SOS to resume at Hyde Park
- Last Updated: Tuesday, 19 October 2021 10:25
The SOS is back on Saturday for double-vaxxed people in the Greater Sydney area, on the iconic Hyde Park map.
Pre-entry is strongly preferred and covid restrictions apply: proof of vaccination and QR code check-in.
Starts are from 9.30-11am. Assembly is by Cathedral Road in Cook and Philip Park.
Enter until 12pm Thursday via Eventor, and after that through the Bold Horizons website.
With community sport permitted now that we have hit 80% fully vaccinated in NSW, it's going to be so good to be back on a course after four months of lockdown!
Further north, our Port Macquarie club resumes on Sunday with line courses on the Tacking Point Lighthouse map.
Also on Sunday in Orange, Goldseekers wrap up their winter bush season at Ophir South.
ONSW Finance Director Melanie Christie
- Last Updated: Thursday, 14 October 2021 08:56
Meet your Board member.
This is the third in a weekly series where we introduce you to the people entrusted to run our sport in NSW.
Finance Director Melanie Christie (Uringa). Joined the Board 2020.
Melanie started orienteering in the most innocuous way, at Sydney Olympic Park in October 2016.
Her husband saw an advertisement for the event and said to her: “You like maps, you might like this”. He was correct.
And like most people who come into our sport via a summer series, it was akin to planting a seed.
Just two years later Melanie was stunned at the ONSW presentation day when she picked up the Rookie of the Year award. That’s some progression!
And equally speedy ‘off the map’, Melanie quickly became a Board member of Uringa, a first aider, general volunteer and sometimes coach for members of the public.
When a seat became available at the 2020 AGM, she decided to take another step up – administratively, this time – and give back even more to the sport she really loves. This commitment evolved into accepting the position of Finance Director.
Importantly, Melanie’s experience of working with people from many different cultural backgrounds in several countries has made her value the input of others.
It also made her appreciate the hard work of other volunteers and the importance of communicating with people at all levels of an organisation.
We didn’t ask Melanie what her favourite terrain is but we reckon it would be rock. After all, she has a Diploma of Gemmology.
NTOC wrap up winter program
- Last Updated: Monday, 11 October 2021 12:15
Warm and windy weather plus vegetation in the form of long grass and prickly bushes resulted in longer times than usual for the small contingent of lucky Northern Tablelands members who were able to get out on course on Sunday.
The club's final bush event for 2021 at Kooringle, west of Armidale, featured a mix of farmland and scattered rock.
Former JWOC rep Kasimir Gregory (pictured) was fastest on the 5.4km Hard 1 course in just under an hour, while president Felix Burkhard was quickest on the 3.6km Hard 2 course in just over an hour.
Julia Preston took out Moderate in a similar time, while Abi and Nathan Jeffery were best on the Easy course.
You can view the courses on Livelox here.
Sandra Stewart ONSW Child Safety Officer
- Last Updated: Friday, 08 October 2021 20:07
Sandra Stewart (SHOO) has accepted the important new ONSW position of Child Safety Officer.
Sandra has a lot of experience in this area, after 40 years in teaching, and has assisted Development Officer Lyn Malmgron with aspects of child safety for her schools competitions.
"All sports need to have a child-safe environment where children are involved," said Sandra.
"All clubs need to protect children and young people and I would like to be involved in helping orienteering have those strategies to be able to do so."
The role involves putting child safety on the agenda, most importantly having knowledge of the 10 Child Safe Standards, and requirements and laws.
Sandra will advise ONSW on how best to comply and implement this, be the point of contact for club members for matters regarding Child Safety.
This will require commitment from all parties, and Sandra will advise the ONSW Board of any issues and ideas around the new Child Safety Guidelines and their implementation.
Her first orienteering event was while attending College in Wagga in 1977 on a black and white map of Willans Hill after a friend suggested trying something a little more challenging than just going running.
She joined Waggaroos and was a member from 1978-86. After catching up with Paul & Sue Davis in the Southern Highlands, she became a member of the fledgling SHOO club.
Sandra has been on the committee and set courses for the club since then, and since the early 1990s has been involved in the Sydney South West Regional Schools championships.
