Kangaroos' Tales - July 2015

Saturday, 11 July 2015

MelBushO 6 - Woodlands Historic Park (BK)

Pat and I arrived early at Woodlands Park to help out at registration. A cool morning meant a sluggish get-up for many folks, enabling us to prepare and refine our systems without the usual early onslaught of enthusiastic punters. Pat relieved people of their money while I assisted newcomers as they navigated their way through the registration process.

In due course, our debt to society was paid, we were replaced by other worthies, and we retreated to the car to change. Ewen Templeton had planned four suitably testing courses and I plumped for the A course while Pat gulped hard and decided to tackle the B course. It has taken us both some time to realise we prefer to help early and run late, rather than vice versa - that way we feel under no pressure to return for a specific time.

Although maps many be studied for an unlimited time before the start, I prefer not to look until the last possible moment. I realised straight away that a creek crossing, with steep banks, was my first challenge before reaching the first control, to be repeated towards the second. A succession of fences slowed me on the first part of the course, and then we were out in the open area again.

Up and over the hill towards 10 was tough and I managed to get off course and lost a minute deciding which rock was mine. Getting tired now, and control 14 proved my undoing as I crossed the creek to the path and turned the wrong way. I quickly retraced my steps but another minute or so was wasted. Across the creek once more and finish by the bridge. I was pleased with my run of 6.4km in 54 minutes. If we all subtracted our ages from our times, I could be right up there!

Pat returned not long after, pleased with her efforts, despite falling and jarring both arms. Nightmarish memories of previous Woodlands adventures are now firmly in the past.

A heartfelt thanks to all the club members who assisted on the day. 150 participants came, more than a third of them newcomers or occasional orienteers, so we must be doing something right!

All the results and photos are there on the MelBushO website. 

Rogaining and BK

Bayside Kangaroos Orienteers have a long and proud history of supporting rogaining in Victoria. The recently held 2015 Schools/Scouts/Cadets championships were no exception. 

The 2x6h events held on both the Saturday and the Sunday, were coordinated by members of the Melbourne University Mountaineering Club (MUMC) and they did a fantastic job.

Eighty-eight teams on Saturday and 89 teams on Sunday together with 300 younger rogainers in the Schools/Scouts/Cadets championships enjoyed mild weather, albeit after frosty morning starts, interesting scenery and a layout of checkpoints that were accessible and generally not too difficult to locate.

Numbers on the Sunday were supplemented from participation by members of the Victorian Bush Search and Rescue organisation (BSAR). The contribution by BK members in both a volunteer and event participant capacity was significant.

Regular VRA administration roles are performed by Grant Jeffrey (competition manager), Vic Sedunary (event finance), Andrew Baker (committee, other event coordination), Scott Gavens and Rebecca Shaw (marketing).

Helen Alexander and Judi Herkes were in charge of catering on the Saturday event.
Peter Brooks and Andrew Hunter were part of the team of checkers that graded the navigational competencies of the school, scout and cadet groups taking part on the Sunday, then went out with the less experienced teams as on-course coaches.

BK members taking part on Saturday were Jon Sutcliffe (1st place M and MV), Tim Plozza (2nd place M), Merv Trease & Vic Sedunary (1st place MSV, 4th place M), Andrew Baker (2nd place X), Greg Andrews (6th place MV), Andrew Hunter (8th place MV), Peter Brooks (5th place MSV), Alan Cooke & Martina Golding (4th place XSV), Bruce Atkinson (5th place XSV), Heather Leslie (2nd place WV), Eric Davidson (6th place XSV), Dennis Mews & Pat Mews (2nd place U), Kate Sanderson (12th place W), Buzz Bailey & Coral Bailey (36th place X), Scott Gavens, Rebecca Shaw, Evan Gavens, and Mia Gavens (41st place XV).

While those on Sunday comprised Len Budge (2nd place MSV), Mary Enter (1st place WSV), Andrew Baker & Kelly Lane (25th place X), Anne Robinson & Maria Main (5th place WV), Jun Okabe, Miki Okabe, Kentaro Okabe, and Yujiro Okabe (5th place F, 38th place X).

The next event on the 2015 VRA calendar is an 8hr rogaine in the Kimbolton State Forest near Lake Eppalock on Saturday 18th July.

Many thanks to Andrew Hunter for this item

Next BK Event - Australian Middle Distance Championships - Creswick - 27th September

We get a rest now until late September, when we have The Big One. There are 460 entries already with another 7 weeks of entries to come in.

All the details are on the OzChamps2015 website.

Members News

Welcome this month to new member Paul Benson.