Outdoor Recreation Industry Council NSW

An industry that can speak with a united voice is more powerful than the individual

Service Skills Australia has recently released their Skills To Participate Report, investigating the effects of skill shortages on the NSW Sport and Recreation Industry. The aim of the project was to investigate the effects skill shortages are having on the NSW sport and recreation industry. The information gathered from the industry survey identified that industry perceives the supply of skilled labour is currently less than the number of availabe jobs......it was also found that a significant barrier to employing new staff was the availability of skilled or qualified applicants more>>

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is developing a national Food Safety Standard for Catering Operations to the General Public. The standard is proposing that catering business must comply with Standard 3.2.1 Food Safety Programs.

The NSW Food Authority was involved as part of the 'Catering Advisory Group' in development of the revised standard. As an earlier participant of the Catering Reference Group to the NSW Food Authority, ORIC encourages members to review this information. The report is available for public comment. Download a copy of the Draft Assessment Report or view at www.foodstandards.gov.au/standardsdevelopment/. Submissions close 5 March 2008 more>>

ORIC has formally acknowledged the valuable contribution made by Bruce Hayllar, initially to TOPs and then ORIC over the last ~25 years. From the beginning of recognition of outdoor recreation as an industry in the early 1980's, Bruce has supported and directed ORIC's role as a representative voice to the community, industries and levels of government, the views and needs of outdoor recreation and tourism operators, educators and leaders. Many thanks Bruce for numerous years of dedicated service to the industry.

Dragon Skin is the premier event in the NSW Venturer calendar, run every year over the Easter Long Weekend. Venturer or Ranger Guide Teams can consist of four, five or six members, and this year a limited number of School teams undertaking the Duke of Edinburgh Award will be accepted more>>

The Rudd Government will establish a national accreditation system to weed out rogue tourism operators. With the agreement of state and territory governments now almost certain, federal Tourism Minister Martin Ferguson wants the ratings system in place by July. He said it would ensure nationally consistent standards for toursim operators, who would be assessed by judges and awarded ratings according to the same criteria more>>

There have been a number of recent incidents where people have been killed or seriously injured while operating ATVs, also referred to as quad bikes. Their size and handling make it ideal for for traversing a variety of terrain, however, the relatively high combined centre of gravity of rider and machine presents an increased risk of overturning when operating on slopes, banks, dam edges and other uneven terrain. Employers have an obligation under OH&S legislation to ensure the health, safety and welfare of employees and others at the workplace (including visitors). Clause 136 of the OH&S Regulation 2001 requires employers to ensure the safety of their employees when using plant, including ATFVs. Inparticular, plant is not used unless the operator has received adequate information, training and supervision, and that it is used only for the purpose for which it is designed more>>

Beat the Heat: Playing and exercising safetly in hot weather - produced by Sports Medicine Australia, helps to understand the causes of heat illness and common sense steps that can be taken to enjoy physical activity and minimise the extra risks arising during hot or humid weather. It draws on research recently published in a special edition of the Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, devoted exclusively to exercise in hot weather visit Sports Medicine Australia to see more on heat guidelines more>>

Hydration for Active Children - taken from Schools Network Member Update February '08, explains why children are at a greater risk of overheating than adults and important hydration considerations.

We all carry our mobile phones with names and numbers stored in its memory, yet amongst the hundreds of numbers stored, which one is the contact person in the case of an emergency?

This is the concept of ICE.... a method of contact during emergency situations. All you need to do is store the number of a contact person/s who should be contacted during an emergency, under the name ICE (In Case of Emergency). In an emergency, having an easily identifyable number could enable others to be more able to quickly contact the right person by simply dialing the number you have stored as "ICE". For more than one contact name simply enter ICE1, ICE2 and ICE3 etc more>>

Swiss company Katadyn seems to have all the answers for any keen camper who can't be without fast food for too long. Its German-based Trekking Mahlzewiten line has produced a cheese-burger in a can. Heat the can in a saucepan of water, open the lid, close your eyes and be transported to your local fast food outlet with your Canned Cheeseburger. Katadyn also has an instant red wine - just add water to a powdered sachet and you have a 9.27 per cent alcoholic beverage! more>>