LETTERS

No letters were received for this edition, so we are taking the opportunity to raise an issue which seems to be pretty common across all States – declining attendances at Bush-O events. A strategy for turning this trend around is proposed. Perhaps it will prompt you to put pen to paper, finger to keyboard, and write in with your own views for the next edition of The Australian Orienteer in March.

A STRATEGY FOR BUSH-O

In Victoria attendance at Bush-O events has been declining for years. Gone are the days when we had over 500 competitors at a minor club event (560 at a Red Kangaroos event at Macedon Pines on August 1, 1976 is believed to be the record). And the decline in attendances appears to be common across most States. Yet membership of State Associations is healthy and rising in some States. Clearly Orienteers are voting with their feet and choosing other forms of the sport. Far more than half the participations in Orienteering events in Victoria are in the Park & Street-O form, and more than half the events conducted in Australia are now in that format. It seems that we need to redesign our Bush-O program. If Bush-O is to grow it should follow the very successful formula employed for Park & Street-O, particularly in Victoria – a large number of very simple events (which almost anyone can course-set with a minimum of time commitment) at locations which are close to the population base. The large number of events offers participants variety and flexibility for attendance and the close proximity of locations means that getting there is not a major commitment. Participation in these simple events should grow with time (as has been seen in Park & Street-O) creating a critical mass for this form of the sport.

BOOKS ON ORIENTEERING

There are a great number of books on all aspects of orienteering. For a list and prices contact: Orienteering Services of Australia

44 Alexandra Parade, Clifton-Hill VIC 3068 Phone (03) 9489 9766 Email info@macson.com.au

Of course, we would also need to retain our major events in the bush, like Championship and Badge events, which would feed off the growth in participation at the simple events. What would be eliminated would be the regular but distant State League (or OY) events which hardly anyone attends now. I used to say that a minimum attendance for a Bush-O event was 250 participants. Any less and the time and effort spent by organisers to put on the event wasn’t warranted. Well, there hasn’t been more that 250 participants at a nonchampionship event in Victoria for some years now (and even recent Victorian Championships haven’t reached that level), yet attendances at events like the Easter 3-Days and Xmas 5Days remain high. I believe a similar situation exists in most other States. Not having so many distant events on the calendar would make the major events more special and thus attract more participants. It’s time for a major re-think of Bush-O.

Mike Hubbert (BK-V)

Most Courses Completed

THE record for the most courses completed by an Australian continues to climb. At publication date, Mike Hubbert had reached a total of 2255 and is on track to pass 2270 by year end, and 180 for the year – just two courses short of his total of 182 in 2005.

VICTORINOX AWARD

The Victorinox award goes to Hanny Allston for her excellent articles in recent editions of The Australian Orienteer and for being such a great ambassador for Australian Orienteering. Hanny receives a Victorinox Voyager with 20 tools and features including a watch/alarm/ timer; retail value $109.95.