QORF eNews 'Happy New Year' 2017 No Images? Click here Happy New Year and welcome back from your Xmas holiday The image we have chosen this month captures the simplicity of a summer holiday on the beach in Queensland. Gettin' yer feet wet! by Susie Thompson was an entrant in the 2016 Visioning the Outdoors film and Photo Competition. The competition for 2017 is now OPEN so get that camera out, select the best from your holiday and send then in! As Xmas is a busy time and things do get missed we have decided to bring out this special New Year edition of a our regular eNews which usually comes out at the end of each month. EO's Report Dom Courtney, Executive Officer
Summer is well underway and while many parts of the state have been experiencing the 'best' of summer storms, vast tracts of Queensland remain drought declared. Hopefully, the rains will find the areas of our state that need it most. (Did you know that 2016 was 4th hottest year on record?)
Participants in outdoor activities regularly make judgements about whether perceived risk is outweighed by the benefits associated with the activity. Sometimes this process is conscious and documented, but other times the risk/benefit assessment is done in an instant. The Australian Adventure Activity Standards, (currently under development), aim to standardise good practices across the country to result in more people having wonderful experiences in the outdoors, with fewer incidents. We look forward to working with you throughout the year in pursuing our mission of raising the profile, developing the capacity and increasing opportunities for outdoor recreation in Queensland – so that everyone can live life outdoors. Yours in the outdoors, Dom Australian AAS Working Group NominationsThe Australian Adventure Activity Standards (Australian AAS) Steering Committee is seeking nominations for 3 separate Technical Working Groups (TWG) to draft the activity specific AAS for:
Broad expertise and experience in leadership of the particular activity with dependent participants is essential. READ MORE. Visioning the OutdoorsVisioning the Outdoors Film & Photo Competition 2017 will be opening soon - so now is the time to get outdoors, get active and start shooting! 2017 Queensland Training AwardsNominations are now open for the 2017 Queensland Training Awards. A great opportunity to acknowledge some of the great work being done for the outdoors around Queensland. READ MORE The QORF Annual General MeetingThursday March 9th, 2017 – 7:00 PM. Strengthening ConnectionsGo to Strengthening Connections
to download a report highlighting the key discussion points from the day, and view video and slide presentations of speakers from the Symposium. The Outdoor Recreation Industry Council (ORIC) has launched its new name Outdoors NSW and website at outdoorsnsw.org.au. Your Summer Guide to Sunscreen. The Australian summertime drill seems simple enough ... but you’re probably doing sunscreen wrong! READ MOREAustralian Ropes Course Standards AS 2316.2.1 Artificial climbing structures and challenge courses, and AS 2316.2.2 Artificial climbing structures and challenge courses - Flying foxes and challenge ropes courses have been released. Do Standards Increase Our Liability? There is anxiety in some quarters about the role of standards - what the industry consider acceptable practices - in our professional lives. READ MORE on the AAS page Towards an all abilities Queensland Have your say on the new state disability plan for an all abilities Queensland. The plan will help build a society which enables people with disability to fulfil their potential as equal citizens and live the life they choose.Close Friday 10 February 2017. READ MORE Closing date extended for submissions in response to two discussion papers and two online surveys relating to the Review of the Blue Card and Foster Care Systems. Submissions and surveys will now close on Friday 20 January 2016. READ MORE QLD Destination Events Funding Queensland Destination Events Program funding available for events. Subject to specific criteria. Essential Steps to take in Engaging Employees and establishing an employment relationship consistent with best practice and federal requirements. Do you depend on volunteers to ensure your events or activities run smoothly? We are looking for stories about the best of the best - your volunteers! Share with us and we'll celebrate them and promo you! Go to SHARE Volunteer Stories Events coming up in the next month or so - as we all get back into the swing of things and 2017 gets underway! - Creative Approaches to Group Work, Jan 17-19; Basic Trauma Focused Adventure Therapy, Jan 19-20; and a Moreton Bay Day Sail on Jan 21. Note: the QORF AGM is on March 9 DATE CLAIMER: Add to your dairies NOW so you won't forget - Outdoor Recreation Awards Dinner Friday October 27, 2017 (who will you nominate?) JobsSeveral new jobs are listed on our Jobs Available page in the Industry / Jobs & Careers section
New on the WebsiteA new scheduling app called Doodle, Disability Inclusion renamed All Abilities Inclusion, and updates to Women & Girls, Conservation, Children & Young People.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 usWith the ever increasing importance Member OpportunitiesIf 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 MembersWelcome aboard to new QORF Green Circle Members: Welcome aboard to new QORF Green Circle Members: South Passage, The Northern Outlook and Brent Greenfield. 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. |