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QORF Newsletter - September 2009
In this Issue
 | CEO's Message | |
New Course and Activity Directory | |
Nordic Walking – bringing the great outdoors closer to the masses | |
Outward Bound Information Night | |
Get a FREE 8 month subscription to Active Education Magazine | |
Queensland Government Funding / Awards | |
Submissions | |
Industry Information | |
Research | |
Industrial Relations Update: Outdoor Leaders Award | |
Outdoor Education Australia National Conference | |
Your City Your Say |
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CEO's Message
There is a National Summit occurring at Kingscliff in NSW next week which is primarily focused on the ways that we can collaboratively act to protect the nation’s biodiversity, ecological health, productivity and social wellbeing. The Summit is a great reminder to us of how outdoor recreation is playing its role in this agenda, and that our efforts are important to more than just the next person using the trail, or the next group through the area. Indeed, the better we do our jobs, the more effectively we mitigate our impacts, and the more we encourage others to care for and protect the landscape, the greater contribution we make to the long term wellbeing of the country through sustainable use, a healthy ecosystem and a better educated and engaged community.
It is this type of approach that helps us to gain credence with the wider community and we need to widely advocate the quiet efforts that are made by the majority of outdoor recreationists to work with the environment and not against it. When we show that we do not permanently scar the earth or taint the waters; when we demonstrate the wide benefits that participation in outdoor recreation brings to people and the environment; and when we deliver activities safely, we have a better forum from which to advocate our needs and argue for greater access and opportunities.
Speaking of opportunities, the State Government’s current funding for sport and recreation is being reviewed before the end of 2009. As promised in the government’s response to our policy proposal before the last election, this review will not lead to a deterioration of the amount of funding available and competitive funding will continue. The Terms of Reference indicate however, that the review will consider the impact of grant and subsidy expenditure on public health and community well-being. Outdoor recreation, with its identified benefits on these two aspects of health, should be able to make a strong argument for future opportunities for funding. We will keep you informed of the results of that review which should be completed by December 2009.
Adventure Activity Standards
We remain in the status of ‘Hold’ on the AAS for Queensland. These documents are being processed through the machinery of government, with the Director General from each Department involved in the overseeing Governmental Committee, being asked to ratify the AAS. We continue to hope that a launch will be conducted before the end of this year. With the Minister for Sport, Phi Reeves attending the Outdoor Recreation Awards on October 30, it is hoped that some idea of progress will be known by that time.
On the Awards Dinner, we had 36 nominations this year for the 8 awards on offer, with the voting committee acknowledging the very high quality of submissions that were received. Our congratulations to those of you nominated, and our best wishes on the night. We hope to see many of you joining us to celebrate some of the achievements and people who make outdoor recreation/ education part of the Queensland lifestyle. All of you make a contribution daily, but the Awards are a wonderful opportunity to share those experiences and feel part of the wider community of outdoor providers.
Have a great month.
Donna
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New Course and Activity Directory
The pilot edition of a new magazine style Directory of Training Courses and Outdoor Activities is being launched by QORF in November to attract members of the public to the benefits of outdoor activity and to provide a one stop source of training and business development information to the industry.
The Directory will be updated quarterly and distributed throughout Queensland in outdoor retail shops, schools, councils, libraries and so on. It will also be available online at www.qorf.org.au.
This is a great marketing opportunity and is being provided free of charge to QORF members and at competitive rates for non members. Advertising opportunities are also available.
Publication date for the first pilot edition of the Directory is November 2009 so please have your completed applications in to QORF by October 31.
Please note that the more support we get from QORF members the more successful the Directory will be and long term, the more vibrant our outdoor community will be!
Click here for an Application Form, or for more information go to the QORF website or call Tracy at QORF on 07 3369 9455, email: admin@qorf.org.au
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NEWS FLASH!
If your entry to name the new Vegemite didn't make it - try naming our new Directory instead! Send your most brilliant and creative ideas to Name the Directory
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Nordic Walking – bringing the great outdoors closer to the masses - the world’s latest craze in recreational fitness
Nordic walking started in Scandinavia (hence the name) as a summer training exercise for cross country skiers but was streamlined into its present day form in 1997 and has since spread rapidly across the globe. It is now making its mark and proving as successful in Australia as it has done elsewhere in the world.
Nordic walking is fitness walking using specially designed poles to create a low stress total body work out which delivers much greater benefits than regular walking. It is a weight-bearing activity which gives great aerobic fitness, body conditioning and weight loss benefits yet achieves this with less impact submitted through the lower body and with less perceived effort. It is an activity that intensifies a walking workout so as a form of cross training for bushwalking expeditions it is fantastic, but not so ideal when one is wishing to conserve energy for longer journeys.
The poles are not to be confused with the design and purpose of the regular trekking pole or cross country ski pole, in fact they are a hybrid of the two. Nordic Walking poles have the supportive hand-wrist strap to enable an effective push action behind the body and are also more comfortable even if the poles are just used as trekking poles. The technique involved is relatively simple and easy to learn however as it mimics the action of cross country skiing proper instruction is essential in order to ensure that the movement is correct, injury is prevented and the promised benefits can be achieved.
Once acquired, Nordic Walking can be done anywhere that normal walking or ‘soft’ trekking is performed - on sand, gravel paths, asphalt or grass and on flat or undulating surfaces. Snow is definitely not needed!
In an effort to promote the great outdoors to the mass population Nordic Walking is playing a major role. Most people taking up the activity so far are those in the metropolitan suburbs – they are inspired by and feel that the use of poles ‘takes them away’ to a more beautiful and serene place.
The next step is to get them physically to the great outdoors and into more of the activities that our wild and open spaces offer.
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Scientifically proven health and fitness benefits of Nordic Walking include:
| activates 90% of the body's muscles | |
gives a 20-25 % greater cardio fitness effect than regular walking | |
burns up to 46% more calories compared to regular walking without poles | |
decreases the weight load and impact on the joints of the lower body | |
gives a more intense workout but with lower perceived exertion | |
strengthens as well as tones the upper back and shoulders | |
increases the lateral mobility of the spine significantly | |
releases pain and muscle tension in the neck and shoulders | |
promotes an upright and balanced walking posture | |
improves co-ordination |
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If you are interested in more information or to try out Nordic Walking for yourself please contact us on 1300 791 740 or visit: www.nordicacademy.com.au
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Outward Bound Information Night
Outward Bound Australia is hosting an information night in Brisbane on Wednesday 7th October for those interested in attending a personal development course or joining a trainee instructor program which is suited to people who would like to pursue their interest as a career.
Click here to download a Information Night Flyer
Go to the Outward Bound website for more information
Outward Bound Careers Night
Date: Wednesday 7th October
Time: 6:30-8:00p
Venue: Mountain Designs
120 Wickham St, Fortitude Valley
RSVP to Kate Hille on 0419 913 611
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Get a FREE 8 month subscription to Active Education Magazine
Active Education Magazine is offering a free 8 month subscription.
The must-have bi-monthly magazine for anyone involved in organizing outdoor education and physical education activities, sporting programs, camping trips and school excursions. Bursting with activities, attractions, events, sporting issues, products and accommodation specialists who cater specifically for schools and school-age children, this is THE publication for you!
Packed with informative articles and bursting with activities, attractions and event specialists who cater specifically to the education market, Active Education Magazine (AEM) is a one-stop resource for outdoor, physical education and health professionals.
Simply fill out the form to receive an 8 month free subscription and continually receive innovative fresh ideas on how to keep students active and outdoors. Stay informed and kept up to date with new and exciting features to motivate and inspire and read expert reviews on the latest products to hit the industry!
For more infromation on the magazine please check out the Active Education website.
Click here to download the Subscription Form
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Queensland Goverment Funding / Awards
$700,000 for Queensland multicultural events
Applications will be accepted for the 2009-10 round of Multicultural Assistance Program (MAP) grants from 11 September 2009 and will be open for two months.
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Gambling Community Benefit Fund Now Online
In an effort to streamline the application process for funding through the Gambling Community Benefit Fund, applications can now be prepared and submitted online. Information sessions will be held throughout Queensland to assist people in the transition period. Please check the website for details of a session most suitable to you. The guidelines of the Fund have not changed, continuing to offer up to $30,000 for projects of various nature, including sports equipment, office furniture and field maintenance equipment. To make an application, visit:
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Logan Community Grants Program
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Green Door Group is offering grants for the creation and production of inspirational and challenging environmental videos. The grant pool is $5000 and there is a call for projects valued between $1000 to $5000. To be eligible to apply you have to be a tertiary student, not-for-profit organisation, tertiary educational institution (private and government funded) or a combination of the these.
To request an Application Kit, email trish@thegreendoor.com.au or telephone (07) 5533 3880.
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The FAHCSIA Volunteer Grants Program has been released by the Federal Government. The program provides funding for eligible non-profit organisations to support their volunteers and encourage volunteering by: purchasing practical and tangible small equipment items to help volunteers; and/or contributing towards the reimbursement of volunteers’ fuel costs incurred when carrying out their volunteering work. Organisations can apply for funding from a minimum of $1,000 up to a maximum of $5,000. www.fahcsia.gov.au
Close 25 September 2009.
The Coca-Cola Australia Foundation Community Grants:
www.ccamatil.com.au
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Submissions
The Queensland Government has extended the period for public consultation on the Draft South East Queensland Climate Change Management Plan by one month, to 9 October 2009. Responses to the draft plan can be made at: Department of Infrastructure and Planning
The Seqwater Draft Recreation Management Framework has been completed and now available for public comment. The draft framework provides Seqwater with a decision making tool to assess recreation activities into the future. It does not provide a list of suggested changes. Any recommendations for changes to recreation activities and settings will be made subsequently and will be considered against this framework. Any changes to permitted recreation activities would be implemented through an appropriate change management process including further consultation with parties affected. A summary of the draft Recreation Management Framework can be viewed at: SEQ Water
The framework will be open for public comment until close of business on Monday 5 October 2009 Submissions can be made by:
Email: recreation@seqwater.com.au
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Industry Information
ASK GOOGLE MAPS TO GENERATE BIKING ROUTE MAPS
According to an article in the Aug. 26th Marin County Bicycle Coalition newsletter, "It has come to MCBC's attention that a request for Google to create maps for the best cycling routes in any particular area has been posted on their 'Suggest It' page. MCBC thinks this is a great idea and suggests that everyone with an interest in biking (and walking) go to
MCBC Website and “vote” under Route Information. If Google is flooded with requests, it may result in a tool of interest to all cyclists and walkers.
National Ride2Work Day – 14 October 2009 www.ride2work.com.au
Volunteering Australia’s 2009 ‘National Survey of Volunteering Issues’ is now open. Volunteering Australia invites all volunteers and not for profit organisations that involve volunteers, as well as business organisations that have employee volunteering programs, to participate in the 2009 National Survey of Volunteering Issues. The National Survey of Volunteering Issues helps Volunteering Australia understand what issues are emerging in the sector and what factors help or hinder effective volunteering. Volunteering Australia uses this information to formulate policy advice to government, and also to target where our research and consultation efforts should be directed. The survey takes around 15 minutes to complete, and is open until 30 October. Access the survey by clicking on the following link:
Survey Monkey
The 2009 National Survey of Volunteering Issues report will be released on Friday the 4 December in celebration of International Volunteer Day (Saturday 5 December). For enquiries or further information, please email project@volunteeringaustralia.org
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Research
Monash University Accident Research Centre (MUARC) Project
Recently, members of the outdoor industry have pooled resources to fund the development of a literature review on risk and incidents in led outdoor activities. This first stage of a more extensive research agenda has been completed and you can now view two powerpoint presentations on the results:
- The role of Human Factors in led outdoor activity accidents: Literature review and exploratory analysis
- Human Factors Team, Monash University Accident Research Centre.
To see the literature review and the exploratory case study analyses, see our website:
www.auscamps.asn.au
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Industrial Relations Update: Outdoor Leaders Award
As many of you will be aware, QORF put in a further submission to the Australian Industrial Relations Commission (AIRC) on the proposed national award for the Outdoor Industry.
Recent advice to us from Michael Taylor HMT Consulting, reveals that this submission has been recieved very luke warmly, with the result being that a National Outdoor Leader Award will not be developed, and the industry will be hidden in with a suite of other industries. Currently the commentary from the AIRC reveals their decision as:
“We have not created an outdoor industry or outdoor activities, tour guides and lifeguards award as proposed by some parties. We note that we have already made an Amusements, Events and Recreation Modern Award. To the extent that the award does not cover those who were to be covered by the proposed outdoor industry or outdoor activities, tour guides and lifeguards award they might be covered by the proposed Miscellaneous Award 2010 or further considered through an application to vary the Amusements, Events and Recreation Modern Award.”
The Draft of the Miscellaneous Award 2010 is attached below for your information. We will continue to keep you informed on developments in this matter as they become apparent.
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Outdoor Education Australia National Conference
Outdoor Education Australia
16th National Outdoor Education Conference
January 10-13, 2010
Notre Dame University, Fremantle WA
Outdoor Education Australia in association with Outdoors WA presents the 16th National Outdoor Education Conference to be held at Notre Dame University in Fremantle, Western Australia from January 10 to 13, 2010.
The Conference provides an excellent incentive to bring friends, partners and families to Western Australia for a relaxing summer holiday and an outstanding professional development experience. Perth experiences mid – summer conditions in January, making for hot days and glorious summer nights!
The conference itself will be a relaxed event featuring international, national and local presentations, workshops and associated activities.
Register your interest to receive the Conference Program via email at:
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Your City Your Say
A report into Council's mountain bike survey is now on Council's website under the Your City Your Say section:
www.brisbane.qld.gov.au
The report from Enhance Management includes the results of an additional independent telephone survey of BCC residents and compares it to the online surveys.
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