Silva Award for Services to Orienteering: Ann and John Scown

Ann and John Scown are recognised for their services to orienteering at all levels, in many aspects of the sport for over 40 years. 

Individually or jointly, they have taken on every executive position on the OACT Board, contributed to various OA committees, been the driving force within the Abominable O-Men Club, organised dozens of events at the national or ACT level, and been the equipment and technical managers for OACT. Their most significant recent contribution at the national level has been as Technical Directors for the 2023 Australian 3-Days.

Silva Award for Services to Coaching: Tara Melhuish

Tara Melhuish started coaching the ACT Blue Lightning squad in 2020. This squad is for school-aged juniors and Tara organised or was part of organising a regular Saturday morning training session.

Since late 2022 Tara has also been organising a weekly Tuesday interval training open to all ACT orienteers. This training group has grown significantly over the years, and in recent times is regularly close to or over 50 people. The group includes elite runners, juniors and their parents, and other adult orienteers.

David Hogg Medal for Services to Event Management: Marina Iskhakova and Fedor Iskhakov

Marina Iskhakova and Fedor Iskhakov have been awarded the David Hogg Medal for Services to Event Management in recognition of their respective roles as Event Director and Technical Director for the 2024 Australian Mountain Bike Orienteering Carnival, held in Canberra between 17 and 20 October. With five events in four days, planning for the Carnival took place over the preceding 12 months, with Marina and Fedor involved in undertaking or coordinating most aspects of the Carnival.

Their contribution to event management has also included being the driving force behind MTBO and ski orienteering in Canberra in recent years.

Rob Plowright Award for Services to Mapping: Mike Morffew

The inaugural Rob Plowright Award for Services to Mapping is awarded to Mike Morffew, who has been a cornerstone of the Tasmanian orienteering community as an esteemed mapper and a dedicated mentor.

His early map, Tin Pot Creek, which dates back to 1980, is still in use today. Of the many maps that he has produced since then, the most significant is perhaps Golden Fleece, which was prepared in his role of Chief Mapper for the 1992 IOF Veteran World Cup, and is regarded as one of Australia’s mapping masterpieces.

At present, Mike is diligently updating maps for the 2026 Australian 3-Days.

Bob Mouatt Award for Services to Orienteering Australia: John Oliver

Another award which is being made for the first time in 2025 is the Bob Mouatt Award for Services to Orienteering Australia. This award is determined by the Board and is made to John Oliver recognise his 50 years of service in administering and promoting the OA Badge Scheme.

When the Orienteering Federation of Australia established the Badge Scheme in 1975, John as appointed as a National Statistician to manage it and keep track of qualifying events. In 1984, the National Statistician role was split and John’s position was renamed Badge Scheme Secretary. His 50 years in this role is by far the longest period that any individual has held the same official OFA/OA position.