James Sheldon

Source: Orienteering Queensland

It is with sad and heavy hearts that we inform the orienteering (and outdoors ) community of the sudden death of James Sheldon, youngest son of Joan and Derek Sheldon, brother to Anna, Helen and Peter, and partner of Kate. James was tragically killed in a hiking accident on Mt Barney in SE Queensland’s scenic rim on Saturday 11 July, 2020.

For some, Mt Barney is a wild and alluring place; for James, having grown up in the nearby township of Boonah, its ridges and ravines were his backyard. Born and raised to adventure, James was a skilled and experienced hiker, mountaineer, orienteer, climber and cyclist. For him, no peak was high enough, no headwind strong enough – always seeking unique and challenging adventures of the path less travelled.

Whilst not a singular passion, orienteering was a sport James loved and excelled at. He was a regular member of the Queensland Schools Orienteering team, with 2005 being an exceptional year for him. James won the Senior Boys class at the Australian Schools Orienteering Championships, was a member of Queensland’s winning Senior Boys relay, and was selected in the Australian Schools Honour Team. He continued his interest in orienteering as an elite Queensland Cyclone where he performed strongly at many National Orienteering League events, and was selected in National Development squads. James was a valued member of Ugly Gully Orienteers, always willing to help organise events and collect controls from the most distant corners of the map.

James could perhaps be described as an enduring character, not just because of his amazing physical capabilities, but more so of his strong relationships with family, friends and loved ones. His goofy smile, his quick-wit, his enduring warmth and companionship. At age 32, recently engaged, and with a promising engineering career, it is a life cut way too short.

The forest sighs as we grieve for his family and for the loss of James – a beautiful son, brother, friend, lover, brother-in-law and uncle.

QORF / Outdoors Queensland is saddened by the loss of a vibrant young man committed to the outdoors. Our thoughts are with his family and friends in this sad time.

Thanks to the Sheldon family, Wendy Read and Orienteering Queensland for permission to republish this obituary.