Orienteering Waikato have recently been made aware of the passing of 2 past club members who had significant involvement with the Hamilton Orienteering club (as the club was previously named). Some of our club members will remember them. 

Bruce Collins was treasurer from 1992-1995 and president from 1996-1998. He was involved in the mapping of a number of our club maps some of which are still used today. His name is still on the Kairangi map that we will use later this year. He was involved in course setting and controlling and was a lead organizer when our club hosted the NZ championships in 1994. Bruce left the Waikato in 1998 and we understand has lived in Dunedin since then. Bruce must also have contributed significantly to Orienteering NZ as he is one of only nine people ever to be awarded life membership of ONZ.  Some of you may have met his son Shaun who is involved in Orienteering in Auckland, most recently as event coordinator for Orienteering at the World Masters Games. Shaun also organizes the Lactic Turkey events in the Auckland region. Bruce was 65 years old when he passed away on 3 January 2018. 

Bill Irvine passed away in December 8 2017. Bill was obviously well known in the Waikato as evidenced by his lengthy Obituary in the Waikato times. Bill joined the club in 1978. He contributed to the club in many ways including mapping of several maps including early versions of Forest Lake and Pukekura where we still compete today. He was apparently a computer enthusiast and instigated some of the earliest use of computers in NZ Orienteering for assisting with event organization. Bill was also the author of the club history document you can find on our website. Bill was a pharmacist and was the 3 ^rd generation of his family to run Irvine’s pharmacy.  His business sponsored the printing of a number of our early maps. Bill’s interest in Orienteering was mentioned at a large funeral held in Hamilton Gardens. You can read more about Bill via the links below. Bill was 73. 

https://i.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/100139235/obituary-bill-irvine-was-a-true-renaissance-man

http://i.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/news/36426/Pharmacist-in-Irvine-family-for-100-years

Our condolences go to both families.

The team at Orienteering Waikato