Latest ONSW News
Northern Tablelands Orienteering Club
This small club provided a massive amount of support to the Australian Orienteering Carnival:
· Mapping for 2 years by club members;
· Putting out fence crossings (20+) for AOC (they probably dismantled them as well) - this was a massive job involving carrying and installing at least 2 bales of hay and 2 lengths of polypipe for EACH fence crossing created;
· The club provided full staffing of the 1st aid tent for every day of the carnival - many, many hours of cheerful and professional services to injured orienteers;
· Many, many on-the-ground tasks as required by the AOC organisers; and
· All volunteers to the carnival are aged over 60 and they provided an incredible amount of support and manpower to the carnival and as such should be recognised for this effort.
Louise Brooks, Southern Highlands Occasional Orienteers
Louise's contribution to orienteering publicity through electronic media posts and information have been very effective in encouraging others to participate in and contribute to orienteering.
· Throughout 2024, Louise has continuously added encouraging content to ONSW social media, including posts about upcoming events and results.
· Louise has also added events to third party platforms for promotion.
· There are many examples where Louise has made encouraging posts - for local events, regional events, the AOC, the Schools Champs, the Qld Champs and many more.
· However, one thing Louise did that really stands out, in addition to Facebook posts, was adding race information about the inaugural Sydney City Race to two third party websites (www.runningcalendar.com.au and the City of Sydney What's On site https://whatson.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/events) on her own initiative. Together these sites accounted for more than half of the subsequent hits on the Sydney City Race webpage, and ultimately a third of the entries received to the Sydney City Race.
· Louise's initiative and efforts here transformed both the exposure to and entries in the Sydney City Race. After the race, Louise posted an image on the ONSW Facebook page of the 15km winners, which received 95 "Likes". This seems to be the largest number of "Likes" of any ONSW post. A great example of how Louise really encourages people to participate in and contribute to our sport.
Promotion through social media is essential to the future success of our sport, evolving from the more traditional form of magazines and newsletters. It is very time consuming and requires constant attention to what is going on and who is doing what. It requires a huge commitment, and Louise does such a good job of this that she makes it look easy.
The Great Volcanic Mountain Challenge offers an exciting opportunity for trail runners and nature enthusiasts alike. Set along the beautiful backdrop of Mt Canobolas-Gaanha-bula, this event will take place on Sunday, March 30, 2025. The first event was in 2006 and began by Goldseekers Orienteers to promote trail running and Mt Canobolas.
Participants will enjoy an 11-kilometre journey along scenic forestry roads and trails in the National Park. The route ascends three volcanic peaks, offering breathtaking panoramic views, and involves a total elevation gain of 520 meters At the last bend on the Forestry Track one gets a first glimpse of Mt Towac rising abruptly from the surrounding forest. One cannot help thinking, "Does the race really go up there?" But when they reach the summit of Mt Towac, the first peak, many people are so taken with the 360 degree view that they forget the race and take in the magnificent panorama.
On the Nature Trail to Youngman Canobolas (the second peak) participants pass a well-established wombat hole. To date, nobody has met the occupant. Runners traverse forests of pine, eucalyptus, and snow gum, they will find a sense of accomplishment as they cross the finish line at the summit of Mount Canobolas. Gaanha bula (Mount Canobolas), an ancient volcano, stands 1395 metres above sea level. The mountain is the highest peak between the Blue Mountains and the Indian Ocean. This challenge invites you to embrace nature’s beauty and test your limits in a supportive and inspiring environment.
Ben St Lawrence, an Australian representative in the Olympics and Commonwealth Games, was the first to finish in 2024 with a time of 47:12. He remarked on the competitive field, saying, "It's tough; there's no easy way to run up 550 meters over 11 kilometres, and there was some really good competition from these guys and the others."
And then there’s Jessica Ronan, the 2023 female winner, who stated: "It’s a beautiful fire trail, and the weather was all misty, so it was quite the adventurous run. It's a unique course where you go up three summits, so you can see exactly where you are in the field. That can be a bit nerve-wracking at times, but I think you just need to keep reminding yourself to keep pushing."
This event is designed for everyone, not just seasoned competitors. It allows participants to appreciate the stunning natural environment beyond urban settings. The well-marked course ensures a safe experience, with drink stations and first aid support readily available throughout the run.
For the family that prefers less sweat and more fun, the Family Trail Run is also on, a delightful 5.5 kilometre dash ideal for kids and other family members. You’ll ascend one peak for scenic views before heading back down, hopefully before your 5-year-old decides that sitting down is way more fun than running.
And here’s the cherry on top: all profits from this event are donated to The Smith Family. So, you’re not just running—you’re really *running for a cause*! Grab your family and friends and join us for a weekend of fun, fitness, and fellowship! Mark March 30, 2025, in your diary and check out greatvolcanic.org or email
PLEASE NOTE we have a 20% Early Bird DISCOUNT open till 31 January 2025. Don’t miss out and book NOW.
Sheralee Bailey, Bennelong Northside Orienteering Club
Since she returned from working in the UK, Sheralee has thrown herself back into orienteering in NSW.
She has organised the following:
· 2023 and 2024 NSW champs;
· the inaugural Sydney City Race; and
· planned the ONSW calendars from 2023 onwards together with Ian Jessup.
The inaugural Sydney City Race! What an amazing achievement to bring the dream to fruition. Not only was the event a success, it was truly an epic. The effort to get this event off the ground was incredible:
- · Sheralee worked tirelessly to find sponsors, promote to new audiences, get access to one of the best views of the city from the Harbour Bridge Tower Pylon.
Found an army of volunteers to help make the day run as smoothly as possible.
Organising any large event is challenging, setting one up from scratch goes way beyond.
· Congratulations on a fantastic event and thank you to Sheralee for volunteering all her time and effort.
A tireless champion for orienteering who is always thinking of innovative ways to present our sport.