Toowoomba family signs up for world-wide event
ORIENTEERING: The Burke family will be doing its bit for Toowoomba when the city joins in World Orienteering Day (WOD) on Wednesday afternoon.
WOD is held on different dates around the globe from May 23-29.
The day — introduced to help promote the growth of orienteering as a family sport at world level — was introduced in 2016 when more than 250,000 participants took part.
Last year 288,000 people joined in the day at 2300 locations in 79 countries, including members of Toowoomba’s Range Runners Orienteering Club.
Simon and Debbie Burke and their children Isaac (12 years), Felicity (nine), Annabelle (seven) and Molly (five) took up orienteering three years ago and will part of Wednesday’s Toowoomba event as organisers look to set a world participation record.
Debbie said her family’s passion for orienteering has continued to grow since Simon and Isaac were first introduced to the sport.
“Simon and Isaac took part in a fun orienteering event at Highfields about three years ago and our involvement just grew from there,” Debbie said.
“Simon thought is was a lot of fun and Isaac loved it and it has done so much to help his confidence.
“We join in now when we can which takes you to different places you wouldn’t normally get the chance to see.
“There are some terrific courses around at places like Goomburra and Stanthorpe.
“We took part in World Orienteering Day last year and it was a lot of fun.
“The club members and people you meet make it a really enjoyable activity.”
Wednesday’s event will start at West Creek Park in Creedon Dr, Toowoomba at 4.30pm.
Newcomers to orienteering are welcome.
More details are available at oq.asn.au/events or from Range Runners Orienteering Club president Felicity Crosato on 4698 1538.