COFFS Harbour’s Helen O’Callaghan has been honoured for her outstanding contributions to orienteering.

O’Callaghan was announced as the winner of Orienteering Australia’s Silva Award for Services to Orienteering.

She received the award at the Easter 2023 Australian Orienteering 3-Days Carnival held in the Snowy Monaro region.

Her outstanding leadership and collaboration at all levels, including across state boundaries, are underpinned by her passion to increase participation in orienteering, especially juniors.

O’Callaghan was instrumental in the planning, promotion and conduct of increased junior orienteers’ participation in the 2022 Australian Orienteering Schools Championships experience, and the 2022 All Australian Junior Development Team.

The Bush ‘n’ Beach Orienteering Club member was the joint recipient of the Orienteering NSW 2022 President’s Award for her work with junior orienteers in the NSW State development team.

She continues to work in collaboration with colleagues from other states to build on that experience for upcoming championships, which is essential for the future of orienteering in Australia.

Orienteering NSW President Robyn Pallas described the importance of O’Callaghan’s contributions to orienteering.

“The growth and vitality of our sport depends on the input of our volunteers to the new generations of orienteers,” she said.

“Our junior orienteers are growing in number and success thanks to the determined input of leaders like Helen O’Callaghan.”

By Aiden BURGESS