We asked Richard Matthews, our Senior IOF Event Adviser (SEA) if he could tell us a bit more about himself. Having recently visited New Zealand to assist with Oceania 2021 planning,  Richard is excited by areas for the carnival and is confident of a great event. He also participated in the Canterbury Championships in between scoping-out our preferred  Oceania 2021 locations.

Richard started his orienteering journey with Walton Chasers in England in the mid 1970s before a moved to Perth, Australia in 1981 and immediately threw himself into the active local orienteering scene setting events, mapping and organising. A 5 year stint in Vancouver, Canada added Greater Vancouver Orienteering Club (GVOC) to his club membership and he added a British Columbian Championship setting credit to his roles during his time in Canada. 

In Western Australia Richard has held numerous Orienteering West Australia committee positions including President. He also has a long history of Rogaining as President of WARA for 5 years and  as a founding member of the International Rogaining Association. Experienced with overseas events from the JK in England, he now has experience in Australia as a Level 3 Controller for over 10 years. Richard has been involved in 3 Australian Easter Carnivals as setter, controller and organiser, and also as an Australian Champs controller. A highlight in 2019 was being awarded the Silva Trophy for Services to Orienteering by Orienteering Australia – recognising many years of volunteer work.

At the competitive level, Richard has competed in the Australian AUS / NZ Challenge (anyone remember Kapamuhunga!) in the 1980s and has many state titles plus Australian and International Rogaining trophies in his cabinet. We are lucky to have him on-board working with the PAPO team in Christchurch to bring a top-quality event to the Oceania Orienteering community. 

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