Australopers Newsletter

This is a follow-up from last week's newsletter and contains items that I missed and an item that needed a correction.

‍Volunteers Needed for 2025

From Sally Wayte:

This is a call for volunteers. The 2025 calendar of events will be released soon and it looks great - Australopers will be organising 35 events. When you take into account planners and controllers, people on the desk, control collectors, people who work in the trailer, toilet-towers etc, it takes at least 10 people to run an event - that's 350 volunteers!

Now we need YOU to volunteer to organise an Australopers event so that it can happen. At this stage we are looking for planners and controllers only. When we have them lined up we will put out another call for on-the-day helpers. Don’t worry – everyone will get a chance to help! 

Please have a look at the Australopers event roster.

Thanks to the numerous keen people (including many juniors!) who put their names down at the Christmas event on the weekend. Please double-check that I’ve transcribed your names properly and that you’re still happy to do what you signed up for.

Have a look on Omaps to view the maps and see where they are.  Most, but not all of OT’s maps can be seen there.

We encourage inexperienced or first-time course planners to have a go at planning a Twilight or Local event.  Ask Sally to find you a mentor (controller) to introduce you to the challenges and satisfaction of organising an event. You can also find a wealth of information about event organising and course planning on the OT Organisers’ Toolkit

Check out the  Australopers event roster on Google Docs. Have a look at it now and enter your name soon so you can nab the event of your choice. You don’t need to save or share the spreadsheet, just type in your name against the event of your choice, hit Enter and then close the window.  If you want to peruse it again later there is a link on the Australopers webpage on the OT website.

Email our Volunteer Coordinator Sally Wayte if you have any questions.

Encouragement Awards

Junior orienteers are invited to apply for an encouragement grant from Australopers.

The grant is for the membership category Junior Membership Plus Free Local Events, which is worth $90. It provides club membership and free entry to all local events in 2025.

To be eligible, you will have participated regularly in events in 2024 and shown enthusiasm. In return, you will show commitment to the sport by continued participation in 2025. Previous recipients are not eligible.

Email Mike Calder with your expression of interest by Sunday December 15. I don't want an application, just an email stating that you wish to be considered.

‍Badges

This initiative from Orienteering Australia appeared in last week's newsletter. This year 102 of our members earned a badge (the full list is in last week's newsletter). Australopers will order and pay for badges for all juniors, but seniors need to send an email to our secretary Robyn requesting one (which Australopers will pay for) by this Sunday. 

‍Twilight Coordinator

Our Twilight Series are crucial to the long-term viability of orienteering in Tasmania. For most people they provide their initial experience of the fun, challenge and social aspects of orienteering events. We are looking for someone to take on the challenge of coordinating next year's Autumn Twilight Series. This involves ensuring the smooth running of the series, but does not involve organising individual events. Please contact Mike if you are interested in taking up the challenge.

‍Correction

In last week's newsletter I put in the wrong list of people who volunteered for our just-completed Spring Twilight Series. Here is the correct list:

Setters and Controllers: Katie Clauson, Ella Clauson, Bea Louis, Simon Louis, Aria Butler, Isaac Butler, Bonnie Butler, Kate Lucas, Bernard Walker, Janelle Marcant, Margot Marcant, Mike Calder(4).

Event results and processing: Kate Lucas, Rohan Wolfe, Ian Rathbone.

And all of the other jobs: those who worked behind the registration desks, set up and packed after the event, put out and collected controls and towed the trailer and toilet. 

‍Sportident Equipment Grant

From Martin Bicevskis:

Great news!  Our new lightweight equipment has arrived and you will have seen it in trial use at Bert's Christmas event. In total there are 180 new controls with 200 fibreglass stands. Also there are 80 fibreglass stands fitted for the existing SI units. The stands are much lighter than the current aluminium and steel stands and do not need extra equipment for carrying. The new controls have security access holes and thus the heavy aluminum security boxes will no longer be needed when using these controls. The OT Board will be considering how the equipment will be distributed amongst the clubs. The aim will be to make the transition to the new equipment at the first events next year.

Thanks Martin for the work you have done preparing the new equipment for use. Here is a link to photographs of the new equipment.

‍Thanks for getting this far.

Mike Calder

Australopers President

‍Not interested any more? Unsubscribe ‍