Orienteering News - 31 August 2020

Entries for this event, relocated from Risdon Brook Dam, close on Wednesday 2nd September. This is an opportunity to welcome spring in style in the warmth of the sunny Eastern Shore, using the newly updated map of the area for the first time (thanks Mark Hey!). It will also be Fathers' Day, so be sure to bring along your corniest Dad Joke and you may receive a free groan from anyone listening.

The start will be in the western-most section of the map, which will be new to most people who have orienteered here previously. So, come and enjoy the wonderful surrounds of Waverley Park and get lost on the myriad of tracks in the area, or preferably just get lost in the beautiful views out to the river. There will be a course to suit everyone! For details see Eventor.

A reminder to enter the events taking place on Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th September. On the Saturday we have the Tasmanian Long Distance Championships at Russells Plains and on Sunday the Tasmanian Relay Sprint Championships at Cataract Gorge in Launceston. Entries for both these events close on Monday 7th September at midnight. A late entry is available for 24 hours only at an extra cost of $5 for adults and $3 for juniors. For details and entry see Eventor.

All Tasmanian Orienteering Clubs use the SportIdent (SI) electronic timing system so an SI-stick or a P-card timing device is required at all events. Thanks to a COVID grant from the State Government, Australopers is now able to offer P-cards for sale at the bargain price of $10. These can be used at all orienteering events. To ensure COVID-safety and simplify procedures for participants and our event volunteers, we will no longer offer the $4 hire of SI-sticks at Hobart events. This means that to participate in orienteering in Hobart you will need to purchase either a P-card or an SI-stick.

Purchase your P-card for $10 from Eventor when next entering an event. Choose this option in ‘Available Services’ and click the green Add button to purchase. You may prefer to buy an SI-stick. For more information about the different timing devices see here. We still have a few SI-sticks for sale locally. Email Sally Wayte if you would like to buy one, or you can order one from aussieogear.

The latest issue of the Australian Orienteer Magazine has awarded the Victorinox Award to Australopers President Bert Elson. According to the magazine Bert has received this for his 'untiring contributions to major events management over many years', but we know he also deserves it for his never-ending contribution to orienteering in Tasmania in matters both large and small - leadership of Australopers, equipment shed procurement, toilet towing, equipment repair, membership management, encouragement of newcomers, to name just a few. Bert will receive a Victorinox Handyman pocket knife, so don't forget to ask him to fix things with it.

Print copies of the September 2020 edition of The Australian Orienteer have been delivered to State Associations and the edition can also be downloaded from Issuu at

 https://issuu.com/orienteeringaustralia/docs/auso-2020-3

Michael Hubbert

"The Australian Orienteer"