Robyn D'Ascenzo wins the 2012 Ian Booth Memorial Award

Sunday, 24 March 2013

Robyn D’Ascenzo  - winner 2012 Ian Booth Memorial Award

 The Ian Booth Award is presented annually to the most improved Bushflyer at the Masters level. Today Robyn D’Ascenzo was presented with Bushflyers Ian Booth Memorial Award at the Tharwa Tor event after showing a 19% improvement over the 2011 year.

 Robyn’s achievements have also been recognised in the awarding of the Orienteering Australia’s Bronze Merit Badge in the W55 category. Well done Robyn! 

Robyn is the driving force behind any of the D’Ascenzo’s attending an orienteering event.

 She keeps tabs on events, puts entries in where required, calculates travel time, organises clothing, organises travel and accommodation where required, and usually rouses Michael and Robert out of bed to attend events.

 Orienteering for Robyn all started with Robert taking on orienteering as a school sport back in 2002. Begrudgingly Robyn agreed to husband Michael’s suggestion that they join in while waiting for Robert to complete his course. Robyn said OK but only on the condition that they walked the course!

 So in 2003 Robyn, Michael and Robert could be seen at Saturday orienteering events around Canberra. First,  Robyn and Michael together, but very soon afterwards, after it became clear that competing together was likely to lead to divorce, separately.

 When Robert was interested in attending the Australian Championships in Parkes in 2004, Robyn organised the trip and off we went. It was the first Red Course that any of us had attempted. Robyn and Robert did reasonably well in not coming last but Michael took 2 hours and 47 minutes to complete his 3.7km course! “Oh dear,” was Robyn’s thoughts when she first saw the course and the granite outcrops, “What have I got Michael into.”

 Robyn maintained the family’s interest in orienteering and from 2005 to 2007 there were few if any Saturday events that the trio did not attend, rain, hail or shine (and on the odd occasion snow). Given excellent attendance, Robert was 2nd in 2005 and 1st in 2006 in the M16 Saturday competition and 1st in the M18 competition. Robyn too did well at the Saturday events.

Since 2004 Robyn has ensured that she and Michael have not missed an Australian Championship. She has also ensured regular attendance in Canberra events as well as participation at many events outside the ACT, particularly in NSW and Victoria. In fact it was at Tumbarumba in October 2010 when Robert badly injured his ankle. As Robert hobbled in, Robyn cheered him to try harder. Robyn still encourages him to return to the fold.

Even when Robyn gets lost orienteering, she keeps trying to finish the course.

Robyn always gives her best at orienteering, even last year when she participated in competitions while her knee was giving her significant bother. While her knee is still not 100%, notwithstanding the surgeon’s scalpel, she is determined to do her best this year.

Robyn shows commitment to the sport and a determination to do her best. In many ways orienteering is about doing your best. Robyn exemplifies that spirit.

Congratulations Robyn.