Yeah, thats about the same time that I started. There were two complete routes - beginner and novice routes were copletely separate to the rest, meaning they needed 16-20 observers, not just 8 or 10!
This was also better for both routes, as they didnt need to find easy stuff for the novices next to elite sized rocks if you get me. I'm not saying that it should go back to this as I dont see that happening, but only being able to provide observers for 7 sections is a poor show. Step up people, without the helpers it wouldn't happen!
Big thanks to my Dad for observing for all those years!