Welcome to The St Arnaud Event update. The committee are working behind the scenes to bring you the best MEGA event we can – all for FREE! Remember to REGISTER HERE by logging a “Will Attend” as this year we will be crossing off names at the event to ensure everyone who registered early gets their FREE gift.
The lead up events have continued and in June and July and we’ve seen events in Adelaide (SA), Appin (at The Gong MEGA – NSW), Hexham (NSW), Geraldton (WA) and Camperdown (Vic). Thanks to our hosts for helping to spread the word about The St Arnaud Event 2019. In August you can head to a lead up event in the Melbourne CBD (Vic).
Camperdown event
Official Shirts now Available
Official St Arnaud Event shirts now available to order. Check out the Geocaching Victoria Store to pre-order yours now. Available in Men’s, Women’s and Kids sizes. Don’t forget until the end of August, kids receive a Free Tracking Code when they order a shirt with Embroidery
Lab Cache Builder Competition
We are looking for several keen Lab Caches Builders for St Arnaud. Do you have a great idea a little “left of field”? If so we would love to hear from you. Simply email gemmasiemensma@gmail.com and tell us your idea along with a simple sentence (or two) on how it would be “interactive and delight cachers”. Entries close on August 10th so get creating!
Geocaching in St Arnaud – The Challenges!!!
Those of you keeping an eye on the St Arnaud geocaching map may have noticed that earlier in the year 50 (yes 50) geocaching challenge caches were published by sharkiefan with the help of FUF009.
A challenge cache is a variation of the Mystery Cache type that involves completing a specific list of requirements before you can claim a find.
The St Arnaud challenges range in difficulty. Some are easy and some are very challenging. Check out GC81062 to see where they are placed on the map and to see if you qualify. And the best thing about challenge caches is that even if you don’t qualify yet you can still sign the log (via a “write note”) and then when you do qualify at some point in the future you can claim the smilie without having to return. So make sure you check out these awesome caches!
St Arnaud Geo Coins & Pathtags
The St Arnaud Event 2019 MEGA standard and limited edition geocoins are now for sale in the Geocaching Victoria store. In fact we are about to place orders for these so get in quick before they sell out!
The Standard coin has been specifically designed for the event and features Fern the ledbeater possum as well as some stunning Australian flora including Victoria’s floral emblem – the Pink Heath. What sets this coin apart is that it is a 3D textured coin. If you’ve seen one before you know how magnificent they look – if not you will definitely want one for your collection! Coins are $16 each. Order here.
The Limited Edition coins come in three different colours and aims to depict the farming communities that are located within the St Arnaud district. Get in quick as these are limited in number! This coin is 3 inches in size so nice to add to the collection. Limited edition coins are $34 each. Order here.
And whilst in the store don’t forget to purchase your St Arnaud Pathtags too!
If you are thinking of ordering your own personalised pathtags and want them in time for St Arnaud, you have until 22nd September. Why not consider a set of tags with the Geocaching Victoria Logo on the back? Go to pathtags.com for more details.
Bunnings BBQ
Hopefully a few of you have seen our event which will be held on Sunday the 15th of September, GC88V1F, A gathering in Ballarat. Our newest sponsor, Bunnings, is letting us run a traditional Bunnings BBQ at the Bunnings store in Ballarat to help raise funds for the St Arnaud MEGA event (as events like a MEGA cost lots of money to run). It’s a day long event from 9am through until 4pm where we will be cooking and selling sausages. We would love everybody to come down to the Bunnings store in Ballarat and have a sausage to help support this MEGA event. If you can donate some time on the day by volunteering to help with the cooking and selling of some sausages please email info@geocachingvictoria.com.au
Accommodation
Camp Seed – Stuart Mill – only 15 mins from St Arnaud
Free Camping
As St Arnaud is surrounded by bush there are some magnificent free camps around. One of the most popular ones in Walkers (a beautiful lake, public toilets) which is only 20mins away in Avon Plains.
Other Nearby Towns
There are plenty of towns just a short drive away (and let’s face it they are closer than what it took for many who live in Melbourne to get to and from The Parkville Event 2018). You can check out accommodation options in:
- Donald
- Wedderburn
- Charlton
- Dunolly
- Inglewood
- Bridgewater
First to Find (FTF) Raffle
We know people love chasing FTFs – how would you like a MEGA Event FTF? This raffle supports the amazing work done by The St Arnaud Agricultural Society (whose premises we are using and who do an amazing job of coordinating the St Arnaud Show). So if you are a FTF hound, or you just want to support a really great charity, then you can go in the draw to earn the right to call yourself the FTFer of The St Arnaud Event, 2019. Tickets are only $2 and you may win FTF and an unobtainium geocoin… You can purchase your tickets in this wonderful raffle by following this link!
Sponsorship
It’s thanks to amazing supporters that make a MEGA event possible. This includes GeoStuff who will be on site during the Mega. We’ve also had donations from our mates in South Australia who are organising a MEGA event there – GeoVenture2020, Caching Supplies, Sssafe and Sistema so a big thanks to them too. It’s also important to note that this event isn’t possible without the support of the Northern Grampians Shire Council so thank you NGS – your support in invaluable! And we can’t forget the amazing support from PathTags and Geocaching HQ who help to make this dream a reality! Thanks guys!
