50 YEARS ON: 1972 – 2022

The 1972 Australian Championships was held near Steiglitz in Victoria. It was the first Australian Championships held under the aegis of Orienteering Australia. Andrew Lumsden, Greg Tamblyn and Rod Gray ran M18A. This was a 6.8km course, with 230m of climb and 9 controls (2022’s M18A course was 7.9km, 385m and 21 controls). The 1972 map was printed in black and white, was 1:15,840 (four inches to the mile) and had four symbols on the legend: contours (30 and 50 foot), tracks, fences and dams. Pictured are six of the eight people who attended both the 1972 and 2022 Australian Orienteering Championships. From left to right: David Hogg, Alex Tarr, Janet Tarr, Andrew Lumsden, Greg 1972 to 2022 and still competing. Tamblyn and Noel McVey. Don Fell and Rod Gray were the other two. Of the eight, Rod was the only person to break 90 minutes in 1972. At least half of the eight were out for more than two and a half hours ‑ early David Hogg perseverance seems to be a factor in long orienteering re-presents the careers. SILVA Trophy to The photo shows David Hogg re‑presenting the SILVA Alex Tarr. Trophy to 1972 winning Victorian team member Alex Tarr. The SILVA Trophy is won by the best M21 State Team.

1972 AUS Championships - M21 winning route by Sture Lantz (VIC).