Orienteering Victoria Award Winners Services to Orienteering In Victoria Award Recipients The Services award is selected annually by the OV Board. A shield engraved with the winners’ names is presented in recognition of outstanding service to Victorian orienteering, particularly over the preceding twelve months. 2004 Blake Gordon 2005 John & Jenny Sheahan 2006 Chris & Tom Norwood 2007 Peter Cusworth 2008 Peter Creely 2009 Jim Russell 2010 Peter Searle 2011 Neil Barr 2012 Kathy Liley 2013 Ian & Debbie Dodd 2014 Ruth Goddard 2015 Margi Freemantle & Ted van Geldermalsen 2016 Ray Howe 2017 Ian Dodd 2018 Stephen Bird 2019 Greg Tamblyn 2020 Lauris Stirling 2021 Debbie Dodd 2022 Laurie Niven 2023 Jim Russell An award for services to School Orienteering was made in 2004 to Mandy Hennessy. An award for services to Park Street promotion was made in 2010 to Ray Howe. Orienteering Victoria Life Members Life Membership is the highest level of recognition for outstanding achievement and service to the operation and growth of our sport. Number Name Year Inducted 1 Robert (Bob) Millet (dec.) 1984 2 Alex Tarr 1984 3 Tom Andrews 1986 4 Ian Baker 1986 5 Barry McCrae 1990 6 Peta Whitford 1993 7 Kathy Liley 1994 8 Peter Searle 1994 9 Blake Gordon 1999 10 Walter (Wally) Cavill (dec.) 2001 11 Tom Norwood (dec.) 2004 12 Ken Moore 2004 13 Laurie Niven 2005 New benefits rules apply 14 Lindsay Thomas 2006 New benefits rules apply 15 Blair Trewin 2008 New benefits rules apply 16 John Sheahan 2013 New benefits rules apply 17 Jenny Sheahan 2013 New benefits rules apply 18 James (Jim) Russell 2016 New benefits rules apply 19 Debra (Debbie) Dodd 2017 New benefits rules apply 20 Ian Dodd 2017 New benefits rules apply Orienteering Victoria Presidents 1970 - 1972 David Hogg 1972 - 1974 John Lewis 1974 - 1975 Lindsay Thomas 1975 - 1978 Hal Dalheim (Snr) 1978 - 1980 Lindsay Thomas 1980 - 1983 Tom Norwood 1983 - 1986 Barry McCrae 1986 - 1988 Sue Healy 1988 - 1990 Peter Searle 1990 - 1992 Dick Barker 1992 - 1994 Blake Gordon 1994 - 1995 Peter Jackson (dec.) 1995 - 1998 Hal Dalheim (Jnr) 1998 - 2003 Laurie Niven 2003 - 2006 Blair Trewin 2006 - 2010 Ian Dodd 2010 - 2017 Bruce Arthur 2017 Mark Hennessy 2018 - 2023 Carl Dalheim 2023 - David Jaffe President’s Award The President’s Award recognises an individual or group who, in the President’s opinion, has made a contribution during the last year that has not otherwise been noted. It is usually announced at the OV AGM. 2024 2023 Gary Buchan Year announced Year for Recepient(s) 2001 2000 Peter Creely 2002 2001 Bruce Arthur; Tom Norwood 2003 2002 David Hudson 2004 2003 Mandy Hennessy; Ian Chennell 2005 2004 Peter Creely; Stan Gurman 2006 2005 Barry Hart; Geoff Hudson 2007 2006 Dion Keech 2008 2007 Barry Hart 2009 2008 Warwick Williams 2010 2009 The President’s Dream Team 2011 2010 Ian Dodd 2012 2011 Kathy Liley; Debbie Dodd 2024 2023 Gary Buchan Australian Sports Medal The Australian Sports Medal was awarded by the federal government in 2000 (the year in which Sydney hosted the Olympic and Paralympic games). It commemorates the efforts of Australians who have made our country a nation of sporting excellence. The commemorative sports medal was introduced to acknowledge a range of Australians who, in different ways, contributed to the nation’s sporting success. These included former competitors, coaches, sports scientists, office holders, and people who maintain sporting facilities and services. The following Victorian orienteers were awarded the medal: Kathy Liley Hugh Cameron Alex Tarr Peta Whitford Barry McCrae Event Management of the Year The Event Management Award recognises the best organised event of the year, taking into consideration all factors other than the quality of the course setting. It is selected by the State President. Year Club/Team Event Lead Organiser(s) 2008 Melbourne Forest Racers 2008 Victorian Long Champs Nicola Dalheim 2009 Bendigo Orienteers 2009 Australian Long Champs Peter Searle 2010 Dandenong Ranges Orienteering Club WOC25 Debbie Dodd 2011 Orienteering Victoria 2011 Oceania Championships Darren Meeking 2012 Orienteering Victoria 2012 Xmas 5 Days Warwick Williams 2013 Eureka Orienteers Sprint Weekend Ballarat Blake Gordon & Jenny Bourne 2014 Bendigo Orienteers Bendigo Night Championships Christopher (Toph) Naunton 2015 Eureka Orienteers 2015 Australian Championships Carnival Mark Valentine & Mark Hennessy 2016 Orienteering Victoria Melbourne Sprint Weekend Margi Freemantle & Ted van Geldermalsen 2017 Melbourne Forest Racers Victorian Relays Nicola Dalheim and Natasha Key 2018 Bendigo Orienteers 2018 Victorian Middle Champs Andrew Wallace 2019 Orienteering Victoria 2019 Oceania Championships (Long/Middle) Leigh Privett 2020 No award made due to Covid-19 2021 Yarra Valley Orienteering Club Vic Shorts Ted van Geldermalsen 2022 Australian Schools Orienteering Championships Susan Guinane 2023 Orienteering Victoria National Junior Development Camp Peter Mousley Rockhopper Junior Award The Rockhopper Junior Award comprises two awards of $250 for the best performing boy from M16, M18 or M20 and the best performing girl from W16, W18 or W20, as nominated by the Junior Squad Coach in consultation with the Coaching Committee. 1998 Troy de Haas Kathryn Ewels 2000 Matthew Schepisi Kathryn Ewels 2004 Chris Naunton Jasmine Neve 2005 Chris Naunton Jasmine Neve 2006 Chris Naunton Jasmine Neve 2007 Morten Neve Belinda Lawford 2008 Bryan Keely Aislinn Prendergast 2009 Max Neve Aislinn Prendergast 2010 – Rebecca Sunley 2011 Max Neve Mary Fleming 2012 Todd Neve Lanita Steer 2013 Matt Doyle Lanita Steer 2014 Matt Doyle Lanita Steer 2015 Matt Doyle Lanita Steer 2016 Patrick Jaffe Lanita Steer 2017 Aston Key Asha Steer 2018 Aston Key Asha Steer 2019 Aston Key Sophie Taverna 2020 No awards made due to Covid-19 2021 Jensen Key Sophie Taverna 2022 Jensen Key Sophie Taverna 2023 Callum White Milla Key Rockhopper Club Trophy The former Rockhopper Orienteers club donated a trophy known as the Rockhopper Trophy. This trophy is awarded annually to the Champion Club affiliated to Orienteering Victoria. 1996 Nillumbik Emus 1997 Nillumbik Emus 1998 Nillumbik Emus 1999 Nillumbik Emus 2000 Nillumbik Emus 2001 Yarra Valley Orienteering Club 2002 Nillumbik Emus 2003 Yarra Valley Orienteering Club 2004 Nillumbik Emus 2005 Nillumbik Emus 2006 Nillumbik Emus 2007 Nillumbik Emus 2008 Nillumbik Emus 2009 Bendigo Orienteers 2010 Bendigo Orienteers 2011 Bayside Kangaroos 2012 Bendigo Orienteers 2013 Bendigo Orienteers 2014 Bendigo Orienteers 2015 Bendigo Orienteers 2016 Melbourne Forest Racers 2017 Bendigo Orienteers 2018 Melbourne Forest Racers 2019 Melbourne Forest Racers 2020 No award made due to Covid-19 2021 No award made due to Covid-19 2022 Melbourne Forest Racers 2023 Melbourne Forest Racers 2023 Yarra Valley Orienteering Club COURSE SETTER OF THE YEAR AWARDS – 2016 ONWARDS Year Long Distance Middle Distance Sprint Distance Park and Street 2016 Todd Neve and Sue Key, Creswick Darren Eenjes/Daryl Fleay, Mt Korong Philippa Lohmeyer-Collins and Stephen Collins, Kardinia International College Kristian Ruuska, Waterford Valley, Monday Summer Series 2017 Roch Prendergast, Petticoat Gully Sarah Davies, YVGS Race 1 Rick Bailes - Waverley Woods, Monday Summer Series 2018 David Brownridge & Stephen Collins, Tipperary Jim Russell, Yorkshire Hill Dion Keech, Caulfield Grammar, Wheelers Hill Graham Wallis - Kingsclere, Monday Summer Series 2019 Warren Key, Kangaroo Crossing Patrick Jaffe, Nerrina Callum White, Eltham College Martine Barrott, Waterford Valley, Monday Summer Series 2020 No award made due to Covid-19 No award made due to Covid-19 No award made due to Covid-19 Suzanne O'Callaghan, Glenhuntly Gallop, Monday Summer Series From 2021, categories reverted to Forest, MTBO, Sprint, and Park Street Year Forest MTBO Sprint Park Street 2021 Ted van Geldermalsen, Vic Shorts, Granite Hills Mark Valentine, Bristol Hill MTBO Don Fell, outstanding contribution to the Western Summer Series 2022 Neil Barr, Blackwood John Gavens, Nerrina Bruce Arthur, Manor Lakes Michael Hubbert - Inaugural winner of the MICHAEL HUBBERT AWARD FOR PARK STREET COURSE SETTER OF THE YEAR, for his outstanding contribution to Park Street Orienteering in Melbourne and the Mornington Peninsula 2023 Michael Loughnan, Diamond Hill, Bendigo Bush Series 12 Sophie Van Gunsteren, You Yangs Stuart Lawrie, Victorian Sprint Championships and Mad Dash, Whitefriars College Ian Greenwood, Chirnside Park, Wednesday Summer Series Course Setter of the Year Awards to 2015 Course Setter of the Year – Bush Year Winner(s) Map Event/Series 2004 Peter Creely 2005 Peter Searle 2006 Peter Galvin Korong Spur Australian Middle Champs 2007 Geoff Lawford Nerrina Eureka Challenge 2008 Warren Key Chewton 2008 Victorian Long Champs 2009 Warren Key Chewton 2009 Australian Middle Champs 2010 John Chellew Sedgwick Bendigo local 2011 Geoff Adams Deadman’s Flat Bayside Kangaroos Mayhem Weekend 2012 Stephen Peacock Rowdy Flat Victorian Middle Distance Championships 2013 Daryl Fleay Yorkshire Hill Australian Easter 3-Days 2014 Geoff Lawford Glenluce South Eureka Challenge 2015 Neil Barr Bird’s Reef State Series #6 Course Setter of the Year – MTBO Year Winner(s) Map Event/Series 2004 Keith Wade & Derek Morris 2005 Ray Sheldon 2006 Carolyn & Adrian Jackson Old Quartz Hill State MTBO Series 2007 Toby Cooper Creswick Forest State MTBO Series 2008 Geoff Armstrong Muckleford Diggings 2008 Long Champs 2009 Keith Wade Woodend 2009 Champs Course Setter of the Year – Park and Street Year Winner(s) Map/Event Series 2005 Phil Torode Loughnans Park Quandary Enduro 2006 Russell Bulman Research/St Helena Enduro 2007 Phil Poulton Bundoora Northern Summer 2008 Rebecca Lalor & Peter Hobbs Dandenong Creek Eastern Summer 2009 Katherine Dent & Kristian Halbert Camelot Rise Eastern Summer 2010 Tina Smith Mt Eagle Saturday Winter 2011 Warwick Davis Kensington Banks Western Summer 2012 Peter Beggs Footscray Western Summer 2013 Sandy Burgoyne Cremorne Saturday 2014 Judi Herkes Glengala Western Summer 2015 Ted van Geldermalsen Port Melbourne Western Summer Coach of the Year Award The Coach of the Year Award was instigated in 1994 to recognise the contributions of coaches to orienteering in Victoria. 1994 Peta Whitford 1995 Russell Blatchford & Tony Perrott 1998 Carolyn Jackson 2001 Peta Whitford 2011 Steven Bird 2012 Roch Prendergast 2013 Junior Squad Coaching Crew 2024 Roch Prendergast Club Volunteers of the Year This new award was introduced in 2024. Clubs were invited to nominate their Volunteer of the Year for 2023. Bayside Kangaroos – Martin Kozma Central Highlands – Sophie Taverna Dandenong Ranges – Debbie Dodd Eureka – executive team – Ian Chennell, BJ Johnson, Blake Gordon, Mark Valentine Melbourne Forest Racers – Patrick Jaffe Nillumbik Emus – Don Fell Yarra Valley – Ruth Goddard