From the CEO's Desk What seems like an obvious outcome of COVID was the reconnection of families and a recalibration on the understanding of the value of human life, which luckily in Australia I think we understood well before and even more so now. So don't get caught up in the business of work right now and forget the importance of our people. As you know you do have a legal obligation but what I have witnessed over many years is those that do this well have excellent businesses as an outcome. For all business owners out there, ask yourself the question, 'what more could I be doing to prioritise the health and wellbeing of my employees?' Finding ways to show your team that you care really does go a long way to building a happy, healthy & successful workplace. As we speak of the importance of human life, on behalf of Outdoors NSW & ACT, our thoughts and prayers are with any of our Outdoor community that have family and/or friends in Ukraine. May they be safe and stand for what is right. Lori Modde CEO - Outdoors NSW & ACT
Congratulations Take 3 and the First Wave Project
Last year Outdoors NSW & ACT joined with NPWS to support the First Wave project by Take 3, which looked at how outdoor tourism operators could help with litter reduction.
They shared their outcome video with us which we shared on our last Fridays Connect & Share, you can view it here.
Mentoring Program starts 1 March
We have had an overwhelming response to this first-ever mentoring program for Outdoor leaders. This will be our first cohort with another intake scheduled for 2023. With an influx of mentees, we have a few more places for some mentors from the industry. Please register before Tuesday 1/3.
Inside The Outhaus National Discussions If you haven't been to a session yet, we encourage you to do so if you are an outdoor leader and want to connect with like minds. Held the 1st & 3rd Tuesdays of the month at 17:13 (Syd/Mel/ACT time) precisely... Yes 5:13pm! Recent topics covered camp restrictions, AAEE International Conference, Pay and conditions and a lot more. Register to attend their sessions or review previous ones. Recruiting? Skilling? Recent updates from Skills IQ include some key opportunities for the Outdoor sector; - Workforce Issue Survey (10min to complete) - Get Back in the Game Grants (to fund programs for 15-19-year-olds to re-engage) - Scholarships for VET courses in sport and recreation and paid internships - Youth jobs PaTH helps employers find staff with a wage subsidy - VET for secondary students Review Process
Youth Program kicks off Portland Central School (near Lithgow) will have students attending the A-OK program from tomorrow. Hosted and run by 'Ant Fitness' they be engaging youth that do have have an active recreation activity as part of their routine and providing a taste of activities that they can continue to do after this program concludes. This program is aiming to get more kids active more often for their health (physical & mental) and overall well-being. We are recruiting for operators to run sessions in; - Clarence Valley - Kempsey - Mid-Coast - Nambucca - Tweed Shire - Dungog - Hawkesbury - Lake Macquarie - Singleton - Oberon If interested please let us know.
Outdoors NSW & ACT has 4 ongoing sub-committees which help to deliver improvements, programs and support for various areas of the industry. Mountain Bike, Trail Bike, Incident Response & Risk Management (IR & RM), Climate Change. New Member We welcome Craig Shephard from Mountain Safety Collective onto the IR & RM committee. Mountain Bike Sub-Committee Following the recent survey we are working with NPWS, Office of Sport and other stakeholders on informing the outcomes and combining strategies and providing much-needed support and leadership for MTB. New Committee Interest We are calling for interested parties to join "First Nations & the Outdoors" a proposed new Sub-Committee to be formed in May 2022. If interested please let us know.
Organisation News
You may hear from a few new names if you contact ONSWACT or we contact you. This month Lesley left us to take on a new challenge and we wish her all the best in her new venture and to keep enjoying the Outdoors wherever she goes. James and Lea now join Helen under the direction of Lori, our CEO.
Also welcome to new members of ONSWACT: Ant Fitness, Lachlan Tiffen, Melanie Davey, Claudette Rechtorik, Dominique Webb.
HILL END Historic Site Plan Approved The Minister for Energy and Environment recently adopted a plan of management for Hill End Historic Site. Located in Central-West NSW, about halfway between Bathurst and Mudgee in Wiradjuri Country. The adopted Hill End Historic Site Plan of Management is available athttp://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/topics/parks-reserves-and-protected-areas/park-management/plans-of-management.
OUTDOOR PROVIDERS AUDIT PROGRAM As we get busy again with another year it might be time to review your procedures and how they match the Australian Adventure Activity Standards. Outdoors NSW & ACT has selected 3 qualified auditors to provide expert advice on your procedures and where the gaps may be for the development of your processes. View the Auditors and/or Book your audit here.
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