Latest ONSW News
Goldseekers recently hosted a primary school gala day in Orange, drawing 80 eager students to Gosling Creek Reserve.
In the morning, the children had a range of courses they could try as individuals or in pairs. The courses were relatively simple to help them develop their navigation skills and self-confidence. Most children did 2 or 3 practice courses, before trying harder courses with the SportIdent electronic timing system.
After a break for lunch the children moved across the Bargwanna Road to the eastern part of the Reserve where they took part in a 3 person team relay. The team ‘baton’ was an SI stick that was used to check which controls they had visited and record their overall time.
The fastest team was from Orange Public School who completed the 3 km course in 20 minutes. A team from Bletchington School was not far behind with a Home Schooling group and teams from Spring Terrace and Borenore schools putting in excellent performances.
The children thoroughly enjoyed the physically and mentally challenging activities of the day. As it was such a successful day, it is planned to be an annual event for primary schools that include orienteering as part of their school activities. Thanks to the Baldwins, our Finnish scholar Atte, and Goldseekers for a fun day out that has great potential to grow.
Orienteering NSW is delighted to announce that the Carbine Club of NSW has extended its support of the NSW Schools Orienteering Team.
The Carbine Club is a philanthropic organisation that supports the development of junior sports through sponsorship grants.
The schools team is known as the NSW Carbines in recognition of this support. Funding provided by the club helps reduce the costs of competing at the annual Australian Schools Championships.
Since 2001, the Carbine Club has donated more than $55,000 to the NSW junior team. Recently, ONSW was fortunate to again receive a grant of $5,000 for 2016. Pictured here is our executive officer Paul Prudhoe accepting the cheque from current chairman Michael Chrismale at a function at the SCG last at Friday.
Whenever we can reduce the costs of training and competition camps we can immediately improve the opportunity for participation of all NSW juniors.
The NSW Carbines and Orienteering NSW greatly thank the Carbine Club for their continued support. A special note of thanks is also extended to Garingal member Tim Cox for his assistance and support as a member and past president of the Carbine Club.
Orienteering NSW is pleased to announce we have mapped Glengarry Girl Guides camp and it can now be hired for events.
The camp, in North Turramurra in Sydney, plays host to thousands of guides and school students each year. Having it mapped will allow these groups to make better use of the facility - whether it be in pursuing badges, or for more realistic navigation activities.
We will soon be conducting training courses for Guide leaders so they can pass on the knowledge to their young charges.
ONSW thanks Girl Guides NSW & ACT for their co-operation on this project.
With great sadness we advise that WHO member Chris Crane passed away in the SAN Hospital on Thursday 17th November after a long, hard-fought battle with bone cancer.
Chris was the Secretary for Western and Hills Orienteers from 1989. His 27 consecutive years of club service is unequalled in the orienteering community.
Chris was the consummate organiser and revelled in the complexities of major orienteering events. His unflappable nature made him an invaluable member of the WHO event organising team where he often steadied the ship when unforeseen circumstances occurred.
For many years, Chris has been a rock on which the WHO Club has depended. His impeccable record keeping has created an extremely reliable resource and his organising experience has guided the club through its growth.
We will miss him greatly. Our condolences go to Chris's wife, Trisha and son and daughter, Ashley and Adele. Chris' funeral is at 1.30pm on Thu Nov 24 at St Chad's Anglican Church, Putney (corner of Morrison & Delange Rds). No flowers please - consider sending a donation to the Salvation Army.
