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ACT ROGAINING ASSOCIATION BULLETIN‍

‍In this edition:

• Looking back on 2025
• T‍hank you to all the volunteers
• President's piece
• Looking ahead - 2026 calendar

Looking back on 2025

As the year winds down, we wanted to take a moment to look back at everything the ACT Rogaining community has accomplished together. Whether you attended every rogaine, or just one, you made this year a success.

Here is a look back at the year and a sneak peek at what is coming next.

2025 started with a warm Twilight 3 Hour held in Tuggeranong, but the steep slopes of Rob Roy made sure that each control was earned. 

Up next was a departure from the normal schedule to launch straight into the Australasian Championships, held in Northern Kosciuszko. This event was a major success with a challenging course and rather pleasant weather enjoyed by all 174 teams from across the nation and beyond.

‍Briefing for the Australasian Champs

We remained within the Australian Alps with the Paddy Pallin 6 hour near the very picturesque Yankee Hat in what was a very enjoyable course for people of all experience levels.

Teams enjoying the panorama at the Paddy Pallin

Beginner and intermediate rogainers were treated to some world class navigation coaching at an ACTRA run workshop in late March. The two-day course even finished with a three hour mini-rogaine around Googong dam.

In May the Virtualgaine returned with the course running straight through the Parliamentary triangle and other parts of the Inner South.

Although we didn’t host it, it would be remiss to not mention the large cohort of ACT rogainers who made the long journey to Spain for the world championships. David Baldwin and Julie Quinn had the best result of the Australians, finishing 2^nd in mixed veterans and 12^th overall, whilst E Wen Wong and Oliver James were crowned World Champions in the mixed youth!

At the same time as the worlds were on, ACTRA held our Winter 4 Hour in Tallaganda. An oncoming storm at the end of the event resulted in a world record hash house pack up, fully done in less than forty minutes!

The rogaining continued with the Park-n-Play Metrogaine in August, hopefully no one abused the easy access to the light rail to get around the course!

Course planning for the Metrogaine

Not long after was the most chaotic (and therefore beautiful in this author's opinion) rogaine of the year, the Night 5 and Day 6 Hour and Cyclegaine, held in the classic Inward Bound training area of Pierces Creek Forest. The many young teams made the atmosphere of this rogaine as lively as ever.

Finally, after a small hiccup, we were able to host the Spring 6 and 12 Hour rogaine down in Bondo State Forest. A huge thank you must go out to all the volunteers that were able to quickly organise this event after the original event was unable to occur.

2025 by the numbers:

• ACTRA held 8 events, with 961 teams entered!
• Over 1.1 million points were scored at those events!
• Over 120 mugs were awarded!
• 300,000 cheese toasties were eaten at the hash house (or that’s what it felt like to anyone having to cook them all)!
• The ACTRA Bulletin (excluding this one) was opened 16,936 times!

T‍hank you to all the volunteers

Volunteers from the ANU Inward Bound Committee at the Night/Day Rogaine

‍Speaking of volunteers, we’d also like to put out a big thank you to everyone who volunteered this year! Rogaining does not exist without the generosity of everyone who gives up some time to contribute. Whether it was collecting a few controls, or organising an international championship event, every volunteer’s contribution counted to making this year a success.

Volunteering for rogaines can also be a lot of fun, and we're always going to accept additional help. If you are interested in volunteering in the future, feel free to contact the committee using the button at the end of this email.

President's piece

Ollie (right) with his Spring 12 Hour teammates, Toby (left) and Dom (middle).

It’s been a wonderful year of rogaining in the ACT. We’ve enjoyed events across a wide range of terrain, from our fast and runnable courses around Canberra to technical navigation challenges in areas of beautiful bush around our region.

This year wouldn’t have been possible without our incredible volunteers. From course setters and vetters, to event coordinators, and all the helpers on the day, your time and effort are what make our events run so smoothly. On behalf of the association, thank you for your dedication and generosity throughout the year!

I’d also like to thank the rest of the committee for their support and guidance as I’ve settled into the President’s role. It’s been a pleasure working with such a committed and experienced group, and I’m looking forward to the year ahead.

As we head into the festive season, I hope everyone enjoys a safe and relaxing Christmas and New Year, with time to recharge and perhaps plan a few navigational goals for 2026. We hope to see you at one (or many!) of our events next year.

Happy rogaining,

Ollie James

President, ACT Rogaining Association

Looking ahead - 2026 calendar

‍2026 is shaping up to be another huge year!