Garden beds and buildings test Waggaroos' powers of concentration
- Last Updated: Friday, 06 July 2012 15:44
A short 2.5 km course contained within the Gardens and the Civic Theatre precinct had participants zigzagging forth and back trying to select the most efficient route. Garden beds and buildings created natural barriers so participants had to choose their route carefully and with so many cross-overs it was inevitable that some would get confused and find themselves at the wrong control site.
Estonian born Arvo Ambel chose well and slipped around the course in a shade under 11 minutes almost 2 minutes quicker than second placed Alex Davey. Trent Seaman also had an excellent run finishing just 16 seconds further back in third place.
New to orienteering but old in the art of preparation, Lachlan Billett entered his first orienteering competition to use it as a warm up for the Riverina Schools Championships scheduled for May 8. With mother Amanda in tow he coped with the tricky course quite satisfactorily finishing a creditable sixth. Po King Chung was another trying orienteering for the first time. An error near the sixth control cost her some time but she managed to find the other controls easily enough and finished ninth.
Thanks to John Oliver for this report
Junior helps WOC hopeful limp out of forest
- Last Updated: Friday, 06 July 2012 15:44
Aidan Dawson was already helping out a fellow orienteer, by shadowing a junior squad member around their course on the Cascades map at the recent Easter Carnival in Queensland, when he came across Josh Blatchford injured in the forest. Josh had fallen awkwardly and hurt his leg and was 
making his way painfully back to the finish. 'I was very glad to get Aidan's help, as although I didn't know at the time what I had done to my leg, it was painful and I was making slow progress,' said Josh.
A scan showed a break which will take Josh out of competition for ten weeks and put a hole in his plans for his first attempt to get on the Australian team for the WOC this year. Although only a temporary setback it will be a great disappointment for this young elite runner. His solid representation of Australia at the Junior World Orienteering Championships has positioned him well for moving on to the next stage of his international orienteering career.
New President for Newcastle Orienteering Club
- Last Updated: Friday, 06 July 2012 15:44
After more than 15 years as President, Geoff Peel has stepped down from the position to be replaced by Andrew Power, who brings with him great management experience gained in his career within the electricity industry. Geoff’s retirement from the role was precipitated by the arrival of his first child, “Baxter Clark Peel”, who arrived on 21st March 2012. “Looks like it will be split starts for Margaret and me from now on”, he joked. “At least after all this time we might be able to get a run in the family relays”.
The new President, Andrew first tried orienteering in the late 70’s at Kotara High School. Orienteering is a family affair with both Andrew and partner Chris taking up orienteering more seriously in 2007 along with sons Oscar and Alec. Andrew is also a keen MTBO competitor. Andrew has some great thoughts on initiatives to make the Newcastle club even stronger and is looking forward to working with the club committee and members to make sure this happens. Look out NSW!
