Twelve months ago, we started 2017 with the 4-hour Twilight “Glaciers and Diprotodons” event around Hallett Cove. This event was set by the Adelaide Uni Mountain Club member Jonathon Gobin ably assisted by the Event Coordinator Jo Powell. With over 140 teams, this was an excellent event.

Following Easter, we held our second Velogaine event which was again set by Bruce Greenhalgh with the assistance of organizer Zara Soden. Memories of this event which was held on a sunny April day in some picturesque countryside were somewhat soured for me due to a major wheel failure which saw me spending more time running than riding and ending up being disqualified.

However, both Bruce and Zara were the perfect hosts for the event as they moved onto greater triumphs, later in the year.

From push bikes, we reverted back to the traditional foot rogaining for our classic 12-hour event. This was conducted in the historic surrounds of Bangor, which is just North of the Wirrabarra Forest. The event was hosted and set by local Alan Clarke and rogaining partner Quinten van der Werf with Evelyn Colwell mentoring the first-time course setters as well as being the Event Coordinator.

Those who attended will probably remember the stunning terrain, great campfires at the Hash House and the cleverly located Control at the local winery. Apparently, it was one of their best trading days for a while, but for me again a disappointment, disqualified this time with “partner” failure.

Returning closer to Adelaide, Kate Corner almost singlehandedly set and organized our 6-hour Bush rogaine near the Jupiter Creek Goldfields. This was our final event in partnership with the SA Asthma Foundation and again proved to be a high attendance, crowd-pleasing event.

We have enjoyed a fruitful partnership with the Asthma Foundation since 2009 and each organization has reaped significant benefits from the partnership. However, all good things come to an end and it was mutually agreed that we finish the partnership.

Quickly following on, Richard Sprod and the team again took us to the Peterborough/Orroroo area for a 24-hour event. This was another great camping weekend with an extremely well-set event providing many challenges for the competitors. We were fortunate to host a highly talented team from WA who cleaned up the course in an amazing time.

Our final event of the year was the family orientated 3-hour Minigaine again hosted by the City of Tea Tree Gully. Sally Caston again, did an amazing job liaising with the Council and getting everything organized. Amanda Kelly set the event with assistance from husband Mark Corbett and the Corbett seniors. With fancy dress themes, basketball court antics, jigsaw puzzles and a moving 100 point control, there was something to keep everyone amused.

The season was concluded with the traditional Volunteer’s Thankyou day where we celebrated birthdays, as well as the, soon to be, the retirement of our President, Mark Porter and our Secretary, Ella Robinson. They have both had a significant positive influence on the progress of the Rogaining association over many years. We wish them well in their new life in Canberra.

Also presented at the Volunteer’s day were the final results of the “IO Merino Rogainer of the Year” Awards. This was our initial foray into trying to select who performed best throughout the year. A highly complex formula was used taking into account volunteering efforts as well overall results saw Zara Soden and Bruce Greenhalgh winning the outright female and male rogainer of the year and being presented with prizes from IO Merino, our naming rights sponsor.

Throughout the year the committee has met roughly every six to eight weeks to discuss and plan the events as well as take care of background things like the website, equipment maintenance, insurance, indemnity form layout, sponsorship, community involvement, online banking and the entry system to name a few.

One of the big highlights was the complete upgrade of the website, which went live earlier this year. Website design by CASTONDESIGN and the website development by Jeremy Carter have been working closely with the committee on building the new site which will soon have a new purpose-built entry system, which is being trialled and tested now.

In conclusion, I would like to thank all members of the current committee and the numerous volunteers, without whose enthusiastic input, the events conducted would not be possible.

Craig Colwell
Vice President
Acting President
SA Rogaining Association
19 March 2018