John Brammall, one of the stalwarts of Orienteering in Tasmania, passed away this morning after a short battle with an aggressive cancer.
John has been a major player in our sport both in Tasmania, and at the national level, for thirty years.
John took a leading role in the organisation of many national events. However, he will be best remembered for his role as Executive Officer of the Organising Committee of the Orienteering Veteran World Cup (precursor to the World Masters Orienteering Championships) that was held in Tasmania in 1992. In this position, and together with John Brock, the Event Director, John was jointly responsible for the outstanding success of the most significant international orienteering event held in Tasmania and, therefore, was instrumental in cementing Tasmania’s excellent world-wide reputation for national and international event organisation. Part of his work for this championships carnival involved making important contacts within the St Helens and East Coast communities, raising the level of knowledge of the sport and gaining the support of businesses and community organisations, thus paving the way for access to land while developing a positive and supportive attitude of the community to our sport.
At the local level, John was a tireless worker, promoting the position of orienteering as a significant sport in the local community and always looking for opportunities to spread “the word” about the benefits of orienteering. His role in setting up the very successful and long-running Launceston Schools competition is an excellent example. John was always looking to further the relationships between the north and south of the state and to ensure a “fair go” for EVOC.
John also served in the administration of our sport at both the state at the national level. As well as his administrative role in EVOC, John served as President of Orienteering Tasmania for two years, and also served a most successful term as President of Orienteering Australia.
We all know John’s ability to tackle the details of event organisation and course controlling, and we have all appreciated and benefitted from his detailed analysis of our local and OST events and courses. However, as well as his meticulous attention to detail he also had the ability to see the big picture and was always looking for ways to promote and improve our sport.
John will be remembered not only for his contribution to the sport but also for his generous nature, his measured advice, his loyalty and his firm friendship to us all. He will be sorely missed.
All orienteers extend their deepest sympathy to Valerie and his family.
... tribute by Warwick Moore, OT President 1990-1992, 2013-2015
... photo by Ian Rathbone of John Brammall at St Helens 2009