Park Street 2021

The 2021 Park Street orienteering year had a real sense of déjà vu about it, with half the winter season lost to lockdowns and restrictions. The good news was that once we were allowed to start up again, we had an uninterrupted summer season. We also ran a very successful “Summer Anytime Series” (SAS) which got people match-fit before the return of competition.

Winter Series (April-September 2021)

Australia was mostly covid free for a few months in the first half of 2021, and we started hoping for a return to “normal”. Alas, it was not to be. After several short lockdowns in June and July, covid took off and we were confined to home, with our 5 km travel limit, for most of the next 3 months. We managed to hold half the fixtured winter events this time – a considerable improvement over 2020, but still a disappointing time.

Participation: week. Mark Besley kept a tally of the scores. The Summer Anytime Series was an enormous success, and it was great fun to actually see, and wave to, fellow orienteers. Total participation was over 1100, an average of 32 per day; it was not uncommon to attract 60-65 people on the busiest days. The most popular maps drew 75-85 participants. This was a fantastic way to re-engage with the Park Street community, and prepare everyone for Summer Series to resume, which it did in early November.

49 events were held, with a total of 2607 participants. Numbers per event were similar to 2020. There was no Geelong Winter Series held.

Summer Anytime Series (October 2021)

As Melbourne made its slow and painful way through the vaccination milestones, our travel limits eventually expanded sufficiently to make a virtual pre-season competition feasible. Thanks to MapLink and MapRun, we were able to create and publish 4 new maps per week, for 5 weeks. Entry was free, and participants could complete a course any time within that

Summer Series (November 2021-March 2022)

The same covid safe measures that had served us so well in 2020, were used again in 2021 and into 2022. Guidelines are under continuous review, and the 2022-23 Summer Series may see a return of some pre-covid processes such as mass starts.

We held our usual Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday series in Melbourne, and regional series in Geelong, the Surf Coast, and Mornington Peninsula, which has developed a small but loyal following. Numbers gradually built, but we have been unable to match pre-covid attendances; something which the Park Street Committee will be focusing on for next Summer.

The Macedon Ranges series is no longer part of the Park Street program, and is running its own short summer series independently.

In February, our Schools competitions resumed and numbers were swelled by 30-40 students on Wednesdays. Unfortunately, the International School which has competed on Tuesdays for many years, was unable to attend after a change of staff. On Wednesdays, Scotch College and Camberwell Grammar competed fiercely for the Slade-Wilson Trophy, which went to CGS once again.

We finished the Summer Season at the end of March, with an informal, outdoor Awards Night.

Participation:

The Monday and Wednesday series both drew similar attendances to the previous year. However the Tuesday,

Thursday, Geelong and Surf Coast series all saw reductions in numbers, which will need to be evaluated and addressed.

5255 participants competed in 97 events. A further 20 maps were provided as part of the Summer Anytime Series, with 1120 participants over 5 weeks.

Park Street Championships

The Championship Final was undoubtedly a highlight, with a suitably challenging event held in Ascot Vale on the newly expanded “Jacks Magazine” map. The course planner was Judi Herkes (BKV). The night was jointly hosted by Bayside Kangaroos and Tuckonie Orienteers, with particular thanks to Ken Moore, Warwick Davis, Edward Bucknall, and Jenny

Sheahan. The map tested every skill, requiring strong legs for the climbs, and a sharp mind and close attention to detail, to pick the best route. The Final was contested by 47 participants.

Champions:

Mens Open Bruce Arthur (MFV)

Mens Senior Paul Monks (YVV)

Mens Veteran Steven O’Connell (BKV)

Mens Supervet Tim Hatley (BKV)

Mens Ultravet Tony Bird (DRV)

Womens Open Victoria Greenhan (NEV)

Womens Veteran Martine Barrot (NEV)

Womens Supervet Debbie Dodd (DRV)

Junior Boy Aeon Greenhan (NEV)

Junior Girl No finalist

Mens PW Open Dave Stillwell (NEV)

Mens PW Supervet Ian Greenwood (DRV)

Mens PW Ultravet Ron Frederick (NEV)

Womens PW Open Sue Collard (BKV)

Womens PW Supervet Maria Main (BKV)

Womens PW Ultravet Lauris Stirling (NEV)

Award Winners

Course Setter of the Year – Don Fell (NEV), Tuesday Summer Series

Don Fell was recognised for his outstanding contribution to the Tuesday Summer Series over many years. Last season alone, Don set no less than 5 courses! Don always puts in a tremendous effort to ensure his courses are interesting and challenging for everyone.

Other nominees were:

● Lauris Stirling – Westgarth

● Henk de Jong – Camberwell Central

● Merv Trease – Mullum Mullum

● Peter Grover – Moorabbin

● Aaron de Buhr – Footscray Central

● Bruce Paterson – Highbury Hill

● Pam King – Lynbrook Gums

● Peter Beggs – Taylors Park (Torquay)

● Stuart McWilliam – High Hampton

● Russell Bulman – Norris Bank

MEFTY (Most Events for the Year)

Stuart McWillam (DRV) and Steven O’Connell (BKV), tied on 129 events each.

The Millennium Club

It was a huge year for The Millennium Club, with 8 new Legends inducted, and several other significant milestones achieved. These were:

500 Events – Associate Member

● Prue Dobbin, Christine Palmer, Rosie Salvaris

750 Events – Companion Member

● Tim Hatley, Philippa Lohmeyer-Collins, Stuart McWilliam, David Prentice, Suzy Speirs

1000 Events – Legend Member

● Geoff Adams, Warwick Davis, Judi Herkes, Peter Mallen, Newbury Navigators, Suzanne O’Callaghan. Merv Trease, Greg Tamblyn

1500 Events – Touring Legend

● Bryan Ackerley, Ian Greenwood

2000 Events – Vintage Legend

● Mark Besley, Vic Sedunary, Lauris Stirling

Thanks

Particular thanks to the following people in a challenging and constantly changing situation:

Robert Hudson, Ken Moore, Ewen Templeton, Alan Cooke, Jenny Chapman, Mel Smith, Mike Hubbert, Jenelle Templeton, Heather Leslie, Edward Bucknall, Mark Besley, Lauris Stirling, Geoff Hudson, Warwick Davis, David Knight, Vic Sedunary, Ian Dodd, Ray Howe.

We were delighted to present Ray Howe with a special “Mini MEFTY” Trophy, in appreciation of all the work he does keeping track of our statistics, and organising The Millennium Club and MEFTY awards.

We also recognise and applaud the Geelong Series organisers, Alan Cooke, John Gavens and Heather Leslie, who are all “retiring” after many years running this successful regional Series. We are delighted to have Jenny Chapman take on the series coordinator role.