QORF eNews April 2020
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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.
Check Park Alerts for complete list of reopened parks/facilities.
For more COVID-19 news and updates go to COVID-19 Information & Resources - our online support resources for the outdoor sector. These include
- Latest News and Updates
- Good News Stories
- About COVID-19
- Protecting Yourself and Others
- Info and ideas for business operators
- Working from Home
- QORF’s Response
- Getting Outdoors
- Memes (see example above)
- Useful Links & Resources
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 Training
This 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.
Learn More & REGISTER
Microadventures
Even 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 Out
Can'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 & CONVERSATION
QORF 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 Course
Study 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.
Submissions
One 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:
- A letter to the Minister of Education requesting a return to outdoor education opportunities as a positive way to return to 'normal' schooling.
- A letter to the Lord Mayor of Brisbane encouraging greater commitment to active communities and the development of appropriate resources.
- Comments in support of a strengthened Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.
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.
UPDATE – Some parks reopening
As 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.
Read More
COVIDSafe App
The 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.
Read More
Love calls of powerful owls
Mating 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.
Read More
COVID-19 and Nature are linked
Can 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.
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 soon, lets us know by Submitting Your Event and we will promote it in the What's On calendar.
Coming Events
Events 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 Webinar
Play and Resiliency During Covid-19 Era
Free webinar on inspiring ideas of hope and resilience during these extraordinary times - advocating for active and outdoor play at home and in parks and nature. Learn More
Thursday 7th May, 6 am AEST
Bookings to manager@natureplayqld.org.au
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
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
- NFP Employer Guide
- COVID-19 Good News Stories
- COVID-19 Useful Links
- Great Aussie Camp Out
- Knot: The Racking Bend
- and go to the HOME page for more recent updates
New Green Circle Member
Welcome aboard to new member, Leah Stevenson from Far North Queensland
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!
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