Category Archives: General

Mark Hennessy chose the old shelter at the base of Mt.Tarrengower near Maldon as the assembly area for a very well attended event. There were 82 separate entries with courses 2 and 3 proving most popular. Courses appeared a little shorter than usual because of the steepness and the intricacies of navigating in granite terrain. Mark made great use of the western face of the mount, placing his controls on the difficult courses in some very intricate sites. Careful navigation was crucial, with those making mistakes having the often difficult task of relocating on the side of the mountain.

Course 1 was won by Patrick Jaffe who treated it as training for the Junior World Orienteering Championships later in the year, when he will be representing Australia. He finished ahead of Bryan Keely and Ben Goonan, and that was after playing soccer in Melbourne beforehand. We wish him well overseas. Young Jimmy Cameron won course 2 in a time of 40 minutes, further evidence of his continuing interest and improvement in the sport. Jenny Bourne and Steve Bird, both very experienced runners, came in second and third respectively. Twenty six people competed on this course.

In terms of competitors, the standout course was course 3 with an amazing 32 runners. The title here was taken out by Henry Cameron in a time of 29 minutes, followed by Stephen van Rees and Reuben Cameron. There continues to be keen competition among the Cameron brothers. Course 4 was topped by more of the young guns, with Serryn Eenjes taking the honours ahead of Karina Cherry and Solomon Cameron. Racing was tight with the top three separated by just 31 seconds. Bendigo certainly has a large number of enthusiastic and ever-improving juniors.

The novice course only attracted one competitor this week with Judy Hill walking her grandson around the course.
Thanks to Mark, who is based in Melbourne and who is also heavily involved in organisation of the Australian Championships later in the year when they are to be held around Ballarat. A great job Mark!

Results are HERE Splits are HERE TBT is HERE NEXT WEEK: Mandurang.

David Brownridge

Results are HERE Splits are HERE Check how you are going in the overall standings. Best 11 of 20 scores to count

NEXT WEEK:

Kangaroo Gully.

There was a large turnout of Orienteers to the event held in the Northern section of Lyell Forest on Saturday. The courses set by Charles Brownridge were cleverly designed to challenge the fields in subtle gullies and ridges. Although much of the area was open and quite runnable, there were some patches heavily colonised by Chinese broom making it more difficult to spot control markers from a distance, and calling for accurate navigation. Competitors on Course 1 had 2km length leg which allowed for a range of route choices.

The most popular Course on the day was the 5.4km course with 23 competitors, featuring the ‘Battle of the Camerons’ which saw dad, Andrew being pipped by son Jimmy by less than a minute. With 16 year old Jimmy now an accomplished Orienteer, it could be a sign of the future for Andrew. Jenny Bourne from Ballarat came in third on this course. The shortest course was a little longer than usual but this proved no obstacle to Isobel and Hugo Byrne who completed the course in just under 20 minutes.

Orienteering is a great way to get fit, experience the Bendigo bushland and tune up your navigation skills. There is always someone on hand to assist any newcomers at every event.

Next week’s event is the Ironman at Morton Ridge near Eaglehawk.

Results and HERE Splits are HERE Check how you are going in the overall standings. Best 11 of 20 scores to count

Next weeks course setter, Leisha Maggs, approaches the Finish

Heather Jones

Saturday’s event was held at Clinkers Hill on the south side of Castlemaine in ideal weather conditions. Course setter, John Wilkinson set challenging courses using a variety of terrains including steep gullies and old gold mining areas as well as rural landscapes. For most of the 65 competitors it was the first time they had run using this map,

Many competitors from Bendigo, Melbourne and Ballarat clubs welcomed the central location Congratulations to Bryan Keely, Jimmy Cameron, Henry Cameron, Amos Walz and Shayne (Akira) Hill who won their courses. Women who won their courses were: Lanita Steer, Anita Dowling, Jacqui Knee, Sylvia Murphy and Lillian Maher. Well done to all competitors.

Next week’s event will be at Lyell Forest near Bendigo.

Results and HERE Splits are HERE Check how you are going in the overall standings. Best 11 of 20 scores to count

Jenny Ball

Orienteer’s detailed map reading and fast route selection was put to the test at Bendigo Orienteers La Trobe University sprint race on Saturday. A combination of navigating the complex urban environment of detailed buildings, paths, and garden beds (forbidden to cross), mixed with fast running and challenging route choices has seen the Sprint orienteering format become a well-established and popular orienteering style.

The short distance sprint format also fitted well as a precursor to the Victorian Long Distance Championships held on the Sunday at nearby One Tree Hill. Orienteers from across the state were in Bendigo for the weekend’s events. Due to the wet conditions on Saturday, sprint course times were slightly slower than expected, but regular showers through the day could not put a dampener on competitiveness among place getters with only a few seconds separating them on most courses.

Results and HERE Splits are HERE

A large field of 90 individuals and family groups participated in Saturday’s bush classic event at Mandurang. The earlier wet conditions clears some we had fine sunny weather running in damp bushland. This event was scheduled for Sedgwick but due to late stage difficulties obtaining a permit for that area, the event was shifted and Phil Robertson contributed his plans for another event. Many thanks to Phil for his work to make the event a success.

Course 1 (7km) was won closely by Ben Goonan, with Craig Feuerherdt 31 seconds behind, and Richard Goonan in 3rd place. Junior Louis Cameron followed closely behind in 4th place. Course 2 (5.2km) was dominated by junior club members: Jimmy Cameron, Lachlan Cherry and Glenn James in the first 3 positions.

Course 3 (3.5km) was won by junior Jack Wigney, with returning orienteering Mark Baxter taking 2nd place and relative newcomer to the sport Tim Gentle in 3rd position; this was his 3 event, great result! Junior members took out placings in course 4 (3.3km): Amos Walz, Karina Cherry and Caitlin Steer. Course 5 (1.8km) was dominated by Eleanor Williams, Hannah Adams and Claire Adams.

Special welcome back to Lisa Claxton who returned to her first orienteering event since her serious injury last July. A number of unfamiliar faces at yesterday’s event were people who had been involved in the sport some years ago and have been enjoying their return: Gary Buchanan, and Greg and Mark Baxter

Results and HERE Splits are HERE Check how you are going in the overall standings. Best 11 of 20 scores to count

Julie Flynn

Bendigo Orienteers held their third Bush Classic for the year on a beautiful sunny Saturday in Mandurang. The event attracted more than seventy competitors, with a mix of newcomers and regular orienteers tackling the excellent courses set by Bryan Keely.

Simon Rouse won the 7.7 km Course 1, with local Louis Cameron coming in a few minutes later to claim second place, and Ted van Geldermalsen placing third. The 6.0 km Course 2 had the largest field of competitors. Nine competitors completed the course in under an hour, with Glenn James running strongly to win in 41 minutes from Lachlan and Don Cherry. Leisha Maggs was the fastest finishing female runner.

Course 3 was closely contested, with Henry Cameron coming in just ahead of Phil Robertson and Bert Elson. A challenging Course 4 saw Karina Cherry winning in 41.58 minutes from Tim Gentle’s 43.49 minutes. Course 5 was won by Torren Arthur ahead of Sophie Arthur and Lillian Maher.

Results and HERE Splits are HERE Check how you are going in the overall standings. Best 11 of 20 scores to count

Viv McMillan

The second event of the Bendigo Orienteers Bush Classic season took place on Saturday on the popular Newer St Mungo map. The weather was spectacular as were the courses set by Daryl Fleay. Competitors took advantage of the slightly shorter distances with 19 electing for a course 1 and few competitors choosing the 1.4km or 1.9km courses.

With some many competitors choosing the longer courses it meant lots of people got controls in the south west of the map and with thick vegetation there were plenty of battle scars, mispunches and dnfs.

Places 2 through 5 were close on course 1, but Bryan Keely was a clear winner 6 minutes ahead of Richard Goonan with Ben Goonan coming third. The big spread in times for course one showed how important it was to be spot on with technique with so much vegetation.

The fastest runner on course 2 was Glenn James in just over 40 minutes with Lachlan Cherry and Jenny Bourne close together for second and third. Course 3 had a big field of competitors, but only 3 seconds separated Rueben Cameron in first and Peter Prime in second.

Runners on course four were few, but there was no lack of competition between first and second with Karina Cherry getting the goods on Caitlyn Steer in the end. The fastest time on course 5 was Lil & Jan Baxter.

Good luck to all the teams competing in the relays at Eppalock on 29th of March and in South Australia over Easter. The Bush Classic continues on the 11th of April in Mandurang.

Results and HERE Splits are HERE Check how you are going in the overall standings. Best 11 of 20 scores to count

Glenn and Lachlan at last years Australian Schools Champs

Jason Carter

Bendigo Orienteers took to the bush and streets at Guys Hill on Saturday for the Club’s annual Golden Sandshoe Trophy. This is an aged based handicapped event – orienteering’s equivalent to horse racing’s weight for age events.
In orienteering, younger and older competitors are given a weighting.

12 year old Jack Wigney took out the Trophy for 2015. Glenn James was runner-up after a countback from Henry Cameron.

Course setter Andrew Cameron awarded bonus points to competitors who completed the course by alternating between odd and even numbered control points. Only three were able to do it – Jim Russell, Craig Feuerherdt and Derek Morris.

With more than 60 competitors the event is growing every year. Results are HERE, Number in the Club area, is your points

For details on next week’s event, go HERE. Newcomers are welcome to come and have a try at the beginner’s courses.

To get the ‘Bonus’ 20% extra, you had to go odd, even, odd even, etc. How would you do it?

Bob Cameron

Bendigo Orienteers kicked off their Bush Classic season on Saturday. Despite the warm weather 67 competitors took to courses of the ever growing club. Course setter Andrew Cameron used the terrain at Diamond Hill as the scene for the opening event.

Ben Goonan took out top honours in the 7.0 km Course 1. His normally competitive twin brother, Richard, was evidently weighed down with administrate responsibilities as new club president. Laurina Neumann showed her strong form as the winning female to Lanita Steer.

The scene is set for a competitive year with a group of young guns moving to the top course, including Louis Cameron, Glenn James and brothers Nic and Lachie Cherry.

Meanwhile Martin Steer took out the 5.3 km course 2 from Stephen Bird.

After a two year absence Peter Hill returned to competition winning the 3.1 km Course 3, with Lawrie Edwards and Jack Wigney not far behind.

Newest Club member Tim Gentle didn’t waste any time making his mark, taking out the 2.8 km Course 4 from Zac MacDonald and Serryn Eenjes.

Jacob Storey won the 1.6 km Course 5.

Results and splits are on our Results page Check how you are going in the overall standings. Best 11 of 20 scores to count

Bendigo Juniors at last years Australian Schools Champs

Bob Cameron