Author Archives: Bendigo Orienteers

Penultimate bush classic event

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The penultimate bush classic orienteering event for 2014 saw those keen to pit their skills and fitness against the remapped Diamond Hill map and the warmer weather.

Chris Creely has done a fantastic job touching up this part of the Diamond Hill map, which will see it very versatile in the years to come.

Laurina Neumann, fresh from second place in the long distance championships, had an early start so she could also participate in the Melbourne sprint series. Eventually course one was taken out by Australian junior champion Matt Doyle, competing the 6.8 km course in 43.24, accounting for a fast finishing Louis Cameron by 4.25. Warhorse Jim Russell let second place slip, by ignoring the age old mantra of “never navigate using the green”. He still managed to beat Craig Feuerherdt by 1 second.

The real action was in course 2, with the Cherry brothers going head to head. Nic Cherry has continued his great from since returning from the Australian championships, getting past brother Lachy and holding on by just over 3 minutes. A determined Steve Bird slotted into 3rd place ahead of John Wilkinson and Don Cherry. Jimmy Cameron won every leg to win course 3, over Nigel McGuckian and Neil Barr. Fast improving Henry Cameron is starting to show his potential and is looking to finish the season off strong.

Fergus Selkirk-Bell is starting to get the hang of the tactical side of our sport, winning course 4 from Karina Cherry and Caitlin Steer. It’s great to see Karina and Caitlin improving each week and I am sure we shall be seeing much of these 2 names associated with our sport over the next few years. Joanne Cherry zipped around course 5 ahead of Jason Carter, who also has the makings of a future star, following his second place as a part of the relay team last week.

Next week is the final round of the Bush Classic events with valuable points up for grabs before we head into the 2 twilight events.

A special shout out to Darren Enjees, who is holed up at St John of God hospital. He continues to improve each day and is keen to hear all of your adventures out in the bush.

Results and splits are on our Results page Check how you are going in the overall standings. Best 10 of 19 scores to count

Andrew Cameron

Issue 38/14

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The weekly e-newsletter of

Bendigo Orienteers Inc.

Issue 38/14: 22 October, 2014

Contact (for this publication): Peter J. Creely: luddcreely@impulse.net.au (Ph. 5443 1975)

Web site: www.bendigo-orienteers.com.au

If you wish to unsubscribe from this bulletin, please click the “unsubscribe” link at the bottom of this email. If you would like this Bulletin to be emailed directly to you, please email bendigo.orienteers@gmail.com

Way back then, a blast from the past – – I was getting rid of a lot of O stuff and I came across an article Noel Schoknecht (a former President of our club) and I wrote for the Australian Orienteer of the day. When you look at Bendigo as it is now you realise how much the scene has changed and how we need to move around our gold mining terrain to glimpse even a tiny part of what it must have been like then.

“Let me draw you a picture – of a valley with a small creek flowing softly through it, forming holes with water in them as clear as crystal; kingfishers flitting about in the golden wattle and disappearing into the foliage which almost hid the creek from view.”

In contrast, a quote from Mr. Charles Clacey, from England, who visited this same place only a few months after gold was discovered in 1851.

“Never shall I forget the scene! There were no trees, only trunks and a few branches littering the rare pieces of ground that hadn’t been dug over. It was like a sandy plain or one vast succession of countless gravel pits; the earth was everywhere turned up – mens’ heads were in every direction popping up and down in the holes – the sounds of the picks and shovels, the hum of so many thousands of voices — !”

Oh how different it is now!

Lomglea South. Report and results available on our webpage

Coming events. Saturday 25 October. Bush Classic 18.

Map: Diamond Hill

Organiser: Andrew Cameron.

Start: 12.30 to 2.00 pm. Courses close at 3.00 pm.

Format: Five courses: 1, 2 and 3 difficult navigation, 4 moderate and 5 easy.

Directions: From Bendigo: From the centre of Bendigo, head South toward Kangaroo Flat. Turn left at the lights into Camp Street, right into Church St (orienteering signs), left into Chapel St. Continue under train bridge, then right into Allingham Street and left into Shelton’s Road. Parking 500m on side of road. Alternatively, travel out to Spring Gully on SG Road and turn right into Burns Street. Continue to the tee intersection and turn left into Diamond Hill Road. After a couple of kms turn right into Shelton’s Road.

From Castlemaine: Travel towards Bendigo. At the traffic lights at the Lockwood Road intersection in Kangaroo Flat turn right into Camp Street and then as for Bendigo.

From Melbourne: travel via the Calder towards Bendigo. At the Lockwood Road traffic lights in Kangaroo Flat turn right into Camp Street and then as above for Bendigo.

Next Bulletin 29 October

October is the best month in Bendigo

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October is the best month in Bendigo and the middle of the month is the best time to be Orienteering in the local bush. The event at Longlea South was held in perfect conditions, a warm but not windy afternoon gave all competitors the chance to be at their best.

Terry Davidson set the courses set the courses to test navigation skills in this relatively level terrain. Hills and gullies are not very big and you need to concentrate and know where you are at all times. The advantage of this terrain is that the hills are not very demanding which gives the opportunity to run very fast through the open bushland.

Drawn results are very rare occurrences but on Saturday we had two draws. On Course 4 both Caitlyn Steer and Karina Cherry had the same time of 33: 38 making them equal winners on the course. On Course 1 Richard Goonan and Craig Feuerherdt finished with identical times of 47:31 to get equal second place. Jim Russell is to be commended for his first place on Course 1 even though he spent most of the day on administrative work including a brief stop during his run. Well done Jim!

Course 2 was a tight tussle between the Nic Cherry and Lachlan Cherry with Nic taking it by just 12 seconds. The Camerons dominated on Course 3 with Jimmy taking it out over Henry. The course suited runners and included some subtle navigational challenges. The domination of this course by these boys shows that there is a great depth of talent within our club.

The 2 kilometre Course 5 was won by Solomon Cameron in 12:07 minutes and a very fast run. Solomon’s running rate of just under 6 minutes a kilometre was the second fastest on all courses for the day. He must have been really flying.

Thank you to those who organised this event, Terry, Jim, Lawrie, Peter S, and control collectors Andrew C, Andrew W, and Derek

VICTORIAN RELAY CHAMPS

Bendigo had nine teams compete in this years state relays. The event was held in fine conditions in the Fyerstown forest (northern end near Elphinstone). The forest was ablaze with wildflowers (if you had time to stop).

Each team had three members, when the first member returned he/she tagged the second member who took off and on returning tagged the third member. The total time for the team determined their placing. Courses were slightly different for each team member but about the same distance.

Overall Bendigo did extremely well and all members who participated are to be congratulated – especially the Cameron families. Results can be found on Eventor but those of our teams are summarised below.

RESULTS

  1. Bendigo 5th (Laurina, Richard, David), 6th (Ben, Clare, Jim)
  2. Bendigo 1st (Louis, Andrew, Jimmy),       7th (Andrew S, Nic, Lachlan), 9th ( Peter G, Nigel, Charles)
  3. Bendigo 2nd (Caitlyn S, Jason C, John W)
  4. No entries
  5. Bendigo 1st (Bob C, Solomon, Henry), 3rd (Karina, Joanne, Don), 7th (Margaret K, Eleanor W, Warwick W)

John Wilkinson

This Saturday the event is on the outskirts of Kangaroo Flat and details can be found on the website.

Results and splits are on our Results page Check how you are going in the overall standings. Best 10 of 19 scores to count

Lawrie Edward

Issue 37/14

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The weekly e-newsletter of

Bendigo Orienteers Inc.

Issue 37/14: 15 October, 2014

Contact (for this publication): Peter J. Creely: luddcreely@impulse.net.au (Ph. 5443 1975)

Web site: www.bendigo-orienteers.com.au

If you wish to unsubscribe from this bulletin, please click the “unsubscribe” link at the bottom of this email. If you would like this Bulletin to be emailed directly to you, please email bendigo.orienteers@gmail.com

Vera Shelton. Twenty years ago today Vera Shelton died whilst competing in an event on One Tree Hill. Vera was a member on Bendigo Orienteers in the early years of our existence. She was iconic in many ways: she was a fierce competitor: rumour has it that once she had decided her route choice on a particular leg she didn’t deviate – even small trees moved aside for her. She wore O pants, the legs of which came to just below her knees – her socks were short, just above the ankle, her legs in between were bare so invariably she’d come in from a course with her shins totally bloodied. We who knew her were used to it but I often wonder what effect the sight had on newcomers to our sport. If you want to read more about Vera you will find her story on page 96 of our club history – ‘One Tree Hill and Beyond’.

There is a stone cairn just west of the Pioneer Drive junction with Edwards Road at the base of which (northern side) is a small brass plaque commemorating Vera’s link with our forest and our club. If you are up that way anytime stop and have a quiet word with her.

Be at peace Vera – you remain deeply loved in our memories and your soul is nestled in the spirit of our beautiful forest that is One Tree Hill.

Bendigo Addy, 15 Oct. ’14. Have a look at page 45 – a great photo of some of our kids! Also, there’s a photo of a rather suave gentleman that I didn’t recognise at first glance: it’s Jim and he’s in his street gear. Used as I am to seeing him in O gear it took a few seconds to work out who it was. He comes up really well.

Kids. I see, in the recent OV bulletin, Ruth Goddard’s (Yarra Valley OC) report on the coaching morning for junior children she organised on Westerfold’s Park at Templestowe recently. The kids were introduced to map symbols and colours and they were then supervised on a short course. (Hope springs eternal – – – !)

Mars Bar Cup 2015 Write Up and Results

Coming events. Saturday 18 October. Bush Classic 17.

Map: Longlea South

Organiser: Terry Davidson.

Start: 12.30 to 2.00 pm. Courses close at 3.00 pm.

Format: Five courses: 1, 2 and 3 difficult navigation,

Directions: From Bendigo: From the centre of Bendigo travel east along Williamson Street, Condon Street and Strathfieldsaye Road through Strathfieldsaye towards Lake Eppalock. turn right on Gleeson’s Track, 6 km past Strathfieldsaye on the main Eppalock Road. Take care on right-hand turn across on-coming traffic.

From Castlemaine: Travel to Bendigo; after one block past the Fountain turn right into Williamson Street (Shamrock Hotel). Then as above for Bendigo.

From Melbourne: via the Calder, Elphinstone and Sutton Grange to the Bendigo-(Lake) Eppalock Road. Turn right and travel 3 km to Gleeson’s Track turn. Take care on right-hand turn across on-coming traffic

Next Bulletin 22 October

Mars Bar Cup 2015

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We had a good turn-up for the Mars Bar Cup with over 55 competitors. It was a hot day for orienteering so many were thankful that it was a one hour score event. The Mars Bars had to be kept on ice but were a welcomed treat.

The warm weather also was welcomed by wildlife. A snake was spotted near one of the controls which became a deterrent for some including Laurina who was first to encounter it. At this stage of the year we do need to be wary.

We welcomed some groups that have not competed in many Bendigo events. They included the Fossum family, Tony and Alison Radford and Roger, Mary Enter, Dave Lotty and Suzanne 0’Callaghan.

Katherine introduced her friend, Felicity to orienteering and the Campbell and Rainbow families from Specimen Hill both completed the novice course.
The course was challenging to complete in one hour. Richard Goonan, Louis Cameron and Simon Rouse came close. Well done.

Karina Cherry did well to gain 240 points which placed her just ahead of Di Searle, Jan Baxter, Suzanne O’Callaghan and Judy Prendergast.
Most people were able to choose their course and return just under the hour. Many of those who took longer chose to enjoy more of the orienteering rather than worry about time constraints.

Many thanks go to John Wilkinson, Andrew Wallace, Terry Davidson, Nola Juniper, Lorraine Leversha, Daryl Fleay and Ian Johnson for picking up controls.

Results

Jenny Ball

Issue 36/14

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The weekly e-newsletter of

Bendigo Orienteers Inc.

Issue 36/14: 8 October, 2014

Contact (for this publication): Peter J. Creely: luddcreely@impulse.net.au (Ph. 5443 1975)

Web site: www.bendigo-orienteers.com.au

If you wish to unsubscribe from this bulletin, please click the “unsubscribe” link at the bottom of this email. If you would like this Bulletin to be emailed directly to you, please email bendigo.orienteers@gmail.com

WA. Well done to all who competed in the Aus Champs in WA. We had good representation—especially our kids. Who knows, if we can get a regular coaching program going we will do even better! Results can be found in Eventor.

Lyell Forest Central Results can be found on our website.

Coming events. Saturday 11 October. Mars Bar Cup

Map: Browns Reef. Kangaroo Flat

Organiser: Jenny Ball

Start: 12.30 to 2.00 pm. Courses close at 3.00 pm.

Format: One hour score event (no mass start). Separate Novice course for beginners.

Directions: From Bendigo: From the centre of Bendigo travel south to Kangaroo Flat and turn right into Lockwood Road at the traffic lights. After approx 200 metres, at the roundabout, veer right into Olympic Parade. After approx 3.5 kms turn into Rocky Rises Road and look for O-signs. Start near dam.

From Castlemaine: Travel to Kangaroo Flat. Turn left at Lockwood Road lights then veer right into Olympic Parade at roundabout, then as for Bendigo — continue to Rocky Rises Rd and turn left. Follow O-signs.

From Melbourne: As for Castlemaine

Special Feature : This year the Mars Bar Cup is also Bring a Friend Day. We are encouraging orienteers to bring a friend who has not done orienteering with any club before. There will be free entry to any Bendigo Club member who brings a friend to participate. There will be no cost to friends and they will be welcomed and given assistance as a newcomer.

All people who compete receive a Mars Bar.

Note The Mars (Mahers) Bar (Barr) cup was introduced by Ken Thomas, a popular member of the Bendigo Club who sadly passed away in 2002.

He had a list of awards which depicted his sense of ironic humour. The awards however were never presented. There were never any winners or losers and the cup never existed. Ken’s philosophy was that to simply compete in orienteering meant that you were already a winner and no special recognition was necessary.

Next Bulletin 15 October

Lyell Forest provides challenging courses

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Although a number of club members were in Western Australia competing at the Australian Orienteering Championships and the Australian Schools Championships, almost 50 competitors turned out to run on 5 challenging courses set by Colin Walker for Bush Classic #16. The Lyell Forest Map provides some tricky topography to navigate with the warm weather making the courses more demanding.

James Robertson won the 7.7 km long course 1 followed by Richard Goonan with the experienced Neil Barr in third place. The consistent John Wilkinson was first home on course 2 followed by David Knight from the Bayside Kangaroos Orienteers with local, David Jones in third place.

The largest field of the day contested course 3, where the improving Henry Cameron beat an experienced field, with Lawrie Edward and Matt Jackel filling the next 2 places. Jack Wigney blitzed course 4 comfortably winning from Rowan Goffin and Carol Coad. Simon Wigney was the sole competitor on course 5 completing the course in good time.

Congratulations to all the competitors and to Colin Walker for setting five interesting courses.

Results and splits are on our Results page Check how you are going in the overall standings. Best 10 of 19 scores to count

Rob Clark

Issue 35/14

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The weekly e-newsletter of

Bendigo Orienteers Inc.

Issue 35/14: 1 October, 2014

Contact (for this publication): Peter J. Creely: luddcreely@impulse.net.au (Ph. 5443 1975)

Web site: www.bendigo-orienteers.com.au

If you wish to unsubscribe from this bulletin, please click the “unsubscribe” link at the bottom of this email. If you would like this Bulletin to be emailed directly to you, please email bendigo.orienteers@gmail.com

Norfolk Hero. Results not available.

Coming events. Saturday 4 October. Lyell Forest Central.

Map: Lyell Forest.

Organiser: Colin Walker.

Start: 12.30 to 2.00 pm. Courses close at 3.00 pm.

Directions: From Bendigo: Travel through Strathfieldsaye to Axe Creek, turn right into Axe Creek Rd. and travel 4.5 Km to Abbotts Track. Turn left and travel a further 3 Km to the assembly area. Park on the NORTH side of the road only.

From Castlemaine: Travel via North Harcourt through Sedgwick and Mandurang towards Bendigo. As you come into Spring Gully turn right at the One Tree Hill roundabout into Retreat Road. Continue along Retreat Road for approx 2.5 kms and turn right towards Strathfieldsaye at the big Williamson Street roundabout Continue then as for Bendigo.

From Melbourne: Travel towards Bendigo via the Calder and turn off to Sutton Grange. Then travel towards Bendigo through Sedgwick and Mandurang and follow as for Castlemaine.

Next Bulletin 8 October

Issue 35/14

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The weekly e-newsletter of

Bendigo Orienteers Inc.

Issue 35/14: 24 September, 2014

Contact (for this publication): Peter J. Creely: luddcreely@impulse.net.au (Ph. 5443 1975)

Web site: www.bendigo-orienteers.com.au

If you wish to unsubscribe from this bulletin, please click the “unsubscribe” link at the bottom of this email. If you would like this Bulletin to be emailed directly to you, please email bendigo.orienteers@gmail.com

All the best! are and have a safe trip. I hope that you will all be happy with your respective runs,To all the people who are travelling to Western Australia for the Aus Champ carnival, take c and come home to us safely. To our JSquad people, do the best you can.

Well done Jim! In case you missed it in the VOA Bulletin, congratulations to Jim Russell who has been appointed the Australian High Performance Squad Coach for the next two years.

Results: Apollo Hill
Full results and comment can be found on our web page.

Coming events. Saturday 27 September.

Map: Norfolk Hero

Organiser: David Jones.

Start: GRAND FINAL DAY: Early starts so you can watch the football. There will be two MASS STARTS: the first at 12:15 and the second at 1:15.

Directions: From Bendigo: travel out Spring Gully Road towards Mandurang. Turn right into Pentland’s Road and immediately right again into Hollidays Road. Follow Hollidays Road to the assembly area.

From Castlemaine: Travel to Bendigo via the Calder, then as for Melbourne. Alternatively travel via North Harcourt through Sedgwick and Mandurang; about a kilometre past the Mandurang sports ground look for the Pentland’s Road turn off on the left, then as for Bendigo

From Melbourne: Travel to Bendigo via the Calder. After Bunnings in Kangaroo Flat, turn right at the next traffic lights. Follow this road up hill and around to the left. At the T intersection turn right under the railway line. Turn right at next intersection and follow this road as it becomes Kangaroo Gully Road. Pass Diamond Hill road and turn left into Hollidays Road at the bottom of the hill. Alternatively: turn off the Calder to Sutton Grange and continue towards Bendigo via Sedgwick and Mandurang; about a kilometre past the Mandurang sports ground look for the Pentland’s Road turn off on the left, then as for Bendigo

Next Bulletin 1 October

Ideal conditions at Apollo Hill

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On Saturday 20th September the Bendigo Orienteer’s local event was held in the Apollo Hill area near Eaglehawk. Five courses were set on the gently undulating historic gold mining terrain. A great turn-out of 62 competitors enjoyed the warm and sunny Spring weather. Among them were experienced Orienteers Thor Norskov, Eskil Schoening and Jakob Edsen who are visiting from Denmark.

Course 1 was set over a distance of 7.7km with an all-male field of 11 competitors. Another scintillating performance by Bryan Keely saw him claim 1st place in 33:52 at an average speed of 1km per 4:24! Only 14 seconds separated the runners up with Thor Norskov 2nd in 35:24 and Central Highland’s Matt Doyle 3rd in 35:38.

A large field of 20 competitors took on the 5.3km course 2. Jakob Edsen took 1st place in 31:10 by the smallest of margins to 2nd place getter and talented junior Jimmy Cameron in 31:11. Melbourne Forest Racer’s Natasha Key finished 3rd in 32.12. 2nd and 3rd place for the ladies were Janine Steer in 46:50 and Sequoia Weitman in 57:08.

17 competitors tackled course 3 over 3.5km. Louis Cameron claimed a convincing win in 19:09 followed by young rising star Lanita Steer in 23:37. Michael Loughnan came third in 26:19. The dynamic mother and daughter duo of Katherine and Viv McMillan were 2nd and 3rd in the ladies standings.
The intermediate 3.6km course 4 had a small but spirited field of eight competitors. Rapidly improving youngster Karina Cherry was victorious, closely followed by Fergus Selkirk-Bell who claimed 2nd place by a 6:20 margin over 3rd place getter Cameron Bell.

Six very eager competitors blitzed the 2.5km novice course 5. Joanne Cherry took the honors with newcomers Henry and Archie Richardson rounding out the placings.

Overall another very successful event for Bendigo Orienteers and a rewarding experience for this first time course setter. Special thanks to Colin Walker for his support and guidance with course setting, Jim Russell for operating the computers at the event. Don Cherry for on-site photography and Peter Galvin, Warwick Williams and Charles Brownridge for lending a hand to pack up at the end of the day.

Results and splits are on our Results page

Andrew Wallace