Geocaching Victoria is in search of a new Treasurer with the position about to become available. After eight years BernieH has decided to not just retire from work, but also from his long held position on our committee as Treasurer. This has been in discussion for many months now and maybe I was in denial, maybe we were reluctant to let him go, but alas the time has come for me to make the annoucement and find a suitable replacement.
What we are looking for – The Treasurers Role
The Treasurer is a key member of the Geocaching Victoria Committee with the primary role of supporting the committee in all areas of financial governance to ensure that the Incorporation maintains its fiduciary responsibility.
In this role you will be responsible for assisting Geocaching Victoria and its sub-committees setting and maintaining budgets, maintaining a set of (online) accounts including data entry of income and expenses, reconciling bank accounts together with PayPal, Square and shop sales as well as financial reporting for committee and sub-committee meetings.
It would be beneficial to have an understanding of accounts including being comfortable with PC and web based programs and a willingness to embrace innovation.
If this sounds like something that excites you and you would like to learn more about the role or wish to apply, please contact Jo Cox aka heymissjo directly before Friday 26th May 2023 president@geocachingvictoria.com.au
A Massive Thank you Bernie
Of course it would be remiss of me to not extend a MASSIVE thank you to Bernie who has dedicated thousands of hours over the past eight years – from our humble beginnings until today. He has been instrumental to the success of our Megas, the establishment of Geocaching Victoria as an Incorporation and a much loved member of the team. Although he is ready to pass the baton on to become a fulltime geocacher, he will still be an avid supporter of Geocaching Victoria and we know that he will be not far away. All the best in your next chapter and go get those caches Bernie!
We have heaps of information to share with you, so be sure to grab a cuppa and read through what we have on offer! Below we have details on the Victorian Cache of the Year Program for 2023, Rutherglen updates as well as an interview from one of our legends.
A Community Legend
It has been a little while since we have shared with you one of the interviews of our community greats, so we thought that we would pull this interview from the archives for your enjoyment. Day (day1976) interviewed Geoff Jamison (gjm3191) and asked him to share some thoughts and experiences of his time geocaching. For those that need, please be sure to turn the CC captions on for subtitles. Click here to enjoy the interview.
Victorian Cache of the Year AwardsProgram 2023
Geocaching Victoria is proud to host an annual award program for its Victorian Community. We are constantly amazed by the creative, inspirational and sometimes adventurous caches that are created within our community and we would love to both celebrate and promote these great caches.
This is to celebrate caches hidden during 2022. Below is a list of the current award categories and how to facilitate the award program throughout the year. Please note that there has been some changes from last year including a new category:
Best Traditional
Best Multi
Best Mystery/ Puzzle
Best First Hide
Best Series
Best Location
Best Adventure Lab
Best Other Cache (includes Wherigo, Letterbox, Virtual or EarthCache)
Best Regional Cache
Best Overall Cache
Best Log – Found It
Best Log – DNF
Award Eligibility
Eligibility to nominate for each category is listed below. These should be published when an annual award program is launched.
The cache must be hidden in the State of Victoria
The cache needs to have been published between 1st January and 31st December 2022
Geocaching.com will be used to verify both cache type, location and publication date.
To be eligible for a Cache Series there must be at least three associated caches and all published within the required date range
The ‘Found it’ or ‘DNF’ Log needs to have been submitted between 1st January and 31st December 2022
URL Geocaching.com links to logs and related Adlab nomination must be submitted as part of nominations where required
Nominations
To nominate a cache, please review the citeria to ensure eligibility
Please ensure that you add both the relevant GC Code, Cache name and Cache Owner, URL Link (for Found It Log, DNF Log or Adventure Lab) and additional details where required
Caches and logs nominated must meet eligibility criteria
Each caching team can nominate up to three per category
Caches can be nominated in more than one category
You can nominate your own cache or log
Nominations will be open until Sunday 30th April 2023
During May, Geocaching Victoria will review the nominations for each category and announce the shortlist for each category. Nominations will be shortlisted to approximately 5-10 caches in each category, although numbers may vary based on responses received.
Finalists for each category will then be shared and voting will commence. The voting period will remain open until Thursday 31st August 2023.
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
Award Results
The results of the Victorian Caching Awards will be announced at an awards event in September 2023 (TBC)
Rutherglen Beginner Challenges
What is a challenge cache? A challenge cache requires seekers to find an associated physical cache, and to find an additional set of geocaches as defined by the challenge owner. Challenge caches encourage geocachers to set and achieve fun goals. Be sure to check out the Beginner Blog for more information on challenge caches generally.
Introduction to the Series Challenge caches are supposed to challenge you! While this seems to be obvious, most challenge caches are written for cachers that have been playing for quite a while. A calendar year’s worth of mysteries for a new starter who has barely tried puzzles, is not a challenge, it is impossible.
This small series is to introduce you to the concept of challenges, and get you used to using checkers, and working out what you need to do to complete a challenge. Hopefully this will ease you into the more challenging challenges.
All of these challenges can be completed with the caches placed around Rutherglen.
The challenge cache can be found at the listed co-ordinates and the logbook can be signed, however a found log can not be listed until the challenge is completed and proof offered. This is done by using the checker on the cache page. This is a link to ProjectGC, who will review your statics and show you if you comply with the challenge’s requirements (you don’t need to be a member of ProjectGC to use this service).
So try challenging yourself!
Ladders in Rutherglen.
Just to the east of Rutherglen there is the old racetrack. This now contains a small piece of geoart in the shape of a ladder. Well, I think it looks like a ladder, but with only nine points, it could be almost anything. But we will assume you can see it as a ladder.
All the caches that make up these points are mysteries, so you don’t have to go to the starting location, in fact it is probably best if you don’t as it is now a rifle range! They don’t shoot very often, but why risk it?
When we were putting together caches for the Mega at Rutherglen we considered what type of caches people might want. Doing your Difficulty/Terrain matrix is one of the basic challenges, and the rarest terrain rating is 4.5. Usually terrains go up to 4.0 and if it is harder than that they are usually 5.0. 4.5 seems to get skipped quite often.
Our next challenge is how to make a series of 4.5 caches when the largest area of water is the local farmer’s dams, and the highest mountain is a flatish hill that has a water tower looking like a wine bottle on top of it! Tree climbs seemed to fit the bill.
Now not everyone has tree climbing gear, but we figured most should be able to get their hands on a long ladder. How long is long? Well the caches are terrain 4.5, so your small folding ladder of about 4 meters will leave you more than a bit short. Yes, some of the trees will allow a bit of climbing off the end of your ladder, but some will not.
About this point I should note some rules for ladders:
Inspect ladders carefully before each use.
Stay near the middle of the ladder and face the ladder while climbing up/down.
Carry your pen in your pocket, not in your hand.
Maintain 3-points of contact when climbing/descending a ladder. There are lots of other safety rules, and some common sense ones like don’t put your ladder on top of your car!
As the difficulty rating of the cache goes up, the difficulty of the puzzle goes up, and the size of the container correspondingly goes down. So take your friends with you, and have fun safely going up the trees.
PS: As fences are slowly being rebuilt after the floods around Rutherglen, it turns out that Ladders #6 is a bit close to private property, and so has been moved.
If you have already solved #6, you should check the formula again. The puzzle is the same but a few of the letters have been moved.
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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A few days ago we heard of the unexpected passing of one of our own, SirJ-Oz aka John Syer. He was well loved by those who knew and cached with him and will be greatly missed by many. We send our deepest condolences to his wife Maryann and his family at this sad time.
SirJ-Oz started caching in 2010 and since has collected over 5300 caches to his name and has cached his way around 7 countries and nearly all state and territories around Australia. But he certainly has contributed to the game we love with over 20 hides including his infamous (GC58MJ0) John’s Silver, which was a cache with a difference.
His family have asked us to share the details of his funeral for his geocaching friends that may like to attend. It will also be livestreamed. The funeral will be held:
Monday 9th January at 2.30pm, Salvation Army, 61 Guildford Rd, Surry Hills
For any additional information, please contact Muggle-L aka Liz.
As we start to wind down for the holiday season, which for many is not just spending time with loved ones, but also prime geocaching holiday time, we thought we would share a quick announcement.
With 2023 set to be another great year ahead, Geocaching Victoria is super excited to welcome two more committee members to the team – Kim Baker aka Donutholes and Belinda Parker aka Grub62. By way of introduction, heymissjo thought she would get them to share a little of their geo-story with us all
We are excited to have you joining the GVI team, for those that don’t know you, can you please share with us when you started Geocaching and how you decided on your caching name.
I started Geocaching on 29/12/2013 after seeing an article online. Growing up in Kununurra W.A meant there wasn’t many to find so it was a very slow game at first. The name Donutholes came from a bakery my Dad used to take me after every footy game. The local baker would sell a bag of 5 “donut holes/dough balls” on a Saturday and they were my favourite. Also having the last name Baker helped
How do you like to play the game? Are you a numbers person, do you chase challenges, do you love the adventures or have your own approach to caching?
I like to Geocache two ways! I use it as a circuit breaker/me time. There is something calming about getting out in the fresh air and only concentrating on the task at hand. I then I use it as a social thing!! Caching with like minded people, having a laugh and just enjoy being in the moment. I have absolutely no targets or challenges I’m working on. If it happens, it happens
What is the craziest thing you have done in the name of caching?
A couple of things I’ve done for collecting a smiley face is waterfall jumping in remote W.A. The wet season in Kununurra is the best time to visit!! This year I did strip down to the birthday suit and go for a swim mid winter for a FTF
What is currently on your Geocaching Bucket-list?
I’m just really excited for when my children can join in on the adventures. Getting more caches overseas would be nice too.
What is the most remote or unusual place you have collected a Geocache?
Most remote place I’ve collected a Geocache would probably be an Island on Fiji. You had to walk around it when the tide was low and if you were to slow you would be trapped.
Grub62 was a key member of the Whittlesea Mega Committee, so we are super excited that she has now agreed to join GVI. But for those that don’t know Grub62, we thought we would ask her some questions.
Can you please share with us when you started Geocaching and how you decided on your caching name.
Crustyvarmint introduced Bunadoorian and I to geocaching in March 2016 in Tasmania. After nearly two years of finding caches with Bunadoorian and causing him a lot of frustration by asking for the description or what size the cache was again – I decided to get my own account in May 2018. I choose my geocaching name as it was a childhood nickname and something to do with my birthday.
How do you like to play the game? Are you a numbers person, do you chase challenges, do you love the adventures or have your own approach to caching?
I enjoy the adventures and where geocaching takes me – the places you get to visit, the history you learn, the views you see, the creativity of the cache makers/ owners. I enjoy challenge caches where you have to plan to get certain caches.
What is the craziest thing you have done in the name of caching?
I think one of the craziest things I have done in the name of geocaching is agreeing to drive 24 hours so Bunadoorian can get a cache in Northern Territory over an Easter.
What is currently on your Geocaching Bucket-list?
Next year I hope to fill in the holes in my finds by found date table and my 360 degrees from home table.
What is the most remote or unusual place you have collected a Geocache?
The most unusual place I have found a cache was in Noumea when we got off a cruise ship .Luckily I had done some homework before hand as the cache description was in french.
As the dust settles on GVI’s latest Mega, we have a slight change to our GVI Committee. Rod Lyon aka n0w0rries has decided the time has come for the baton to be passed on so that he can spend more time focusing on his wellbeing and with his family. We wish Rod all the best and thank him for his tireless efforts on the committee over the passed 18 months. Rod now passes the baton onto the the newest member of our team.
We are very excited to announce that Peter McClive aka Mister Doctor will be joining the team. Many of you would have had the chance to connect and meet with Mister Doctor over last weekends Mega, but others of you may not have had the opportunity and so heymissjo thought she would ask him some questions, so that we could get to know him a little more.
Thanks for chatting with me Pete, can you share with us when you started geocaching and how you decided on your caching name.
I’m a secondary science teacher with a PhD, and my students usually call me Dr McClive. Except, that is, for my sweet Year 7s, who start off calling me Mr McClive, get a little tongue-tied, and end up saying Mr Dr McClive. That sounded to me like a geocaching name, and so Mister Doctor was born. Once I had a name, I borrowed a school GPS one Christmas holidays in 2010 and found some local caches, but then found no more for 7 years. It was only when Optus finally shut down its 2G network in 2017 that I upgraded to a smart phone, and the Geocaching app was one of the first apps I installed. From then on, I was hooked!
How do you like to play the game? Are you a numbers person, do you chase challenges, do you love the adventure or have have your own approach to caching?
I think that discovering the local knowledge of an area is what keeps me coming back to geocaching. Each cache has a personal story attached to it and even a CO you can chat to, which for me makes this game so much richer than something like a Pokémon hunt, or the collection of munzees. So, I tend to target caches that tell a story and make a memorable impact. I’m not really about the numbers, although I do try to ramp them up just so I can earn favourite points to give away!
What is the craziest thing you have done in the name of caching?
I tend to be fairly risk-averse, so there are no crazy stories of having-to-get-that-cache for me. Having said that, I really do enjoy building caches, so I do have a crazy obsession with Op shops, hard waste collections and places like Resource Rescue! The caching corner of my garage looks like a cross between a kindergarten and a junk yard. Now, that I think of it, I do have a memory of building a large cache out of found objects, sitting astride a surf mat with the cache in my lap, and very cautiously paddling out to an island in the middle of the night to set it up. That was pretty crazy!
What is currently on your Geocaching Bucket-List?
I recently completed my first real challenge of filling my found dates calendar grid. This first started when I achieved a 7-day streak for Streak Week, but in doing so realised that maintaining such a streak could be grounds for divorce. Filling a calendar was much more family-friendly as I was ultimately able to spread the challenge over a number of years. Next on my Bucket-list is filling my D/T and Ausmer grids. At the recent Whittlesea Mega, I also committed to my first challenge cache (WCW Cache Local Mini Challenge), as well as definitely/probably/maybe completing the TWC geoart, so I’m not quite done with Whittlesea yet!
What is the most remote or unusual place you have collected a Geocache?
A few years ago, we took our kids on a holiday to Edinburgh, some 20 years after having lived there pre-kids and pre-geocaching. It was brilliant seeing a city we already knew well through a geocaching lens, and as a result GCH440 The Other Side of Edinburgh is now my most Northerly cache.
Welcome to the team Mister Doctor, we look forward to seeing what magic you can add to our community next year.
