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June Newsletter

Posted in Updates

Outdoors WA June Newsletter

NOEC AWARDS OPEN FOR NOMINATIONS

We’d love to see WA taking out some of the Award gongs at this year’s National Outdoor Education Conference Awards. There are 6 Award categories comprising: 1. Outdoor Education Practitioner 2. Outdoor Education Emerging Practitioner 3. Outdoor Education Program 4. Service to Outdoor Education 5. Outdoor Education Fellow 6. JOEE Outdoor Education Research Award If you’re thinking about nominating, or know someone who should, now is the time to act. Nominations close Friday 5th July. Find out more here: 2024 Australian Outdoor Education Awards https://outdooreducationaustralia.org.au/hub/outdoor-ed-awards

Which Streams Will You Attend?

Early Bird Tickets for NOEC are on sale until 28 June, with priority being given to interstate attendees for the local accommodation.  The Conference is being held at the Federation University Australia’s Gippsland Campus, from 4-6 Dec 2024. There are 5 Streams on Offer:

  • Stream 1: Outdoor education discovery: Profiling the latest developments
  • Stream 2: The restorative nature of the Outdoors: Growing community health & wellbeing
  • Stream 3: Indigenous connections & diverse communities: Embracing different perspectives
  • Stream 4: Action on climate change: Embedding sustainable practices & being climate ready
  • Stream 5: Strong foundations: Building quality operations & supporting thriving teams

If you’re looking to book tickets, now is the time to act: Tickets -Outdoors Victoria

UPLOADS Annual Incidents Review

The team at UPLOADS (Understanding & Preventing Led Outdoor Accidents Data System) have released this year’s annual report of incidents.  You can read the summary here: Annual_Report_2022_2023

The overall incident rate for the 2022/23 period is 10.7 incidents/1,000 program participation days, a rise on the previous year.  This was impacted by the relatively high incident rate for curriculum-based activities (25.1/1,000).  Whilst a marked increase from previous analyses, it is likely a result of changes in reporting practices. To help the industry generate valuable data that can support in future injury prevention activities, and lead to a reduction in injuries and a safer outdoor recreation sector for all, Outdoors WA actively encourages providers to register with UPLOADS.  It’s easy.  You can register here.

Whitewater Rescue Training

The team at Outdoor Discoveries will be running a whitewater rescue course in Dwellingup this August. Participants will be trained and assessed to meet the requirements of the Whitewater Rescue 2 Award with Paddle Australia.  Successful course completion, together with a current first aid qualification and a logbook of recent paddling experience will enable registration with Paddle Australia for the Award.  The course will run across Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th August 2024. Cut off for enrolment is Friday 9th August 2024 so get in now to avoid disappointment.  You can find out more here: White Water Rescue -Outdoor Discoveries

Weather Survey Webinar

The team at NatCORR have recently completed a National Outdoor Sector Weather Survey and are ready to share the findings. They’re hosting a webinar Thursday 20 June where you will have the opportunity for further input.  Register here:  Microsoft Virtual Events

Outdoor Safety Prosecutions

A couple of things that have come across our desk recently which are important reads for the industry:

FINES IN VICTORIA

A Victorian high ropes operator has been fined $110,000 for failing to notify WorkSafe of two reportable incidents.  $110,000 fine issued over student high wire injury.  It is a timely reminder of the importance of notifying WorkSafe over reportable incidents.  At a high level, a notifiable incident in Western Australia is defined by WorkSafe as:

To find out more, review WorkSafe’s definitions here:  What is a notifiable incident?

LEARNINGS FROM SCOUTS UK INQUEST

Following a tragic incident on a Scout expedition in the UK in 2018, the case has recently been through the courts finding the student involved to have been unlawfully killed.  The following report from Scouts provides valuable insight into how they’ve approached tightening their practices in follow up to this tragic incident.   Scouts responds to Prevention of Future Death report | Scouts

Getting Connected in Education

Outdoors WA is looking to launch an education sub-committee in the new financial year.  We’re actively engaged with Outdoor Education Australia, represent the industry on the Education Department’s Outdoor Education Advisory Group and are working across the industry to help increase engagement in Outdoor Education.  If you’re interested in being a part of this sub-committee, please let us know at: connect@outdoorswa.org.au  Here’s two other great ways to connect with your peers in outdoor education:

1. Join the Ed Connect forum on Facebook: WA Outdoor ED teachers- Share & Connect

2. Join the freelancer forum on Facebook WA Outdoor Freelance Instructors

New Tourism Board Member

Outdoors WA is pleased to announce the appointment of tourism industry expert Melissa Harkins to its board. Melissa currently serves as the Industry Development Manager at FutureNow, where she focuses on stakeholder engagement and research to enhance workforce development in the Tourism Industry in WA. She’s an Elected Member at the Town of Cottesloe where she chairs the Public Open Space working group, and has lectured in Tourism and Hospitality at university level for over 15 years. Melissa is passionate about the tourism industry, and is excited about the recent State Government announcement of $165 million towards Adventure Tourism in the State, recognising its potential for growth and innovation.
Outdoors WA looks forward to working with Melissa to help the Outdoors Industry tap into the huge growth potential for adventure tourism in Western Australia.

New MTB Symposium – Call for Submissions

Our colleagues in NSW are hosting a Mountain Bike Symposium in Merimbula on 25th & 26th October.  Invitations are currently out for exhibitors and presenters, as well as attendees.  Find out more here: Mountain Bike Symposium 2024

Mark Collard Education Workshops

The team at AdventureWorks are bringing well known experiential trainer, speaker & author, Mark Collard, to WA this August.   This two-day workshop will be held in Busselton across 28-29 August.  The goal is to help build the skills and confidence of teachers and facilitators to build a tool kit to engage, inspire and grow young people in the school environment.  Find out more here: Mark Collard

Posted in Updates