Kiewa Valley & Mt Bogong

Mount Bogong in the Alpine National Park, is the highest mountain in Victoria at 1,986 metres. We passed through the pretty Autumn colours of Bright and Mount Beauty to get to our target of Mountain Creek Road that ascends Mt Bogong. Starting out bitumen until the camping area near Moncrief Gap where for the final 12Km or so it turns to a slim muddy track for walkers and 4WD only. With several creek crossings and steep sections you can climb to 1,100 metres where the track ends at Camp Creek Gap. From here its a 4 Km walk the 800 metres or so in altitude to the summit.

Bright

Nikon D300, Tokina 11-16 f2.8 @ ISO 1250, 11mm f22, 1/80 sec

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Nikon D300, Tokina 11-16 f2.8 @ ISO 1600, 12mm f22, 1/80 sec

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Kiewa Valley

 Nikon D300, Tokina 11-16 f2.8 @ ISO 220, 11.5mm f22, 1/80 sec

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Track Log

iPad Screenshot

Mt Bogong

 Nikon D300, Tokina 11-16 f2.8 @ ISO 280, 16mm f22, 1/80 sec

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Nikon D300, Tokina 11-16 f2.8 @ ISO 800, 11mm f8, 1/80 sec

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Nikon D300, Tokina 11-16 f2.8 @ ISO 200, 11mm f8, 1/125 sec

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Nikon D300, Tokina 11-16 f2.8 @ ISO 200, 11mm f8, 1/100 sec

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Camp Creek Gap

Nikon D300, Tokina 11-16 f2.8 @ ISO 200, 11mm f8, 1/200 sec

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Time for a cuppa

Nikon D300, Tokina 11-16 f2.8 @ ISO 320, 11mm f8, 1/80 sec

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Anzac Day 2012

The first image is a current (2012) $5 Anzac badge and below is and older one my mother has. During World War II Australian soldiers made miniature slouch hats from half pennies. Half pennies were the lowest value coin at the time and worth about one half of one cent. The hats were made extensively sine World War II as brooches and sold by tourist shops and RSL Clubs.

Nikon D300, Nikkor 105mm Macro f2.8 @ ISO 1600, 105mm f16, 1/4 sec

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Nikon D300, Nikkor 105mm Macro f2.8 @ ISO 1600, 105mm f16, 1/5 sec

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The medals below were awarded to my uncle and are two in my mothers possession that she has as mementos of her brother Stan. The Defence Medal was a campaign medal of the British Commonwealth, awarded for service in World War II. A circular, silver medal, 36mm in diameter. shows the bareheaded effigy of King George VI. On the reverse, the Royal Crown rests on the stump of an oak tree, flanked by a lion and a lioness. The ribbon is flame coloured in the centre flanked by stripes of green to symbolise enemy attacks on Britain's green and pleasant land, with narrow black stripes to represent the black-out. The Africa Star was awarded service in an operational area of North Africa between 10 June 1940 and 12 May 1943. Members of the Australian Imperial Force qualified for the Star for service in Syria from 8 June 1941 and 11 July 1941. The Africa Star is a six–pointed star of yellow copper zinc alloy, with a height of 44mm and a maximum width of 38mm. The central design of the Royal Cypher of King George VI, surmounted by a crown. The cypher is surrounded by a circlet containing the words ‘The Africa Star'. The reverse of Stars issued to Australian, personnel have recipient names impressed. The ribbon for this medal has sand of the desert represented by pale buff, the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force are represented by stripes of dark blue, red, and light blue respectively.

 Nikon D300, Nikkor 105mm Macro f2.8 @ ISO 1600, 105mm f16, 1/8 sec

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Murray Kulkyne

On the way to the Murray Kulkyne Park near Wemen we explored some of the less accessible areas of the Murray River just above Piangle / Toolybuc to Boundary Bend. I was struck by the vast amount of water that is being extracted from the river. As far as 4x4 tracks go there were some quite challenging sections of muddy billabong crossings and I would not tackle with just one vehicle even though I have a winch etc. After heavy rain this would be a very difficult route. I did find a really good camping spot near Gundagai Bend that had a good clear camping area, a deep hole in the river adjacent and potential bush boat launching. Well worth a revisit. The Murray Kulkyne Park is along the Murray River and below and borders the larger Hattah Kulkyne National Park which extends from near Wemen almost to Mildura / Colignan.

Entry along an irrigation channel to the River Track

Nikon D300, Nikkor 35mm f2D @ ISO 200, 35mm f8, 1/320 sec

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 The large pump rising the river water to the channel

Nikon D300, Nikkor 35mm f2D @ ISO 200, 35mm f8, 1/250 sec

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 Great camping / fishing spot

Nikon D300, Tokina 11-16 f2.8 @ ISO 280, 11mm f16, 1/80 sec

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 There are lots of these pump batteries along the Murray

Nikon D300, Tokina 11-16 f2.8 @ ISO 250, 11mm f16, 1/80 sec

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Exiting the River Track near Narrung 

Nikon D300, Tokina 11-16 f2.8 @ ISO 280, 11mm f18, 1/80 sec

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Baaaa Ha Ha !! says Hermione.

Nikon D300, Tokina 11-16 f2.8 @ ISO 800, 11mm f18, 1/80 sec

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Community Bank Opening

 I had the opportunity to attend the opening of the Daylesford Community Bank branch for the Bendigo Bank this week. The branch is owned and run by the community with the banking infrastructure supplied by the Bendigo Bank with a 50/50 profit share arrangement. Profits are then channeled back into the community through grants decided by the local owners or board to football clubs or other community enterprises. I was inspired by the huge community support and the stories told at the opening of how the town has struggled to get adequate banking services. Many years of hard work by dedicated locals has resulted in a bank that is owned by them and is one of almost 300 Bendigo community bank branches. It was inspiring for me as I work for this organisation.

 iPhone 4

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iPhone 4

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iPhone 4

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iPhone 4

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Family, Chocolate, Yabbies and Pizza

Nikon D300, Nikkor 105mm Macro f2.8 @ ISO 1600, 105mm f5.6, 1/40 sec

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 Nikon D300, Nikkor 35mm f2D @ ISO 280, 35mm f2.8, 1/80 sec

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 Nikon D300, Nikkor 35mm f2D @ ISO 1600, 35mm f8, 1/80 sec

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Nikon D300, Nikkor 35mm f2D @ ISO 1600, 35mm f8, 1/15 sec

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 Nikon D300, Nikkor 18-200 f3.5-5.6  @ ISO 800, 62mm f4.8, 1/60 sec

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Nikon D300, Nikkor 70-200  2.8 @ ISO 200, 102mm f2.8, 1/100 sec

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Easter 2012

King River Valley

The King River in Victoria is a tributary of the Ovens River and ultimately flows into the Murray River. The King Valley is a beautiful picturesque high country spot and is a cool climate wine grape growing area. I was surprised at how many extensive vineyards are located here. The King River and Lake William Hovell (one of the prettiest lakes in Victoria) are crystal clear waters that offer excellent trout fishing (I'm told) . The lake has day visiting facilities, fishing from small boats and from the bank is allowed. Camping is not. With a four wheel drive  you can explore the upper King River past Lake William Hovell or tackle The Buckland Spur track. Next time I plan to tackle the Upper King River track and catch some wild trout. I settled for a camp near Cheshunt right on the river, it was a great spot hidden away and not well sign posted. See it here - Cheshunt King River Camp

 Nikon D300, Tokina 11-16 f2.8 @ ISO 200, 11mm f16, 1/125 sec

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 Nikon D300, Tokina 11-16 f2.8 @ ISO 200, 11mm f2.8, 1/2500 sec

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Nikon D300, Tokina 11-16 f2.8 @ ISO 1600, 16mm f22, 2 sec

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 Nikon D300, Tokina 11-16 f2.8 @ ISO 720, 11mm f8, 1/80 sec

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 Nikon D300, Tokina 11-16 f2.8 @ ISO 1600, 16mm f22, 1 sec

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 Nikon D300, Tokina 11-16 f2.8 @ ISO 450, 11mm f16, 1/80 sec

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 Nikon D300, Tokina 11-16 f2.8 @ ISO 200, 11mm f16, 1/160 sec

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