Cowangie silo VK-CWE3

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After leaving Duddo Wells we headed back to the Mallee Highway and headed east and soon reached the little town of Cowangie where we stopped to activate the Cowangie silo VK-CWE3. Cowangie is located about 20km east of Murrayville.

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

The district of current-day Cowangie was originally known as Kow Plains. Kow is derived from an aboriginal word meaning white clay or gypsum. A gypsum mine exists about 30km north of Cowangie. 

In 1859 Kow Plains pastoral station was established by James Smith. The station covered an area of about 5,000 acres. A track led south to Nhill through the current-day Big Desert. In 1867 Dugald Macpherson took over the station and increased the area to about 81,000 acres. The main homestead was built about 1879.

The very interesting video below shows the history and the restoration of the Kow Plains homestead.

The settlement of Cowangie commenced after it was found that the land to the west of Ouyen was as suitable for farming as the land that had previously been successfully farmed around Pinnaroo in South Australia. It is believed that Cowangie is an aboriginal word meaning fog or mist.

Several test bores were established and this confirmed the availability of water. In 1910-11 catchment tanks were built. The following year the railway es extended from Oyen. By this time farm selections had been taken up in the district. The first town blocks were sold on the 2nd day of July 1912, for between 16 and 31 pounds.

Above:- a plan of the township of Cowangie. Image c/o State Library Victoria.

The Post Office was opened on the 15th day of July 1912. A General store and bakery were built in 1912. In 1913 a public hall was constructed and several stores were opened in the township of Cowangie. The hall was used as a school from 1914 to 1921 when a new school building was built. In 1918 the Bank of Victoria opened a branch in Cowangie. In 1926 a Methodist church was erected. A bush nursing hospital was operational from 1916 to 1923.

Above:- the Cowangie Post Office. Image c/o Cowangie Danyo Tutye and district Facebook page.

Cowangie is the birthplace of V8 Supercar racing legend Larry Perkins.

Many of the buildings in Cowangie are in a state of disrepair. In 2001 the baker’s oven was restored at the Cowangie Bakery. The Cowangie Bush Nursing Centre cottage has also been restored.

In Dayman Street you can find the Cowangie Avenue of Honour. There are also some information boards detailing the history of Cowangie and some of the surrounding towns.

The Cowangie silos are located on the southern side of the Mallee Highway alongside the railway line.

We parked right alongside the silos and operated from the vehicle for this activation, running the Icom IC7000, 100 watts, and the Codan 9350 with the 1.5-metre stainless steel whip.

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK3PF
  2. VK3SQ
  3. VK2BD
  4. VK3CLD/2

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK3PF
  2. VK3SQ
  3. VK2BD
  4. VK3CLD/2
  5. VK3OAK
  6. VK3BEL/p (Barmah National Park VKFF-0739)
  7. VK3SO
  8. VK2IO/p (Patchewollock North Bushland Reserve VKFF-4244)
  9. VK1AD
  10. VK1NAM
  11. VK3ZSC
  12. VK5IS

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

  1. VK4EMP
  2. VK4TI

References.

  1. Discover Mallee Murray, 2023, <http://www.murrayriver.com.au/cowangie/>, viewed 26th December 2023.
  2. Flickr, 2023, <https://www.flickr.com/photos/82134796@N03/43372963170>, viewed 26th December 2023.
  3. Victorian Places, 2023, <https://www.victorianplaces.com.au/cowangie>, viewed 26th December 2023.
  4. Wikipedia, 2023, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cowangie>, viewed 26th December 2023.

Duddo Wells Bushland Reserve VKFF-4153

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Our next activation for Friday 10th November 2023 was the Duddo Wells Bushland Reserve VKFF-4153. The park is located about 20km (by road) northeast of Murrayville. This was to be a first-time activation of the park for the World Wide Flora Fauna (WWFF) program.

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

The Murrayville district contains several smaller areas namely Duddo which had its own Post Office from 1913 to 1918 and Duddo Wells from 1914 to 1950. Duddo was originally an outstation of Brimin. Duddo originally contained a hall, a school and had a Duddo Race Club and the Duddo Red Cross Society.

In 1920 a tragedy occurred at Duddo Wells with the shooting of Mrs. Isabella Morrison by her brother-in-law.

Above: – part of an article from The Register, Adelaide, Mon 22 Nov 1920. Image c/o Trove

The reserve is just a small 6-hectare area of Mallee bushland located on the corner of Duddo Wells Road and Mitchells Bore Road.

It is an interesting park, in that it includes a driveway leading to a farm. The park’s northern section contains some scrub, but the southern section is almost barren. The area surrounding the reserve has been completely cleared for farming.

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

We found the band conditions to be average. I only managed to get 30 contacts in the log on 20 & 40m. I also tried 10m but had no takers.

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK3PF
  2. VK2EXA
  3. VK2NP
  4. VK1AO
  5. VK2MET
  6. VK3DAC
  7. VK3VIN
  8. VK3ZSC/p (Dandenong Ranges National Park VKFF-0132)
  9. VK3KMA

Marija worked the following stations on 40m AM:-

  1. VK3PF

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK3PF
  2. VK2EXA
  3. VK2NP
  4. VK1AO
  5. VK2MET
  6. VK3DAC
  7. VK3VIN
  8. VK3ZSC/p (Dandenong Ranges National Park VKFF-0132)
  9. VK3KMA
  10. VK7EV
  11. VK7VSG
  12. VK2VAR
  13. VK2GOM
  14. VK1AAF
  15. VK1AD
  16. VK1NAM
  17. VK2SLB
  18. VK2IO/p (Patho Plains Railway Nature Conservation Reserve VKFF-4244)
  19. VK3SG
  20. VK4NH
  21. VK4DXA
  22. VK3ANL
  23. VK3ARK

I worked the following stations on 40m AM:-

  1. VK3PF
  2. VK3ANL

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

  1. VK1AO
  2. VK2MET
  3. VK4NH
  4. VK4DXA
  5. VK4EHO

References.

  1. Blake; L, 1977, Place Names of Victoria.
  2. Trove, 2023, <https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/63031301>, viewed
  3. Wikipedia, 2023, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murrayville,_Victoria>, viewed

Danyo I65 Bushland Reserve VKFF-4156

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Our second park for Friday 10th November 2023 was the Danyo I65 Bushland Reserve VKFF-4156. The park is located about 17 km (by road) northeast of Murrayville in northwestern Victoria.

Above:- Map showing the location of the Danyo I65 Bushland Reserve. Map c/o Google Maps.

The Dano I65 Bushland Reserve is about 40 hectares in size and was established on the 1st day of May 1979

The park is located on the northern side of Five Chain Road, between Danyo North Road and Purdue Road. There is a dilapated park sign which is a bit hard to see from the roadway.

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

The park is a small piece of remnant mallee scrub and is surrounded by cleared farming land.

Above:- an aerial view of the park and the surrounding countryside looking west. Image c/o Google Maps.

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK2VAR
  2. VK2GOM
  3. VK3BEL/p (Barmah National Park VKFF-0739)
  4. VK3SO
  5. VK3SQ
  6. VK2BD
  7. VK4NH
  8. VK4DXA
  9. VK2NP
  10. VK2EXA
  11. VK2SKI/p (silo VK-PRS2)
  12. VK2IO/p (Patchewollock North Bushland Reserve VKFF-4244)

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK2VAR
  2. VK2GOM
  3. VK3BEL/p (Barmah National Park VKFF-0739)
  4. VK3SO
  5. VK3SQ
  6. VK2BD
  7. VK4NH
  8. VK4DXA
  9. VK2NP
  10. VK2EXA
  11. VK3PF
  12. VK4HMI
  13. VK4EMP
  14. VK4TI
  15. VK3HQZ
  16. VK7JFD
  17. VK3AWA
  18. VK3ACZ
  19. VK2DG
  20. VK3CLD
  21. VK1DI
  22. VK1AAF
  23. VK3ANL
  24. VK3CEO
  25. VK3DAC
  26. VK3TKK/m
  27. VK2IO/m
  28. VK3SG
  29. VK2SKI/p (silo VK-PRS2)
  30. VK5KLV
  31. VK3AMO
  32. VK4FE/3
  33. VK3ACL
  34. VK2IO/p (Patchewollock North Bushland Reserve VKFF-4244)

I worked the following stations on 40m AM:-

  1. VK3SQ
  2. VK2BD
  3. VK3PF
  4. VK3AWA
  5. VK3CLD
  6. VK3DAC
  7. VK3ANL

I worked the following stations on 40m FM:-

  1. VK3SQ
  2. VK2BD

I worked the following stations on 80m SSB:-

  1. VK5HAA
  2. VK5WWW

References.

  1. CAPAD 2022

Danyo I64 Bushland Reserve VKFF-4155

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Our first park for Friday 10th November 2023 was the Danyo I64 Bushland Reserve VKFF-4155. The park is about 11 km east of Murrayville.

This was to be a first time activation of the park.

Above:- Map showing the location of the Danyo I64 Bushland Reserve. Map c/o Google Maps.

Danyo is a locality in northwest Victoria on the Mallee Highway between Ouyen and the South Australia/Victoria State border. Danyo is an aboriginal word for eucalyptus.

More information on Danyo can be found on my previous post……

Danyo I63 Bushland Reserve VKFF-4154

The Danyo I64 Bushland Reserve is about 38 hectares in size and was established on the 1st day of May 1979.

The park is divided into two sections and is located on the northern side of the Mallee Highway. It is divided by Danyo North Road.

Above:- an aerial view of the Danyo I64 Bushland Reserve. Image c/o Google Earth.

The park is a piece of remnant mallee scrub that is surrounded by clearing farming land.

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

We found a track leading into the park off Danyo North Road. We ran the Yaesu FT857, 40 watts, and the 20/40/80m linked dipole for this activation.

Unfortunately, there was initially no close in propagation on the 40m band and we did not log any VK3 stations or any VK5 stations. The 80m band was far more reliable.

I was very surprised to work Pasi OH1MM in Finland on the 20m band.

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK4NH
  2. VK4DXA
  3. VK2NP
  4. VK1AD
  5. VK1NAM
  6. VK1RF
  7. VK2MK
  8. VK4CEE
  9. VK2KET
  10. VK2GWB
  11. VK2CG

Marija worked the following station on 80m SSB:-

  1. VK2IO/p (Timberoo I106 Bushland Reserve VKFF-4201)

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK4NH
  2. VK4DXA
  3. VK2NP
  4. VK1AD
  5. VK1NAM
  6. VK1RF
  7. VK2MK
  8. VK4CEE
  9. VK2KET
  10. VK2GWB
  11. VK2CG
  12. VK2CDB
  13. VK3DAC
  14. VK1DI
  15. VK3PF
  16. VK2EXA

I worked the following stations on 80m SSB:-

  1. VK5IS/m
  2. VK3VIN
  3. VK5HS
  4. VK2IO/p (Timberoo I106 Bushland Reserve VKFF-4201)
  5. VK3APJ
  6. VK3PF
  7. VK5NPP
  8. VK5BJE

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

  1. VK4NH
  2. VK4DXA
  3. OH1MM


References.

  1. Blake; L, 1977, Place Names of Victoria.
  2. CAPAD 2022.
  3. Wikipedia, 2023, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danyo,_Victoria>, viewed 23rd December 2023.

Murrayville Flora & Fauna Reserve VKFF-2407 & Murrayville silo VK-MRL3

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Our final park for Thursday 9th November 2023 was the Murrayville Flora & Fauna Reserve VKFF-2407 and the Murrayville silo VK-MRL3.

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

This was not a planned activation for us. We decided to head out to activate the park following our evening meal at the Murrayville Hotel.

The Murrayville Flora & Fauna Reserve is about 254 hectares in size and was established on the 8th day of May 1990. The park is also referred to as the Murrayville Nature Conservation Reserve. The park is divided into three sections.

We operated from the southwestern corner of the park.

Above:- Aerial view of the park showing our operating spot. Image c/o Google Earth.

We were in the activation zone of the Murrayville silo.

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

Marija worked the following station on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK3BEL/p (Barmah National Park VKFF-0739)

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK3CEO
  2. VK3PF
  3. VK7IAN
  4. VK5LA
  5. VK5KAW
  6. VK3YV
  7. VK2IO/p (Blue Mountain Bushland Reserve VKFF-4220)
  8. VK3BEL/p (Barmah National Park VKFF-0739)
  9. VK1AO
  10. VK2MET
  11. VK3OAK
  12. VK3DCQ
  13. VK4ABK
  14. VK4NH
  15. VK4DXA
  16. VK4PDX
  17. VK4HMI
  18. VK1CHW
  19. VK3UH
  20. VK3CWF
  21. VK4EMP
  22. VK4TI
  23. JF7RJM
  24. VK4AAA
  25. VK3AEI
  26. VK5AAR
  27. VK5GY
  28. VK3BBB
  29. VK2CCP
  30. VK2NEF
  31. VK2GWB
  32. VK5AMH
  33. VK5DW
  34. VK3ACZ
  35. VK3SMW
  36. VK4BU
  37. VK5CZ
  38. VK2EMI
  39. VK7AAE
  40. VK3LOC
  41. VK4ADX
  42. VK2NZ
  43. VK4SMA
  44. VK2EXA
  45. VK3SO

I worked the following stations on 80m SSB:-

  1. VK2EXA
  2. VK2IO/p (Blue Mountain Bushland Reserve VKFF-4220)
  3. VK3LOC
  4. VK3BBB
  5. VK2CCP
  6. VK5GY
  7. VK3ACZ
  8. VK5DW
  9. VK3UAO
  10. VK5AMH

References.

  1. CAPAD 2022

Murrayville Bushland Reserve VKFF-4141 and Murrayville silo VK-MRL3

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Our next park for Thursday 9th November 2023 was the Murrayville Bushland Reserve VKFF-4141 and the Murrayville silo VK-MRL3. 

Murrayville is located in northwest Victoria, about 268 km east of Adelaide and about 110 km west of Ouyen.

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

Murrayville is named in honour of John Murray (b. 1851. d. 1916), an Australian politician. He was the 23rd Premier of the State of Victoria (1909-1912).

Above:- John Murray. Image c/o Wikipedia.

The area around Murrayville was settled in the early 1900s following reports that the country appeared to be equal to that of Pinnarroo where farming had become successful. The town of Murrayville was surveyed in 1909-10.

Above:- Plan of the township of Murrayville. Image c/o Trove.

Murrayville became the largest of several townships west of Ouyen. The Murrayville Post office was opened on the 1st day of November 1910. The hotel was built in 1911, a mechanics institute and school in 1912, a Methodist church in 1912 and numerous stores. In 1911 Murayville’s population was 245 people. Between 1917-1939, an agricultural show was held at Murrayville.

Above:- article from the Pinnaroo and Border Times, Fri 30 Sep 1932. Image c/o Trove.

A private hospital was built in 1920, serving Murrayville until the Murrayville Bush Nursing Hospital was opened in 1954. In 1923 Lutheran and Anglican churches were built at Murrayville. By 1933 Murrayville’s population had reached 603 people. A Catholic church was built in 1937. The Murrayville Consolidated School was opened in 1944.

Above: Murrayville General store, c. 1905. Image c/o Museums Victoria.

Murrayville celebrated its centenary during Easter 2010. People from all over Australia visited Murrayville, with about 1,300 dinner meals served on Saturday night and 900 for the Sunday evening meal. The centenary included various antique machinery, a collection of old cars, an animal nursery, a bucking bull and a dual carriage small motorised train.

Above:- Murrayville Centenary. Image c/o http://www.murrayriver.com.au/

Today Murrayville has a police station, hotel, caravan park, and supermarket. The town’s main industry is cereal crops, sheep and cattle. It is also popular with tourists visiting the Murray Sunset National Park and the Wyperfeld National Park.

Murrayville’s main street has several historic shop fronts.

The Pinnaroo Railway Line was a former railway line constructed to service the agricultural districts of the Mallee in Victoria and South Australia. It closed on the 4th day of October 2007. The line between Ouyen to Murrayville was completed in 1912, with the line being extended to Pinnaroo in South Australia in 1915. 

Above:- railway workers on the line. Image c/o State Library South Australia (B1733)

The Murrayville railway station was constructed in 1912 and consists of a standard, single-storey, timber weatherboard portable station building with a ventilated double gable roof and an attached waiting area. The iron-clad goods shed also remains today. The water tower, toilet shed and store have been demolished. The station is now used as a craft and coffee shop.

There is an excellent visitor rest stop and information area at Murrayville.

Olympic basketball player Rachael Sporn was born in Murrayville.

A quirky feature of the town is the collection of old army tanks which you can see at the eastern end of the town. Numerous surplus army tanks were purchased following the war for use on the land as adapted bulldozers and chain clearers.

Before heading to the park, we booked in at the Murrayville Caravan Park. We met one of the caretaker’s Darren who kindly provided us with some oranges, a juicer, olive oil, and dukkah. We had a conversation with Darren about the hobby of amateur radio as he had previously been involved with the hobby during his time at school. Darren expressed an interest in obtaining his licence. I put him in contact with Ivan VK5HS, and I am very pleased to report that Darren now holds his Foundation amateur radio licence. Congratulations Darren.

The Murrayville Bushland Reserve is about 105 hectares in size and was established on the 8th day of May 1990. The Parks Victoria website had a page for the reserve but it contains no information other than a park boundary image. Don’t get confused with the larger Murrayville Nature Conservation Reserve.

Above:- an aerial view showing the Murrayville Bushland Reserve and the Murrayville NCR. Image c/o Google Earth.

The Murrayville silos were built in 1939. An official opening ceremony took place on 24th November 1939. Their capacity was 110,000 bushels.

Above:- article from The Advertiser, Sat 25 Nov 1939. Image c/o Trove.

The silos are located alongside the old railway line between Recreation Road and McKenzie Street.

We set up off Cemetery Road within the activation zone for the silo.

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

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK3PF
  2. VK3BEL/p (Barmah National Park VKFF-0739)
  3. VK3APJ
  4. VK3SQ
  5. VK2BD
  6. VK3OAK
  7. VK3VIN
  8. VK3YV
  9. VK5TN
  10. VK5HS
  11. VK3PWG/p (Budj Bim National Park VKFF-0345)
  12. VK2IO/p (Boulka I96 Bushland Reserve VKFF-4222)

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK3PF
  2. VK3BEL/p (Barmah National Park VKFF-0739)
  3. VK3APJ
  4. VK3SQ
  5. VK2BD
  6. VK3OAK
  7. VK3VIN
  8. VK3YV
  9. VK5TN
  10. VK5HS
  11. VK3DCQ
  12. VK1RF
  13. VK2MK
  14. VK4CEE
  15. VK2YK
  16. VK5GA
  17. VK5GY
  18. VK3PWG/p (Budj Bim National Park VKFF-0345)
  19. VK2EXA
  20. VK3MCK
  21. VK2HHA
  22. VK4NH
  23. VK4DXA
  24. VK5FANA
  25. VK5KLV
  26. VK1AO
  27. VK2MET
  28. VK3EJ
  29. VK3SG
  30. VK3CLD
  31. VK5PET
  32. VK2IO/p (Boulka I96 Bushland Reserve VKFF-4222)
  33. VK3CEO
  34. VK7AAE
  35. VK4HMI
  36. VK3UAO
  37. VK3ZK
  38. VK5HW
  39. VK6HDY/2
  40. VK3IH
  41. VK5ZNP
  42. VK4EHI
  43. VK5HAA
  44. VK7MAT
  45. VK4KTW
  46. VK5DJ
  47. VK5CZ
  48. VK5AAF
  49. VK2MOE
  50. VK3CWF

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

  1. VK4NH
  2. VK4DXA
  3. I4RHP
  4. VK1AO
  5. VK2MET

Following the activation we headed to the Murrayville Hotel for a meal.

References.

  1. Victorian Places, 2023, <https://www.victorianplaces.com.au/murrayville>, viewed 24th December 2023.
  2. Wikipedia, 2023, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murrayville,_Victoria>, viewed 24th December 2023.
  3. Wikipedia, 2023, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Murray_(Victorian_politician)>, viewed 24th December 2023.
  4. Wikipedia, 2023, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murrayville_railway_station>, viewed 24th December 2023.
  5. Wikipedia, 2023, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinnaroo_railway_line,_Victoria>, viewed 24th December 2023.