The trial creates two distinct seasons for orienteering in the ACT, with Street-O to continue all year round.

• Winter – Bush with Saturday Metro and ACT League events.
• Summer – Park, Light Bush, & Urban Sprint.

The proposed changes have been brought about by six main reasons:

• Number of Events: In 2025 OACT held 132 competition events plus coaching programs. This is the highest number ever run by OACT and has been increasing year-by-year. The number of events is putting a strain on the organisation, clubs, and individuals.
• Overuse of Venues: Twilight and Metro Series events have significant repetition of event venues, such as Bruce Ridge, The Pinnacle, Mt Taylor, Red Hill, Cooleman Ridge, etc. Repeated use degrades course quality and discourages some orienteers from attending. Less frequent use of these venues will reinvigorate the events held during the winter season.
• ACT Parks and Conservation Service (PCS) Access Approvals: ACT PCS’s classification of several of the Canberra Nature Parks as Zone 1 Core Conservation areas has meant that OACT can no longer access some of the highest quality local event venues, including Black Mountain, Aranda Hill, and parts of Mt Majura. This has resulted in overuse of remaining locations that are often less suited to good quality bush orienteering.
• Vegetation and Weed Growth: Many of the bush venues used during the summer season are unpleasant for orienteering in summer due to long grass, grass seeds, and prickly weeds. This varies from year to year, but overall, more areas are being more severely impacted by grass and weed growth.
• Temperature: All sports must consider the impacts of climate and the health and safety of participants. During summer it is common for the hottest time of day to be near the start time for Twilight Series evening events. New extreme temperature guidelines introduced by the International Orienteering Federation and Orienteering Australia, increase the likelihood that events held at these times will need to be cancelled, possibly at short notice.
• Family Friendly and Opportunities to Socialise: It can be a difficult for families to attend or volunteer at events held on weekday afternoons; people who do attend, come, do the event and go home. Sunday morning events provide more opportunities for people to socialise and engage with the sport.

The proposal is to not run the Twilight Series in its present format, and to instead run an extended Sunday morning series of Park, Light Bush, and Urban Sprint events. With the following format:

• 14 events held from early November to end February. Season length determined by the 2026 Oceania Carnival and the 2027 Capital-O Carnival.
• Start window 9.00am – 10.00am, course closure at 10.45am.• Two courses on offer: Course 1 (2.5-3.0km) and Course 2 (1.0-2.0km).
• Locations at urban parklands, school campuses, and small bush areas best suited to short course events in summer.
• Seven Park/Light Bush events before Christmas and seven Urban Sprint events after Christmas.
• The Clubs to organise the pre-Christmas events, and individuals under the guidance of a series co-ordinator to organise the post-Christmas events.
• Series Passes, individual event entry, and Enter-on-the-Day will be available. Separate Season Passes would be offered for the pre- and post-Christmas events.
• Runners Shop Summer competition held across all 14 events, with a points table and end of season awards.

The proposal is a trial for 2026-27, to be evaluated for future seasons.

The post Proposed Programme Changes to be Trialled for the 2026-27 Summer Season appeared first on Orienteering ACT.

It is a requirement of the landowners that everyone coming onto this property, whether you are competing, are a volunteer, or a supporter, must accept the conditions in the Visitor Site Induction form. Volunteers and supporters must enter through Eventor using the Non-Competitor class, for which there is no entry fee. Non-Competitor entries, and entries to the non-championship Open Very Easy, Open Easy, Open Moderate, and Open Hard classes, will remain open until the event day.

Saturday 16 May, Middle Distance, NSW State League #5 and ACT League #4

Final Bulletin is available here.
Entries are open here.

Sunday 17 May, ACT Long Distance Championships inc. NSW State League #6 and ACT League #5

Bulletin 1 is now available here.
Entries are now open here.

A superb granite area. The map is characterised by a long, steep, forested escarpment with significant cliffs, bare rock and boulders. The more gentle slopes provide extensive cleared areas and more varied contour shapes, while still retaining copiously technical rock detail.

Runnability is generally very good due to past grazing but varies from fast in open areas to slow/medium amongst heavy granite detail and on the steepest parts of the map. Green areas are occasional and generally represent a reduction in visibility without a too-significant impact on runnability.

Courses are set in true long-distance style, providing constantly varying technical and physical challenges. Competitors who make efficient
route choices and demonstrate their navigational composure throughout the race will be rewarded handsomely.
All courses include significant climb. Course lengths have been adjusted to compensate, and care has been taken to make the physical challenge appropriate for all classes. Course-specific information will be provided closer to the event.

The post Long Distance Championship Entries Close Sunday appeared first on Orienteering ACT.

AGM completed

• The AGM was held and all business was completed.
• The 2025 AGM minutes were accepted with no changes.

Annual report and finances

• The Annual Report was accepted unanimously.
• Asset write-offs reduced the reported surplus.
• The underlying financial result remained positive (~$7k).
• Audited financial statements were presented.

Board elected for 2026

• The Board for 2026 is: Nina Davis (President), Emily Stewart-Reed (Secretary), Andrew Cheffers (Treasurer), and Valerie Barker, Tate Needham, David Stocks and Ian Prosser.
• John Shelton Agar and Alison Inglis were thanked for their contribution.

Auditor appointed

• Dipak Mehta was appointed as auditor for 2026.

Affiliated clubs confirmed

• Affiliated clubs for 2026 were confirmed: Abominable O-men, Bushflyers, Parawanga Orienteers and Red Roos.

Service award

• Darryl Erbacher received the 2026 Bob Mouatt Award for Services to Orienteering Australia.
• The award recognises his long-term contribution as National Statistician since 1990.

The post Board Shorts – 2026 OACT AGM appeared first on Orienteering ACT.

This opening event promises something a little different, with a special feature designed to test even the sharpest navigators: a maze section built into both the Moderate 1 and Moderate 2 courses. Expect quick decision-making, tight turns, and plenty of chances to second-guess your route – in the best possible way.

Whether you’re a seasoned orienteer or just keen to give it a go, there’s a course for you:

• Very Easy – perfect for beginners, kids and families, 0.9km
• Easy – a gentle introduction with simple navigation, 1.3km
• Moderate 1 (2.8km) & Moderate 2 (2km) – step up the challenge, including the maze feature

Set in the open parkland and lakeside surrounds of John Knight Park, this sprint-format event is all about speed and precision. Courses are shorter, controls come quickly, and every route choice counts.

The Metro Series runs on Saturday mornings from May through August, offering a welcoming and social way to stay active through the cooler months while exploring some of Canberra’s best parkland and bush venues.

So grab a map, bring a friend, and come along to kick off the series. Whether you’re racing hard or just enjoying the outdoors, this is orienteering at its most accessible – with a twist.

It will be an ABOMINABLY great event, so see you at the start line!

The post Be A-MAZE-D at John Knight Park appeared first on Orienteering ACT.

Entries are already open here
Book your accommodation and start training!

We will be thrilled to see very many orienteers at the highest-altitude orienteering event in Australia!

The post Enjoy the Highest Altitude Orienteering Event in Australia! appeared first on Orienteering ACT.

Entries to both events will close at 11:59pm on Sunday 10 May.

Saturday 16 May, NSW State League #5 and ACT League #4

Information flyer is available here.
Entries are open here.

Sunday 17 May, ACT Long Distance Championships inc. NSW State League #6 and ACT League #5

Bulletin 1 is now available here.
Entries are now open here.

A superb granite area. The map is characterised by a long, steep, forested escarpment with significant cliffs, bare rock and boulders. The more gentle slopes provide extensive cleared areas and more varied contour shapes, while still retaining copiously technical rock detail.

Runnability is generally very good due to past grazing but varies from fast in open areas to slow/medium amongst heavy granite detail and on the steepest parts of the map. Green areas are occasional and generally represent a reduction in visibility without a too-significant impact on runnability.

Courses are set in true long-distance style, providing constantly varying technical and physical challenges. Competitors who make efficient
route choices and demonstrate their navigational composure throughout the race will be rewarded handsomely.
All courses include significant climb. Course lengths have been adjusted to compensate, and care has been taken to make the physical challenge appropriate for all classes. Course-specific information will be provided closer to the event.

The post Entries Open for ACT Long Distance Championships Weekend appeared first on Orienteering ACT.

The complete 2026 Australian JWOC Team:

Women: Ariadna Iskhakova (ACT), Ella Clauson (TAS), Erika Enderby (NSW), Katherine Maundrell (ACT), Liana Stubbs (TAS), Milla Key (VIC)
Reserves: Sanda Halpin (ACT), Sophie Hartman (TAS)

Men: Cooper Horley (NSW), Elye Dent (ACT), Euan Best (TAS), Hayden Dent (ACT), Matty Maundrell (ACT), Owen Radajewski (ACT)
Reserves: Alton Freeman (NSW), Hugo Taunton-Burnet (QLD)

The post Six ACT Juniors Selected for Junior World Championships appeared first on Orienteering ACT.

Strategic direction for event series

• The Board had a big-picture discussion about OACT’s event program, using participation data and a strategic discussion paper to look at what is working well and what may need to change.
• A total of 132 events were run in 2025, but some series are stagnating and volunteer workload remains a concern.
• The Board agreed that future decisions should focus on attracting younger people, families and new members, with trial changes to be reviewed after a season.

Wednesday winter Midweek Series to stop

• The Board agreed that the Wednesday winter Midweek Series will not continue, due to declining attendance and the workload involved.
• This is part of a broader effort to simplify the calendar and focus effort where it will have the most impact

Summer series proposal under discussion

• The Board discussed merging the Wednesday summer Twilight series with the Sunday summer series into a new Summer Series on Sunday mornings.
• This would still offer a range of terrains and event styles, but better suit families and the summer heat.
• Feedback will be sought from club convenors before any final decision is made.

Ski-O not to run in 2026

• Because of low participation and the volunteer effort required, the Board agreed that OACT will not run Ski-O in 2026 and that another state may be invited to take it on.

Street-O relaunch planned

• The Board wants Street-O to return to pre-COVID strength for summer 2026–27.
• Ideas discussed include a clearer start time, mass start, printed maps, accurate mapping, MapRun timing and simple post-event refreshments.
• Team entries will also be promoted more actively across events.

Capital O to continue

• The Board agreed that Capital O was a successful weekend and thanked Ian Prosser for overseeing it.
• The Board also agreed that Capital O should continue as an annual event, while recognising that the Canberra Day long weekend may not always be the best fit.
• OACT has also lodged a bid with OA to host a NOL round in 2027 in conjunction with Capital O.

Grants, membership and finance

• Membership is tracking better than at the same time last year.
• OACT has submitted two applications for 2027 grant funding support: one for 100 new control flags and one for a Remote Area First Aid course.
• The 2025 audit has now been completed and passed.

Coaching and sporting schools

• The Board discussed accredited coaches, WWVP requirements and support for coach accreditation.

AGM and annual report

• The AGM is booked for 23 April at Jamison, and comments on the annual report are due by 27 March.

OACT representation on Orienteering Australia Board

• The Board supported Marina Iskhakova’s nomination to be a Director on the OA Board role.

Event coordination and workload

• The Board discussed the idea of series coordinators to help ensure each series is run effectively, especially around mapping, planning and printing. This reflects an ongoing concern that the same small group of volunteers is carrying too much of the event load.

Rule change on start-time loading

• The Board passed a motion to remove the 10% loading rule for ACT League scores at events with allocated start times.

Next meeting: The OACT Annual General Meeting on 23 April 2026.

The post Board Shorts – March 2026 appeared first on Orienteering ACT.

The complete 2026 Australian EYOC Team:

M16: Rory Shedden (NSW), Euan Shedden (NSW), Ben Mansell (ACT), Baxter Peel (NSW)
W16: Shari Gilbert (Qld), Ella Maja Lang (Vic), Veronika Iskhakova (ACT)
M18: Oliver Bishop (ACT), Matthew Slater (NSW)
W18: Amy Dufty (WA), Savanna Sweeney (NSW), Sanda Halpin (ACT)

The post Four OACT Juniors Selected for European Youth Championships appeared first on Orienteering ACT.

Join our “Learn to Orienteer” program in term 2.
It’s for anyone who wants to learn to orienteer – all ages are welcome.

There will be seven one-hour sessions, held once a week. Lessons are conducted in small groups. We will focus on different skills and give participants plenty of opportunities to have fun exploring techniques to build confidence in using a map to navigate.

• When: Saturdays 10am-11am. Starting on 25 April 2026 for 7 weeks.
• Where: Co-located with Orienteering ACT’s Metro Series (May-August).
• Cost: Junior (u20) $119*, Adult $189. Includes Orienteering ACT membership for 2026, a season pass for the May-August Metro Series (own SI-stick required after end of program).

*Each participant under the age of 18 must have a parent/guardian present for the session, and we encourage parents/carers’ to participate. The activities will be designed so that parents/guardians can join in as well, learn to orienteer and have fun with us.

Registration is now open here

1. Saturday 25 April, Weston Park, Yarralumla
2. Saturday 2 May, John Knight Park, Belconnen
3. Saturday 9 May, Cooleman Ridge, Kambah
4. Saturday 23 May, Mt Mugga Mugga, O’Malley
5. Saturday 30 May, Mt Jerrabomberra, Karabar
6. Saturday 13 June, The Pinnacle, Weetangera
7. Saturday 20 June, Stringybark Hill, Jerrabomberra

For questions, contact learn@act.orienteering.asn.au

The post Learn to Orienteer – Starts 25 April appeared first on Orienteering ACT.