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It was perhaps a fitting result that Central Coast's 40th anniversary O'Shea weekend was won by the event founder's daughter and grand-daughter.

In yet another lovely example of the family nature of orienteering, Jenny and Erika Enderby (Newcastle) won the Long Pairs section by four minutes across the three events held on Saturday afternoon and night and Sunday morning.

The event was started in 1983 by Jenny's parents Frank and Ethel Anderson, who were on hand on Sunday to present the perpetual trophies and the traditional keepsakes of fruit cakes adorned with spearmint leaf lollies.

Their time of 173m30s was enough to keep at bay clubmates Bjorn Mella (our NSW junior squad coach) and son Oskar. Garingal couple Toni Bachvarova and Andrew Smith were third, a further 20 minutes back.

The Short Pairs was taken out by newly appointed Orienteering Australia General Manager Arpad Kocsik and daughter Eszter in just under two hours. 

They had a comfortable half-hour gap over fellow Hungarians and Garingal clubmates Nikolett Halmai and Istvan Kertsez, making a special visit from Cairns in the middle of their 18-month odyssey around Australia.

Robert Preston (NC) and David McGhee (Bennelong) were third.

The first and third events were on the Yambo map at a waterlogged Olney State Forest, yet somehow it didn't rain during any of the three runs!

You can see the final results here.

A massive thank you to Nick Dent, Hilary Wood and all the CC helpers for putting on a successful weekend in such trying conditions.

Congratulations to Garingal member Arpad Kocsik who has been appointed general manager of Orienteering Australia.

Arpad comes from Hungary with strong ties to orienteering as an active competitor, event organiser, club secretary and has worked closely with the Hungarian federation until three years ago as Marketing and Communications officer promoting our sport in all of its variations.

You might have noticed him in action as commentator at several major events in NSW such as last year’s NSW Championships. He has been a Level 0 coach with ONSW teaching the basics and tricks of orienteering to students throughout Sydney for the past two years and is eager to jump into the GM’s seat.

Árpád joins OA with fresh enthusiasm and a rare combination of skills that derive from a legal background and a lifelong attachment to orienteering. 

“In these hard and trying times in so many aspects of our lives and around the globe, I join the team with excitement, hoping to provide the necessary know-how and help take orienteering “Down Under” to new horizons and making it stronger. Thank you all for the warm welcome. It is great to be here,” says Árpád about his appointment.

Around 35 members enjoyed a comprehensive course in everything to do with Sprint orienteering under the tutelage of IOF Senior Event Adviser Nick Dent on Saturday.

2019 junior world champion Aston Key, and multiple world champ rep mum Natasha, also offered their insights in the full-day seminar at Sydney Olympic Park.

Everything was covered, from choice of event arena to what makes a good leg, and how elites prepare for a Sprint.

Thanks to our three presenters and ACPE for hosting us.

Speaking of Sprints, the NSW Sprint Champs are at Ourimbah on Sat Mar 19. Entries close March 13.