Member profile: Hilary Cane

Tuesday, 21 May 2013

When did you start orienteering?
About mid-1975.

Who/what inspired you to start?
Vili Bartholomew used to tell me how much fun it was whenever I met him at the university. He was a computer engineer and in those days THE university computer was on the ground floor of the Physics Department where I was a graduate student.  It also seemed a good way to get out in the bush when I really couldn't afford the time to go on long bushwalks.

What do you do when not orienteering ?
Look after my three "boys" (2 dogs and an elderly husband) and two properties, grow as much as possible of our fruit and vegetables, bush walk, sing, play ukulele, keep somewhat abreast of what is happening with the sun and solar physics.
 
What is ONE thing you like about orienteering ?
That people of all ages can participate.

A piece of advice for newcomers to the sport?
"Practise makes perfect" except that in orienteering the perfect "run" almost never happens.
I'm still hoping for one after almost 40 years!

Highlight/lowlight of your O career?
Highlight was probably 1985 when I accompanied the US Team to Australia. I trained with the team and went orienteering every day for about 2 weeks!

Favourite/most unusual/most scenic place you have orienteered?
Harriman State Park is probably my favourite area. Despite being less than 50 km from New York City this park has such great terrain that it was used for the 1993 World Champs. In the autumn it is very beautiful with all the lakes and the yellow-leafed trees.

Member profile: Jeff Dunn

Monday, 25 February 2013

 When did you start orienteering?
  Started using Sally's bush O events as ride destinations in 2008, and doing Corporate Challenge. Really only took the bait in 2010. Try to kid myself that I haven't properly started even now, but I guess the newby status wore out long ago.

What do you do when not orienteering?
  Yes, I ride bikes, but I actually average only a couple of hours per week of fun riding. I sit at desks - from breakfast to bedtime really - as an ocean data analyst and doing stuff for bike organisations. I drink coffee and have the odd nap. And my favourite bit: I work on bikes in the shed. Kid myself that I'll go back to playing Ultimate Frisbee one day, but the odds are lengthening.

 
What is ONE thing you like about orienteering ?
  Here's the thing: just when you realise that you are utterly horribly lost, instead of it being terrifying and miserable, the bush suddenly becomes its usual self: still, peaceful, quiet apart from a few bird calls. The spooky quiet means you could be way off the map - which only makes it more exciting!


Do you have a goal for your O this year?
  No. I should think of something - ideas welcome! In the next few years I want to have a good go at MTBO Aus Champs. Really hoping I have some time for regular exercise leading up to M60...  


A piece of advice for newcomers to the sport?
   Don't follow me!
 

Highlight/lowlight of your O career?
   Rowdy Flats MTBO 2011. Wandered over a huge portion of the map before finding the first control (back near the start), then ambitiously pushed in front of Darryl Smith and instantly crashed head-first down a deep gully. Can't think of any lowlights. Well actually, the absence of an ongoing Tas MTBO career is pretty sad.


Favourite/most unusual/most scenic place you have orienteered?
   Love MTBO in the forests at Evandale. And a very grudging respect for the nightmare terrain of Rowdy Flats, and a thrill of awe of anyone who can actually navigate there.

Member profile: Dion McKenzie

Thursday, 29 November 2012

When did you start orienteering?
About three years ago because I discovered that is more fun than playing hockey!!
 
Who/what inspired you to start?
Competed in rogaines for a number of years and thought I would give it a go. Sarge was a culprit at dragging me along to the corporate challenges over the years so I thought I had an idea what I was in for.
 
What do you do when not orienteering ?
Discuss life matters with Sasha (3yo), pretend to finish a house we started to build a number of years ago, mow lawns, read novels, occasional farm work
 
What is ONE thing you like about orienteering ?
I love getting out and about, and going places that in any other sane moment you perhaps might not.
 
Do you have a goal for your O this year?
To successfully complete every M21E event at the Aus Champs....I don't think I will win!
 
A piece of advice for newcomers to the sport?
Ask
 
Highlight/lowlight of your O career?
Besides, DNF's, 180 and 90 degree errors, going off map, noodling, and not being able to count at scatter events....nothing in particular stands out yet! I am sure the best is yet to come and we won't think about the worst.
 

Member profile: Jenny and Ian Atkinson

Monday, 5 November 2012

When did you start orienteering?
 1976 at The Lea.

Who/what inspired you to start?
 Tony Mount had introduced a friend to orienteering and she told us about it.  We'd always liked maps.  We like the mix of mental and physical skills.

 What do you do when not orienteering ?
 When we started we were both working. Now - gardening, reading, family history, some disability care.

What is ONE thing you like about orienteering ?
 The friendly orienteering people.

A piece of advice for newcomers to the sport?
 Start simply - take your time -relate your surroundings to your map - remember, it's fun.

Highlight/lowlight of your O career?
   Highlight (both of us)- being able to do it for 30+ years and sharing with all ages. 
    Jenny also liked becoming an Australian Champion in a relay (after the low of "doing a 180" error in a previous international relay in NZ).
    Lowlight  (Ian) - not being able to convince some competitive orienteers that I did not mind taking as long as I did at most events.

Favourite/most unusual/most scenic place you have orienteered?
   Favourite - Hills and valleys maps like Sandstone Valleys; and also the nearby, easy-access areas (Waterworks, Lea, Mt Nelson, Risdon Brook).
    Most Unusual - Princes Wharf Shed during Seniors Week.
    Most Scenic (and a challenge to set safe and interesting courses) - The Waterworks.

 And also

    Jenny found that mapping left her with a greater appreciation of landforms, despite now being restricted to viewing from afar.
    We would also like to acknowledge the opportunity given us to contribute our knowledge and skills as Joint OT Secretaries for 4 years, and being able to encourage capable people to become involved in the necessary administration of our sport.

 

Member profile: Bec Butler

Sunday, 16 September 2012

 When did you start orienteering?
2005
 
Who/what inspired you to start?
Claire was selected in the TIS talent search group and mum and dad started going along to compete, then they dragged me to the East Coast 3Day in 2005
 
What do you do when not orienteering ?
Eat, sleep, orienteer
 
What is ONE thing you like about orienteering ?
Getting out of homework on a Sunday
 
Do you have a goal for your O this year?
Actually train now that I don't have hockey 5 days a week, place in the top five at Aus Champs
 
A piece of advice for newcomers to the sport?
RTFM
 
Highlight/lowlight of your O career?
Highlight: Aus Champs 2010 (South Australia) and New Zealand training camp June 2012 - Best O trips I have ever been on
Lowlight: Getting super lost at camp champs and getting found by a search party just before Aus Champs 2009
 
Favourite/most unusual/most scenic place you have orienteered?
Favourite: The Strip (New Zealand) and Aalborg City (Denmark)
Unusual: Craigeburn (Lord of the Rings country, New Zealand)
Scenic: Barossa Valley (Aus Champs 2010, SA)

Member profile: Sally Salier

Monday, 6 August 2012

When did you start orienteering? It was so long ago that I find it hard to remember! I think it was 1975
 
Who/what inspired you to start? I saw a news item about people running around the bush between Kingston and Blackmans Bay, with a copy of a page out of a street directory.  They were looking for pieces of plastic bucket with a coloured pencil hanging beside them.  It looked like fun.  Soon after, I attended my first event in an extremely thick fog at New Norfolk, with Hilary Cane and Yvonne Shaw.  The visibility was almost zero, and the only way we could find the finish, which was in the middle of an open paddock, was to listen for voices.
 
What do you do when not orienteering? I thought I was retired, so I volunteered for local Bushcare with HCC, and further afield, Wildcare, with National Parks.  This has led to a job for 3 days a week with the Hobart City Council, preserving biodiversity in urban bushland. In theory, I should do well in events at the Domain or Knocklofty , as we cover every inch of these reserves, looking for weeds.  The down side is that I keep being distracted by weeds when I go orienteering. This is a far cry from my profession as a counsellor and therapist.  I also sing, kayak, cycle, bushwalk and hang out in cafes imbibing hot chocolate
 
What is ONE thing you like about orienteering? The fact that you can be under 10 or over 90, and still do the sport, at whatever level suits you.  It's a great way of staying in touch with people of all ages, and particularly good for families to do together.
 
Do you have a goal for your O this year? To remember to take everything I need for each event, especially my brain.
 
A piece of advice for newcomers to the sport? If you are wanting to be competitive, concentrate more on navigation and map reading rather than fitness.  Often we train by running, running, running, but that's not much use if you are running in the wrong direction.
 
Highlight/lowlight of your O career? Highlight was being the 4th fastest 45 year old female in the world....at the veteran champs at St Helens in 1992 (?).  The lowlight was tearing a hamstring shortly before going to the World Masters in Hungary last year.
 
Favourite/most unusual/most scenic place you have orienteered? I can't say I liked it at the time,  but I remember a beautiful area near Wilpena Pound; very open, very fast and every gully looks exactly like every other gully.  It was the only time I had to rely on the safety bearing to get back to the finish

Member profile: Rosie Rutledge

Friday, 13 July 2012

When did you start orienteering?
On the long beep.
Who/what inspired you to start?
As an outdoorsy person, I had a go in my mid twenties and had to ask a sub teen where I was. Upped the periscope a dozen years later when I spied an Adult Ed course conducted by Sue and Tony Mount who made it go “ping”.   
What do you do when not orienteering?
Urban foraging. I do butterfly loops around providores. I love exploring food and wine, and beer, in myriad ways. I also admire arts and crafts and succumb by way of a little acquisition here and there.
What is ONE thing you like about orienteering?
Winning wine at Park O’s. Poor harvest predicted.
Do you have a goal for your O this year?
I used to defend those in hockey. I’ve moved away from goals. Safer.
A piece of advice for newcomers to the sport?
If you can find your lunch in a paper bag you at least have potential.
Highlight/lowlight of your O career?
My highlight is winning W35-44B at my first big event – the 1999 Australian Easter 3 Days at Bothwell and Seven Mile Beach. And hey, I had my sprained ankle strapped in the first aid caravan amidst elites. Lowlights are the dank forests of Mount Pearson and the eastern portion of Bluff River.
Favourite/most unusual/most scenic place you have orienteered?
The Barossa Valley, venue for the Aus Champs 2010, had magnificent meadows. And some lovely chocolatey shiraz. Found Maggie Beer’s kitchen. In 2009, when we were competing in the World Masters Orienteering Championships, I stayed with a number of clubmates in the Capertee Valley west of Lithgow in NSW. The glow of the canyon walls in the early morning and at dusk was awesome. We orienteered quite some distance away, beyond the valley, scrambling amongst rock pagodas and some blech scrub. Discovered specialty pies at Running Stream and a cheesery and cellar door at Mudgee. There are numerous farming properties here in Tassie which are just beautiful although not always a picnic.  

Member profile: Martin Bicevskis

Tuesday, 26 June 2012

When did you start orienteering?  In the mid 80’s for a few years.  We were out  while Karl was younger and  got back into orienteering when he was old enough to walk  by himself round a course.
 
Who/what inspired you to start? Elizabeth and I were introduced to orienteering by Jenny Atkinson who at the time also worked in the state Department of Health and Human Services.  Jenny was (and still is)  a very friendly, intelligent and active person.  And so were all the other orienteers we met.  Orienteering was an amazing activity to me at the time: an adult treasure hunt!  The combined intense physical and mental exercise put it in a totally different category of activity. So we caught the bug...
 
What do you do when not orienteering ?  Have retired from paid employment two years ago.  This means more time for Road bike riding, which  is probably my favourite activity.  It's less stressful on the feet than running, you see more scenery because you are moving fast, and you can sit down!   Elizabeth and I share a love for the outdoors, flora, fauna, fish, fungi. And working out  which of these  can be eaten.   I have been introduced to Hash House running/drinking by Bert.  He being Hagar, of Hagar the Horrible; I as his offsider was given the Hash Name of Lucky Eddy.  Other interests are tinkering with old Volvos, legos, old Tasmanian maps, military history, Wagnerian opera. 
 
 What is ONE thing you like about orienteering ?   After  a complicated orienteering leg, out of breath, running  round a boulder in the middle of nowhere,  confident that there will be an orange and white flag round the corner.... AND THERE IT  IS!  

Do you have a goal for your O this year?    This year my goals are more about OT than my own O performance.  I hope I can get more things happening behind the scenes to make orienteering more fun and more fun for more people.   How about this for a slogan, with apologies to Nike.....     Orienteering:  “just running is not enough!”
 
A piece of advice for newcomers to the sport?   Analyse your performance as many ways as you can to seek improvement:,  post event discussion, gps watches, route gadget,  headcam, internet
reading, setting courses.
 
Highlight/lowlight of your O career?   It wasnt my career, but the orienteering highlight was seeing  a fairly young Karl on stage as part of the winning Tasmanian Schools team, at an Auschamps  carnival schools evening, all singing the queens song“we are the champions!”.   Lowlight was crashing my way  too far  down a steep thick  gorse strewn gully at Knocklofty.   It was too steep and scubby to go back up, and there were houses on both sides with fences and  noisy dogs.   So I had to keep descending all the way down to the Female Factory at South Hobart and then back up the Forest Road hill.  A sixty minute split on a Park O.
 
Favourite/most unusual/most scenic place you have orienteered?   
My favourite course was one I organised last year at the Cornelian Bay Cemetery.  It was a challenge to work within the obvious constraints, but great fun.  And the management of the cemetery are happy to have us back later this year.