Tag Archives: illawarra

Kevin Curby – 50 years on and still orienteering

Recently ONSW acknowledged those members who had been actively involved in the sport for 50 years. Kevin (Kev) Curby, a long-time member of Illawarra Kareelah was on the list. 

Kev was introduced to orienteering by Len Minty who brought the sport to Gymea High School where Kev was teaching in 1974. Len needed another teacher to assist on sports afternoons. This was the start of a lifetime friendship with Len and a long term (50 year) engagement with orienteering. 

Kev went on to introduce orienteering as a sport at Kogarah and Engadine High Schools. This involvement with orienteering in schools continued when, as president of Illawarra Kareelah Orienteers Inc (IKO), and with the help of Keith Jay as course setter and other stalwarts from Southern Highlands and Uringa clubs, he established the School Gala Days for the Illawarra Region at Croome, near Albion Park. These annual events continued until the Department of Main Roads constructed the Albion Park by-pass through the middle of the map.

In the beginning maps were printed in black and white with blue for watercourses. Len and later Ian Prosser set courses in the Royal National Park in the Loftus area on maps that included areas such as Kangaroo Creek. Young Kev enjoyed the challenge of navigating his way by map through bushland in a variety of locations that often, he had not been to before. It started a new life of fitness for him.

He says he is not sure what keeps him involved after 50 years but …“it’s certainly not my performance”. Whilst he confesses to never being a good navigator Kev still enjoys the outdoor activity, especially bush courses. “I keep returning not only for the courses but also for the friendships and satisfaction from both the physical exertion and mental exercise”. He enjoys the challenge of the score events. “It’s a joy to be able to run a bit whilst maintaining my concentration and reading the map”.

Going away to 3-day events was a highlight of the O calendar and a source of much enjoyment. Often the trip, particularly those interstate, would be extended into a family holiday. As a result Kev reckons he has seen a fair bit of the eastern seaboard. The weather wasn’t always predictable and he remembers running through a light covering of snow in a relay on the 3rd day of an event near Lithgow.

QBIII at Wagga Wagga 2017

Over the years Kev has made an extensive contribution to the sport. He was an active member of the Kareelah Orienteering Club in Southern Sydney, the second club to be established in NSW. As the club grew, members moved on to establish Uringa and Illawarra Orienteering clubs. At Kareelah Kev served in several roles including that of president for a number of years.  He was actively engaged in organising events, including major events such as Easter 3-days and Queen’s Birthday Weekend (QBIII) now the KBIII. In fact, it was the Kareelah club, along with Uringa Orienteers, who were instrumental in introducing the QBIII onto the orienteering calendar. Many a meeting was held in the Curby lounge room in Woolooware organising such events.

Kareelah were also responsible for introducing the Budkavle – a relay event on forest maps involving teams of 5 and 7 people that started at midnight and finished in the wee hours of the morning.  Kareelah members Bjorn and Monica Bloomstedt set the courses and organised the events along the lines of Budkavle events in Sweden. Teams had to have at least one female runner and a junior. As the event was held in the winter there was always a fire to warm up finishers, until fire restrictions put paid to that.  

In 2000 Kareelah and Illawarra Orienteers combined to form Illawarra Kareelah Orienteers. Kev served as President for 5 years from 2011-2015. It was during his time as president that the club was incorporated and became Illawarra Kareelah Orienteers Inc.  It was also the time that the club purchased its first SI units and laptop bringing event organising into the 21st century. Before this finish times had to be calculated manually and being a maths teacher the job of calculator often fell upon Kev’s shoulders. He remembers calculating times for relay events as being the most challenging.   

Kev’s water supply system

Kev was well known at major events for his Heath Robinson style contraptions for displaying results and supplying water for competitors at the finish. The club also has Kev to thank for the design and organising the purchase of our IKO club clothing. No longer are we a motley crew but look very schmick in our club uniforms. A far cry from the gear of 45 years ago.

Pictured below is Kev at the hand over from Kareelah team mate Peter Howe at a relay event in 1980s and a more recent image of some post-event analysis at Double Bay last year.

Kev has had a long association with the Hut at Belanglo. He has found maintaining the facility to be a rewarding activity and along with the other “friends of the hut” received the ONSW Volunteers-of-the-year for his efforts in 2021.

Well done Kev. Thanks for everything you have done for the sport and for our club. 

Illawarra Map Running Summer Series commences on Sunday 9th February

Get ready for the annual Illawarra Map Running Summer Series in February/March. Four events will be conducted on Sunday mornings throughout the Illawarra in the  Shellcove, Windang, Kiama and Figtree areas. Starts will be from 10am to 11am, courses closes at 12noon. There will be a sausage sizzle to follow the event and the opportunity to enjoy a swim at some of Illawarra beautiful beaches.  So pack your swimmers and come on down and join us for a run on one of the three line courses that will be available. Families, newcomers and beginners are very welcome. Club members will be available to guide you on your way.  
The first event will be held at Shellcove. Event details are available at  https://eventor.orienteering.asn.au/Events/Show/21572. Enter on the day will be available however we encourage you to pre-enter via Eventor.

Newcomers note: by attending 3 out of the 4 Illawarra Map Running Summer Series: Sun Feb 9, Sun 16 Feb, Sun 2 Mar & Sun 9 Mar you will have the chance of winning a free 12 month membership with the Illawarra Kareelah Orienteers club.
Conditions apply: offer available to newcomers only (not applicable to previous membership holders). After completion of the series, those eligible will be notified by email of their success with an option to accept or decline this offer.

Looking for a run in January

If you are keen to have a run in January why not take a trip to the Southern Highlands. This year SHOO (Southern Highlands Orienteering Club) are running their popular park/street Summer Saturdays series around the Macarthur area. 
There will be two course choices – a 45 minute score course and a 2km line course suitable for our younger competitors and those new to orienteering. Starts are between 9:00 and 10:30 with course closure at 11:30. Coaching will be provided. Check their website  or Eventor for further information.

Sydney Summer Series – ‘Sydney Map Running’

Throughout the summer months Sydney orienteering clubs run an event event every Wednesday evening with starts from 4.30pm to 6.45pm. The events take the form of a score event where competitors are required to visit as many controls as they can within 45 minutes. Careful planning is required to maximise your points score. Information about the series is available on the NSW Orienteering website at https://www.sydneysummerseries.com.au/

Ho Ho Ho! Our Christmas event is here!

Come along for our last event of the year at Kiama Downs next Saturday 14 December. Bring some festive cheer, there will be lucky door prizes, and silly headwear is encouraged!

Enter now on Eventor
Eventor Australia – Event information: IKO Xmas event – Kiama Downs

Starts from 3pm to 4pm at Bombo Hill Reserve, Riverside Drive Kiama Downs. BYO swimmers if you fancy a dip at Bombo Beach afterwards. And BYO food and drinks for the post-event BBQ and/or a salad or dessert to share. See you there!

ILLAWARRA MAP RUNNING SPRING SERIES 2024

The Illawarra Map Running Spring Series 2024 starts on 19 October and runs to 9 November.

The events are held on Saturday mornings with starts from 10am to11am. See dates and locations below. At the end of the event there will the be a free sausage sizzle.  Novices and regular orienteers are all welcome to join in these fun events. Long (6Km), Medium (4Km) and Short (2KM) line courses will be offered and members will be around on the day to help any newcomers. Pre-entries via Eventor are encouraged (see links below) otherwise just turn up and enter on the day.

Sat 19 Oct Shellharbour – Dawes Park, Junction Rd, Barrack Point https://eventor.orienteering.asn.au/Events/Show/20724

Sat 26 Oct Gwynneville – Wiseman Park https://eventor.orienteering.asn.au/Events/Show/20725

Sat 2 Nov Croom Sports Complex, Albion Park https://eventor.orienteering.asn.au/Events/Show/20726

Sat 9 Nov Unanderra – Charcoal Park, cnr Princes Highway & Factory Rd https://eventor.orienteering.asn.au/Events/Show/20727

Next Club Event – Berry Saturday 6th July

Join us this Saturday 6th July in the historical village of Berry for a run/walk on the new East Berry map. Start/assembly area is at “Berry Tennis Club” – access off North Street, Berry. Three line courses will be available – long 5.5Km, medium 3.5km, short / kids 1.5km. Starts are from 2.00pm to 3.00pm.

Newcomers are welcome and club members will be at hand to help you on your way. For further information go to https://eventor.orienteering.asn.au/Events/Show/20721