Introduction

Why Join a Club?

Almost all orienteering events in Victoria are run by clubs - they provide the organisational framework and manpower that makes our hobby the success that it is. In addition, orienteering clubs provide a social and training framework for orienteers, both during and after events. There are lots of good reasons for joining a club:
 

  • Clubs allow you to put something back into the sport; as clubs run events, you will be given the opportunity to help out - working alongside an experienced course-setter or organiser provides good experience and new friendships.
     
  • Club newsletters; most clubs provide excellent newsletters providing articles about recent items of interest and information about future events.
     
  • Club websites; these provide access to reference information that will be useful to you as you start out in orienteering.
     
  • Club running gear; it's great to be a member of a team - and running in a distinctive top immediately identifies you as a member of your club or team. A casual greeting, a friendly wave as you approach another runner - they all build camaraderie that makes participation even more enjoyable. Several of the clubs sponsor the cost of running tops for members.
  • Club fees are minimal; membership of most clubs is typically about $5-10 per year.

Which club should I join?

A person may join any club. There are no strict boundaries. However it is usually advantageous to join a club close to home so that you can attend meetings and take full part in the activities of the club of your choice.

How do I join a club?

Just complete the Application for Club Membership form below and forward it, with payment, to the club of your choice:

Please note that joining a club does not provide VOA membership. VOA membership is separate and provides a range of benefits to orienteers in addition to those provided by clubs. For more information about the benefits of joining the VOA refer to the Joining the VOA web page.

A list of office-bearers for each club is available from the VOA office on request.

Melbourne Based Clubs

Bayside Kangaroos Orienteering Club Inc. (BK)

Bayside Kangaroos offers its members an involvement with orienteering at all levels. We have a major focus on Park/Street Orienteering, Bush Orienteering and Mountain Bike Orienteering, while many members are also actively engaged in Rogaining and Ski Orienteering. To facilitate interaction among members we have a very active social calendar, with dinners - barbecues-film nights-mapping skills nights- trivia nights- cappuccino gatherings - held frequently throughout the year. Our membership base reflects our heavy commitment to the Melbourne Metropolitan Park and Street orienteering series
 
Fees: $5 per household
Contact: Gwen Baker
Phone No: 9898 4316
Postal Address:  
Website: www.bkv.org.au

Dandenong Ranges Orienteering Club Inc. (DROC)

DROC was formed in 1979 to develop orienteering in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs. Our club provides a fun, friendly, healthy and safe environment for participants of all ages and abilities. Members are active and successful particularly in park and street orienteering, as well as bush and mountain bike orienteering and rogaining, and we will help you get started in any of these areas. Our club also provides opportunities to become involved in map making and course setting, and we hold social bike rides, bbqs etc. 

All members receive - our quarterly newsletter “Punchline” and regular e-News via email - a discount at Rebel Sport, and access to special offers and buying nights - high quality running, cycling and “après” clothing in club colours are available for purchase.

Fees: $5 per household
Contact: Debbie Dodd
Phone No: 9878 9168 or email debiandodd@iinet.net.au
Postal Address: PO Box 5020, Laburnum 3130
WebSite: www.droc.orienteering.com.au

Melbourne Forest Racers Inc. (MFR)

Melbourne Forest Racers is Victoria's leading orienteering club for today's generation. MFR is an orienteering club based in the inner suburbs of Melbourne, and has around 40-50 active members. Most of our members are aged between 18 and 45, although there are an increasing number of kids due to a large number of family memberships. The majority of our membership enjoy bush orienteering, and most members have been doing this for many years. In fact, we have a large number of current and ex national team representatives and coaches - there are certainly no shortage of members to ask help from if you wish to develop your orienteering skills. We also have a Mountain Bike Orienteering World Champion in our club, and some members attend Park/Street orienteering events regularly. New members are always welcome.

 A feature of our club is our relaxed atmosphere. We try to minimise formal meetings and administration as much as possible, instead allowing members to spend more time enjoying what they like doing best - orienteering. The club conducts optional weekly training sessions on Monday evenings in the inner suburbs, which is usually followed by a meal. This provides a great way to get to know other members of the club.

Club Contact: Dion Keech
Phone No: 0419 449 309
WebSite: www.orienteering.asn.au/mfr

Nillumbik Emus Orienteering Club Inc. (NE)

Nillumbik Emus is one of the larger clubs affiliated with Orienteering Victoria. Membership is broadly based with members located across metropolitan Melbourne and regional areas of Victoria. The club caters for all ages and abilities and families are very welcome to join. Expert coaching and mentoring is available for newcomers. NE organises many events listed on the Bush, Park/Street and Mountain Bike calendar. Members also participate and assist in the organisation of Rogaines. The club has produced several bush and mountain bike orienteering maps and possesses all the equipment necessary for staging events. Some members play an active role on the OVIC and VRA committees. 

Social gatherings are a regular feature and members often get together before and after events. Members can be recognised at events by their distinctive emerald green and royal blue uniform with the Emu logo. The club subsidises the cost of the uniform which includes vests, headbands, beanies, T-shirts, running singlets and MTBO tops. A club newsletter is emailed out regularly. Nillumbik Emus has won the Rockhopper Trophy, Victorian Champion Club, 11 times since 1996.

Fees: $5 per household or individual
Contact: Schon Hudson
Telephone: 9888 8121
Address: 16 Fowler Street Box Hill South 3128, schon@orienteering.com.au
Website: http://emus.orienteering.com.au 

Tuckonie Orienteering Club Inc. (TK)

Tuckonie O. C. was formed about 35 years ago and looks to the north and west of Melbourne for its membership. It has a wealth of experience, with national champions, major event organisers and experienced map makers among its members ... we are also family people who like dinner at the local pub together before an event, and who like meeting people too.

If you would like to give us a try, come out to an event - bush, park, street, or MTBO. You will see the Tuckonie man (logo at left) on our marquee or a banner. Ask for Lindsay Thomas, any of the Sunleys, Peter Prime or Ken Moore. Someone will know where we are, and you'll be in friendly company.

Fees: $10 Joining Fee (includes club running shirt).
Contact: Fiona Park
Email: tuckonieorienteers@yahoo.com
Postal Address: PO Box 729 Balwyn VIC 3103
WebSite:

tuckonie/ 

Yarra Valley Orienteers Inc. (YV)

Yarra Valley is a large club which includes - elites, juniors, veterans, champions and hopefuls. Most members live in the north-east part of Melbourne where social and business meetings are held.

We are a great club possessing the assets of good maps and expertise in many areas - including: coaching, competing, mapping and organising events.

Club pays all Victorian Championship relay entry fees. Main interest is Bush Orienteering, but members compete in all facets of the sport: Bush, Park and Street, Ski and Mountain Bike Orienteering

Fees: $10 Senior / Family (at one address), $ 5 Junior ( includes full time students)
Contact: Belinda Dale
Phone No: 9830 4836
Postal Address: via email at secretary@yvoc.com
Web Site:

http://www.ftmaps.com/YV/index.html

Victorian ARDF Group Inc. (AR)

Radio Orienteering or amateur radio direction finding ( ARDF) is a new club, affiliated in 2003. This sport combines orienteering skills and hand - held direction finding equipment. The club runs park and street / bush radio events, often in conjunction with orienteering events.

Radio gear and instruction are provided at events.

Fees: $20 per year
Contact: Bruce Paterson
Phone No: 9888 7509
Postal Address: via email at secretary@ardf.org.au
WebSite: www.ardf.org.au

 

Rural Victorian Clubs

Albury-Wodonga Orienteering Club Inc. (AWOC)

AWOC attracts its members from NE Victoria and SE NSW. We run events in and around the Albury Wodonga region, from Beechworth and Stanley, to Chiltern, Mt Pilot, Tabletop and several local street O maps. An interclub competition with the Waggaroos provides further afield orienteering opportunities. The club has a healthy membership and is actively involved in planning and running events ranging from the famous Nail Can Hill Fun Run to Club, National and International level events. There are monthly club events, coaching, mapping and its members also participate in spring and summer series Street O , Canoe O, Tri O, Ski O, Relay O and Rogaining with MTBO a big growth area.

Fees: $6 junior, $12 single adult, $20 family
Contact: Janet Buchan
Phone No: 02 6025 0235
Postal Address:

Box 461 Albury 2640
or email info@nailcanhillrun.com

Website: www.nailcanhillrun.com

Bendigo Orienteers Inc. (BG)

Bendigo is a large club, its membership drawn from central Victoria. The club runs 2 - 3 State events each year and has a full local program of events every Saturday afternoon ( March to November) within 20 mins of Bendigo . Support for juniors is a strength of the club and local events allow members to try event organising, course setting and mapping.

Fees: $15 per membership (single/family)
Contact: Event Coordinator - Colin Walker
Phone No: 5439 6427 (or via email at colin@bendigowoollenmills.com.au)
Postal Address: P.O. Box 82, Strathfieldsaye 3551
Other Info: Monthly newsletters
Website: http://www.bendigo-orienteers.com.au

Central Highlands Orienteering Club Inc. (CHOC)

CHOC members enjoy rogaining, mountain biking, cross-country running and camping. All members are encouraged to attend meetings to socialise and to interact with other/new members. CHOC's juniors are highly ranked both Nationally and Internationally.

Fees:  
Contact: John Ewels
Phone No: 5426 1649 (AH)
Postal Address: 47 McBean Ave, Mount Macedon, 3440
Other Info:  

Eureka Orienteers Inc. (EU)

Eureka's orienteers live in rural Ballarat and district, but some reside in Daylesford, Ballan, Werribee and Geelong. “Eureka!” means “I found it” – very handy when looking for controls!

The club is known for its famous cake stall, the Eureka Challenge, and our great club spirit (Eureka!). We run, ski cross-country, mountain bike, rogaine, run/swim/ride triathlons, play basketball, sing, quilt, write, play in bands and really enjoy life! Eureka is fortunate having many high quality maps of challenging terrain within 20 kms of Ballarat. Our new club storeroom (East Leisure Centre) is located in downtown Ballarat on Short Street. Join us and learn more about maps and navigation at our local events in a friendly, active club.

 

Fees: $10 per household
Contact: Roch Prendergast, Secretary
Postal Address: PO Box 490, Ballarat, 3353
Online Membership Form: Click Here
Other Info: memberships@eurekaorienteers.asn.au
Website: http://www.eurekaorienteers.asn.au