Australopers Newsletter

‍‍‍Welcome to our August newsletter. Many of our members are having a wonderful time competing in various orienteering carnivals around the world. If I start trying to name them I'll miss some, however Sue Hancock deserves our congratulations as the newly-crowned Welsh W60 champion. Good on you Sue!

‍Meet our Members

‍This month we meet club stalwarts Martin and Elizabeth Bicevskis. I asked them some questions about themselves.

‍Martin Bicevskis

When did you start orienteering?

Jenny Atkinson, who also worked in the Tasmanian Health Department introduced me to the sport in the 1980s. We took a break for a few years trying out mountain biking. I think I was the first to privately import a front suspension fork from USA to Tasmania.

What attracted you to the sport?

Jenny was right: Orienteering turned boring running into an adult treasure hunt. I never tire of looking behind a boulder or in a small gully and finding the right control.

What do you like most about orienteering?

It's a mini life journey. You choose your path and balance the risk with the rewards. Multi task. Deal with disaster when it occurs. Sharing and learning from the experience of others between events. And you have a new life at every event!

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What achievements in orienteering are you proudest of?

Not much in orienteering results. I was state age sprint champion one year but that was somewhat of a Bradbury. As a personal challenge, learning to use Adobe inDesign for the purpose of setting up OKnow, which by style and content appeared to represent a much more substantial organisation than was the case. Quite unsustainable in the long term though. By contrast encouraging use of Livelox in the early stages has produced more enduring benefits. I enjoyed giving a hand at the World Orienteering Championships in Latvia in 2018.

Are there any particularly disastrous events you can remember?

After starting at a Knocklofty event, then having to explain why I didn't possess a valid entry ticket while in the grounds of the Female Factory. For this effort I was awarded Champion Noodler of the year, which eased some of the pain. I was a bit disappointed that this award has been discontinued, apparently because of misplaced concerns that recipients may regard it as a form of humiliation.

Any advice for beginners?

Try to team up with one or more experienced orienteers of the same age. 

What positions have you held and what tasks have you completed in your association with orienteering?

Being somewhat of a tinkerer, I tried over a period of time to develop procedures for use and maintenance of orienteering equipment and infrastructure that would reduce the immense workload of event organisers. And dealing with computers. It has been very enjoyable liaising with event organisers and engaging on a process of continuous improvement. Kate Lucas and Rohan Wolfe have very capably taken over this role. But I have some exciting unfinished business assisting with integration of new lightweight equipment from a state grant that will be arriving soon.

‍Elizabeth Bicevskls

When did you start orienteering?

I was introduced to it by Martin in the 1980s. But we then became distracted by mountain biking before returning when son Karl was little.

‍What attracted you to the sport?

Its something different to do in the bush and outdoors, which I love.

What do you like most about orienteering?

Disappearing into the bush for a few hours. Interstate carnivals are a great opportunity to visit other parts of Australia. And sharing experiences with others after an event.

What achievements in orienteering are you proudest of?

Together with Jan Hardy and Debbie Gale we won the W55 category at a national carnival a few years ago.

Are there any particularly disastrous events you can remember?

At one St Helens carnival I had to have stitches in my knee after one event and then stitches in my hand after the next event a day later.

Any advice for beginners? 

Don't get distracted by other orienteers.

What positions have you held and what tasks have you completed in your associaiton with orienteering?

As Australopers secretary I took minutes in an exercise book while Terry Liggins was President. One of the young kids playing downstairs was Cathy McComb! More recently in the download trailer I calmed Martin down whenever the line got a bit long. I particularly enjoyed helping new members and children in the Twilight events.

Course Setters Corner

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Jeff Dunn set the recent OST event on the St Pauls Wild West map. He analyses some of his most interesting legs here.

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UTAS event

Urban sprint events are a lot of fun and you can't get lost - perfect for beginners! If you've ever thought about asking some friends along (or even if you haven't), this would be a good opportunity. Also, if your orienteering experience is limited to our Twilight events, here's your chance to have a crack at a weekend event on Sunday August 11 at 10:00am.

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‍‍Next Meeting

Thursday August 1 at 7:30pm at Mike and Jane's, 22 Meath Ave Taroona. After the business section (short!), Liana Stubbs will give a presentation of her experiences in New Zealand with the Australian Junior team. All members are very welcome.

‍Thanks for getting this far.

Mike Calder

Australopers President

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