Outdoor Recreation Industry Council NSW

Between April and November 2009, over 65 individuals have volunteered 306 hours (38 days) of time and expertise to one or more of the NSW AAS committees, working through the documents and feedback received from organisations and individuals. A further 107 hours of ORIC Board Member time has also been volunteered to the review and development of the NSW AAS project, outside of the formal committee process.

The Steering Committee and six Technical Working Groups (TWG) have contributed significantly to the development of the NSW AAS. Attendance at the meetings was strong, and was achieved either by face-to-face attendance, or by teleconference. As the working groups moved through the documents and issues, they were progressively consolidated into combined Committees and eventually into a Technical Advisory Committee.

Version 1.0 documents have been prepared for 5 NSW AAS Activity areas (Abseiling, Rock Climbing, Bushwalking, Challenge Ropes Course and Mountain Biking). The Canoe and Kayak document remains under development at the draft 3 stage ... more>>

Following investigation into the Mangatepopo Gorge tragedy in New Zealand, where 6 students from Elim Christian College and 1 OPC staff member were killed, lessons ought to be learned from the tragedy.

An outcome of the NZ OPC case, where they pled guilty under NZ OHS legislation has equivalents in NSW legislation.

There are a selection of articles from the Coroner’s Hearing into the Mangatepopo Gorge NZ canyoning accident last year, and might be of interest to ORIC members to have a read of some of the learning that came out of this enquiry. Having knowledge of these lessons may give us better judgment when in a similar situation.

A review of these articles could be incorporated into part of your training and should be part of staff reading.
Knowledge = the ability to make judgements if you are in a similar circumstance ... more>>

There are new Australian Standards for the use, manufacture and testing of PFDs. The new Australian Standard for Personal Flotation Devices - AS 4758 will be introduced into recreational boat legislation nationally by 1 July 2010. Standards Australia carried out a review of the Australian Standard covering PFDs and developed a new standard to more closely align with international standards.

Personal flotation devices - Part 1: General requirements
Product Designation: AS 4758.1
Scope: Specifies the requirements for personal flotation devices (PFDs) with buoyancy classifications of level 275, level 150, level 100 and level 50 suitable for use by adults and children.
History: Originated in part as AS Z28—1966, AS Z27—1966, AS 2259—1979 and AS 2260— 1979. Previous edition in part as AS 1499—1996, AS 1512—1996, AS 2259—1996 and AS 2260—1996. Revised, amalgamated and redesignated as AS 4758.1—2008. ... more>>

The 2008 edition of AS/NZS 2063 (Bicycle Helmet) has been amended. The amendment applies to clause 5.3.3. You may visit SAI Global and download the amendment for free once you have registered. To purchase a copy of the full standard, will cost $51.57 (pdf version) or $57.30 (hardcopy).

https://infostore.saiglobal.com/store/Details.aspx?ProductID=1067176

Recent positive interest has highlighted some of the conceptual challenges that have circulated among the Outdoor Education community for a long time. Central among these is the question of what unique contribution does or can Outdoor Ed make to school education. One attractive and popular answer relates to the capacity of Outdoor Ed to, by virtue of its experiential nature, offer a deeper, more holistic education about the natural environment than other kinds of environmental education ... more>>

Development of the Australian Curriculum is currently being undertaken by the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA).

At a recent Outdoor Education Australia (OEA) conference, in order to strengthen communities' chance to meet and grow through the challenges facing a sustainable future, OEA delegates supported the immediate commitment of Outdoor Education Australia to advocate for the inclusion of Outdoor Education in the Australian National Curriculum as a subject in its own right ... more>>

The inaugural national Outdoor Education Week will take place in the week of 30th August - 3rd September 2010, and will include activities that

• Promote Outdoor Education in the education and wider community.
• Increase public awareness of the need for young peole to be learning outside the classroom.

At the recent Australian National Outdoor Education Conference, delegates worded the "Fremantle Declaration" which in part affirms that through interaction with the natural world, Outdoor Education provides unique opportunities to develop positive relationshps with the environment, others and ourselves, essential for the well being and future of individuals, society and the environment. One of these opportunities is the proposed inaugural Outdoor Education Week ... more>>

According to a new Action for Young Australians Report, 'Parks and open space: for the health and wellbeing of children and young people', parks and open spaces are increasingly important for current generations growing up in a world with more structured ‘play’, smaller backyards, higher density housing and rising levels of sedentary behaviour, childhood obesity and depression.

The report, published by The Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth (ARACY), was based on research undertaken The Centre for the Built Environment and Health within The University of Western Australia's School of Population Health, and examines current evidence and points to an integrated approach for optimising use of parks and open space by children and young people in order to enhance health and wellbeing ... more>>

A teenage lifeguard with less than two months' experience has been praised for his role in rescuing a drowning child at a Balga aquatic centre last month, who fell into the 25 metre pool at the City of Stirling's Leisurepark Balga after slipping off an inflatable platform ... more>>