024) (Wikipedia 2024)

In 1903 the railway line was extended from Woomelang (80km south of Ouyen) to Mildura. The town of Ouyen was established around the Ouyen railway station that was constructed in 1906 on the Midura railway line. The Ouyen Post Office opened on the 22nd day of October 1907. In 1909 the township was formally proclaimed. By 1911 Ouyen had become a transport and service centre for the surrounding land that was occupied by agricultural and pastoral properties. Ouyen’s population was 766 people. (Aussie Towns 2024) (Victorian Places 2024) (Wikipedia 2024)

Above:- An early view of Oke Street Ouyen. Image c/o Walking Ouyen Facebook page.

Today Ouyen is the commercial centre for the surrounding grain farming region. (Wikipedia 2024)

The Ouyen silos are located on Rowe Street. There are two steel silos a few hundred metres apart from the concrete silos and the older steel silos.

Above:- An aerial view of Ouyen showing the location of the Ouyen silos. Image c/o Google Maps.

The concrete silos at Ouyen were constructed in 1939. (The Argus)

Above:- Article from The Argus, Thu 25 May 1939. Image c/o Trove.

The two steel Jumbo silos were constructed in 1986. Five railway departmental residences were demolished to make way for their construction. Work commenced in July 1986 and they were completed by November 1986. (Mildura Railway History 2024)

The Ouyen I245 Bushland Reserve is located on the northern side of Glowery Street, Ouyen.

Above:- An aerial view of the Ouyen I245 Bushland Reserve. Image c/o Google Earth.

The reserve is only small, about 5 hectares in size, and was established on the 8th day of May 1990. (CAPAD 2022)

The reserve was easily accessible and I set up in a clearing amongst the mallee scrub. ran the Yaesu FT857, 40 watts, and the 20/40/80m linked dipole. I was set up within the activation zone of the Ouyen silo.

Above:- Map showing the activation zone of the Ouyen silo. Image c/o SiOTA website.

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK3CA
  2. VK3HM
  3. VK2VW
  4. VK2HFI
  5. VK2AKA
  6. VK2BUG
  7. VK2IO
  8. VK2GEZ
  9. VK7PJM
  10. VK3ZPF
  11. Vk3JW
  12. VK3ZDK
  13. VK3HJW
  14. VK3CEO
  15. VK7XX
  16. VK3AMO
  17. VK4HNS
  18. VK3CJN
  19. VK3QHU
  20. VK3VIN
  21. VK2SLB
  22. VK2BRN
  23. VK2KBT
  24. VK3UAO
  25. VK3APJ
  26. VK5AAF
  27. VK5GY
  28. VK3PF
  29. VK3SO
  30. Vk3SFG
  31. VK2KYO
  32. VK3TBS
  33. VK5IS
  34. VK2EXA

I worked the following stations on 40m AM:-

  1. VK3CA
  2. VK3HM
  3. VK3UAO

I worked the following stations on 40m FM:-

  1. VK3CA
  2. VK3HM

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

  1. VK7XX
  2. VK5QA/4
  3. VK3CLD/4
  4. VK2SLB
  5. VK2BRN
  6. VK2KBT
  7. VK7WN
  8. VK2VW
  9. VK2HFI
  10. VK2AKA
  11. VK2BUG
  12. VK4HNS
  13. VK4JJ
  14. VK4EMP
  15. VK4TI
  16. VK4GKO
  17. VK2MES

References.

  1. Aussie Towns. (2022). Ouyen, VIC – Aussie Towns. [online] Available at: https://www.aussietowns.com.au/town/ouyen-vic [Accessed 3 Nov. 2024].
  2. ‌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 3 Nov. 2024].‌
  3. Victorianplaces.com.au. (2014). Ouyen | Victorian Places. [online] Available at: https://www.victorianplaces.com.au/ouyen [Accessed 3 Nov. 2024].
  4. ‌vmrs.net. (n.d.). Mildura Railway History. [online] Available at: https://vmrs.net/mildura/sitemap.htm. [Accessed 3 Nov. 2024].
  5. ‌Wikipedia Contributors (2024). Ouyen. Wikipedia.‌

Kia I33 Bushland Reserve VKFF-4231

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After leaving the Kiamal Bushland Reserve I headed out to activate the Kia I33 Bushland Reserve VKFF-4231.

The reserve is located about 12 km north of Ouyen in northwest Victoria.

Above:- Map showing the location of the Kia I33 Bushland Reserve. Map c/o Google Maps.

The Kia district is now known as Kiamal. It is an aboriginal word with various meanings, including squat, emu, war spear, and fibrous tree. (Blake 1978)

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

The reserve is located on the western side of Calder Highway and on the northern side of Lonergan Road.

Above:- An aerial view of the Kia I33 Bushland Reserve. Image c/o Google Earth.

The Kia I33 Bushland Reserve is about 51 hectares in size and was established on the 1st day of May 1979. (CAPAD 2022)

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

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK3PF/p (Yea River, Yea Streamside Reserve VKFF-3928)
  2. VK4SMA
  3. VK3EJ
  4. VK5WU
  5. VK3CEO
  6. VK5AYL
  7. VK3CA
  8. VK3HM
  9. VK7PJM
  10. VK5PL
  11. VK4FDJL
  12. VK4WAB
  13. ZL3MR
  14. VK4EMP
  15. VK4TI
  16. VK4GKO
  17. VK5LA
  18. VK5KAW
  19. Vk5FANA
  20. VK5WA/m
  21. VK3UAO
  22. KG5CIK
  23. VK3PAJ
  24. VK1ARQ
  25. VK3VIN
  26. VK4AGE
  27. VK7MAT
  28. VK7MAD
  29. VK4HMI
  30. VK6JK
  31. VK3MIJ
  32. VK3ZK

I worked the following stations on 40m AM:-

  1. VK3ZK
  2. VK3CEO
  3. VK4SMA
  4. VK4AGE
  5. VK3UAO
  6. VK5WU
  7. VK3CA
  8. VK3HM
  9. VK5FB
  10. VK5LA
  11. VK5KAW

I worked the following stations on 40m FM:-

  1. VK3UAO
  2. VK3CA
  3. VK3HM
  4. VK5LA
  5. VK5KAW
  6. VK5FB

After leaving the park I headed back into Ouyen and went out for dinner at the Ouyen Club where I enjoyed a very nice meal and a few cold Bundy and cokes.

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 3 Nov. 2024].‌
  2. Leslie James Blake, 1978, Place Names of Victoria.