QORF eNews April 2020 No images? Click here Hi there, At last some good news for getting outdoors! The Palaszczuk Government has recently announced that some popular areas in National Parks in Queensland will re-open this weekend (May 2). “Over the long weekend, Queenslanders will be able to have a picnic and go for a walk in most National Parks as long as they observe the Chief Health Officer’s guidelines. The fact that we can re-open some areas is great news and a reward for Queenslanders doing the right thing during this pandemic” The announcement
includes the re-opening of summit tracks at Mount Coolum, the Glasshouse Mountains and Mt Bartle Frere, as well as some popular day-use areas including Danbulla National Park surrounding Lake Tinaroo, Laguna Lookout at Noosa National Park and Queen Mary Falls at Main Range National Park. For more COVID-19 news and updates go to COVID-19 Information & Resources - our online support resources for the outdoor sector. These include
Read on for more news, events and outdoor info ... These are interesting and occasionally trying times we are living in and we acknowledge that we have been sending out quite a number of eBulletins over the last few weeks to keep you up to date on the current situation and informed on new opportunities. Our monthly eNewsletter is a return to the status quo - a little bit of normality in these strange times. Thank you Infection Control TrainingThis 30-minute FREE online training module is for health care workers in all settings. It covers the fundamentals of infection prevention and control for COVID-19. Registration is open to all. MicroadventuresEven with limited travel and camping areas closed, there is still an opportunity to create some wonderful outdoor 'microadventures' - something small and achievable, for normal people with real lives. For inspiration, visit our Microadventures page ... send us a story or an image industry@qorf.org.au Great Aussie Camp OutCan't go camping in your favourite National Park or by your secret fishing hole? Why not camp out at home instead? Don't let social distancing get in the way of a camping good time! Check out GACO at home for some great ideas. COFFEE & CONVERSATIONQORF is hosting a regular 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, ideas and solutions. REGISTER Cultural Awareness CourseStudy cultural awareness online through AIATSIS, the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies, courtesy Green Circle Member Savannah Guides. This 10 module course takes around 10 hours to complete and offers a certificate to successful participants. The cost is $110, payment by 31 May. Course must be completed by 31 January 2021. See more details here. SubmissionsOne of our most important functions is to develop and/or support submissions to government on issues of significance to the outdoor sector. The three most recent (to read in full go to Submissions) are:
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. UPDATE – Some parks reopeningAs part of the Queensland Government’s ongoing response to COVID-19, some national parks and State forests will reopen to visitors from 11.59pm Friday 1 May. Access is available to local walk-ins and local vehicles limited to site car park capacities only. Local recreational access is defined by the Chief Health Officer, as a travel radius from residence of 50km. COVIDSafe AppThe Australian government has launched Covidsafe, an app that traces every person running the app who has been in contact with someone else using the app who has tested positive for coronavirus in the previous few
weeks, in a bid to automate coronavirus contact tracing, and allow the easing of restrictions. Love calls of powerful owlsMating calls of Australia’s largest owl — the powerful owl — are now being heard along eastern Australia. And this noisy kick-off to the breeding season gives vital clues to
scientists trying to track and protect this magnificent bird. COVID-19 and Nature are linkedCan we use this COVID-19 opportunity to learn from our mistakes and build something better? A focus on nature can help us understand where pandemics come from and how the socioeconomic
fallout from the crisis could be mitigated. What's OnThe online calendar of What's On Activities, Events, Training & Workshops
Coming EventsEvents coming up this month include: Coffee & Conversation (May 1); Star Wars Day, May 4; Endangered Species Day, May 15 and Walk Safely to School Day, May 17 (actual walks postponed). Several events and courses have been POSTPONED this month due to COVID-19: 2020 PLA QLD State Conference, the ZACH MACH Mackay Adventure Challenge, the Women’s Adventure Film Tour and the Kooralbyn Valley MTB 6hr Endurance race. Lots of weird days this month though inc Naked Gardening Day on the 2nd, Limerick Day on the 12th and Paper Clip Day on the 29th; and while not officially recognised as a thing in Australia, this is Lyme Disease Awareness Month World Urban Parks WebinarPlay and Resiliency During Covid-19 Era Outdoors Queensland AwardsDespite 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 For Hire: New Online Resources
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. As a new member you will 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 Please note that QORF is currently transitioning to 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! Back Issues - click to access back issues of the QORF eNewsletter You have received this email because you are subscribed to the QORF eNews or, as a member of the outdoor recreation community, we would like to keep in touch with you. You may unsubscribe at any time. |