Kangaroos' Tales - May 2014

Tuesday, 3 June 2014

From the Editor

John Sheahan presided over the recent club Annual General Meeting, and his President's Report can be downloaded here.

Bayside Kangaroos are organising a MelBushO event at Plenty River South on Sunday 22nd June. If you are able to assist on the day, helping the many newcomers expected, it would be appreciated. Full event details are available here.

Dennis Mews - Editor

President's Piece

The AGM saw 60 members celebrating the club’s 21st Birthday in fine style with- choral- orchestral and culinary experiences. Thank you to all those who made a special effort to make this happening so memorable.

Over the past month members have been engaged in numerous activities.

Paris Marathon

Bryan Ackerly competed in the Paris marathon. Unlike our marathons this event had spectators all the way, shouting support and providing drinks. Quite a novel experience.

Closer to home - In the Puffing Billy head to head, Bryan beat the train by 7 mins. Obviously the international training proving its value!

MTBO

While Peter and Carolyn Cusworth are making plans to compete in the World Masters, Angus Robinson and Tim Jackson have been selected to represent Australia in the World JWOC carnival in Poland.

To assist our juniors gain international experience, the club provides a grant to help defray expenses.

Angus recently won the Qld. State title in MTBO.

Adventuring

Andrew Baker and Kate Sanderson have been very active in seeking out challenges

They have just completed the 6 day Gibb River Challenge in temperatures of 30 degrees plus.

(The event started near Emma Gorge and finished in Kununurra)

Andrew was also paddle support in the Lake Argyle 20 K relay swim of 20k. The temperature of the lake was only slightly less than the air temperature.

Rogaining

Congrats to Merv Trease who has been asked to vet the controls/course for the World Championship Rogaine to be held in North Dakota.

While on the topic of formidable tasks-Andrew Baker is course setter for the upcoming Aust Champs Rogaine.

What do members do?

We often see some people at events over a number of years and yet know very little about them.

In forthcoming issues of the BK Bulletin we intend to provide mini-snapshots of what members do in their other life to put you more in the picture. Our first candidate is:

Ken James.

Ken is well known as a teacher from Scotch College with a strong interest in Geography. He has recently retired after a teaching career spanning 41 years. He is now following his interest in researching writing and publishing books in the field of Australian history. Much of his time is spent in the Public Records Office in North Melbourne, the State Library of Victoria on line searching TROV, the digitised newspaper collection at the National Library of Australia, or in interviewing people. Of special interest are the localities in the old Shire of Metcalf north of Kyneton.

He launches on average 2-3 books a year, many co-authored. The books to be launched this year are A history of the Redesdale Railway Line and The West Melbourne Literary Institute. A History. A full list of his publications can be viewed on the State Library of Victoria on line catalogue searching under 'Ken James'. His books include three rock climbing guide books.

AGM -Office Bearers

The following put their hands up to assist with the administration of the club over the next 12 months.

President: John Sheahan
Vice Pres - Bush: Greg Tamblyn
Vice Pres - Urban: Vic Sedunary
Treasurer: Bernie Hollaway
Secretary: Matthew King
Mapping Officer: Tim Hatley
Membership Sec: Gwennyth Baker
BK Bulletin editor: Dennis Mews
Social Admin: Annie Hollaway, Jenny Sheahan & Tina Smith
Webmaster: Sandy Burgoyne
Map librarian: Henk De Jong
Committee Members: Ewen Templeton, Bruce Paterson, Suzanne O’Callaghan, Adam Scammell and Di Shalders

Course Setting

To encourage and foster your interest in orienteering members are encouraged to set courses for the club.

If you wish to take up the challenge see Greg Tamblyn for Bush events; or Vic Sedunary, Ewen Templeton, Alan Cooke, Bernie Hollaway, or John Sheahan for Urban events.

We have members available who will mentor your progress.

Yellow Pages

If you need to contact a club member don’t forget to use the Club Yellow Pages.

Contact Gwennyth Baker on 9898 4316 for a copy.

BK Bulletin Deadlines

Please submit Articles/Photos to Dennis Mews by the end of the month.

Irishtown

The club State Event at Irishtown was a HUGE success, with many positive comments from participants. The courses were set by Judi Herkes who did an outstanding job.

Thanks to all the club members who so generously fitted in their day to help when required.It was a flawless event.

Next Event

The next bush event we are presenting is the MelbBushO at Plenty river on June 22nd. Courses planned by Dennis Mews.

We will need volunteers to help make this day a success.

Cheers,
John Sheahan
President of Bayside Kangaroos Orienteering Club

Having celebrated 21 years of Bayside and Red Kangaroos amalgamation, Mike Hubbert remembers our roots.
Below are two documents displayed by Mike at the 21st Anniversary Dinner.

RED KANGAROO ORIENTEERS
(formerly Richmond Harriers Orienteering Club)
The FIRST ORIENTEERING CLUB in AUSTRALIA

Some early members:
Tom Andrews - co-organised first event at Upper Beaconsfield
Peter Wills-Cooke - co-organised first event at Upper Beaconsfield
Roy Whitehead (Sports Master at Camberwell Grammar) – co-organised
Mike Hubbert - 3rd event with Mike Hubbert at Mt Disappointment
Gordon Morton - preferred to navigate by the sun
Neil Ryan - owner of Runners’ World shop in Kew
Ray White - 2nd behind Derek Clayton in 1967 AUS marathon
George Claxton - 4th behind Derek Clayton in 1967 AUS marathon
Herb Elliott - 1960 Olympic Champion in 1500m.
Graham Davies - GM of Omega Australia
Wayne Fitzsimmons - GM of Data General Australia
George Kepper - Chairman of Datacraft
Tony Marson - Marketing Director of Dulux Australia
Erik Planinsek - well-known fur and leather clothing retailer
Larry Sykes - magician and founder of Red Kiwis in NZ
John Walker - founder of Red Roos in ACT
John Lewis - Advertising Manager for Reader’s Digest; and original owner (with Ian Baker) of O-Gear shop.

Saturday Bush-O

Message to BK members who suffer from Bush-O starvation. Why not try the weekly Saturday Bush-O events organised and run by Bendigo Orienteers?

The distances to drive to events are usually not much further than the VOA Sunday events. The maps are of excellent quality and premarked. The first start times are not till 12.30 pm, thereby enabling Melbourne based competitors to leave home at a civilised hour.

Most events have the traditional Bush-O format. For example on Saturday 17th May the Bush-O was held on the Kangaroo Gully map, and the course lengths ranged from 1.7 to 17.1 km. In the car parking area  I counted more than 50 cars present. A total of 83 competitors participated. By the time I had travelled home after the event, all results and splits were available on Eventor.

Come and try it.

Bob Leicester