To help those activating National Parks or Local Government Areas, or seeking contact with them, advance notifications of activity will be accepted at arv@amateurradio.com.au
The Keith Roget Memorial National Parks Award
The aim of this award is to encourage portable operation in Victoria's 40 National Parks.
• Victorian parks map
• Rules
• Log sheets applicants may use these or any log for their award claim.
A copy of the National Parks Award certificate from 1971.
A driving force behind this award is the late Keith Roget. His widow agreed in the 1980s that it was fitting that the award be renamed in his memory.
Parks Victoria has notified its regions and rangers that they may expect to see amateur radio activity in national parks.
It recommends park visitors read the following sections of its website.
• Look after our parks
• Enjoying a safe visit
Victorian Local Government Award
This operating award has been initiated by Amateur Radio Victoria to encourage on air activity based on communicating with and between the 79 local government areas in the State of Victoria, Australia.
• Victorian Local Government Award - areas
• Victorian Local Government Award - log sheets
Rules and Requirements
Valid Contacts
1. A radio amateur must be identifiable within a municipality, usually by their announcement during a QSO (see list)
2. Contacts on or after 10 July 2008 are valid for this award
3. Repeater, IRLP or Echolink contacts are not valid for this award
To qualify for the award the following contacts are required
• VK3 stations with 40 different municipalities
• Other VK stations with 30 different municipalities
• DX stations with 20 different municipalities
Endorsements
An endorsement is available for those who achieve all 79 municipalities. Requests for mode, QSP or other endorsements should be referred to the Awards Manager.
Submission for Award
• A log extract or copy of the log showing all claimed contacts, station worked callsign, date, time, band, mode and each municipality by its name or number on the award list
• The cost of the award is $AUD$5, $US5 or 2 IRCs to cover postage and costs.
Send to:
Awards Manager
Amateur Radio Victoria
40g Victory Boulevard
Ashburton, Victoria 3147
Australia
At the Awards Manager discretion cross-checking and other validity checks will be carried out on award submissions.
Involvement
To assist those chasing this award, a Victorian Local Government Award Net will be held on the 80 metre band elsewhere. This activity will be widely publicised.
Inquiries about this award can be directed to the Awards Manager awards@amateurradio.com.au
History note
The start of local government in Victoria in 1841 occurred while it was one of the six British colonies, well in advance of the proclamation of the Federation of Australia as a Commonwealth in 1901.
In the 1850s and 1860s, encouraged by generous subsidies, local government entities were established to provide local services, achieve community representation and to levy rates.
The 1980s saw strong concerns about the inefficiency of 210 local government areas, a new reform-driven state government, and an economic downturn, amalgamations of groups of them occurred resulting in a reduction to 79 today.