Latest ONSW News
30 YEARS ANNIVERSARY
Goldseekers Orienteers is celebrating its 30th Anniversary this year.
Please join us for a celebratory BBQ immediately after the event at Charles Sturt Uni Campus, Orange on Sunday, 23rd June.
History of the Club:
Goldseekers Orienteers were formed in May 1994, following a course on orienteering that was run by the Baldwins at the local Community College. Lake Canobolas was the first area to be mapped, followed by Gosling Creek. These were the venues for the first Goldseekers events in September and October 1994. Our first bush map was made at Rocky Falls in the Mullion Range.
In November 1994, we organised a Spring Classic, 2-day event at Lake Canobolas and Rocky Falls. 70 Sydney people and 30 locals came to the first Spring Classic.
We were also asked to organise orienteering for the Eight Day Games in November 1994 and have continued to do this each year.
1996 was a big year as the national Easter 3-Day Carnival was held in Orange with around 800 people attending. Macquarie Woods, Ophir Diggings, Lookout Rock (Mullion State Forest) and Khalis Rocks were mapped for this event. Goldseekers provided breakfasts at $3 per head for the 400 campers at Canobolas High School.
The summer evening events were started in 1999 and continue to be very popular attracting up to 100 people to the parks and streets of Orange during daylight saving time of January/February. Then later we started the Park Series during Friday evenings of November/December period. We have managed a series of State League events over the years at many of our maps including Ophir, Macquarie Woods, Khali's Rocks, Rocky Falls, CSU with hundreds of entrants from throughout the state. Training and mini-events have been held at many of the schools in Orange which has lead to a series of School Gala Days with hundreds of school children enjoying orienteering in parks.
Goldseekers were the instigators of the Great Volcanic Mountain Challenge in 2007 - the 11km mountain trail run to the top of Mt Canobolas, and organised it for many years.
The club has produced over 30 maps of areas near Orange, forest, parkland, suburbs and schools.
Key achievements by club members include Matt Parton representing Australia in the Junior World Championships. Rob and Bridget Bennett and this year Matt Slater representing NSW in interstate school challenges and Jean and Basil Baldwin representing Australia in senior classes in Australia vs New Zealand challenges. Rob Bennett was coach of the NSW Junior squad. Anna Fitzgerald representing NSW.
Jean Baldwin (Revised)
Heading to the Aussie Champs 2024 - Armidale and Uralla.
Check out the sample map from Glenburnie which will host the Australian Middle, Relays and Long.
This interactive map will provide you with an insight into the map.
It can be found at: https://aoc2024.com.au/events/
ACCOMMODATION NEWS
The Armidale Tourist Office said that PLC would have beds for groups of 10 or more orienteers. To book contact the Armidale Tourist Office: (02) 67703888 and tell them you are from Orienteering.
Alternate possibilities: Check out hotels, motels and caravan parks in Bendemeer, Tamworth, Guyra, Bundarra, Walcha, Wollomombi. They are all within a reasonable drive to the events.
Camping: There are unpowered sites at the Armidale Showground contact the caretakers Ann and John mb 0400 639 630. There are two caravan parks in Armidale plus 2 in Uralla for campers. Think outside the box: Try Camplify where you can hire caravans, camper trailers, motor homes etc. It is possible to get the caravan put onsite for you. https://www.camplify.com.au/
Organisers - Ron Pallas
Mel Joseph set day 1 of KB3 with Graham Dawson acting as controller for the event held on The Commons at Rylstone.
The course had plenty of speed action and navigation challenges with unusual Green areas. The finish was on the bottom of a hill meaning you had the option to run, walk or stagger back up to the download.
Day 2 was held at Dungaree State Forest, Toni Bacharova and James Mcquillan were the setter & controller this time.
This map had lots of gullies and subtle areas which required concentration and map contact. There were lots of timber on the ground making it rough underfoot.
Day 3 was held at Breakfast Creek which many had visited in 2023 for the NSW Championships. Arpad Kocsik set the course with Johnny Petersen controlling.
The navigation was among large sandstones features with a steep climb to the start.
Big thanks to Ken Strupitis-Haddrick (GO) for being the overall event organizer. Congratulations to all the badge winners.
Don't forget to do the course setter surveys.
Orienteering NSW - Course Setter of the Year (onsw.asn.au)
Remember to get your Entries in for State League 8 - NSW Sprint Champs (Wollongong University) and State League 9 (Kentlyn). You will need to enter each event separately as they are organised by different clubs!
Photo Credit - Tony Hill (Garingal).
