Outdoor Recreation Industry Council NSW

Ian Boyle, The Scots College Glengarry, has created a group at a site called TeacherTube, an educational site on the internet where educational videos can be hosted for free. The idea behind Ian's initiative is the thought that outdoor education programs could begin to video model teaching or technical material and post them to this site where it could become a valuable teaching and learning resource.

Ian has posted some examples onto the site which are worth taking a look at.

Ian has also created an Outdoor Education Group on Slide Share, a public site which has the potential for creating great sharing opportunities around the globe, where he has uploaded several of his conference presentations. Having uploaded your presentation/s to Your SlideShare space, simply add them to the Outdoor Education Group he has created.  What a great way to share your ideas, publicise what we do and let the rest of the world see the Powerof OutdoorEd.

In response to a Review into Tourism by the NSW State Government, a Draft Tourism Strategy, supported with $40 million in additional government funding, has been presented by the Minister for Tourism, Matt Brown, following 2 months of consultations with industry stakeholders including the Tourism & Transport Forum, Tourism Industry Council, Australian Tourism Export Council, Australian Hotels Association, regional tourism organisations and the Sydney Chamber of Commerce. Mr Brown will deliver the final NSW Tourism Strategy to NSW cabinet in September 2008 more>>

A new association called Inter-Action Adventure Based Counseling (ABC) has been formed to service ‘at risk’ populations in North East NSW. ABC has drawn together members from a range of youth and mental health services and is sponsored by Inter-Action, an Outdoor Education Centre. In an effort to avoid pitfalls, the association is contacting Adventure Therapy providers across the country for assistance in starting up. 

ABC’s first planned activity is three days of training in late Jan 09, where outdoor educators will meet with youth workers, with a view to forming staff teams to run programs.  The hope is to offer a first program to young people early in 2009. 

Any people in the South East QLD – North East NSW area who are interested in developing their personal skills in therapeutic interventions using adventures outdoors can contact Graham Pringle, General Manager (NSW) via email gpringle@interactionel.com.au.

Two day national validation workshops have been held in each capital city, to gain an input into draft qualifications and units of competency. Industry and registered training organisation representatives attended these workshops. Service Skills are currently analysing all feedback received, and a revised draft of the amended training package components will be released in coming weeks.

To view draft components of the training package and provide comment, please click here

Over the past year or so Sport and Recreation New Zealand (SPARC) has been conducting a review to consider how to maximize the value of outdoor recreation to New Zealand and New Zealanders. The findings outline the results of the review in terms of the value of outdoor recreation; participation; the key outdoor recreation providers, facilitators and contributors; and articulates key sector challenges, and have been summarised in a discussion document that is available at SPARC Review Document.

The document represents a summary of the findings and identifies some options for taking action to realise greater value from and for outdoor recreation. It also contains a submission form that allows you and/or your organisation to provide feedback to SPARC about your thoughts on the review findings and what you consider to be the priorities for taking the next steps towards developing a national plan of action.

SPARC have invited submissions on their findings to be emailed by 29 August 2008.

Service Skills Australia (SSA)launched a survey in early July, which investigates skills shortages and training requirements in the service industries.

Enterprises in the service industries are being invited to help shape the future of workforce and skills development by participating in the survey. Industry participation in the survey is crucial to ensure that the skill needs of the service industries are effectively identified. It offers a unique opportunity to communicate the skills and labour issues affecting your business, and feed this information into government decision-making.

Visit SSA Environmental Scan 2009 Survey. The survey takes approximately 10 minutes to complete, and forms part of Service Skills Australia’s Environmental Scan 2009.

The Disability Sport Assistance Program aims to improve opportunities for people with a disability to participate in sport and physical activity. The primary focus of the program is on increasing regular and on-going participation opportunities for people with a disability by supporting incorporated, community based not-for-profit organisations with the capacity to provide such opportunities.

For more information download Application Form, or phone (02) 9006 3700.  Applications close 26 September 2008.

From July this year, many small businesses may be entitled to claim fuel tax credits for the first time, and many others will be able to claim additional fuel tax credits.  The Australian Tax Office is encouraging small business owners to find out if they can save money on their business fuel costs. The on-line decision tool is designed to assist you in determining:

• whether the fuel you use in your business activities, machinery, plant or equipment or vehicles is eligible for fuel tax credits; and
• what fuel tax credit rate you can claim for the eligible fuel you use in your business activities, machinery, plant or equipment or vehicles.  more>>

Established in mid-2007, the Do Not Call Register (the Register) enabled Australians to opt out of receiving unsolicited commercial marketing (telemarketing) calls by listing fixed line and mobile telephone numbers used primarily for private or domestic purposes.

At present, telephone numbers not used primarily for private or domestic purposes and all numbers used exclusively to send/receive faxes, may not be listed on the Register, excludes businesses and other entities from being able to take advantage of the protections provided by the Register.

A discussion paper released on 15 August 2008 is seeking community views on potential changes to what numbers should be eligible, which may allow other numbers such as commerical businesses to be listed on the register.

The closing date for submissions is 12 September 2008 more>>

Outdoor Education Teacher - St Joseph's College, Colo Outdoor Education Centre

Casual Instructors - Outward Bound