Rainy weather is one thing, but the most ardent pluviophile may be finding it difficult to find joy and peace of mind in the recent weather across so much of Queensland.

At the time of writing, the full impacts of Tropical Cyclone Debbie and the resultant weather system are not known. Our extreme weather has highlighted the power of nature and shown why we must regard the earth with real awe. Although the much-needed rain will be considered awesome by some, the effects will be truly awful for others.

If you are in need and the QORF network may be able to provide help, please let us know. Asking for help reveals strength, not weakness!

If you know of someone who has gone above and beyond to ensure people in the outdoors are safe and well, please share the story with us. Preparedness, precautions, and risk/benefit analysis are part of what we do, but so is reflection on the benefits of outdoor activities. We should remember to share positive stories that emerge from difficult times, while respecting the needs of those who will be doing it tough.

Queensland’s Great Barrier Reef is doing it tough, with mass coral bleaching events happening due to rising sea surface temperatures from climate change. The amazing ecosystem that is the Great Barrier Reef is at threat, and requires coordinated action to ensure that the Great Barrier Reef won’t become a historical trivia answer for future generations. Those of us who love and respect the outdoors need to play a part in the solutions – solutions are difficult, but we can start by ensuring that this issue is firmly on the radar of our politicians, no matter which part of the political rainbow they occupy.

The QORF AGM was held on Thursday 9th March. Thanks to those who attended the AGM and those who nominated for management committee positions.

Nature Play QLD hosted another very successful symposium at the Gold Coast Recreation Centre on Saturday 11th March. 

Perhaps I should have chosen the proverb, “It never rains, but when it does, it pours” this month. Please contact us if we can help manage the flow.

Yours in the outdoors, Dom

Dom Courtney, Executive Officer

The QORF Annual General Meeting

On Thursday March 9th we held an industry forum to catch up on where things are at in the sector followed by the 2017 QORF Annual General Meeting which included voting for committee members and release of the 2016 Annual Report.

Donna Little resigned her Management Committee position, Ian Heath and Allana Bold were re-elected and we welcome Alana Thomson on to the Committee for the first time.

Visioning the Outdoors

Visioning the Outdoors Film & Photo Competition 2017 has a new section:
Instagram. And it is so easy!

1. Follow qorf on Instagram
2. Load your 'outdoor activity images'
3. Tag @qorf, #visioningtheoutdoors
4. Tell your friends to like your entry
5. Set your Instagram profile to public
6. Highest number of LIKES wins!

Does everything and nothing change when a cyclist dies?

For those of us who ride regularly, it was a moment of it could have been me.
For our friends and families, it could have been our loved ones. ...  read more

Mt Joyce Confirmed for 2017 Downhill Champs

Mountain Bike Australia (MTBA) has today confirmed the date and venue for the 2017 Downhill National Championships. ... read more

Time to confront the bear!

Outdoor program safety; aligning what we now know with what we’re currently doing: one practitioner’s call to action.

Are we willing to consider alternative dialogues in relation to how we choose to understand accidents, and identify sources of risk in our work..... read more

10 Tips for Raising Outdoor Loving Kids

"I think much of what we’ve learned could be helpful to most parents who want to raise children that love the outdoors. For me, it boils down to 10 basic rules (thebigoutside.com) ...read more

An Argument for Limiting Walker Access

Responsible use of our unique wilderness needs a robust debate on placing limits on the track access we enjoy ... read more

New Ideas Forums

Coming up with ideas is often easy, transforming the idea into income is harder - explore how at the QLD Government’s Office of Small Business FREE event ... Cairns, Brisbane, Toowoomba during April

Coming Events

Events coming up in the next month or so - on April 1, the first in a series of Back in the Saddle trail rides; more from the Rewilding Project - Navigation & Trekking on the 8th & 22nd; Abseiling, Vertical Rescue and Cycling courses from TOEC; the first New Ideas Forum in Cairns on the 4th and more BeachCare opportunities with Griffith Uni on the 22nd and 29th.

Do you host events? Our resources page on Event Management might have what you need! Find out!

AABAT Bush Adventure Therapy Forum

On April 21-24 at the Candlebark School, Romsey VIC, over 100 people from around Australia will gather to spotlight the healing, health promoting and therapeutic benefits of spending time outdoors. The theme is 'Connecting' and explores ways to not only connect with nature but with oneself, each other and new ideas ... read more

World’s Biggest Dinner

The World’s Biggest Dinner on Saturday 4th November is a fundraising initiative for cancer research, allowing anybody in this great World of ours, to take part and enjoy great food and great company, whilst raising awareness and vital funds to find a cure for cancer. Please register to host a dinner, bbq or party – whatever you like! Just have plenty of fun! ... read more

Queensland Canoeing Education Courses

Queensland Canoeing Education offers a range of Leader Training and Assessment courses for people seeking professional certification in paddling environments. The Australian Canoeing Award Scheme is designed for the canoeing and kayaking industry for education, recreational and tourism sectors nationwide. 

Epi-Pen Recall

EpiPen 300's (used in emergency situations to treat people who are having a severe allergic reaction) are being recalled due to a defective part that could result in the auto-injector failing to activate or needing more force than normal to activate. Units can be returned to pharmacies for exchange.
Read More

What's On

The online calendar of What's On Activities, Events, Training & Workshops

If you have an event, public training opportunity, open day, adventure race, workshop or conference coming up in 2016, submit the details and we will help promote it.

Jobs 

Several new jobs are listed on our Jobs Available page in the Industry / Jobs & Careers section

Looking for a job and want to let people know - promote yourself on Jobs Wanted

New on the Website

New Apps for Outdoors: Packing Lists, Camping Tips, Recipes and GroNative; a new Places to Go link, Highway Traveller; a link to the Clarence Canoe & Kayak Trail (NSW) and updates to the Job Links & Training Resources page.

If you have any suggestions for new or improved content please email industry@qorf.org.au.

Want to share your stories, resources and more with our audience ... simply go to the (I WANT TO...) SUBMIT page and follow the prompts!.

Connect With Us

With the ever increasing importance 
of social media as a marketing tool and way of keeping in touch, QORF is developing a solid social media presence. We encourage you to like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, subscribe to us on YouTube, follow us on Instagram and follow us on LinkedIn.

LIKE, FOLLOW and SUBSCRIBE to us and we will reciprocate!! A good way to keep in touch and be more effective.

Member Opportunities

If you have jobs to fill, gear to sell, links & eNewsletters to share, events to promote or information to pass on, send us the details and we'll put it online.

New Members

Welcome aboard to new QORF Green Circle Members: Welcome aboard to new QORF Green Circle Members: Horse Trax Oz, Lake Kurwongbah Water Ski Zone, Southern Downs Regional Council and Churchill Education

Go to the Membership section to become a QORF Green Circle Member today. New members will be acknowledged here, on the QORF home page and on Facebook.