CONQUESTATHON

Back Again

Simon Goss has been part of every Conquestathon since inception. Warren ‘Sheepy’ Sanders is part of the team that have taken over the organising of the event for now and in to the future.

Sheepy put some questions to Simon as part of the promotion of this year’s event.

Gossy: I grew up in Mount Beauty, started school in 1968, and finished High School in 1980 when I moved to Melbourne for work and further education. My family was active and I spent a lot of my early/teen age years cross country skiing and racing in numerous events including State and National titles. I was a member of many sporting clubs and competed in sports like swimming, football, cricket, tennis, golf, orienteering, triathlons, skiing and so much more. Mount Beauty was great for a kid wanting to do outdoor activities and sports. Only now do I realise how lucky I was.

These days I am busy - with not only work, but also running a farm, with my wife in Central Victoria. The last couple of years have curtailed almost all activities, with COVID around - but I still go to the Conquestathon - even when it wasn’t officially on! If there is one event to be part of in the year - then this is it!

Sheepy: What was the first year you entered the Conquestathon and what are your memories of the day?

Gossy: 1974 was the first year. There were 68 contestants, mostly locals. I was only 10 and until then and for some reason I assumed there really was a ‘staircase,’ then I climbed and found out what it really meant! I walked with my brother and some school friends as my mother wanted to make sure someone was with me, I still remember walking back along the road towards the finish line quite chuffed that I had made it.

Sheepy: To our knowledge you are the only person who has completed them all. Was there a time when you decided ‘I am going to keep doing it every year, until I physically cannot’?

Gossy: Yes, I am the only person to complete all of the Conquestathons. In the first year there were only 68 contestants and I knew almost all of them, so there are not many that would have 30 year medals. There is a few that might have more, but not many. I cannot remember when I decided to keep going, “for as long as I can” but it has always been my intention to continue doing the climb, until I can’t. There are several reasons for this.

Sheepy: Is there a standout year/ Conquestathon you completed and if so, what made it special?

MTB de femme, 2023 is coming to Big Hill MTB Park, Mt Beauty for this year only.

The event is all about women riding the mountain bike trails in a friendly, fun, relaxing and safe environment.

You will meet like-minded tiders become a confident rider and have a heap of fun in the process.

Maintenance Planner – Mount Beauty

About the role:

As the Maintenance Planner for the hydro assets you will be responsible for delivering and optimising maintenance planning in line with AGL planning standards to ensure that work orders are planned in a timely manner and ready to execute. You will be responsible for the procurement of materials, resources and services in addition to planning and scheduling of internal/ external resources in conjunction with Maintenance Teams to complete maintenance and project work. You will also and maintain the CMMS (SAP) through master data inclusions, amendments and deletion.

You will be based at Mt. Beauty which offers access to outstanding winter and summer sports such as skiing and mountain biking along with quality educational and health infrastructure. The region surrounded by the picturesque Alpine National Park offers a lifestyle that is appealing to both individuals and families.

About You:

You will be an experienced heavy industry Maintenance Planner with a sound knowledge of SAP, outstanding attention to detail and lateral thinking skills. Your experience working on outage, planned maintenance and forced maintenance within a heavy industrial environment will set you up for success.

What you bring to the table:

• Trade or Engineering qualifications in Mechanical, Electrical or a similar discipline

• Previous experience in planning and scheduling heavy industrial maintenance

• Significant experience using CMMS (SAP) systems

• Advanced communication, interpersonal and influencing skills

• The ability to build and maintain relationships with stakeholders

Applications close: Monday, 6 March 2023. To apply visit agl.com.au/careers (search Maintenance Planner)

Gossy: There are several years that standout for different reasons and some just for the contrast. I remember about 40 years ago (can’t remember the exact year) it was decided to have an ‘official’ mail box on the summit so you could send a letter/postcard, from the top of Mt Bogong. The day was so cold and wet that the mail box had to be bought to the tree line, as there were howling winds up to 100km’s and snow. A real contrast to latter years, with things like the cancellation of the ‘83 event, due to it being too hot and a total fire ban day. It was only about two weeks before; we had Ash Wednesday fires. But, I still climbed!

Sheepy: Do you think the record time of 1hr 51 minutes will ever be broken?

Gossy: Everything is made to be broken, but this time will be extremely hard to beat. I guess one day, but it won’t be me!

Sheepy: There are so many events on these days. Ultramarathons, trail runs, adventure races etc. what makes the Conquestathon appealing?

Gossy: There are several reasons for me. First of all this is the highest mountain in Victoria, so it is something to Conquer and be proud you did it. It’s not easy, it is a challenge and you get a good feeling knowing you ‘conquered’ it. This event is great for everyone, with a general fitness level. So it can be an event for all walks of life, fast and slow, old and young.

It can be a race for those who want to compete. It can be a wonderful walk in the Australian alps/high country for those who want to go slow.

It has some amazing views you just don’t get anywhere. You smell the trees and flora and you get to see the changing environment as you move higher up in altitude.

For me, the Conquestathon says ‘Family…’ sure you can do this as a family, and that does make it reasonably unique for a sporting event, but this is almost like a family Xmas for me. It’s always hard to get a whole family together at Christmas time. We grow up and have our own families and then quite often have other places we need to be, or on holidays away etc. For me, this is the time of the year that I always went home to

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see my parents when I was younger (after I left home) and this event would always make sure I go for a ‘walk in the Australian bush’ and see my parents. Two really important things to do and what a great reason to remind you to go do them.

Now with five of my own grown up children and their partners (and now even grandchildren), we get together and do the Conquestathon each year. Not all family members go up the mountain every year, but all have and most go up every year. Some run, some walk. Some compete against each other and some against their own PB. That’s what is great about it, it’s up to you, as to what the event means to you. Even when the event was not organised (Covid) my wife, my children and their partners etc, all still went to Mount Beauty and climbed the mountain. In years gone past when the event was cancelled, I still go.

This year is my 49th year in a row, climbing the mountain, but 43rd officially.

This really is a great event and now in its 43rd official year – it’s an institution!

Sheepy: Seems like plenty of reasons to enter and not many excuses left not to give it go - especially with a marshalled course.

Simon Goss... the only person to have done all Conquestathons. Pic – Courtesy the family

Entry is still possible in person between 6am and 6.40am at Mountain Creek Campground tomorrow morning (Saturday 4th). Individuals $40 and Families $100. •