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Newsletter - 11 April 2008

An industry that can speak with a united voice is more powerful than the individual
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In this issue .....

ORIC membership certificates and renewals (back to topics)
Lots of memberships have hit the desk - our new look certificates and membership stickers will be sent out to those organisations early next week. For those who have not yet renewed you may use the forms posted out or online by clicking Membership Renewal. Please phone ORIC with any queries or email Carol at membership@oric.org.au.
ORIC Conference - 23 & 24 August 2008 - Novotel Hotel, Sydney Olympic Park - Not to be missed
DelveDiscoverDetermine more>>
NSW Adventure Activity Standards project update (back to topics)
At the 2007 ORIC Conference, ORIC outlined their response to industry need to addresss the issue of Adventure Activity Standards in NSW. An AAS project brief was developed, providing an overview of the 2 Stage project, the scope of which was to in Stage 1:
  • explore the needs for the establishment of Adventure Activity Standards specifically for NSW
  • research established and developing AAS in other states
  • review current NSW laws and legislation that impact on the outdoor industry in this state
  • and identity and consult with industry and relevant agencies and stakeholders

In November 2007, ORIC appointed an Adventure Activity Standards Project Officer, Ms Margaret Tainsh to begin Stage 1 of the project, and upon completion, present her report to the ORIC Board more>>

Australian Outdoor Adventure Activity Benefits Catalogue research project (back to topics)
In cooperation with a number of state and national bodies, ORIC has committed funding towards a research project seeking to identify evidence based resarch into the value and benefits of outdoor recreation. The aim of the Australian Outdoor Adventure Activity Benefits Catalogue project is to provide the industry with a concise report which identifies evidence-based research which recognises the value of outdoor adventure activities and quantifies their benefit (either from a health, community, educational, environmental, personal development and/or tourism perspective).

The research will contribute to the development of a Discussion Paper, which will be distributed prior to the National Outdoor Summit, with the aim to identify current and emerging trends, issues and impediments to the outdoor recreation industry more>>

National Outdoor Summit (back to topics)
Outdoor Adventure activities are a consideration within many Federal and State Government portfolio areas (eg conservation/land management, education, sport and recreation, tourism, health, youth, communites), yet regrettably for such a critical component of everyday life, there is little recognition of the role of these activites as an essential component of the Austrlaian lifestyle and cultural identity. If a united front with compelling arguments is not presented, the issues confronted by all those that participate in and/or lead outdoor activities, either for recreation, education, tourism or personal and team development will continue to be ignored more>>
EPIRBS - Important changes to satellite system could make your beacon obsolete (back to topics)
If you own a distress beacon - which may also be called an EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon) - or are planning to purchase one, you should know that from early 2009 only one type will be detected by the Cospas-Sarsat satellite system. That is the digital 406 MHz distress beacon.

Although this decision was taken back in October 2000, it is very likely, that if as an operator/participant in outdoor recreation activities you use Epirbs, you will be using one that emits an analogue 121.5 MHz signal. From February 2009 the Cospas-Sarset satellite system will no longer proces the 121.5 MHz frequency used by most distress beacons. The distress frequency used by the satellite network will be 406 MHz.

To continue to rely on a 121.5 MHz distress beacon after 1 February 2009 could jeopardise lives more>>

Feedback on Training Package - Drafts available for comment (back to topics)
Draft components of the Training Package for Certificate II (SIS20307), Certificate III (SIS30207) and Certificate IV (SIS40407) in Outdoor Recreation and Diploma of Outdoor Recreation (SIS50307) are available for comment on the Service Skills Australia website.

Some competencies have been moved, removed or collapsed into outcome based units, so its important to take the opportunity to unpack the units and provide your on-line feedback directly to SSA, or to the ORIC office. ORIC will be providing members with some comments for consideration, ie. removal of weather from Cert 3, collapsing of risk analysis units.

ORIC and SSA plan to hold a workshop/s in late June/early July to discuss the proposed changes and provide ORIC members with the opportunity to respond directly to SSA with comments/concerns in a forum style setting. All feedback from workshops such as this will feed directly into the review process.

To comment on-line, users need to register on the SSA website. All personal details will be kept confidential throughout the process. It is possible to view comments others have made, but at no time will personal details be disclosed more>>

Outdoor Council Australia (OCA) AGM and Board nominations (back to topics)
The 2008 AGM for the Outdoor Council of Australia (OCA) will be held via teleconference at 8.00am (EST) on Tuesday 13 May 2008.

Nominations are also called to fill five vacant positions on the OCA Board. Nomination forms must be returned by the close of business on Monday 21st April 2008. Click here for a Nomination Form. Minutes of the 2007 AGM and Annual Report will be made available closer to the meeting date more>>  

Combining conservation, volunteering and holidays (back to topics)
What better way to enjoy the outdoors than on one of Conservation Volunteers great projects! With over 2,000 projects across Australia and around the world, there's bound to be a conservation project that best suits your interests and availability. Click here to search for volunteer opportunities in Australia and New Zealand
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© 2007 The Outdoor Recreation Industry Council of NSW - PO Box 634, Wahroonga NSW 2076
Phone: (02) 9487 1184 / Fax: (02) 9487 8666 / Email: info@oric.org.au / Web: www.oric.org.au