ROB SIMSON MEMORIAL SEAT

Rob Simson Memorial Seat Launched

FROM AN ARTICLE BY CHRIS SPRIGGS & GEOFF PECK PUBLISHED IN THE OQ E-BULLETIN

Queensland’s Mid Week Orienteering Group launch the Rob Simson memorial seat.

Queensland’s Mid Week Orienteering Group had a very special event on Thursday 22 October last year combining the Mid Week Championships and the “launch” of a beautiful new seat now erected in Toohey Forest commemorating the life of Rob Simson. Rob was the former president of Toohey Forest Orienteering Club and Toohey Forest Protection Society. Sixty people attended the event, just about double normal for the informal day events held on every Thursday in and around Brisbane from March to November. Mapper Geoff Peck drew the special map and set three classic bush courses. Lunch was provided and unfortunately the rain set in just as we were enjoying it. It was noted that Rob’s events on Thursdays often attracted the rain! Novelty prizes were presented by Jim Bowling and Geoff gave a short talk on the orienteering life and times of Rob Simson.

Rob’s Seat, which overlooks Rob’s favourite spot in the forest, is in a most delightful and peaceful spot and it was used for the start, finish and assembly area for this special event. The seat was paid for by the Brisbane City Council in recognition of Rob’s valiant efforts to preserve the forest. The seat was organised by Geoff and the plaque by Scott Simson.

One interest of Rob’s was the identification of species of trees and all courses visited the tree Rob called The Patriarch (control #6 on the map), probably the largest and oldest tree in Toohey Forest, which attracted a special symbol in the map legend! (Bottom right on the map). The council rangers still remember Rob berating them for conducting fuel reduction burns based on funding cycles which usually were almost exactly the wrong time to burn most plants! An annual event is planned on this map in fond memory of Rob Simson. Geoff Peck added: What really impressed me is that the local council rangers (who Rob dealt with for years for the Toohey Forest Protection Society and TF Orienteering club) were totally supportive of the idea and not only that, they went to great efforts to use a lovely piece of wood for the seat (as opposed to the usual metal or cheap wood alternatives) and allowed the seat to be positioned well away from any paths, on top of the rocky lookout which was Rob’s favourite spot in the forest ..… that took quite an effort drilling into the rock etc : ) Control #6 on the course was a massive tree. It used to be the tallest tree in the forest until zapped by lightning, which removed a few metres from the top. It was known as “The Patriarch” which I’d like to think reminds us all of Rob’s similar “standing” in the Orienteering community here : )