Village Hot Bake donated $355 towards the cost of club shirts and much-needed equipment.

Western Plains Orienteers president Karen Hagan was more than grateful for the donation.

“Getting the club shirts helped reinforce the identity of the club,” Hagan said.

“We are proud to be easily recognised as the Western Plains Orienteers at club, state and national competitions.

“We are also very grateful to receive help towards buying equipment.

“The club is hosting bigger and bigger events, and attracting competitors from further and further away.

“Larger events need more equipment.”

Western Plains Orienteers, which only celebrated their first anniversary last month, has already had some notable successes.

The Macquarie Anglican Grammar School orienteering squad coached by the club became State Primary School Champions, and overall NSW School Champions last month.

In the Australian Three-Day Orienteering Event last Easter, club members Bronwyn Powell and Kerrie Mitchell took first and second places respectively in the Women’s Open B Class, and Emily Armistead took second in Women’s/Men’s Novice Class.

In the 2008 state league, Karen Hagan holds first place in the Women’s Open B Class, Samantha Wallace and Kate Kennedy hold second and third place respectively in the Women’s 12 A Class and Kate Hagan and Rebecca Kennedy hold second and third in the Women’s 10 A Class.

The success of the young club was summed up during the NSW Schools Championships presentations, when someone in the crowd humorously quipped “they’re nicking all our trophies”.

“Dubbo offers an excellent variety of high quality sporting opportunities,” Karen Hagan said.

“I believe that orienteering has become popular here because it fills a niche.

“Firstly, it is one of the few sports where everybody in the family, children, parents and grandparents, can compete at the same event.

“And secondly, events often take place in areas of outstanding beauty.”

Club members aged 35 years and over now have their sights set on the World Masters Orienteering Championships in Sydney and Lithgow in October next year.

“We have some very strong competitors who have already begun preparing for this major international event,” Hagan said.

For further information about orienteering contact info@westernplainsorienteers.org