Newsletter Highlights

The President's Report ~ September 2003

Congratulations and many thanks to all those involved in the Lake Macquarie event. By all accounts, as we have come to expect over the last 12 years, it was a success. A little wet, but still a success.

In the previous issue I reported of the large increase (250%) in the Australia wide public liability insurance premium for our sport. An increase in the cost of participation in the sport was reported as being inevitable. Accepting that the Association must in some way absorb this large increase in costs, the NSWRA committee discussed the matter at length at the last general meeting in early August.  While the membership fees primarily cover the cost of this insurance (and the cost of the six newsletters) for a twelve month period, initial discussions centred on the membership fee absorbing the entire increase.

As many members may only enjoy one or two events a year, while others participate in the entire years events, and pay the same membership fee, a fairer option was to distribute the increase between the membership fees and the event entry fees. The decision was made that the 12 month membership fees will increase from $17 per individual to $20 and that the fee for additional member/s (either residing at the same address or as the second adult in a family membership) would increase from $5 to $10. This membership fee increase was effective at the conclusion of the Lake Macquarie event. Event entry fees will also increase commencing as of the NSW Champs in October. While each event in the calendar differs in its entry fees (due to site and duration specific costs), you will notice an increase in comparison to the fees for the same event previously (with the exception of the Paddy Pallin event).

In coming editions of this newsletter you will see some changes. The decision has been made to produce an electronic newsletter. For those who choose not to receive an ‘E-newsletter’, a paper version will still be available. In a letter accompanying the next newsletter you will be asked to choose one of the two options (ie: electronic or paper). For those who choose electronic you will be asked to supply your email address. This decision has been made by your committee, in part as cost reduction to help absorb the increased insurance costs, although primarily in an effort to reduce the many hours of work by the handful of volunteers who produce, print and fold, and mail-out up to 1200 newsletters every two months. More details in the next newsletter.

The next issue of this newsletter is the 100th. So as a celebration of this milestone, and that of the 20th anniversary of the NSWRA that has quietly slipped by unmarked, the next newsletter will be a special issue. Twenty years worth of articles, cartoon and assorted written or drawn pieces will be selectively condensed into one bumper issue. If you have a particular item from a past newsletter or would like to write a reflection on your past years rogaining for the 100th edition, please contact myself or Alan Mansfield prior to the end of October. (See committee listing overleaf for details).

As a final note, see you all at the Champs on the South Coast in less than a month. It will be the best Championship event we have seen for some years. I am particularly looking forward to it, as in my opinion it is situated on some of the best coastline in New South Wales. See you there…..

Andy Mein

12th Annual Lake Macquarie Rogaine Report:

The 12th Annual Lake Macquarie offered the choice of six or twelve hour events and attracted 347 rogainers (139 teams) to the Watagans, just west of Cooranbong. There was a mass start at noon on Saturday the 23rd of August with 60% (220 participants in 85 teams) entering the six hour event.

The forecast was for coastal showers and the weather bureau was 100% correct with the area receiving one shower from 2.00pm Saturday until about 2.00am Sunday morning. Most participants were well prepared for wet weather and appeared more concerned about the volunteers at the hash-house and tea and damper stops than their own comfort.

The short course was won by Arthur Kingsland and Malcolm Roberts with the very impressive score of 1710 points. While it was Malcoms’ first rogaine he did admit to previous orienteering experience.

At 9.29 pm, team 133 consisting of Toby Cogley, William Landers and Ian Stewart jogged in having collected every control, only to discover that team 88 (Mike Hotchkis and Shane Trotter) had preceded them by 48 minutes and also collected all 2160 points. The third team overall, Matt DeBelin and Michael Meryment were only one thirty point control behind while Andrew and Nicole Haigh, the first mixed team, collected 2110 points.

Cooranbong SES provided First Aid and emergency response, while they had to treat one torn muscle and a twisted ankle; fortunately no-one had to be rescued. Our safety and resupply team of Harry Goyen, Doug McCubben, Simon Williams and Tracey Colley did regular patrols of the roads while Peter and Wendy McConaghy moved from resupply to Hash House to assist the catering team from the Junior Orienteering Squad.

Dianne Van Netten co-ordinated the catering and was ably assisted by Kathy and Joshua Roberts, Kim and Jamie Van Netten, Bob Montgomery and Bruce Prince while Cheryl Todkill and Nettie Floyd spent many hours preparing food beforehand. The administration team of Fay Smith, Geoff and Margaret Peel, Greg Rowe, Ian Gilmore, Merle Goyen, Pat McCubben and Heather and Tony Dynon did a great job. Ian Gilmore also provided the photographs.

We would like to acknowledge the support and assistance received from Lake Macquarie Council and also State Forests and National Parks on whose land the event was conducted.

By Bert Van Netten (Organiser) & David Coysh (Administration)