2 April 2009
Camping Information: We have had a huge response to our offer of basic camping both at Myrtle Park and Royal George. In all cases your camping vouchers will be in your registration bag - pay at registration if you have not already paid. For more information on the camping sites click HERE. Please remember that in both cases (but particularly with Royal George) facilities are very basic. At Royal George we are bringing in 4 portable toilets but there are no showers. The St Pauls River runs right past the camping area so if the weather stays warm (it was 26 degrees today) an afternoon dip may be possible. However frosty mornings are not uncommon at this time of year so bring thick sleeping bags.

2 April 2009
Start Lists: A copy of the start lists booklet is now on the website. Printed copies willbe placed in registration bags. You can view the booklet HERE

30 March 2009
Program and Start Lists: A copy of the program has been loaded onto the website as a pdf and is available HERE. A printed copy will be in your registration bag. Start lists are just undergoing a final check and will be on the website by mid week.

30 March 2009
OA Annual Dinner: The OA annual dinner is being held on the evening of Saturday 11 April at the Riverside Golf Club near Trevallyn. It is a large venue and we can still take bookings. Guest speaker will be Siegfried Ritter, the owner of Sportident GMBH, who will speak about how Sportident came to be. Tickets are $40 per person and this includes a 3 course meal. If you would like to reserve tickets (these can be collected and paid for at registration) just email easter@tasorienteering.asn.au and let us know.

26 March 2009
Livelys Bog Age Classes: Because competitor numbers in the AS classes are slightly lower at Livelys Bog than for the Easter 3 Days, we have combined M & W 21AS, 35AS and 45AS into two classes, M21-54AS and W21-54AS. In all cases the change does not impact on the difficulty or length of courses as in each case competitors in the three classes would have run the same course anyway.

25 March 2009
Naturopath and Masseur: Local Avoca resident Marilyn Von Paleske who is a nuturpoath and masseur will be on hand at both the Royal George events. She advises she will also have with her a colleague who is a specialist sports masseur. If you want further information or to make a booking in advance she can be contacted on 03-6384 2366 or 0429 793341.

25 March 2009
Yes we have coffee!! Just to put at rest the concerns of people who like a morning coffee hit - we have arranged with Beaucino Coffee for them to be in place at all the NOL events, ie Prologue and Easter 3 Days and the two NOL events the following weekend.

15 March 2009
Orienteers are invited to Fly, as well as Run, in the Forests of Tasmania: Some time ago a business was established at Hollybank Forest reserve just outside of Launceston, called the Hollybank Treetops Adventure Ride. It involves a circuit through tree tops suspended by wire. The circuit normally takes a couple of hours and costs $99 per person. The operators (who are supporters of the E2009 carnival) have offered orienteers a special deal on our first rest day (Tuesday 14 April) of just $30 per person or $20 for those with an AutoRent Hertz hire car. This is a fantastic saving (up to $79 per person) and we hope it will be well supported. In addition a 2 for 1 discount will apply to the second rest day (Friday 17 April). For more information and details of how to book click the link HERE.

13 March 2009
Royal George Accommodation and Food: We have just been advised by a resident of Avoca (only 10 km from Royal George) that there may be some accommodation options still available in the area on Saturday and Sunday nights, 11 and 12 April. As of a couple of days ago the local hotel had some rooms Ph 03-6384 2121 and a local resident Ange Gee 03-6384 2160 apparently knew of a house with accommodation available. Avoca has a general store / takeaway and a cafe. The owner of the cafe, Renee Syme also contacted us and said she would cook meals and breakfasts for orienteers staying in the area - call her on 03-6384 2399 if you wish to make a booking. Please email the organisers at easter@tasorienteering.asn.au if any of these are booked out by the time you get to them and we will advise the updated status here.

10 March 2009
Easter Meetings: The PROGRAM page of this website has been updated to include basic details of Easter meeting dates and times. Further detail will be added as it comes to hand.

10 March 2009
Galaxy Sprint - Public Races: After the original registration documents were formulated and distributed a decision was made to incorporate the Galaxy Sprint and the Tasmanian Sprint Orienteering Championships into the one event. The only impact of this has been that some broad non-elite age classes required competitors to be separated back into more specific age classes. This has been done by the organisers based on competitors' preferences in the 3 Day event. Future competitor listings for this event shown on the website will have competitors organised according to the revised age classes. If you have a problem with your revised age class please contact the organisers at easter@tasorienteering.asn.au For most competitors there will either be no change or the change will not require any action from you at all.

5 March 2009
Family Relays: We have realised that in an oversight we failed to ask participants to nominate in their entry which of the three courses each team member will run. The options are:
Long: 3.8 km
Medium: 2.8 km
Short: 1.7 km
A number of teams have already nominated their runners. To avoid a last minute rush it would be appreciated if any team which has not advised its runners could send an email to easterentries@tasorienteering.asn.au advising who in their team will run long, who medium and who short. This request will also be emailed out in a few days to all Family Relay main contacts.

4 March 2009
Good Numbers for Easter: With a few late entries still trickling in, our total number of entrants for the carnival is in excess of 650 with well over 600 taking part in the main 3 Days competition. It is now only 5 weeks until the carnival commences and all planning is going well.

4 March 2009
Autorent Hire Cars: Autorent Hertz has apologised for a software error which meant that a number of requests went unanswered when both OT and Autorent thought they had been dealt with. The manager of Autorent Hertz says he has been in touch with almost everyone who requested a vehicle quote but is concerned in case there are any requests still unanswered. Accordingly, if you are still awaiting a response from Autorent just let us know at OT at easter@tasorienteering.asn.au and we will get Autorent onto your case.

17 February 2009
Fonthill Catering and Accommodation: We have about 100 people registered for the midweek mini rogaine at Fonthill. In the entry form we advised we would announce accommodation options for Wednesday night 15 April nearer the time. We also advertised a spit roast at $25 per head for which a number of people have paid. The following revised arrangements are in place:

1. Accommodation. Fonthill has an original sandstone mansion, log cabin, old farmhouse and shearers quarters (all refurbished) with a large central kitchen and recreation room in the shearers quarters and a large undercover bar and recreation room in the shearing shed. The following accommodation options are available:
- Camping with full use of facilities including showers and kitchen $10 per person (tents or campervans).
- Shearers Quarters/ Log Cabin / Old Farmhouse $35 per person (about 14 rooms - mixture of 2 person, 3 person, 4 person, doubles)
- Original sandstone mansion $50 per person (3 doubles, 2 twins)
To book an accommodation option send your request to Janet Bush at duckbush@bigpond.com . The rooms will be allocated on a fist come - first served basis

2. Catering: We have had trouble engaging a suitable caterer. Tasmanians who stayed at Fonthill last year after the Tas Relay Championshps will recollect the great evening we had in the shearing shed bar. For this there was an undercover self catering BBQ and we held presentations and had a few competitions during the evening. This was such a great evening that we have decided to refund everyone their $25 Spit Roast fee (this will be refunded to you at registration) and ask everyone to bring along something for the BBQ. For those passing through Campbell Town on Wednesday morning there is a butcher in the main street renowned for his venison sausages, kangaroo patties and other exotic game and specialty meats. Your provisions can be placed in the large commercial fridge in the shearers quarters. The shearing shed bar fits about 100 people and is licensed (with some good wines) and even in an October gale like last year was very cosy inside.

The above information will be emailed in the next day or two to all those registered for event 7.

15 February 2009
Normal Entries Close on Friday 20 February: After this date entries will continue to be accepted but a $30 late fee per person applies to all entries. As at 14 February we have about 450 entries and are expecting to top 500 by the end of the week. So get those entries in!

13 February 2009
Change of venue for Royal George camping: The popularity of the bush camping offered at Royal George has resulted in numbers too great for the limited area available at Brookstead property. Fortunately a local landowner who is renting two cabins to the organising team for accommodation on Saturday and Sunday nights has now agreed to accommodate all campers in his adjoining paddock. This is actually a more convenient and scenic location, only about 3 km from Brookstead and half way between the two Royal George events, on the banks of the St Pauls River. The farmer has drinking water on tap and we are arranging toilets. As previously advised, however, there are no shower arrangements. Spaces are unlimited so while booking in advance is preferred, you can still book and pay for this camping at Registration. The fee is $5 per person (children 16 and under free). The entrance to the camping area will be signposted from midday on Saturday 11 April 2009. Sites will not be preallocated but campers are asked to stay within the designated area and to park vehicles and set up tents in such a manner that allows access to others.

27 January 2009
Entries Pouring in: Entries for Easter have reached the 400 mark with three weeks to go until the end of the normal entry period on 20 February. In this time changes can be made to entries including, for example, adding a mid week event to your itinerary. Such changes can be made by emailing the entries co-ordinator on easterentries@tasorienteering.asn.au.

25 January 2009
Thank you to everyone who has sent their car hire request through. We have forwarded these to Autorent Hertz immediately upon receipt but are aware of some delays in Autorent getting back to people. This has arisen from Autorent having its peak activity for the year during January. Our apologies for any delays. If you have not heard back from Autorent Hertz just email easter@tasorienteering.asn.au and we will hurry them up.

12 December 2008
Elite Prologue start put back 1/2 hour to 11.30 am. The Elite Prologue start has been put back until 11.30 am on Friday 10 April. Amongst other things this gives anyone arriving on the 10.30 flight into Launceston time to get to the event. This applies particularly to anyone from Queensland as that is the first connecting flight in from Brisbane for the day.

23 November 2008
Camping option for Thursday and Friday: On a site visit last week we discovered that the old campground at Myrtle Park (30 km from Launceston and 10 km from Diddleum) has been upgraded. It now has a shop, toilets and showers and room for up to 300 tents. There is a large hall / kitchen which we have just booked for Thursday 9 April and Friday 10 April. We have negotiated a rate of $10 per party per night (party being defined loosely as 2 or 3 people in a tent or a family in 1 or 2 tents) for bookings made through the carnival organisers. If you are interested just send an email to easter@tasorienteering.asn.au and we will reserve your spot. It is a lovely campground, spread out over many acres along the banks of the St Patricks River. More details on the accommodation page.

14 November 2008
Hire Car Arrangements: Autorent hertz have asked that the carnival organisers co-ordinate requests for hire cars. Full details are on the transport page. Please send us your requirements and we will ensure Autorent h\Hertz gets back to you with a quote.

10 November 2008
Saturday a World Ranking Event: It has just been confirmed that Saturday's event (day 1 of the 3 days - day 2 for elites) located at Diddleum, is a World Ranking Event.

7 November 2008
TT Line offers participants a special deal: TT Line which operates the Bass Strait ferries Spirit of Tasmania I and II has offered a special deal for orienteers travelling to Tasmania for the Easter carnival. From today those wishing to travel on the 8th April 2009 or later get a 5% discount on cabin rates while those travelling before the 8th get a 20% discount. Check the transport page for a list of fares and a booking form.

6 November 2008
Split times: Our entry form makes reference to possible difficulties in prioviding split times for A class runners. Please note that this statement was included to cover any difficulties which could arise from chasing starts predominantly on E clourses. In actual fact we will do everything possible to accommodate split times. If you have young children proceed with entering and simply note your desire for split times. We will contact you if there are any issues.

5 November 2008
After an extended trip to the NSW Champs, Aus Champs and Vic Camps and a bit of touring in between, Easter 2009 organisers Bert Elson and Jan Hardy are back in Tasmania and in touch with members of the carnival organising team. Expect regular news updates from here on.

10 September 2009
The carnival flier and entry form have now been printed and will be handed out at the NSW Champs, AUS Champs and VIC Champs carnivals. From today both are also available on the website: ---- BROCHURE ----- ENTRY FORM