Latest ONSW News
ACT couple Dave Shepherd and Jo Allison took out the open senior classes in sparkling autumn conditions at State League 4 and 5 near Lithgow last weekend.
WHO started proceedings with a Middle Distance course on the Mt Piper map, with most courses having a leg crossing the steep ridge that ran down the map.
The assembly area was just behind the Mt Piper power station, whose cooling stacks were a stark man-made outline on the bush horizon.
On Sunday morning Garingal took us back to their newish Gardens of Stone map - for tourists this is generally stunning rock pagoda territory, but for orienteers it offers some fast open forest running.
Results and splits are on Eventor, while WHO and Tony Hill took more stunning photos.
Thanks to both clubs, all the setters, vetters, organisers and participants for another successful weekend. And a reminder to please fill out the very brief surveys for Course Setter of the Year.
Our next State League weekend is the annual QB III carnival over the June long weekend, being hosted for the first time in Coffs Harbour and by our newest club Bush n Beach. Entries close on Sunday May 29.
Orienteering NSW is seeking families to host a visiting European orienteering scholar this summer (Sept 2016 to Mar 2017).
Hosting is for a minimum of 2 weeks duration and families will receive a small stipend to help cover costs.
This is the first time NSW has agreed to host a scholar. Other states have raved about the mutual benefits of similar programs.
Email Jim Mackay (development @ onsw.asn.au) by June 14 if you are interested in being part of this great experience. Feel free to pass this on to interested parties.
More information about the scholarship program can be found here.
There was high praise for our South Coast schools champs at Albion Park on Wednesday.
Kev Curby and his team of helpers ensured a wonderful day out for the 64 students at Croom Regional Sporting Complex.
"Thanks Kevin to you and your volunteers for organising an amazing experience for our students," wrote the Nowra Public School sports co-ordinator.
"Several kids plan to attend the state championships and orienteering was the talk of the school today, even prompting some of our reluctant writers to report on the day for our newsletter! We certainly would like to attend next year."
Likewise at Jerrabombera. "I was singing your praises about our day to everyone today," wrote their teacher.
"It was wonderful. You also have a great bunch of helpers who really understand that they are dealing with children who have very little knowledge of orienteering."
With Riverina and Centennial Park also behind us, our next regional champs are Sydney South West primary at Camden Equestrian centre on Wed Jun 22. And a reminder that entries for the NSW schools champs (at Bankstown on August 27-28) are open.
Entries are now open for WHO's annual Turkey Trot, one of the unique events on the ONSW calendar, on Sunday July 3.
This is a long distance, multi-map event with a mass start in each of the Long (20km), Medium (12km) and Short (8km) categories.
The courses will lead competitors through bush tracks and parklands of the upper watershed of the Parramatta River (Toongabbie Creek is the main watercourse). There are often 3 maps used for the Short and up to 5 for the Long course.
WHO are also offering shorter Enter-on-Day courses for anyone looking for the usual outing (Very Easy, Easy, Moderate courses). Assembly is at John Curtin Reserve, Winston Hills.
Entries for the Turkey Trot close on Jun 30.
