Monday, November 26, 2018

2018 Southern Sydney Summer Series

Seven events: 4 organised by Uringa, 2 by Illawarra-Kareelah and 1 by Garingal.

This year several innovations were introduced into the Southern Sydney Summer Series including clustering events along the Cooks River, offering both score and line course options, several different promotion strategies to introduce new people to orienteering and a dedicated newcomer briefing person (thank you to Barbara Dawson of Garingal).

There were lots of lessons learned about managing lots of newcomers (especially scouts!), what works for  encouraging people new to orienteering, and how to be prepared for an intense registration period due to limiting the start window to 4-5pm this year.


Participant numbers were up, newcomers were many, and the weather was very good (except for the downpour during registration at the first event at Hughes Park).



Three course options, commitment to help at Uringan events, new members, and, not least, the advent of the silly season. Consequently, the 'league' tables mean little. They depend on how many events a participant completed - the result  being best-of-four - and not every participant was consistent in course choice over the series.

The following is merely a report of Uringan participation. And, a challenge for Uringa  Orienteers members, to work out how many Uringans they know now, and what may be their 'score' in a few months time, given the number of recent new members. (By the way, we hope for a new delivery of club shirts no later than January, which could make it easier to step up to someone you don't already know.)

New members, of course, have less navigation experience though they may have greater fitness, not to mention that a number of Uringans helped at all four Uringa events and took the opportunity to run. (Or 'run' as some members may say.)

Women's Score (35 participants over the 7 events)
2 Linda Sesta
5 Mary Jane Mahony
7 Adrienne Kirby
12 Therese Walsh
15 Heidi Van Schaik
17 Maree Lucas
19 Zoe Melling
26 Monica Brockmyre

Men's Score (60 participants over 7 events)
2 Paul Veerhuis
21 Shane Doyle
22 Ian McKenzie
26 Phillip Ryan
32 John Ovenden
40 Owen Shepherd
52 Ron Pallas



Women's Long Line (19)
1 Catherine Murphy
2 Jane Boland
4 Melanie Christie
5 Clare Murphy
6 Serena Doyle
7 Zoe Melling
8 Ursula Roper
9 Helen Murphy
12 Linda Sesta

Men's Long Line (36 participants over 7 events)
1 Ant Nolan
2 Jim Mackay
4 Brian Cleland
5 Serje Robidoux
6 Terry Murphy
8 Ian McKenzie
9 Dick Ogilvie
11 Ori Gudes
13 Ian Bilmon
17 Rupert Roper
26 Nick Wilmott
28 David Christie
34 Dave Lotty

Short Line  (41 participants over 7 events)
2 Dave Lotty
3 Elliott Veerhuis
3 Georgia Veerhuis
5 Lucy Veerhuis
6 Jonathan Nolan
7 Joe Roper
8 Hanna Jones
9 Nazara Jones
10 Ian Bilmon
11 Angus Van Schaik
13 Helen Murphy
13 Therese Walsh
17 Jane Boland
23 Sophis Hillier
24 Alon Gudes
28 Brady Kopriva
32 Maureen Ogilvie
40 Sue Healy
41 James Hillier



Saturday, November 10, 2018

Orienteering NSW Awards Presentation Day


Congratulations to all the Uringans who were honoured at the NSW annual awards ceremony today. Presented in the scenic surrounds of Waverton North Sydney Club after the Saturday Orienteering Series event, the awards recognised the contribution of the sport’s many dedicated volunteers and administrators as well as the achievements of those who represented their club in competitions throughout the year.

Seven club members earned podium places in the NSW State League and were presented with badges. Jim Mackay was first in the M55AS class, Dave Lotty won the M65AS class and Maureen Ogilvie was first W85A. Serena Doyle (W16), Jane Boland (WOpenB) and Linda Sesta (W50A) scored bronze in their categories.

Dave Lotty, winner of M65AS class
Brian Cleland, 2nd M80A
Serena Doyle, 3rd W16 with winner Niam Cassar of WHO
Linda Sesta, winner of the W50A class

In the 2018 MetrO League, the Uringa CC Harriers won Division 2, and team members Shane Doyle, Serena Doyle and Paul Prudhoe were on hand to collect the shield. Shane was also awarded a medal for winning the individual championship title. In Division 5, Melanie Christie won the individual title, and she also picked up the Rookie of the Year Award for her achievements since taking up orienteering.

Uringa CC Harriers Paul Prudhoe, Serena Doyle and Shane Doyle
Melanie Christie with her Rookie of the Year Award