Metro and Twilight Series Events
Procedures below detail the following roles:
The role of the Event Organiser is to make the event a success. This includes:
- Overall responsibility for the safety of participants at the event, including ensuring that all participants return safely.
- Liaising with the Course Setter and the OACT Office with respect to assembly area arrangements and event permissions.
- Liaising with the OACT Office to publish event information.
- Collecting the event equipment.
- Setting up the assembly area and signage.
- Packing up and handing over the event equipment.
- Reporting any incidents to Orienteering ACT.
The Organiser is provided by the event’s organising club.
The Course Setter is responsible for:
- Planning the event courses in accordance with the format of the event series.
- Checking the control sites and map to ensure their suitability.
- Collecting the course equipment.
- Placing and collecting controls on the day of the event.
The Course Setter is provided by the organising club.
The Registration Helper assists participants to register. The Registration Helper is always at the assembly area to provide initial guidance to participants.
They perform the following main tasks:
- Setting up the registration table.
- Welcoming newcomers.
- Assisting participants with completion of the entry on the day form and payment.
- Introducing the clear-check-download process.
- Directing participants to the start and Event Coach.
- Checking in with participants after their course.
The Event Organiser may also be the Registration Helper.
The Registration Helper may be appointed by Orienteering ACT for the Series.
Registration Helper Procedure – Metro, Twilight, and Sprint Series Events
The Event Coach provides guidance and assistance to help the participants successfully complete their course and have a positive experience.
This role is non-compulsory and may be performed by a coach in residence where one is available.
Most Metro and Twilight Series events do not have an event controller. Instead, a Course Vetter supervises and mentors the course setter to ensure that courses meet the required standards and that controls are placed correctly.
Unlike an event controller, the Course Vetter is responsible only for assisting the Course Setter with course quality. The Course Vetter should ensure that:
- Courses are an appropriate length and physical difficulty.
- Courses meet the technical requirements for each course type.
- Control sites are fair.
- Tapes and/or controls are placed correctly in the terrain.
Courses are the creative vision of Course Setter. The Vetter’s role is to provide quality control and guidance.
The Course Vetter is provided by the event’s organising club.
Course Vetter Procedure – Metro, Twilight, and Sprint Series Events
The Event Safety Coordinator:
- Is normally the organiser, unless specifically assigned otherwise.
- If absent from the assembly area during the event, responsibility must be delegated to someone else.
- If the organiser is not the Event Safety Coordinator, the Event Safety Coordinator’s identity should be communicated to participants and officials; for example, listed separately on the event notice whiteboard and made known to the computer operator.
- Should be prepared to call public emergency (000, 112) if needed.
- Has discretion to modify, cancel or postpone the event, including during the event, if conditions pose a danger to health and safely.
MeOS is the event management software used for most Orienteering ACT events.
For Metro and Twilight Series events a series Computer Operator appointed by Orienteering ACT is responsible for operation of the event computer.
Including:
- Child and Youth Safety and Wellbeing
- Gender Identity
- Integrity
- Refunds
- Risk Statement
The same individual may perform more than one role, for example:
- The Organiser will almost always perform the role of Event Safety Coordinator (outlined in the Safety Policy).
- At events where fewer newcomers are expected, the Organiser may also perform the role of Registration Helper.
- Sufficiently experienced organisers may also operate the computer.
- The Course Setter may perform the role of Event Coach.
Classic Series Events
Procedures below detail the following roles:
The role of the Event Organiser is to make the event a success. This includes:
- Overall responsibility for the safety of participants at the event, including ensuring that all participants return safely.
- Liaising with the Course Setter and the OACT Office with respect to assembly area arrangements and event permissions.
- Liaising with the OACT Office to publish event information.
- Collecting the event equipment.
- Setting up the assembly area and signage.
- Packing up and handing over the event equipment.
- Reporting any incidents to Orienteering ACT.
The Organiser is provided by the event’s organising club.
Organiser Procedure – Classic Series Events
The Course Setter is responsible for:
- Planning the event courses in accordance with the format of the event series.
- Checking the control sites and map to ensure their suitability.
- Collecting the course equipment.
- Placing and collecting controls on the day of the event.
The Course Setter is provided by the organising club.
Course Setter Procedure – Classic Series Events
Start Officials keep an accurate record of actual starting participants for safety purposes.
Start Officials perform the following tasks:
- Ticking participants’ names off the entry list and confirm their SI number and course selection.
- Updating any SI number changes.
- Ensuring all participants punch the Master Check unit.
- Ensuring participants start on the correct course.
- Adding late entrants to the entry list, including their SI number and course selection.
- Directing late entrants to available late entry courses.
- Reporting the complete list of actual starters, course selections, and SI numbers to the computer operator.
- If applicable, reminding participants of important safety and course information.
Start officials are rostered by the event organiser. Different individuals may be rostered to act as the Start Official throughout the start window, so that a Start Official is always at each start.
Coming soon
Controller Procedure – Classic Series Events
The Event Safety Coordinator:
- Is normally the organiser, unless specifically assigned otherwise.
- If absent from the assembly area during the event, responsibility must be delegated to someone else.
- If the organiser is not the Event Safety Coordinator, the Event Safety Coordinator’s identity should be communicated to participants and officials; for example, listed separately on the event notice whiteboard and made known to the computer operator.
- Should be prepared to call public emergency (000, 112) if needed.
- Has discretion to modify, cancel or postpone the event, including during the event, if conditions pose a danger to health and safely.
Safety Policy – High Risk Events
MeOS is the event management software used for most Orienteering ACT events.
For Classic Series events rostering a Computer Operator is the responsibility of the organising club.
Including:
- Child and Youth Safety and Wellbeing
- Gender Identity
- Integrity
- Refunds
- Risk Statement
The same individual may perform more than one role, for example:
- The Organiser will almost always perform the role of Event Safety Coordinator (outlined in the Safety Policy).
- Sufficiently experienced organisers may also operate the computer.
- The Course Setter may perform the role of Start Official.
Sprint Series Events
Organiser Procedure – Sprint Series Events
Course Setter Procedure – Sprint Series Events
Registration Helper Procedure – Metro, Twilight, and Sprint Series Events
Course Vetter Procedure – Metro, Twilight, and Sprint Series Events
Safety Policy – Low Risk Events
MeOS Computer Operation
Participant Policies
Sprint Series Organiser Duties and Timeframe
2 Months Before Event
Confirm event venue and assembly area.
2 Weeks Before Event
Check the published event information.
1 Week Before Event
Collect equipment from previous event organiser.
1 Hour Before Event
Setup the event assembly area and signage.
During Event
Assist participants to register at the event.
Ensure the event runs smoothly and safely.
After Event
Ensure that all participants have returned safely.
Pack up assembly area and signage.
Handover equipment to next organiser.
If necessary, prepare and submit an event report.
Sprint Series Course Setter Duties and Timeframe
2 Months Before Event
Obtain map file.
5-6 Weeks Before Event
Prepare draft courses and review with vetter.
4 Weeks Before Event
Submit course information for publication.
3 Weeks Before Event
Submit any map corrections.
2 Weeks Before Event
Submit final courses to office for printing.
1 Week Before Event
Collect printed maps.
Collect equipment from previous event course setter.
Before Event
Synchronise SI units (optional).
Put out controls.
After Event
Bring in controls.
Handover equipment to next setter.
Event Organisation
Organiser Procedure – Metro and Twilight Series Events
Organiser Procedure – Sprint Series Events
Organiser Procedure – Classic Series Events
Registration Helper Procedure – Metro, Twilight, and Sprint Series Events
Event Coach Procedure – Metro and Twilight Series Events
Participant Policies
Course Setting
Course Setting Procedures – Metro and Twilight Series Events
Course Setting Procedures – Sprint Series Events
Course Setting Procedures – Classic Series Events
Setting Fair Courses
Setting Quality Sprint Courses
Setting Quality Very Easy Courses
Setting Quality Easy Courses
Setting Quality Moderate Courses
Setting Quality Hard Courses
Best Practice for Preparing Map Files
Technical/IT Procedures
MeOS Computer Operation
Mesh-O Guide
Sportident Units
Event Management Pages
1. Overview. Planning Courses and Organising ACT Events
2. Successful Course Planning
3. Organising Metro and Twilight Events
4. Course Planning for Metro and Twilight Events
5. Checklists Metro and Twilight Events
6. Organising Classic Events
7. Course Planning for Classic Events
8. Checklist Classic Events
9. Controllers Guidelines
10. Organising Midweek Events
11. Checklist Midweek Events
12. Taking Event Registrations
13. Preparing Pre-marked Maps
14. OACT Safety and Emergency Procedures Policy
15. Course Planning for Sprint Events
17. Organising MTBO Events
ACT Event Format Guidelines
Reports/Articles Relating to Orienteering and the Environment
Nov 2014 : Mt Ainslie South – Campbell Park Unexploded Ordnance Warning : Download UXO Warning PDF
Oct 2012 : Measuring the impact of recreational events within national parks by David Hogg & Cormac Farrell : Download Report PDF
Sep 2012 : ACT Environmental Monitoring Report on 2010 Australian 3-Days : Download Report PDF
Sep 2012 : Environmental Impact of an Orienteering event : Download Report PDF
Sep 2012 : Appendix to Environmental Impact of an Orienteering event (6.9 MB) : Download PDF
Jun 2006 : Environmental Hypochondria, article by David Hogg extracted from Environmental Practitioner Issue 2 June 2006 : Download Article PDF
Event Management
- Need a controller? See OA website – technical- for the most up to date complete list of accredited controllers
- Areas for Planned Prescribed Burning (bushfire management) within next six months
- ACT Kangaroo management (including conservation cull information)
Other Links/Downloads
Reimbursement of Member Expenses Information | Make a claim
Sample Risk Management Plans:
- 2012 Canberra Classic – OACT Risk Management Plan : Download Word.doc
- 2011 Oceania Champs – OACT Risk Management Plan : Download Word.doc
Sample letter to landholders : Download Word.doc
Orienteering and Your Land ACT : Download PDF
Risk statement including photography : View or Download PDF
Radio controls: meshO live
Computing Manuals
Metro/Twilight Computer Operation Manager Guide (for events using MeOS, updated April 2025)
19. A Beginners Guide to Using OE2010 (updated 3/7/2011 – subject to revision)
20. Advanced Use of OE2010 SportSoftware (updated 21/6/2011 – subject to revision)
21. OE Results Format.zip (updated 29/6/2011 – subject to revision)
22. Connecting Epson TM-T88IV Splits Printer to Computer (posted 15/06/2012)