QORF eNews March 2020
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Hi there,
What a month!
Everything on track for a lovely autumn, a very positive AGM (and Special General Meeting too!) and a new look future for QORF, when along came COVID-19 - and the world as knew it changed dramatically.
Without doubt the arrival of COVID-19 and the downstream effects it is having on the outdoor sector is the primary focus of this eNewsletter. There is a lot of information to keep up to date with while businesses are adapting to a new way of working and personal lifestyles are changing to meet the new physical / social distancing expectations.
It is not all doom and gloom however. So, in addition to keeping the sector up to date with COVID-19 through our website, we are also endeavouring to provide some balance with a few good news stories and a bit of 'life goes on!'
COVID-19 Information & Resources - online support for the sector
Read on for more news, events and outdoor info ...
A message from Dom!
Dom Courtney
Executive Officer
Be an upstander, not a bystander.
This is an extremely important issue and one we all need to get right!
"It is no exaggeration to say that all outdoor places and spaces could be closed to everyone due to poor behaviour by some."
Be an upstander, not a bystander
QORF and Nature Play QLD call on all people in our communities to report others who do not follow the social/physical distancing directives in outdoor places.
If you saw a member of the public starting a fire in a public space, you would not
hesitate to report it. If you see people doing the wrong thing in Queensland outdoor spaces (eg large gatherings of people in parks), report that by ringing 13HEALTH (13 43 25 84).
Read More
We are keen to get our message out to as many people as possible - please share our Newsletter with your friends and colleagues and suggest they sign up. Share on Facebook too!
QORF AGM 2020
On March 11, the annual QORF AGM was held at Sports House in Milton. After the Annual Report was presented and the various reports delivered, focus turned to voting in the members of the Management Committee for 2020.
The new Management Committee for 2020 is:
- President - Allana Bold (All About Paddling )
- Vice President - Denise Cox (Mountain Bike Australia)
- Secretary - Andrew Boyle (Coefficient)
- Treasurer - Murray Stewart (Individual)
- Ian Heath (Scouts Qld)
- Peter Gould (Scouts Qld)
- Ross Barns (HYPAR)
- Ray Buchanan (Motorcycling Queensland)
The 2019 Annual Report was presented at the AGM and is now available to read or download from the About Us page on the website.
From QORF to Outdoors Queensland!
On Wednesday 11th March, 2020, QORF members present at the Special General Meeting unanimously voted to make changes to the organisation that will set us up for the future. The special resolution passed at the meeting included:
- A change from an incorporated association to a company limited by guarantee,
- The name of the company to be Outdoors Queensland Ltd, and
- A new constitution
The move to Outdoors Queensland sets the organisation up for the future, but it will not change our mission – to raise the profile, develop capacity and increase opportunities for outdoor activities across Queensland. In preparation for the change, we have started to develop some of the resources that will soon come into effect. Announcing the new logo for Outdoors Queensland ...
Over the coming months, you will see more and more of the new logo and other changes as we move into our new look and new structure. Watch this space!
Angela Wright, manager of NPQLD, is keen to work with QORF members and others in the outdoor sector to find mutually beneficial ways to develop new nature play opportunities. Learn More.
If interested call 0488 171 383 or email manager@natureplayqld.org.au.
COFFEE & CONVERSATION
QORF is hosting a weekly online chat session for the outdoor sector as a chance to talk - to get together with others in the outdoors. We'll share with you what we know and what we are doing - and you can share your concerns, suggestions and solutions.
Free Consultations
Does your organisation need volunteer, staffing or legal advice due to the COVID-19 shutdown?
AQIA is making available to eligible fitness, sport and recreation organisations free confidential consultations with a qualified HR or legal adviser to discuss the impacts of COVID-19 on your organisation. Know where you stand on contracts, hirings, payments &more.
Free Legal Advice
Free Volunteer & Staffing Advice
For more information, contact AQIA on (07) 3367 0833 or send an email to admin@aqia.org.au
Online Teaching during COVID-19 International Questionnaire
It is a very challenging and stressful time for educators, more so than ever. In an attempt to help others to transition to the online teaching environment, Lachlan Ryan has created a 10-minute questionnaire for educators who are currently using online learning to provide educational content for students. Respondents will be among the first to receive the results and ideas that come from the survey. (Note: It is not aimed at those educators who are yet to transition to online teaching)
Australia’s outdoors still OPEN
The Outdoor Council of Australia, national peak body for outdoor activities, is reminding members of the public that the outdoors is still open and can play a vital role in maintaining community health and wellbeing during the COVID-19 crisis.
Read More
Dinner parties go digital!
In these times of isolation, we need to try to stay as connected as possible. A digital dinner party takes a little bit of planning, but bringing a group dynamic back to your socialising is something that can provide a bit of levity and joy.
Read More
Happy Letter Boxing
Concerned for your friends and family? “Can I Help?” – is a little form you can print off and deliver to your neighbours, to let them know you’re there and you’re willing to help them if they need it. Read More
23 Self-Isolation Activities
Activity ideas for outdoorsy folk to do at home. Most are pretty easy to implement if you are feeling well. And a few of them can even be done if you’re not feeling so good. (from Cool of the Wild)
Read More
Coming Events
Events coming up this month include: April 1: April Fool's Day; April 3, Coffee & Conversation; April 10, Coffee & Conversation; April 14, World Dolphin Day; April 17, Coffee & Conversation; April 22, Earth Day; April 23, World Book Day; April 24, Coffee & Conversation; April 26, Hug an Australian Day (might need to be a virtual hug this year!); April 29, Great Getaways Info Session (online) and April 25 - May 3 is World Parks Week.
In addition this is Jazz Appreciation Month too!
Links / Resources
Great Getaways Info Session
On Wednesday, April 29 in conjunction with the Australian Camps Association, we will be hosting an ONLINE Info Session on the new (for QLD) Great Getaways program for over 55's.
A Zoom invite will be issued shortly.
Please note: this session is a pre-qualifying event and must be attended by any QLD camp wishing to host Great Getaways in 2020.
Outdoors Queensland Awards
Despite the current situation, the Outdoors Queensland Awards are still going ahead in 2020. Although we don’t know whether we will be able to hold the annual Awards Dinner, we still intend to acknowledge the terrific things people have done in the outdoors throughout the year. So it is time to start thinking about who you will nominate. Learn 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 soon, lets us know by Submitting Your Event and we will promote it in the What's On calendar.
For Hire:
Do you have equipment for hire, spaces to let out for meetings, training or activities? Let us know and we'll add it to the For Hire page on the website.
Email industry@qorf.org.au
New Online Resources
- COVID-19
- Working from Home
- Knot (?): Make your own mask
- and updates all over the place.
Go to the HOME page for recent updates
Welcome aboard to long standing supporter and new member, Equipped Outdoors
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 our social media platforms.
On being a member!
As a member you have a choice to make – sit back and hope things work out, or – much better – get involved! Learn more about Getting Involved and Making Connections
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