Welcome Back to Orienteering!
It is such a pleasure to be producing a newsletter at a time when we are beginning to enjoy ‘real’ orienteering once again. When I last wrote, in June, we were all being very creative with online or armchair orienteering, individual fitness training, and lots of variations of MapRun activities.
It is very exciting that we now have a program running for the Metro, Classic (AL), MTBO, Sprint and Midweek series, with one or two events in each already completed. We are indeed beginning to return to ‘normal’, whatever this may now look like. I know how much I am enjoying being out in the bush/on a sprint again. Of course, it is hard to socially distance as we meet and chat with friends at the Start and Finish in particular, but my anecdotal observations suggest that everyone is doing this really well, being mindful of the health of all of our community. It is only by continuing to be vigilant and careful of the need for observation of the COVID-19 Return to Play Plan that we shall be able to sustain these events.
‘Getting O-ing Going Again’
You have all received emails from Matt Stocks, our Bushflyers roster manager, as we plan for and present several events over the next few weeks. I would like to acknowledge and thank the following planners and organisers as well as those day helpers who support them so well:
- Metro #1, Saturday 25th July, Weston Park
Course Planner – Caitlin Young; Organiser – Susanne Harryson
Helpers – Carol Harding; Susan Hallissy; Greg, Brendan & Joseph Wilson; Ken & Vicky Mansell; Bruce Barnett - Metro #3, Saturday 8th August, The Pinnacle
Course Planner – Ellen Johnson; Organiser – Jo Hobson - Classic AL#3, Sunday 16th August, Mt Jerrabomberra
Course Planner – Toby Lang; Controller – Ross Stewart; Organiser – Valerie Barker
Helpers – Mark Parsons, Coral Dow, Alison Inglis, Peter Miller - Metro #8, Saturday 12th September, The Arboretum
Course Planner – Zoe Terrill; Organiser – Matt Stocks
It is appropriate to thank Matt for all of his work with the roster. Not only has he put together the roster for the current series of events, but he is also in negotiations with the Board and Council as the Twilight 2020/21, and 2021 Classic/Metro/MTBO series are being programmed.
This is a complex process as the events of other states, especially NSW, as well as the national events, all have to be considered. This year we have the added restrictions caused by the loss of some wonderful maps following the terrible bushfires of last summer. However, there are new maps being prepared and waiting for our use early next year, so we have much to look forward to.
If you are keen to course set or organise any particular events/maps in the next year, please let Matt know so that he can indicate your interest as the new program is being prepared.
In June I indicated that each of the states is working through its ‘Return to Play Plan in a COVID-Safe Environment’. For example, Orienteering Victoria has tentatively scheduled events in late September, aimed at the school-aged orienteering cohort, as well as their state championships in early October – all in the Beechworth area. Of course, the volatility of the COVID-19 pandemic in Victoria will no doubt see the viability of some of these events. Likewise, ONSW has events scheduled for mid-October – an abbreviated rerun of the cancelled QBIII event. We will attempt to keep you informed as and when we find out about them.
What else?
- It is really encouraging to see that the Blue Lightning Squad has commenced real outdoor training again. If you have a young person in your household who would enjoy developing their skills with other enthusiastic juniors, do contact the squad manager/coaches. Details are on the OACT website.
- There were a large number of Bushflyers who enjoyed the Mt Rogers MapRun Mayhem, a three-hour virtual Rogaine. Since that successful event, many of us have been out to enjoy the Winter 4-hour Jerrabomberra Virtual Rogaine as well. The course opening has been extended until the end of this coming weekend (Sunday 2nd August). Why not take a couple of friends and have some fun yourselves? Check out the ACT Rogaining website.
- Do you subscribe to the OACT weekly e-bulletin? What about the Orienteering Australia monthly e-bulletin? (Find the latest here).
I encourage you to subscribe to each of these bulletins, to enable you to keep up-to-date at both a local and a national level. They have so many links to interesting and inspiring articles, news items, YouTube videos, health and fitness advice… - Now that we are competing again, it is timely to remind you that I have a range of Bushflyers’ clothing (O-tops and jackets mostly) for sale. However, I will not be placing an order for further stock this year. I know this will be disappointing to a couple of you whose sizes I do not currently have in stock. I will certainly do a new order early next year, when delivery times might be a little more reliable than they are at present. I will try to have the stock at coming events that we are organising, starting with the Mt Jerrabomberra event.
Did you know… Bushflyers has a Facebook page. “Like” our page and keep up to date with what’s happening in our club.
Keep safe, keep well; keep moving; and keep apart!
Valerie Barker (Club Convenor)
6251 5459 / 0410 151 554
For Bushflyers Orienteering – where no-one gets left on the bench!