vk5pas

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2018 KRMNPA Activator certificate

Posted: 22 Dec 2018 06:02 PM PST
https://vk5pas.org/2018/12/23/2018-k...r-certificate/


In the past few days, Marija and I received our certificates in the mail
for taking part in the 2018 Activation Weekend for the Keith Roget Memorial
National Parks Award (KRMNPA).

Many thanks to Tony VK3XV and Amateur Radio Victoria.




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First ever VK contact on his birthday

Posted: 22 Dec 2018 05:27 PM PST
https://vk5pas.org/2018/12/23/first-...-his-birthday/


A few nights ago I spoke with Tim 2E0TWG on the 20m band on the short path.

I was his FIRST EVER VK contact, and on all days his birthday.

Tim was running 50 watts and a hamstick antenna on the roof of his car.

Below is a video that Tim put together of the QSO



And here is a video of our contact the following night.




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Edenhope Flora Reserve VKFF-2311

Posted: 22 Dec 2018 02:19 AM PST
https://vk5pas.org/2018/12/22/edenho...rve-vkff-2311/


Our final activation for the trip was the Edenhope Flora Reserve VKFF-2311,
located at Edenhope, about 384 km north west of Melbourne.
Above:- Map showing the location of the Edenhope Flora Reserve.Â* Map
courtesy of Protected Planet.

The Edenhope Flora Reserve is about 111 acres.Â* Do not get this park
confused with the adjacent Edenhope Natural Features Reserve.







To get into the park we travelled along Charles Street and through a gate
and then followed a sandy track with the golf course to our right.Â* The
track was very sandy and I would not recommend it in a comventional
vehicle, as it is highly likely you will get bogged.





We set up in the northern section of the park on the side of a sandy
track.Â* There was plenty of room here to string out the 20/40/80m linked
dipole.



It was quite late in the afternoon, 4.30 p.m. local time, and we were aware
that we still had quite a distance to get home.Â* Marija placed a spot up on
parksnpeaks and I called CQ on 7.144.Â* This was answered by Ray VK4NH who
used his other 2 calls, and then John VK4TJ who also used his other 2
calls.Â* So in the space of 2 minutes I had 6 contacts in the log.

A few minutes later I had the park qualified for VKFF, with a contact with
Scott VK7NWT.Â* I then logged Gerard Vk2IO mobile, before swapping the
operators chair with Marija.



First in the log for Marija was Scott VK7NWT, followed by Ray VK4NH and
then John VK4TJ.Â* Within 5 minutes Marija had qualified the park for VKFF
with 10 contacts.Â* her tenth QSO being with Andrew VK2AR.

I then put out a few CQ calls on 3.610 on the 80m band and logged 4
stations there, David VK5PL, Adrian VK5FANA, Andy Vk5LA, and Kevin VK3VEK.Â*
To complete the activation I logged 3 stations on 20m.

We then went QRT from the park.Â* Our apologies to those that may have
needed this park, but we had a big drive ahead of us.Â* We will be back to
get our 44 contacts from this park.



Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

VK7NWT
VK4NH
VK4DXA
ZL4TY/VK4
VK4TJ
VK4/AC8WN
VK4/VE6XT
VK1DI
VK7PSJ
VK2AR
VK2IO


I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

VK4NH
VK4DXA
ZL4TY/VK4
VK4TJ
VK4/AC8WN
VK4/VE6XT
VK1DI
VK2XXL
VK7FTAS
VK7NWT
Vk2IO/m


I worked the following stations on 80m SSB:-

VK5PL
VK5FANA
VK5LA
VK3VEK


I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

VK4TJ
VK4/AC8WN
VK4/VE6XT


After packing up we had a look at the Aboriginal Cricket Team mural at the
Edenhope College.Â* The aboriginal crickets practised where the college now
stands before they toured England in 1868.Â* Local artists Win Forster and
Ella McLaren are responsible for the artwork.





There is also a monument here commemorating the 1868 Aboriginal Cricket
Team.









We also paid a quick visit to the Edenhope Visitor Info Centre which is
houses in the former Edenhope Court House.Â* The old lockup building can
also be found here.








Lake Wallace was our next stop.Â* It is located in Edenhope.Â* An annual
fishing competition is held here.





We headed out of Edenhope along the Wimmera Highway and soon reached the
little town of Apsley, named after Apsley House in London.Â* We visited the
local cemetery where Murrumgunerrimin (Jimmy Tarpot) is buried.Â* He was one
of the Aboriginal cricket team who toured England.Â* He is also the World
Record holder, running backwards 100 yars in 14 seconds at the MCG on 28th
December 1866.






Whilst in Apsley we also looked at the large Red-flowering Gum on Wallace
Street which is listed on the National Trust of Australias Significant Tree
Register for Victoria.Â* It is reputed to be the largest flowering gum in
Australia.Â* There is also a c. 1870 wooden wagon.Â* It was used for hauling
heavy loads around a farming property in the Kaniva district.





It was 6.00 p.m. local time and we decided to stop at the Border Inn Hotel
at Apsley for a meal.Â* And I am very pleased we did.Â* I enjoyed some very
nice crumbed lamb cutlets.





We then headed out of Apsley on the Benayeo Road and soon crossed the South
Australia/Victoria State border.Â* The weather had now set in, with a big
storm rolling in.Â* As a result, there were flocks of corellas, galahs and
cockatoos on the road seeking out the pools of water for a drink.



As we approached Bordertown, the heavens had really opened up.Â* But it soon
cleared and we rewarded with a rainbow.



Our final stop was Wieses Horse Dip.Â* It was built in 1931 by local
landholders using timber from nearby bulloak trees.Â* Its main function was
to control a parasitic itch in working Clydesdale horses.Â* This malady
caused great discomfort to the Clydesdales manes and tails, so much so that
they used to rub constantly against fences and so cause damage to many
fence lines.Â* Horses were walked into the dip, and due to the horses size,
the operators bucketed and sponged the solution over the horses to complete
the task.






We continued along the Dukes Highway through the towns of Keith, Tintinara,
Coonalpyn, Coomandook, and Tailem Bend.Â* And then onto the South eastern
Freeway, passing Murray Bridge.Â* We arrived hom at about 9.45 p.m. local
time, unpacked and went off to bed.Â* It was the conclusion of a very
enjoyable trip.

THANKYOU to everyone who called us during our PARK and SOTA activations
over the 2 week period.





References.

Wikipedia, 2018, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apsley,_Victoria, viewed
22nd December 2018


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Peter Francis Points Flora Reserve VKFF-2421

Posted: 22 Dec 2018 01:21 AM PST
https://vk5pas.org/2018/12/22/peter-...rve-vkff-2421/


Our next intended activation was the Peter Francis Points Flora Reserve
VKFF-2421 which is located at Coleraine, about 329 km west of Melbourne.Â*
This was to be the first time that the park had been activated for the
World Wide Flora Fauna (WWFF) program.
Above:- Map showing the location of he Peter Francis Points Flora Reserve
at Coleraine.Â* Map courtesy of Protected Planet.

As we drove into Coleraine, we stopped briefly to have a look at the Adam
Lindsay Gordon monument on the edge of town.Â* It commemorates the 19th
century poet, who developed a reputation as a distinguished horse rider in
the towns Great Western Steeplechase.Â* Poems related to the race are The
Fields of Coleraine and Banker`s Dream.





We then stopped for a drinks and toilet break at the Coleraine Visitor Info
Centre which is et in the old Coleraine Railway Station.






We then headed to the Peter Francis Points Flora Reserve, also known as the
Peter Francis Points Arboretum Nature Conservation Reserve.Â* We travelled
south on the Coleraine-Merino Road and then turned right into Top Hilgay
Road, and then Points Road and entered the park.





There were some very nice views of the town of Coleraine as we travelled
along Top Hilgay Road.






The Peter Francis Points Arboretum is 37 hectares in size and is a
collection of native Australian plants.Â* There are more than 10,000
recorded Australian native plants in the reserve, including several
threatened species.Â* The Points gets its name from two peaks of land on the
site.

The Points Arboretum was started in 1966 by Mr. Joe Wright, Shire Engineer,
Mrs. Mary Hope and Mr. Peter Francis.








We travelled to the lookout which overlooked the town of Coleraine.Â* As we
were running a bit short of time, this was to be a very quick activation
from the vehicle, using the Icom IC-7000 and the Codan 9350 self tuning
antenna mounted on the rear of the Toyota Hi Lux.





First in the log for this activation was a Park to Park contact, with
Gerard VK2IO/p who was activating the Rouse Hill Regional Park VKFF-2784.Â*
Both Marija and I logged Gerard.Â* We then found Mark VK4SMA on 7.140,
activating the Freshwater National Park VKFF-0187.

After both logging Mark I moved down to 7.135 and started calling CQ.Â* The
IC-7000 was then just about rattled off the windscreen, as I was called
Steve VK3NSC who lives at Coleraine.Â* I logged Steve and arranged to pop in
to see him quickly following the activation.

I made my 10 contacts and then handed the mic to Marija.Â* We were keen to
qualify the park for VKFF and then get down to say hi to Steve and then
continue on our journey, as we still had a few things we wanted to see, and
a long way before we got home.



Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

VK2IO/p (Rouse Hill Regional Park VKFF-2784)
VK4SMA/p (Freshwater National Park VKFF-0187)
VK3NSC
VK4TJ
VK4/Ac8WN
VK4/VE6XT
VK7QP
VK2LX
VK4KY/p
VK7GN


I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

VK2IO/p (Rouse Hill Regional Park VKFF-2784)
VK4SMA/p (Freshwater National Park VKFF-0187)
VK3NSC
VK7QP
VK7FJFD
VK2LX
VK3SQ
VK4TJ
VK4/AC8WN
VK4/VE6XT


After Marija had qualified the park we headed down the road to Steves home,
where he showed us his radio shack.Â* Unfortunately we were a bit pressed
for time and after a 20 minute chat, we hit the road once again.Â* It was
great to catch up with Steve, who I have spoken to a number of times on
air, but had never met.



Our next stop was Glenelg Fine Confectionary, a specialist chocolate shop
in Coleraine.Â* We ended up walking out with a number of bags of chocolates.



We then headed north out of Coleraine on the Coleraine-Edenhope Road, with
out next intended stop being the town of Harrow.Â* We soon reached the
outskirts of Harrow where there is a monument to commemorate the 1836
expedition of the explorer Major Thomas Mitchell.Â* We also stopped at the
Glenelg River at Harrow where there is another monument recognising that
Major Mitchell camped at the location on 31st July 1836.Â* This part of the
Major Mitchell Trail, and there is an information board here with a number
of interesting facts.






We then drove into Harrow, a little town which was originally known as
Upper Glenelg.Â* The name of the town changed to Harrow in 1854.Â* There are
claims that Harrow is the oldest inland town in Victoria.



We stopped to have a look at the old log gaol, which was built in 1858 from
locally sawn logs.Â* It was used by police up until 1869.





There is also a stone wall here which is the remains of a stable which is
believed to have been used by Cobb & Co coaches in the early days of Harrow.



Also nearby is Kalang Cottage, a settlers cottage built in 1876.Â* It was
shifted into the town of Harrow and restored.Â* The cottage contains pit
sawn boards and a single roof under the iron.







We then visited The Johnny Mullagh/Harrow Discovery Centre.Â* The museum
features numerous exhibits relating to the Australian aboriginal cricket
team which toured England in 1868.Â* I suspect not many Australians would
know that this was the first Australian cricket team to tour England, and
was comprised of aboriginals.Â* Johnny Mullagh was a member of that team,
and is buried in Harrow.





The museum also features the largest Sir Donald Bradman collection in
Australia.Â* If you are a cricket fan, you could spend hours here.Â* We
highly recommend a visit here.
Click to view slideshow.

We also visited the Harrow Bone Yard which contains a number of funny
headstones.






Harrow is a town which both Marija and I confirmed we want to revisit and
spend some time in.Â* It is an incredibly historic town and the caravan
park/camping area on the Glenelg River looked idealic.





References.

Monuments Australia, 2018,
http://monumentaustralia.org.au/themes/people/arts/display/30870-adam-lindsay-gordon-,
viewed 22nd December 2018

Peter Francis Point Arboretum, 2018, http://www.thepoints.org.au/, viewed
22nd December 2018

Victorian Heritage Database Report, 2018, Peter Francis Points Arboretum

Wikipedia, 2018, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harrow,_Victoria, viewed
22nd December 2018


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Wannon Flora Reserve VKFF-2476

Posted: 22 Dec 2018 12:23 AM PST
https://vk5pas.org/2018/12/22/wannon...rve-vkff-2476/


After leaving Nigretta Falls we drove the short distance to the Wannon
Flora Reserve VKFF-2476, which is about 316 km west of Melbourne.
Above:- Map showing the location of the Wannon Flora Reserve.Â* Map courtesy
of Protected Planet.

Again, this is another park which is subject to some possible confusion.Â*
Do not get it confused with the Wannon Falls State Reserve, which at this
time does not qualify for VKFF/WWFF.Â* The Wannon Flora Reserve is located
on the north western corner of the Wannon-Nigretta Road and the Glenelg
Highway.
Above:- Map showing the location of the Wannon Flora Reserve (indicated by
the arrow), and the nearby Wannon Falls Reserve (which is not VKFF).Â* Image
courtesy of Protected Planet

The Wannon Flora Reserve is about 20 acres in size and takes its name from
the Wannon River.Â* The The name Wannon is believed to have been obtained by
Major Mitchell from the local Jardwadjali people.Â* The park does not
contain the falls.Â* They are located in the Wannon Falls Reserve, about 1
km to the south.








We found a narrow track off the Wannon-Nigretta Road, which followed the
northern boundary of the park.Â* We pulled slightly off the track and set up
our station.



Once again I commenced the activation, calling CQ on 7.144.Â* Gerard VK2IO
was first in the log, followed by Linda VK7QP, Adrian VK5FANA, and Dennis
VK2HHA.Â* It took around 6 minutes for contact number 10.Â* That being a QSO
with Ray VK4DXA.Â* I then logged Keith VK2PKT, and as I had qualified the
park for VKFF, I got Marija into the operators chair.



Marijas first contact was with Ray VK4NH, then Greg VK2EXA, Adrian VK5FANA,
and then Dennis VK2HHA.Â* It did not take Marija long to qualify the park
for VKFF.Â* She had contact number 10 in the log after 9 minutes, a QSO with
Peter VK2KNV mobile.Â* Marija logged a further 4 QSOs, and happy with having
qualified the park for VKFF, handed me back the mic.

I called CQ again on 7.144 and logged a further 7 stations, before callers
dried up.Â* I then moved to 3.610 on the 80m band where I logged Peter VK3PF
mobile, Hans VK5YX, and then John VK5FBBJ.

It did not look as through I was going to get my 44 from this park, as
despite it being the first time the park had been activated, hunter traffic
was fairly slow.Â* I moved to the 20m band and called CQ on 14.310 where I
logged 6 stations.Â* John VK4TJ had mentioned that the 10m band was open, so
I put out a few calls on 28.490 from the vehicle to finish off the
activation.Â* And as luck would have it I logged John, who was quite low
down but very workable.



Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

VK4NH
VK4DXA
ZL4TY/VK4
VK2EXA
VK5FANA
VK2HHA
VK3JNL
VK1DI
VK2PKT
VK2KNV/m
VK4TJ
VK4/AC8WN
VK/VE6XT
VK3SQ


I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

VK2IO
VK7QP
VK5FANA
VK2HHA
VK2EXA
VK3SQ
VK5KLV
VK5PL
VK4NH
VK4DXA
ZL4TY/VK4
VK2PKT
VK3UH
VK2VW
VK2KNV/m
VK4TJ
VK4/AC8WN
VK4/VE6XT
VK2FADV


I worked the following stations on 80m SSB:-

VK3PF/m
VK5YX
VK5FBBJ


I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

VK4TJ
VK4/AC8WN
VK4/VE6XT
VK4NH
VK4DXA
ZL4TY/VK4


I worked the following stations on 10m SSB:-

VK4TJ
VK4/AC8WN
VK4/VE6XT


We packed up and headed off to the Wannon Falls which is located in the
Wannon Falls State Reserve.



TheÂ*Wannon FallsÂ*are aÂ*punchbowl style waterfall, meaning that water
descends in a constricted form and then spreads out in a wider pool.Â* The
falls are fed by the Wannon River.Â* They plunge over a basalt lava cliff
dropping into a large plunge pool 30 metres below.








There are a number of information boards here detailing both the aboriginal
and European history of the area.





We then headed off towards Coleraine along the Glenelg Highway.





References.

Australian Electoral Commission, 2018,
https://www.aec.gov.au/profiles/vic/wannon.htm, viewed 22nd December 2018

Wikipedia, 2018, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wannon_Falls, viewed 22nd
December 2018


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Day sixteen, Nigretta Falls Flora Reserve VKFF-2414

Posted: 21 Dec 2018 10:45 PM PST
https://vk5pas.org/2018/12/22/day-si...rve-vkff-2414/


It was now our final day (Saturday 1st December 2018) of our 2 and a bit
week trip away in Victoria.Â* Time to head home, with about 460km to get
there.Â* We had a few parks planned and quite a bit of sightseeing, so it
was going to be a long day.
Above:- Map showing our route back home to the Adelaide Hills from Hamilton
in Victoria.Â* Map courtesy of plotaroute

Our first intended activation for the day was the Nigretta Falls Flora
Reserve VKFF-2414, which is located about 16 km north west of Hamilton, and
about 311 km west of Melbourne.
Above:- Map showing the location of the Nigretta Falls Flora Reserve.Â* Map
courtesy of Protected Planet.

Dont get this park confused with the Nigretta Falls Scenic Reserve.Â* They
are two different parks.Â* The Nigretta Falls Flora Reserve does NOT include
the picnic area as you enter the entrance.Â* The majority of the qualifing
VKFF Flora Reserve is located on the northern side of the Wannon River.Â*
Access there does not appear possible, except if you cross the Wannon River
on a boat or access this area via private property.Â* There are however a
few little sections along the river where you are within the park boundary.
Above:- The entrance to Nigretta Falls.

The Nigretta Falls were previously known as the Upper Wannon Falls.Â* They
are fed by the Wannon River, whose headwaters are located in the Grampian
Mountains.Â* The Wannon River descends 214 metres over its 188 km course.Â*
It is believed that the word Wannon was obtained by Major Mitchell from the
local Jardwadjali aboriginal people.

The Nigretta Falls tumble over numerous rocky outcrops and then into a
large pool at the base, before continuing downstream to the Wannon Falls
about 10 km away.

The falls take their name from the Nigretta pastoral run of the 1800s.Â* The
Nigretta Falls and the nearby Wannon Falls have been the consistent subject
of significant art including works by some of Australias most celebrated
colonial artists, such as Nicholas Chevalier, Eugen von Guerard, Louis
Buvelot, S. T. Gill and Thomas Clark.








After entering the park we drove down a very rough 4WD track until we
reached the dog leg in the Wannon River.



We set up alongside the river, and ran the Yaesu FT-897 and the 20/40/80m
linked dipole.Â* It was quite a warm morning, and we kept an ever vigilant
watch for snakes.
Above:- Aerial view of the Nigretta Falls Flora Reserve.Â* Image courtesy of
Protected Planet

Marija placed a post for me on parksnpeaks and I started calling CQ on
7.137 on 40m.Â* I couldnt get on to 7.144 as there was a very strong station
from the USA on 7.142.Â* It didnt take long for my first caller, that being
Rod VK7FRJG.Â* Contact number 10 was Geoff VK3SQ.Â* I then logged Les VK5KLV
and Gerard VK2IO, before handing the microphone over to Marija.



Marijas first contact was with Geoff VK3SQ, followed by Hans VK5YX, Les
VK5KLV, and then John VK4TJ.Â* Marijas 10th contact was with Ian VK1DI.Â*
Marija logged just 1 more contact, Kevin VK7KR, before handing me the mic.Â*
I was very keen to try to get my 44 contacts to qualify the park for WWFF.





I logged a further 15 stations on 40m from VK1, VK2, VK3, VK4, and VK5,
before callers stalled.Â* I now had 27 contacts in the log, and still a
little way off the 44.Â* I then headed to 3.610 on the 80 m band and called
CQ.Â* But sadly I logged just the 1 contact there, Nick VK3ANL.Â* This was a
real shame, as Nick was nice and strong, and there was absolutely no noise
on 80m.Â* It was dead quiet.

I then moved up to 14.310 on the 20m band where I logged 8 stations from
VK2 and VK4.Â* I was now close, with 36 contacts in the log.Â* So I moved
back to 40m and called CQ on 7.144 and logged a further 2 stations, leaving
me just 7 contacts short.Â* But sadly, callers were few and far between, so
I headed down to 7.115 and booked in to the Riverland Radio Group Net.Â* Ron
VK5MRE, the Net Control came to my rescue, and put a call out for anybody
on the net who was able to hear me.Â* I soon had contact number 44 in the
log, Frank VK3VEF.



It was time to pack up and head off to have a look at the falls themselves,
and then off to the Wannon Falls.

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

VK3SQ
VKVK5YX
VK5KLV
VK4TJ
VK4/AC8WN
VK4/VE6XT
VK3ANL
VK3TKK/m
VK2YK
VK1DI
VK7KR


I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

VK7FRJG
VK4TJ
VK4/AC8WN
VK4/VE6XT
VK2YK
VK3YE/p
VK5MJ
VK5PL
VK2HHA
VK3SQ
VK5KLV
VK2IO
VK4NH
VK4DXA
ZL4TY/VK4
VK7KR
VK1DI
VK3FPREM
VK3TKK/m
Vk3MVP
VK5FANA
VK3TJK
VK2EXA
VK3MPT
VK3MLU
VK3ANL
VK5LA
VK2LEE
VK2JDR
VK5BRL
VK5MRE
VK7NWT
VK5IS
Vk2SLB
VK3VEF


I worked the following station on 80m SSB:-

VK3ANL


I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

VK4NH
VK4DXA
ZL4TY/VK4
VK2LEE
VK4TJ
VK4/AC8WN
VK4/VE6XT
VK2IO


Once we had packed up we drove the short distance to the Nigretta Falls.Â*
There is a viewing platform here, along with a walk down to the falls, and
an information board.













References.

Australian Electoral Commission, 2018,
https://www.aec.gov.au/profiles/vic/wannon.htm, viewed 22nd December 2018

Victorian Heritage Database Report, 2018, Nigretta Falls Reserve

Wikipedia, 2018, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nigretta_Falls, viewed
22nd December 2018

Wikipedia, 2018, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wannon_River, viewed 22nd
December 2018


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Mount Dundas VK3/ VS-045

Posted: 21 Dec 2018 09:52 PM PST
https://vk5pas.org/2018/12/22/mount-...-vk3-vs-045-2/


After leaving Penshurst we headed to Mount Dundas VK3/ VS-045.Â* The summit
is located near the town of Cavendish, and is about 320 km west of the city
of Melbourne.
Above:- Map showing the location of Mount Dundas, VK3/ VS-045.Â* Map
courtesy of google maps

We headed north along the Penshurst-Dunkeld Road and soon reached the
little town of Dunkeld.Â* We stopped briefly to have a look at the
information boards just outside of the town, and admire Mount Sturgeon and
Mount Abrupt, both of which are SOTA summits.







We had a very quick look at the town of Dunkeld, and we both agreed that we
would have to come back here for a better look around.Â* The area here is
the traditional home of the Djab wurrung aboriginal people.Â* The first
Europeans to settle here were pastoralists during the late 1830s.Â* A small
settlement developed and was known as Mount Sturgeon.Â* By 1854 the township
was known as Dunkeld due to the majority of settlers being of Scottish
origin.Â* It was named after aÂ*Scottish townÂ*which was the principal
locality of the Caledonian picts in Roman times.







We then drove north west along the Dunkeld-Cavendish Road, admiring the
Grampian Mountains which were to outr north east.






We then reached the town of Cavendish, which was settled during the early
1950s.Â* We stopped to have a look at the old Cavendish Gaol, built of
bluestone, and erected in 1862, at the cost of 640 pounds (about
$1,280.00).Â* The first inmate was housed on the 3rd day of October 1862,
with PC Kennedy the first watch house keeper.







Inside the cell is a very interesting collection of photographs and police
documents.








Nearby is an old settlers cottage, known as Smiths House.Â* It was built in
Cavendish in the 1850s and was last occupied by the Hadden family in the
1960s.Â* It has been restored and furnished, and is an example of the
original two room cottage of its time.



We headed out of Cavendish on the Natimuk-Hamilton Road and soon reached
Dundas Gap Road where we turned left.Â* A few km up the road we reached
Mount Dundas Road and the start of the Mount Dundas Scenic Reserve, which
does not yet qualify for the WWFF/VKFF program.








Mount Dundas is 459 metres above sea level and is worth just 1 point in the
Summits on the Air (SOTA) program.Â* Prior to our visit, the summit had been
activated a total of 4 times.Â* I had previously activated the summit back
in November 2014.Â* In fact this was the first time the summit had been
activated.
Above:- An aerial view of Mount Dundas.Â* Image courtesy of google maps

The road to the top is dirt, but it is in good condition and easily
passable in a conventional vehicle.Â* On top of the summit you will find a
large array of communications towers and equipment, and a trig point.







And there are some very nice views of the surrounding countryside.
Click to view slideshow.

We set up just down from the communications equipment.Â* There was just
enough room to string out the 20/40/80m linked dipole.Â* My first contact
was with SOTA regular Nev VK5WG,Â* followed by Les VK5KLV, Ian VK5IS, and
then Adrian VK5FANA.Â* I had my 4 contacts and had qualified the summit.Â* I
logged just the 1 further station, Sven VK2ISO, before handing the
microphone over to Marija.



Marijas first contact was with Les VK5KLV, followed by Dennis VK2HHA,
Adrian VK5FANA, and then Compton VK2HRX.Â* Marija had qualified the summit.Â*
Marija logged a further 2 stations, Jim Vk2FADV and then Ian VK1DI.

I then called CQ for a few more minutes on 40m, logging 5 stations from
VK1, VK2 and VK5, before heading to 3.610 on the 80m band.Â* I there logged
2 stations, Andy VK5LA and Peter VK3PF mobile.Â* Unlike 40m, there was an
strength 5 noise here on 80m.Â* Undoubtedly from the communications
equipment on the summit.

To conclude the activation I called CQ on 14.310 on the 20m band where I
logged a total of 8 stations from VK2, VK3, and VK4.



Marija worked the following stations:-



I worked the following stations:-



We packed up and headed off to Tarrington.Â* That evening was a special
festival occurring in the town, known as Laternenfest, or Festival of the
Lanterns.Â* It is the celebration of the life of a man who helped the poor.Â*
German communities celebrated Laternenfest in honour of St Martin who was
known for his generosity of spirit.Â* He brought light into poor peoples
lives, and this is symbolised by the lights of the lantern parades.





The Laternenfest featured the lantern parade, a stein holding challenge,
traditional German dancing and culture, and plenty of traditional German
food and beer.
Click to view slideshow.

For tea we had German sausages in bread with sauerkraut, and some home made
German cakes.Â* And to wash it down, some nice cold beer.






As part of the festival the St Michaels Church at Tarrington was opened up
for tours.Â* The foundation stone for the church was laid in July 1926.Â*
This is the fourth church in Tarrington, with the first being built in 1854.
Click to view slideshow.

The stein holding competition was particularly interesting.Â* The juniors
started off and it was quite funny seeing the expression on the faces of
some of the children.









It was then time for the adults.Â* The winner held the stein out in front of
him for around 8 minutes, no easy feat.









It was starting to get dark, and the sun shining off the Tarrington church
was quite impressive.





It was then time for the carrying of the lanterns, with the procession led
by two drummers.Â* They did one lap of the church and the local oval and
then returned to the main area.






It was the end of a really enjoyable evening.Â* I have researched my family
history, and this had a special place considering my mums Prussian
background.Â* She would have certainly enjoyed this evening.











References.

Australias Christian Heritage, 2018,
https://www.churchesaustralia.org/list-of-churches/denominations/lutheran/directory/814-st-michaeland%2339%3Bs-lutheran-church,
viewed 22nd December 2018

Wikipedia, 2018, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunkeld,_Victoria, viewed
22nd December 2018

Wikipedia, 2018, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cavendish,_Victoria,
viewed 22nd December 2018


///////////////////////////////////////////
Mount Rouse VK3/ VS-048

Posted: 21 Dec 2018 08:42 PM PST
https://vk5pas.org/2018/12/22/mount-rouse-vk3-vs-048-3/


We now only had 2 days left of the holiday.Â* It was now day 15, Friday 30th
November 2018.Â* We had 2 planned activations for the day, both SOTA
summits, and also a lot of sightseeing.

Our first stop for the day were the Big Woolbales in Hamilton.Â* They were
originally built in 1989 for the disabilty group Yooralla, but were sold to
private buyers.Â* They were part of a cafe, museum and souvenir shop, but
that appears to have closed down.



We then visited the Hamilton Bandicoot Enclosure and Parklands, which is
part of the Hamilton Institute of Rural Learning.Â* This is a 100 hectare
woodland which was established to protected the elusive and critically
endandgered bandicoot.








Unfortunately we did not spot a bandicoot, but this was a terrific bird
watching location.Â* Some of the birds we spotted feature below in some
photographs taken in the reserve.









We also spotted a number of wallabies.





It was then off to the Sir Reginald Ansett Transport Museum in Hamilton.Â*
Dont be turned off by the outside of this museum.Â* At first glance it does
not look like much, just a simple tin shed.Â* In fact it is based on the
Ansett companys first aircraft hangar.



But inside there is a sensational collection of memorabillia associated
with the former iconic Australian company Ansett, formed by Sir Reginald
Ansett.Â* The centrepiece of the museum is a Fokker universal aircraft,
similar to the one used on the first Ansett flight n 1936.Â* And a 1928
Studebaker, which was where Sir Reginald commenced his operations, driving
passengers from Hamilton to Ballarat.Â* We highly recommend a visit here.
Click to view slideshow.

And a bonus to the visit, was finding a photograph of my Papa (my Dads
father) who worked for Ansett Roadways, driving Clipper buses.






Below is what a Clipper bus looks like.





We then left Hamilton and drove out to the town of Penshurst, which is
located at the foot of an extinct volcano, Mount Rouse.Â* The town was
settled in the 1850s.

We visited the Volcanoes Discovery Centre which is located in the old Shire
of Mount Rouse offices.Â* It contains an audio visual display of volcanoes.







We then headed to SOTA summit, Mount Rouse VK3/ VS-048, which is located
just above the town of Penshurst.
Above:- Map showing the location of Mount Rouse near Penshurst in south
western Victoria.Â* Map courtesy of google maps.

Mount Rouse is an extinct volcano which is about 369 metres above sea
level.Â* The summit had been activated a total of 8 times before our visit.Â*
I last activated Mount Rouse in November 2014.Â* It is worth just the
solitary 1 SOTA point.
Above:- An aerial view of Mount Rouse showing its close proximity to the
town of Penshurst.Â* Image courtesy of google maps

The summit was named in 1836 by the New South Wales Surveyor General Thomas
Mitchell during the Australia Felix expedition.
Above:- An aerial view of Mount Rouse with the town of Penshurst visible,
along with the Grampian Mountains.Â* Image courtesy of google maps

There is a short climb up a flight of stairs to get to the actual summit.



At the base of the stairs there is a monument for Napier Waller
(1893-1972), a mural, water colour and sketch artist, who was born and
raised near Mount Rouse.



On the top of the summit, you will find a fire spotting tower, an array of
communications equipment, and a trig point.






And you will be rewarded with some terrific views of Penshurst and the
surrounding countryside.
Click to view slideshow.

I kicked off the activation, calling CQ on 7.144.Â* Ken VK3UH was first in
the log, followed by Gerard VK2IO, Nev VK5WG, and then Les VK5KLV.Â* I had
qualified the summit.Â* Just the 4 contacts are required for SOTA.Â* I logged
1 further station, Adam VK2YK, before handing over the mic to Marija.






Marijas first contact was with Ken VK3UH, followed by John VK2YW, Les
VK5KLV, and then David VK5PL.Â* Marija had now also qualified the summit.Â*
Marija logged a further 4 stations from VK4 and VK5, before handing the
microphone back to me.

I then logged another 4 stations on 40m, before heading off to 3.610 on the
80m band.Â* Surprisingly I made just one contact on 80m, that being with
Peter VK3PF.Â* Geoff VK3SQ called me, and although I could hear Geoff well,
sadly he could not hear me, and we were unable to successfully exchange
signal reports.

To complete the activation I called CQ on 14.310 on the 20m band and logged
5 stations, including JG8FWH in Japan.





Marija worked the following stations:-



I worked the following stations:-



We then headed down off the summit, stopping briefly to have a look at
Crater Lake.






We then drove back into Penshurst to have a look at some of the many
historic buildings which are located in the town.





It was then off to Mount Dundas, our second SOTA activation for the day.





References.

Grampians Point, 2018,
https://www.grampianspoint.com.au/attractions/big-woolbales/, viewed 22nd
December 2018

Sir Reginald Ansett Transport Museum, 2018,
https://ansettmuseum.com.au/what-you-see/, viewed 22nd December 2018