The 2023 Paddy Pallin 6 hour rogaine was held in the lovely Tallaganda State Forest to the east of the ACT and Queanbeyan. Long time and very experienced rogainers Adrian Shepherd and David Singleton are setting this event. While there are some steep hills, they come with expansive views. There is lots of open forest mixed with some areas of regrowth, but many vehicular and single tracks to help make your way around the course. Some photos from the setters have been put into the photo gallery.

Paddy Pallin are generous sponsors of rogaining so if you are in the need of new gear please consider seeing if they have what you are after.

The event will run from 10 am to 4 pm.

The event will also host the ACTRA Annual General Meeting at the conclusion while everyone is enjoying the superb catering provided by Hartley Lifecare at approximately 4:20 pm. Please help the committee by participating in the short AGM. Documents, including the agenda, 2022 minutes, statement of accounts and President's report are on the documents page of the website. 

Entries cost $45 full and $36 concession. Under 14 free. No solo entries for this event - teams of 2 to 5 people.

Entries are open to 11:59 pm Sunday 26 February without late fees. Entries receieved between then and complete close at 11:59 pm on Wednesday 1 March incur a late fee of $10 per person.

Final instructions are posted below. 

Final Instructions

Thank you for entering the Tour de Tallaganda Paddy Pallin 6-Hour event on Sunday 5 March 2023. Team leaders, make sure that everyone on your team reads this whole document carefully.

Important

Allow 1.5 hours as a comfortable travel time from central Canberra to the Hash House. The road is mostly sealed, with about 15km of dirt near the Hash House. Watch for potholes.

COVID-19 Measures

• If you are awaiting the result of a COVID-19 test; or if you are feeling unwell, or have flu-like symptoms, please stay home.
• Touch points at the toilets will be cleaned regularly.

Indemnity Form

Please bring to the event a printed and completed indemnity form located here. Check the team list for your relevant event on the home page to ensure that all details for your team including category are correct. If incorrect, please contact the Event Contact prior to the event.

• Ensure that all team members sign a separate indemnity form. Parents or guardians must sign for people under 18. Also provide registration number(s) of your car(s) at the Hash House. Be sure to put your team number on the form.
• Present your completed indemnity form at the registration desk.
• Medical advice: All competitors should consider advising their partner of any pre‑existing medical conditions (such as diabetes, asthma, epilepsy, susceptibility to anaphylaxis) that may require first-aid action on course. This should include a description of the symptoms, the required first-aid action, and the location in their bag of any medication (such as sugar, ventolin, epi-pen, anti-histamines).

How to Get There

From Queanbeyan, take the main road (B52) heading to Bungendore. Shortly after leaving Queanbeyan, turn right onto Captains Flat road and follow for 13kms. Turn left onto Briars Sharrow Road. After 1.3km, turn right onto Plains Road (beware potholes). Drive 6km to Hoskintown. Turn right onto Hoskintown Road. At the church, the road turns into dirt. Follow Hoskintown Road for 5.6 km when you’ll cross the Yandyguinula Creek and turn left onto Rossi Road. Continue on the Rossi Road for 8 km until it becomes Lowden Road, passing through the locality of Rossi. Continue straight on Lowden Road for 3.9 km (entering the State Forest) until you reach the corner of Coxes Creek Road, Lowden Road and Lowden Trig Firetrail. The event start/finish is on the left-hand side at this intersection.

From Bungendore WoodWorks Gallery, travel south along Elendon Street. It becomes Hoskintown Road. Travel for 16.8 km until you enter Hoskintown. Be careful of roadworks and random sealed/unsealed sections and potholes along the road from Bungendore. Take the above directions from Hoskintown to the HH.

The HH location on google maps is here.   

It is not recommended to come to the event from the south through the State Forest (along Lowden Road from Braidwood). 

Registration, Map Availability, Start Times

The event will commence by way of a mass start at 10am sharp on Sunday 5 March, with a novice briefing at 9:45am and a final briefing at 9:55am. Registration will open at 8:00am.

To register, one person only per team to register and collect maps. That person will need to:

• Bring first aid kit (per team), so that it can be checked; see below for what it must contain
• Show you have a space blanket for each person (will be available for purchase if required)
• Bring one completed indemnity form per team member

Electronic scoring - As this event is using the Navlight system of scoring, each team member will be issued with a wristband and tag upon registration.

You will also be given pre-marked maps, control descriptions, course setter's notes and a small copy of the map to be used as a flight plan. We recommend that you arrive at least an hour prior to the start of the event to allow enough time for final preparations and route planning. Each team must mark their intended route on the flight plan and hand it in before starting. 

Map and Course Details

There will be one SRA3 map (320x450mm), 1:25,000 with 10 m contour interval. Magnetic north lines are marked on the map. Out of bounds areas are marked. The control descriptions have been printed on the map. The map is printed on Teslin paper which is very tough and generally does not need to be covered in contact.

The course is almost totally forested with significant areas of regrowth. However there are many vehicular and single tracks to help make your way around the course. There will be a few maps at the Hash House highlighting some areas of thicker scrub that the course-setters found. Gaitors and long-pants are recommended due to scrub and snake-risk, as well as robust footwear (ie boots if you have them). All marked creeks are flowing so this may mean wet feet. Also come with your hill climbing legs as the course has got some elevation! 

Water

Please bring enough water for Hash House use and for at least 3 hours on course. There are three water drops on the course. There is a pump that screws into the top of the water container to use.  

Camping

There is camping available on Saturday and Sunday night at the Hash House if needed.

Other Information

Catering is being provided by Hartley Lifecare.

Please Bring to the Event

• Completed indemnity form
• Map will be printed on Teslin waterproof paper with control descriptions on front and course setters notes on reverse side. Contact or map case optional.
• Coloured pens, pencils, scissors, highlighter pen, table and chairs or board for map preparation. The marquee will be available for planning.
• Some food for before and/or during the event.
• Your own plate, bowl, cup and cutlery for catering.
• Water for your use at the Hash House and to start the event with (there is no running water on site).
• Portaloos will be at the Hash House. You may like to bring your own hand sanitiser.

Carry on Course

Mandatory Equipment

• Whistle (per person)
• Basic first aid kit (that includes 2 compression bandages and 1 wound dressing) (per team)
• space blanket (per person)

Other items we recommend that you carry/wear

• food for the event
• water for 3 hours
• compass
• gaiters – recommended for scrub protection
• long trousers – recommended for scrub protection
• robust footwear 
• watch
• pen/pencil
• head torch and spare batteries
• Mobile phone for emergencies
• Sunscreen, sun-hat, sunglasses
• Adequate warm clothes for the conditions (noting conditions can change quickly):
  • raincoat, warm jacket
  • thermals + a spare if it is wet
  • gloves
  • beanie

Mobile Phone Coverage

Mobile phone coverage is not always available on the course. Coverage is better on the main fire trails and at high points around the course. If you have an emergency or need to contact the event coordinator on the day of the event, consider sending an SMS.  

The Hash House number will be 0147 148 005 (satellite phone) and is printed on the map.

Summary of Event Rules and Scoring

• The only navigational aids permitted are the maps we provide together with your compasses.
• Teams consist of 2 to 5 competitors and must remain within earshot of each other at all times. All members must simultaneously get to within 5m of each control point.
• All team members must punch their Navlight tags at each control to score points.
• The point values of each control are the ‘ten-value’ – ie control 22 is worth 20 points, control 64 is worth 60 points, control 101 is worth 100 points.
• If a Navlight punch has failed, record the three letter code visible inside the end of the punch.
• Competitors must not enter out-of-bounds areas; gates must be left as found; stock must not be disturbed.
• The organisers may disqualify a team if it acts against these rules or against the spirit of the event.
• A team can retire a member at the hash house. This will finish that team's event. A new team can form but it must start with zero score.
• Late Penalty: 10 points per minute (or part) late. Disqualification if more than 30 minutes late.
• If teams score equal points then the first team home will have a higher rank.

Presentation and Awards

Post-event food and drinks will be available from 3pm. Please bring your own plate and utensils.

We will be having the ACTRA Annual General Meeting at about 4:20pm. Please stay and listen to a short update on the year that was in 2022 and help elect the committee for 2023. If you’d like to nominate for a position on the committee, or just find out more info – please contact the Event Contact below.

Following the AGM, we’ll have the prize ceremony for the event – and hand out our spot prizes from Paddy Pallin. You have to be there to win a prize!

Event volunteers

If you have queries contact the Event Contact listed below.