DID YOU KNOW?

Ian Baker (VIC) went cross-country skiing in Norway in March this year. Travelling the trails near his hotel in Sjusjoen near Lillehammer, he came across quite a few orienteering markers with a punch, all in prominent locations such as trail bends or junctions. A map for the permanent course was available in a ski-hire shop and Ian intended to have an O-outing on his last day. But the air temperature was minus thirteen degrees and a brisk wind meant the wind-chill made it feel much colder, as well as blowing snow all over the tracks. So Ian retreated instead to the hotel lounge for a hot chocolate. Lillehammer was only thirty minutes away by bus. At the Olympic Museum one of the panels on display describes how, during World War II, the Norwegians defied a German attempt to “nazify” all sporting activities by refusing to take part in ‘official’ sports events. Instead, they held clandestine football matches, ski runs and Orienteering meets. The sports strike lasted until Norway was liberated.

Vale Sue Millard (1941-2006)

Sue’s involvement with Orienteering began in about 1990. Sue threw herself into all aspects of the sport - recruiting, the social side, wherever she could volunteer her help and competition (including Rogaining in which Sue partnered Jan Hillyard on several occasions). In addition to bringing along new people herself, she made all newcomers feel welcome with her cheerful laughter, offers of delicious cake, or a glass of wine (while at the same time having some colourful knitting tucked under her arm). Sue’s willingness to help led to her being the Minute Secretary of OASA and to being the Co-ordinator of Registration at the 2002 Carnival in the Flinders. She was a Level 1 Coach, a great mentor for those at nonElite level. She even took on the job of “controlling” an event: the Very Easy and Easy courses at Rock Oyster needed to be made easier still, said Sue, quoting Ron Larsson’s advice that the course-setter should be able to see the next flag while on his knees if setting the Very Easy course. All this helped Sue’s own skills too. So she was ready to travel the world to a Scottish-6 Day, a World Masters in USA and one in Denmark in 1999. Then came the first diagnosis of cancer in 2000. Sue’s response was typical. She came 2nd in W60 in the State Champs and went on to be 3rd in the Nationals both in 2001. Not surprisingly she won an OY glass that year. Mostly you’d never know that Sue was battling the disease. Then in July 2005, Sue and Ian made it to the NT Championships where she navigated that varied terrain with great accuracy and considerable speed. She never gave up the will to keep going. She came orienteering for the last time on December 16th. I met her walking along the Torrens Linear Park. “Isn’t it beautiful along here?” then she went back to join the circle of chairs as people sat around eating their evening meal. We all admired her courage enormously and we all wish to honour her memory by continuing her policy of cheerful inclusion of everyone in the Orienteering community. She loved life and made the most of it. We shall miss her. Jeffa Lyon

Melbourne airport explosives testing device passes effectiveness test!

When returning from the Easter carnival, both Louis Elson (Tas) and Matt Hope (Tas) sent the explosives testing device at Melbourne Airport off, requiring them to both be led away for further interrogation. They were ultimately released when it was explained that they had taken part that day in an orienteering event at an old mine dump. Apparently the dust around the tailings heaps at Eaglehawk still contains sufficient explosives residue from the mining era that the sensitive airport equipment registered a “hit”, particularly as Matt was still carrying his O shoes in his bag!

Spot the Difference

CANADIAN FOREST, near Ballarat in Victoria, has been a regular venue for Orienteering events for more than thirty years. Eureka Orienteers’ Russell Bourke was having a clearout recently and came upon copies of one of the original maps produced in 1975 for an event held on Sunday 1st June. At a scale of 1:4,800 it had the potential to show a great amount of intricate detail. Compare it with the 2005 version used for the VIC Relays last year. Many of the main tracks are still there. Some mine shafts have moved (and some haven’t) perhaps due to the influence of local tectonic plate adjustments over the intervening years. Dry water channels dug by the gold miners do not appear on the early map though watercourses (probably equally dry) do appear. Three courses were offered, the longest being 3.75km with 13 controls. Entry fee to all courses was just 20 cents per person and an additional 5 cents for extra members in a group. Compass hire charge was 20 cents. There was a 5min pre-start and courses were pre-printed on the maps though, sadly, we don’t have a copy.

Two maps – Canadian Forest 2005 and 1975.