The Dave Lotty Award

 

Dave Lotty was recognised in a Club award in his name, announced at the Uringa Orienteers Annual General Meeting on 13 March 2026. This annual Award has been established to honour Dave’s contributions and commitment to Uringa.

Helen Murphy offered this tribute on behalf of the Club:

‘Dave, this is a thank you tribute for all that you have done for Orienteering and in particular for Uringa. 

We have started a perpetual trophy in your honour. Your name will be part of Uringa Orienteering for years to come. This trophy will be passed on to someone who gives time, energy and commitment to the enhancement of sport and our club. We will ask you to present it for the first time shortly.

Our younger members or those who are new to our club possibly don’t know of your accomplishments. They are too numerous to list here but we thought a few commendations were important.

Beyond the Club, we know you have been acknowledged by Orienteering Australia (then known as the Orienteering Federation of Australia) with the SILVA Award for Services to Orienteering in 1991. You were inducted into the Orienteering Australia Hall of Fame as a General Member in 2021. OANSW also honoured your contribution to orienteering with a life membership in the early 2000s. I do not know how many trophies, badges, medals and other awards you have received but they’re probably in a drawer or cabinet somewhere.

You were first and foremost a runner in your younger days. In International Competition in 1969 at the Pacific Conference Games you came 3^rd in the 10,000m in a time of 29.02.4.

In National Competition in the Australian Track and Field 1968-69 you came 3^rd in both the 5,000m 14.19.2 and 10,000m in a shade over 29 mins.

However, in1971, you worked to establish orienteering in NSW and in 1972 helped to form OANSW. You were also responsible for the concept of the Easter 3 Days and organised the first QBIII event in NSW.

By 2005 you had completed your 2000^th event in Jindabyne.

Dave claims that his run closest to perfection was in Wagga Wagga in 1980. You said and I quote from an interview you gave: “the controls just appeared in front of me”. You went on to say you lost 20-30 seconds on the second last control but won by 8 mins! He did 62.00min for 10.4 km. We know in Wagga how ferocious the boulders can be, so it was quite a feat.

I would like to say to everyone that whilst going through records that I found a mis-punch and a DNF, so Dave is a little bit like the rest of us. I have the details, Dave, so don’t argue!

I do have to mention that Dave Lotty was part of many memorable squad camps. My children won’t give me details but assure me there was a lot of orienteering and lots of laughs. I believe he adopted a ‘laissez-faire’ approach. My daughter Clare said that he created opportunities for young orienteers to create life-long friends and a love of the sport. My daughter Catherine included two orienteers in her bridal party and went for a run with another three the morning of her wedding. Now many of their children are orienteering.

If you were part of this bonding, Dave, you have done well. May your legacy live on!

He formed Uringa with the Wilmott family in 1975, so he’s been part of the club for over 50 years. He has been described as a titan in the sport, pivotal to the sport and his lifelong contribution is unlikely to be matched.

Dave once said: “too much orienteering is barely enough”. Well said, Dave, and thank you.’