URBAN ORIENTEERING
Park & Street Orienteering around Australia – part 2 Debbie Dodd (VIC)
Last issue we compared Park & Street-O events in Queensland, New South Wales and South Australia. This time we continue our round-Australia look at urban Orienteering, featuring Tasmania, Western Australia and Victoria. Tasmania: What they lack in population down south, they more than make up for in enthusiasm, with no less than six different Park & Street-O series operating across the State through the year. The Tassie summer season kicks off with the Southern Schools/Twilight Series - 6 events in October/November and another 6 in February/March. Venues are parks and reserves around Hobart, on Wednesdays. School competitors start between 4pm and 5pm, with separate starts for adults afterwards. The series is run by Orienteering Tasmania with organisers from the two southern clubs. Juniors are usually assigned to organise events under the guidance of a senior, to give them experience. The School series uses its own set of 20 lockable punch controls on chains for fence corners, park seats, etc. There are four traditional courses (4k, 3k, 2k & beginners). Up to 170 competitors take part (80% are school students), with some schools providing bus transport. “This is a huge increase on the 50 per event just three years ago, and the challenge now is to sustain the momentum”, said OT Director of Publicity & Promotion, Bert Elson. At the same time, the Northern Schools/Twilight Series is run by EVOC club in Launceston’s parks, featuring 5 events in October/November and 5 events in February/March usually offering 3 line courses and 2 scatter (i.e. all the controls you can get in 30 or 45 minutes). This series attracts about 50 participants each week. Both Schools series are advertised through the website, weekly e-mail bulletin and monthly printed newsletter. Schools are also advised of details. During school holidays, the Tassie Juniors run the 6-event Southern Summer Series in Hobart, on Wednesday evenings, with starts from 4pm to 6pm. Up to 50 participants compete on the four courses (4k, 3k, 2k & beginners). The Juniors keep the entry fees as a fundraising exercise. Most states face a major challenge in attracting 21-35 year olds. Tasmania has had great success with its popular Corporate Challenge, which now boasts 150 competitors per event. Two series operate over 40 THE AUSTRALIAN ORIENTEER DECEMBER 2004
consecutive weeks in March (Autumn series) and November (Spring series). There is only one course of about 3.5 km, starting very easy in week 1 and grading up to moderate in week 4. A 30-minute mass start score event rounds out each series, followed by a barbecue and presentations. Corporate teams of 3 run independently and times are added. A handicap scheme ensures that almost any team can win the series, but individual times go up on the board at each event so the runners can see how they’re going. Competition is held at lunchtime and after work on Thursdays. The series is promoted on the OT website, through e-mails to previous participants, and fliers to businesses. “Events are held mostly on streets and tracks on Hobart's Queens Domain. This year we’ll be trying some variations such as 2 courses (4k and 3k) and a new venue – Hobart’s Waterworks Reserve”, explained Bert. “We had a big increase over the first three years, but numbers are levelling out now”. Park & Street-O in Tasmania doesn’t stop there. The Southern Winter Park series is organised each year by Wellington Ranges Club. There are four events on successive Sundays in June/July in Hobart, which is lucky enough to have a number of bushy inner city reserves - the
