Category Archives: Event2023

August Events & Committee Updates

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Not sure how we got to August already – maybe it was the influx of all the caches and events published in July that has made it wizz passed so fast! But do you think August is really going to slow down for us – with so many great events already published I don’t think it will. Let’s bring on another great month of caching!

Be sure to check out the list of events and see if you can attend a few!

COTY Awards 2022 – Voting is Now Open

It has been great to see the votes starting to come in for the COTY Awards 2022 – If you haven’t already, don’t forget to place your votes. During the voting process, the following criteria applies:

  • Only caches and logs shortlisted will be open for voting
  • For all cache categories, it is recommended that you physically find the cache you are voting for.
  • You can vote for your own cache or log 
  • One vote per category per caching team is allowed. 
  • There will only be one winner per category
  • If in the event a category results in a tie, the Geocaching Victoria committee will cast the final vote

Voting will close 30th September 2023, with a proposed event announcing the awards scheduled for November (details to follow)

Click here to vote NOW! Good luck to all the finalists.

Geocaching Lists

What type of cacher are you? Are you an organised geocacher that likes to keep track of challenges and projects you are working on by creating various lists or are you more a spontaneous cacher and collect as many as you can? Maybe you don’t know how to create a list?

No matter what type of geocacher you are, we thought we would share a few tips and tricks to inspire you.

Supporting Geocaching Victoria

We are often asked “How can we help” and we are blessed to have so many amazing people in our community that volunteer their time either on a committee, a sub-committee or to support a particular initiative or event.

We are excited to share there is another way you can support Geocaching Victoria. As you are aware, we are a not for profit incoporation that exists solely to create amazing experiences for our community, but we have no ability to create income except through the various fundraising activities, council sponsorship or merchandise sales we undertake.

But after much interest from our community, there is now another way you can support. We have set up a “Support us via Donation” option via our shop. Below are some ways that you can contribute:

  • $5 – the cost of a coffee to support with our wepage,
  • $10 – to support a Wiser than Owls cache placement
  • $20 – to assist in the purchasing of sausages for our next planned fundraiser. 
  • $25 – if you would like to sponsor a cache event
  • $47 – to donate to the the value of a premium membership
  • $50 – to sponsor an COTY award / competition

All donations, no matter how small are gratefully received. Thank you.

Farewell Day Gowland

After a jam packed two years of Mega’s our beloved committee member Day Gowland has decided to step down and take a well earned break. We would like to take the opportunity to thank him for all his hard work and creative inspiration he has brought to our community. We wish him well – who knows he might even get some more time to go caching!

With Day’s departure, it does leave a vacancy on our committee.

Committee Vacancy

Are you passionate about geocaching? Do you have a flair for creativity and an eye for detail? Perhaps you have a strength in logistics and organising events or a gift in fundraising? Do you want to become part of the best geocaching team ever to deliver great experiences for our community?

We are looking for someone to join our team and are are willing to jump in and help with the following;

  • GVI Event organising
  • Facilitate fundraising activities
  • Support annual megas and their planning
  • Contribute to stories, website content and online collateral
  • Happy to join our monthly meetings and brainstorm together on creative activities for our community
  • Undertake support admin tasks as needed (we share these)
  • Be a team player and support the objectives of GVI
  • Be a representative of our wider Geocaching Community

If you are interested in applying for a committee role, please email Jo Cox at president@geocachingvictoria.com.au and provide an overview of what strengths you can bring to the team. Please feel free to share any past experiences that may support your application.

Mega Lead Vacancy

We are looking for someone with experience and skills in event organisation (large scale). This doesn’t necessarily have to be geocaching events, it can be in other large corporate, workplace, planning conferences or other volunteer events. Mega’s usually attract in excess of 400 geocachers across the country. Other key skills we are looking for is as follows:

  • Experience in leading a team or committee
  • Event planning, logistics or coordination experience
  • Budget and forecasting experience (not mandatory as support will be given)
  • Great communicator and stakeholder management (Sponsors and Councils play a bit part in Mega Planning)
  • A can do, fun attitude to ensure we create the best Mega ever for our community.
  • Willingness to see the Mega Event through (scheduled Nov 2024)

We certainly don’t want to scare you off, so if you are committed and passionate to giving it a go – please do reach out. It’s okay if you haven’t run a Mega before, you will have a Mega committee to support you but also the Geocaching Victoria Committte to also provide support and advice. We are all one big team.

If you are interested in applying for a Mega Lead role, please email Jo Cox at president@geocachingvictoria.com.au and provide an overview of what strengths you can bring to the team. Please feel free to share any past experiences that may support your application.

Jam Packed July

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It might be middle of winter here in Victoria, but that certainly doesn’t keep geocachers away! July is sizing up to be one very busy month, with a large amount of events being hosted right across the state. Be sure to keep an eye on our web-page to see if there is an event scheduled near you!

COTY Awards 2022 – Voting is Now Open

The voting for the Cache of The Year Awards 2022 is now open. During the voting process, the following criteria applies:

  • Only caches and logs shortlisted will be open for voting
  • For all cache categories, it is recommended that you physically find the cache you are voting for.
  • You can vote for your own cache or log 
  • One vote per category per caching team is allowed. 
  • There will only be one winner per category
  • If in the event a category results in a tie, the Geocaching Victoria committee will cast the final vote

Voting will close 30th September 2023, with a proposed event announcing the awards scheduled for November (details to follow)

Click here to vote NOW! Good luck to all the finalists.

Magic Makers Made Magic

It was great to see so many inspirational Magic Maker Events hosted at various locations across the state. By all accounts the feedback on them all has been exciting – inspiring others to shake off their creativity and try their own hand at the craft of cache making.

One of those events were hosted by tri Mister Doctor, Washawa and iTEEM and as one of our roving reporters attended, some highlights were captured. We thought we would share the magic to those that may not have been able to attend. Thanks to our Magicians for creating such a memorable event. Check out the video here.

Cachemas in July

Of course we also have our Cachemas in July Bonanza, which will also be sure to delight. Over the 12 Days of Cachemas, new caches will be released by CO’s all over the state celebrating a different type or attribute each day in the style of a well known Cachemas carol.

At the end of the 12 days of Cachemas, join us for a Cachemas family celebration. GCA7WT4 (https://coord.info/GCA7WT4), is now published for you to log your will attends. Tickets are available to purchase via the link in the event and include a roast lunch with a variety of meats, salads, vegetables and scrumptious desserts (vegetarian option available). 

21 Years Of Geocaching Events In Victoria!

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This weekend we celebrated the 21st Birthday of geocaching events in Victoria.

The first ever Victorian geocaching event, GC5C5D, was held on 23 June 2002 at O’Briens Crossing in the Lerderderg State Park. So what better location to celebrate the 21st birthday than back where it all began. Geocachers came from far and wide to celebrate the day whilst enjoying a bbq, Crack’n’LeeLee’s famous soup, and plenty of party snacks! A huge thank you to Leah and Craig (Crack’n’LeeLee) for initiating the celebrations and for all their hard work hosting.

Geocachers celebrating the 21st birthday of geocaching events in Victoria.

David from team maccamob, who was at the very first event, shared some insights on the inaugural activity. He noted there was a lot less infrastructure at GZ back in 2002, however the weather had not changed with it being just as cold. The difference was, they had a warm fire to cozy up to, something no longer permitted at O’Briens Crossing.

At the time of Victoria’s first event:

  • Maccamob had just reached their 100 cache find milestone (currently 47,000+).
  • Brain and some of our other active cachers hadn’t even been born!
  • The first iphone was still 5 years away from release.
  • We were up to Edition 30 of the Melways, with extra maps newly added for Queenscliff, Mickleham and Wyndham Vale.
  • Eminem’s “Lose Yourself” was the number 1 song for the year, which is exactly what many cachers did (and still do).

Since the first event, there have been almost 1,700 amazing events across the state, with plenty more still to come.

In fact looking ahead in July and August alone, Victoria already has 30 events and CITO’s on the calendar with 21 different CO’s contributing to the fun. Excitingly, four of those CO’s are hosting an event for the very first time. To find an event near you, check out the Upcoming Events page on our website.

Be sure to log your will attend on any of these events to join in the fun. If you’d like some help to host your first geocaching event, feel free to reach out to one of the Geocaching Victoria committee members or one of the existing event COs to help get you on your way.

We look forward to seeing you at the next event!

Geocachers attending the first ever geocaching event in Victoria.

2023 is off to a flying start!

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Hello February!! With January come and gone in the blink of an eye, we are now firmly in the new year. Hopefully many of you had the chance to have a holiday or some downtime with your family and friends over the Christmas and New Year period. It has been great to see many of you celebrating new geocaching milestones, so it’s a good sign that many of you had great geocaching adventures! Below are some key events and updates to share. Be sure to check out our events page too as its updated weekly.

GeoTour Ballarat Event #7

Geocaching Victoria is excited to invite you to the lastest GeoTour Event in Ballarat. (GCA4DRH). If you are yet to visit and start the tour – this is a great opportunity to start the year with a new souvenir and attribute. We also still have some limited edition Geocoins available – so be sure to place your order in our shop, as they won’t last long.

The Rutherglen Event Coin & Pathtag Set

We are excited to announce that the Rutherglen Event Coin and Pathtags are now available for order. In case you missed the teaser blog yesterday, check out this small video on our Rutherglen Reflections Facebook page, alternative you will find more details in our shop.

Brolga Bill’s update on the Bike Trail Puzzles

Brolga Bill mentioned to me the other day that not that many cachers are doing his Bike Trail Puzzles by bike. He said “Although I drew the geoart in the shape of a penny-farthing (I use one because of my long legs), you can use a safety bike to collect the caches.”

“I designed them to all fall along the Rutherglen to Wahgunyah Murray to Mountains Rail Trail which starts across the road from the Rutherglen Visitor Information Centre and is an easy 9 kilometres one-way ride. The path is flat, flat, flat, and well sealed.” He said.
“Easy for anyone to ride. What is the point of walking?”

He mentioned that even if you didn’t want to bring your own bike up, or you don’t have one, bikes can be hired locally (see details below). Standard bikes, tandems, and ebike are all available (but probably not penny-farthings!).

“Also bikes are a great way of visiting a lot of the wineries in the area.”

So hop out of your cars and get onto a bike – the best way to cache!

Local Bike Hire

Bike hire is available at the Rutherglen Visitor Information Centre.
They have all-purpose touring bikes of different sizes and two tandem bikes available for hire. For the age group between 4 and 7, there are two tag-a-long bikes (suitable for children 30 kilograms and under) that attach to the back of the adult’s
bike. They also have bikes suitable for 10 years and over age bracket.
Hire includes bike, helmet and maps. Highly recommended to bring your own water.

Price: $25.00 – $65.00
Half day single bike $25, full day single bike $40. Half day tandem $40, full day tandem $65. Child tag-a-long $15 a day
Different rates for 2-5 day hire.
Bookings and information: 02 6033 6306
Rutherglen Visitor Information Centre

Rutherglen Radler E bike hire
The cruisiest way to explore the Rutherglen and Wahgunyah region is on an electric cruiser bike from Rutherglen Radler. These bikes making cycling fun and easy and as they assist you when you’re cycling you can explore more of the region than you normally would on a standard bike.
Ride the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail with ease, ride down the many dirt tracks between the local wineries, your options are endless.
Fun and adventure is guaranteed when you ride one of these beauties.
Please note you must be 18 years and over to hire these bikes.

Price: $45.00 – $85.00
Half Day $45.00 Full Day $85.00
Contact: Caffeine n machine 62 – 64 main st, Rutherglen 0414 613 984

Shout out for some Rutherglen Volunteers

As we start to count down to our Rutherglen Mega (GC9MHM), the Mega Committee are working hard to plan and organise what looks to be an amazing weekend of geo-goodness. But events like this are only possible with the help of many volunteers. If you can spare a few hours over the weekend, please do let us know and complete the Volunteer Form. We would really appreciate it.

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The Rutherglen Event!

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Can you hear the drum roll…… yes it is getting louder! The excitement is building…

As the dust settles on our Whittlesea Mega, the planning and rumblings of the next big event is not just starting to get traction… it’s in full planning mode! Geocaching Victoria is super excited to announce the Rutherglen Event April 2023 (GC9MH9M). So be sure to register your interest and log a “will attend”.

Our new Mega Committee has been working tirelessly behind the scenes to plan the next amazing experience for our community.

Here are some key points of information that you should read to get the best out of the next Mega in Victoria.

1. It is a Mega with a difference, so be sure to check out the schedule of events, as well as the details activities already planned.

2. Accommodation is available and is coordinated by Rutherglen Agricultural Society (not Geocaching Victoria)

3. To make this a successful event, we certainly need volunteers, so please let us know if you can help out in anyway over the course of the event.

4. We have some merchandise available (jackets and shirts) in the shop. We hope to announce coins and Pathtags soon.

5. There are already an incredible amount of new geocaches hidden for the event including many new multi’s, letterboxes, wherigo series, new beginner series and more. Be sure to plan your visit to maximise how many new caches you can collect.

6. Our favourite Facebook group has now adopted a new name – Rutherglen Reflections, so be sure to keep in touch for the updates as they come out in coming weeks and months.

There will be more updates to come in the weeks and months ahead, so be sure to keep an eye on our webpage and facebook page.