Vale Peter Newton
- Last Updated: Tuesday, 15 January 2019 12:10
It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Newcastle stalwart Peter Newton.
Peter had a stroke several months ago and had recently been living in a nursing home in Wallsend. He passed away overnight Sunday.
He was a very active member of the club and made significant contributions as a course setter and event organiser and also as a member of the club committee, performing various roles over a long period of time, most recently as the gear steward.
Peter also contributed at a state level, having served on the ONSW board as Treasurer for several years. His contributions to the Newcastle club and orienteering in general will be sorely missed as will be his presence at club events.
"His passing came as a shock to me following our most recent club meeting at Peter's nursing home, when he seemed in good spirits," said Newcastle president Andrew Power.
Family and friends are warmly invited to attend the celebration of his life at The Chapel, 12 Harris Street, Wallsend on Friday (Jan 18). The service commences at 12pm.
Niamh cracks OA HP squads for 2019
- Last Updated: Wednesday, 09 January 2019 14:09
WHO rookie Niamh Cassar has capped a stellar year by being named in the 2019 Orienteering Australia High Performance Squads.
Niamh, 15, has just finished her first year competing on Hard courses and racked up some impressive wins in her age class at the NSW Middle Champs, NSW and ACT Sprint Champs and Australian Schools Sprint Champs.
She has come to orienteering from athletics and enters the HP program at the Targeted Talent level, along with fellow high schoolers Ewan Shingler (Big Foot) and Newcastle prodigy Alvin Craig.
Garingal has four representatives, Newcastle three and Big Foot two.
Nicola Blatchford and NSW junior squad coach Rob Bennett (NC) are in the second-tier National Development Squad, along with GO trio Toby Wilson and Michele and Aidan Dawson.
Big Foot's JWOC rep Alastair George is in the Junior Development Squad, along with Garingal's Duncan Currie. They have both just finished their HSC.
Congratulations to these ten orienteers on their selections.
SHOO Summer Sats underway
- Last Updated: Wednesday, 09 January 2019 14:09
Happy New Year everyone!
We had a very successful Xmas 5-Days event in Sydney, attracting 1438 participants, and are now looking forward to a busy 2019.
A reminder to please renew your membership through Eventor. Memberships ended on December 31 - so any events requiring pre-entry will attract a non-member surcharge if you haven't renewed.
The first news for 2019 is that SHOO have moved their Summer Sats to mornings to beat the heat. They will now offer a start window of 9.30-11am. The series started last weekend and runs until Feb 16.
Following on from that, SHOO are teaming up with our partner organisation Bold Horizons to offer a five-week SOS series once school resumes.
Also underway again are the Central Coast Summer Series and the West Sydney Orienteering Series.
Looking further ahead to major events this year: the first State League weekend is March 30-31 at Hill End, the Sydney-based MetrO League begins on April 14, and the Oceania/Australian champs are in the Riverina from September 28 to October 6.
Belanglo Hut working bee Jan 18-20
- Last Updated: Wednesday, 09 January 2019 11:55
The next working bee for 'The Hut' at Belanglo State Forest is from January 18-20.
The house is available for the use of clubs, schools and individual orienteers for training or even a holiday. The hut includes bedding for approximately 20. The grounds are also available for camping.
Although the accommodation is basic, there is a warm log fire, cooking facilities and a fridge, tank water and hot showers. Anyone who helps at a working bee receives free accommodation there for the next 12 months.
Tasks we hope to achieve include:
* collecting and cutting/splitting firewood
* erecting guttering on the Durham Room
* preparing the Durham Room exterior for painting
* general maintenance i.e. replace tap washers in the bathroom and campers sink, replace outdated smoke alarms.
If you can assist in any way, please contact Peter Howe (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 0433 994 441) so he can provide adequate food for the Saturday night.
If you fancy a run that weekend, on the Saturday morning SHOO have an event just up the road at Picton, with starts from 9.30-11am.
