Orienteering NSW is delighted to announce two new part-time employees: John Murray (WHO, left) has taken on the Admin Officer's duties, while Dennis Sparling (GO, right) is our new Finance Officer.
John worked for the Reserve Bank in an IT role for 29 years and is president of Asics West Athletics Club. He got into orienteering through the popular Sydney Summer Series about 5 years ago. "Not sure what my navigation skills would be like in the real bush!"
Dennis spent his working life in accounting and is the Garingal auditor. "I got into orienteering 22 years ago when I saw a small notice in our local paper headed 'over hill and down dale," he recalls. "This prompted me to go to my first event at Macquarie University and I was pretty much hooked from the beginning. I have always been interested in geography, maps and the bush. I still enjoy orienteering, particularly the bush events."
Paul Prudhoe (CC. left), who stepped down as president in March after six years leading ONSW - and then temporarily filled the Admin Officer position - has been recruited in a new role as Executive Officer. Paul's position will look to ensure that the ONSW's strategic objectives are achieved, while maintaining and improving existing systems.
Our new president Greg Barbour (BF) was introduced to orienteering in 1974 by GO stalwart Ron Junghans (his teacher) at St Ives High school. "This was the best and hardest of orienteering schools with weekly battles with Sydney bush. With Paul Darvodelsky and Anthony Scott I started Big Foot in 1981. In 1984 I left Australia, returning in 2011. In that period I orienteered all around the world and represented NZ in 10 world foot O championships (and MTBO and ski-o). I have some history in rogaining with David Rowlands having won a number of world titles."
"My new role is ONSW president at a time of change. I am a strong believer in the club system and want to have closer co-operation with all the clubs and see ONSW as a vehicle to serve the interests of its members and clubs. I also have some passion for increasing participation and putting orienteering on a sustainable basis of both volunteers and paid organisers/mappers."