Elizabeth Hutchings, VK3HM, had the distinction of being the first YL licensed as an amateur radio operator in the state of Victoria, Australia. Radio apparently was in the family's genes -- in the 1920s, her son Alan held the callsign VK3HL and her daughter, Marjorie, was licensed as VK3HQ.

Some 100 years later on the Callawadda land where the famliy's old radio shack still stands, Geoff Smart, VK3GCM, is putting amateur radio back into action. He chose this property, known as Bryn Avon, as his QTH for the Australian Ladies Amateur Radio Association's annual competition. Geoff knew Bryn Avon from commercial consultancy work he had done but he only learned of its connection to ham radio after reading an article by ALARA historian Jennifer Wardrop VK3WQ.

It's been a busy year of celebration for ALARA, which was founded in 1975. The association's contest, held every year during the last full weekend in August, is one of the many ways the group has been marking the occasion. The rules of the international contest stipulate that YLs may work anyone they please but men can only work YLs.

As Newsline went to production, Geoff was making plans to be active from the farm on 40 metres. Whether operating from the home of a notable YL from Victoria gives him a winning edge in a YL association contest remains to be seen. Win or lose, no doubt this would meet with the approval of one radio pioneer from Victoria.