Join the Outdoors Victoria Board – Expressions of Interest Now Open

Outdoors Victoria is currently seeking passionate and experienced individuals to join our Board. As the recognised NFP peak body for Outdoor Education and Outdoor Recreation in Victoria, we support and advocate for the outdoor sector as a connected, vibrant and valued profession that delivers economic benefits as well as improved health, well-being and education outcomes for all Victorians.

This is an exciting opportunity to help guide the strategic direction of OV and support the growth of outdoor education, learning, recreation, and nature-based wellbeing initiatives. We welcome expressions of interest from people with a range of skills and lived experiences in:

• Extensive financial management background and you are willing to serve on the finance subcommittee
• Outdoor Provider of camps and outdoor activities who works in or owns one of these organisations
• An Indigenous First Nations person with an interest in outdoor education and recreation
• Business development experience that can support the growth in the annual conference and the professional development sessions for the sector

👉 Learn more and apply here:

Applications close on the 21st of July—don’t miss the chance to help shape the future of the outdoors in Victoria.

You can now book T3 Professional Development Sessions

• 29th July | ONLINE 4-5pm | Logbooks and Area of Study 3 – Jarrod Paine
• 3rd September | ONLINE 4-5pm | Exam Preparation Masterclass for teachers preparing students for VCE OES exam – Belinda Dalziel
• 26th Aug | ONLINE 4-5pm | Anaphylaxis management in the field – Adam Kershaw

Congratulations to Richelle Olsen, from Escaping Your Comfort Zone who was awarded WINNER at the “Creating More Active Community Environments” Pitchfest at the National Sports & Physical Activity Convention.  Richelle profiled Side-by-Side Nature Walks – a free program for women aged 18–25 and 55+ in the Surf Coast, Geelong and Bellarine communities – that values social connection, as a key driver to support being more active in the outdoors …and there’s still time for local women to secure their spot!

[From Richelle]

“We are now inviting women who are aged 18–25 and 55+ in the Surf Coast, Geelong and Bellarine to come along and give this new program a try.

If you are feeling a bit lost or like you’re figuring life out alone, Side-by-Side Nature Walks could be what you’re looking for. The program is free. No pressure, no fitness tests.

Walk, talk, and connect with younger and older women in nature, and feel supported every step of the way. This program is facilitated by Escaping Your Comfort Zone, in partnership with Outdoors Victoria.  Thanks to the Australian Department of Health and Aged Care for funding this important project. 

More info can be found here: https://www.escapingyourcomfortzone.com/nature-walks“

Side-by-Side Nature Walks is a free intergenerational walking program facilitated by Escaping Your Comfort Zone, in partnership with Outdoors Victoria, City of Greater Geelong and Surf Coast Shire, with all-important funding support from the Australian Department of Health and Aged Care.

Calling all Unit 2 VCE Outdoor and Environmental Studies Teachers

OV is partnering with all Victorian Universities and TAFE/RTOs that offer outdoor leadership and outdoor education courses to bring you a free excursion or incursion about outdoor careers. Lecturers and teachers from your local institutions will deliver these sessions. The session covers the following content from unit 2, outcome 1:

Key Knowledge:

• Understandings of vocational perspectives of outdoor environments, including at least two of the following:
  • Outdoor leading and guiding
  • Education

If you would like to express interest in this session, please complete an EOI form here.

For further information, please get in touch with Andrew Gooday at: careerscoordinator@outdoorsvictoria.org.au

A huge thank you to our recent volunteers from PGL, OEG, JDP, The Y and to Jules Budd, Cass Dobrovansky, and Alex Paine for representing the outdoors sector at recent career expos!

We’re still looking for volunteers to help promote careers in the outdoors at some upcoming events, including school-based events and:

• 26–27 July – Melbourne Career Expo, MCEC (18,000 attendees: students, job seekers & career changers – note we have enough volunteers for Friday but still seeking one or two for each of Saturday and Sunday).

You can view the full schedule — including additional school and community events — here.

Interested in getting involved? Contact Maddy Bennett at: info@outdoorsvictoria.org.au

Reminder: Time to Renew Your OV Affiliation

A quick reminder that Outdoors Victoria’s Affiliate renewals now align with the financial year — the new period starts 1 July 2025.

• 🎉 New to OV? Sign up here
• 🔄 Renewing Affiliate? You should’ve received an email with your renewal link.

Didn’t get it? Please contact us at info@outdoorsvictoria.org.au rather than submitting a new form.

Thanks for staying connected with the OV community!

Outdoors Victoria, as a member and with a representative on the Board, celebrates the new Outdoor Council of Australia Strategic Plan. The Outdoor Council of Australia is the outdoor community’s united national voice, and we look forward to working together to get more Australians active outdoors, as well as supporting those businesses, NFPs and community groups that facilitate these Outdoor Education and Outdoor Recreation activities.

Download the Strategic Plan here.

Planning for the future with the Alpine sector

The Alpine Resorts Strategic Plan is the key strategic tool guiding Victoria’s alpine sector. It outlines the sector’s vision and long-term strategic objectives, articulates challenges and opportunities, and identifies strategic priorities for Victoria’s alpine resorts.

The current 2020-2025 Alpine Resorts Strategic Plan is nearing its end and it’s time to come together to develop a new plan.

Through an online survey and feedback form on Engage Victoria, opening 5 June 2025, all community members and stakeholders are invited to contribute to the development of the new plan.

Find out more and provide your input here: https://www.alpineresorts.vic.gov.au/governance/alpine-resorts-strategic-plan-2026-2030-development

The aim of the event is to provide Year 11 & 12 VCE VM students with the opportunity to connect with local employers and organisations, learn about occupations and practice interview techniques. Students will sit down, in small groups, for a quick 5-6 minute ‘speed interview’ with you to learn about your career journey. We anticipate that there will be approx. 150 secondary school students in attendance on the day.

The details are:

Date: Thursday 7 August 2025

Time: 9am – 12 noon (including a break for morning tea)

Location: Manningham Function Centre, 699 Doncaster Road, Doncaster

Please find a copy of the flyer here and register your interest in attending here.

Feel free to reach out if you have any questions.

The State of Play 2025 report is the first report of its kind to be undertaken in Australia on how we can improve the provision of play for children and young people. It brings together insights from survey data, research and interviews with industry leaders and experts working across a range of areas that intersect with children and their right to play.

Congratulations to our friends at Play Australia for producing this important report.

It’s also great to see Outdoors Victoria’s Park IT initiative being profiled as a case study on how we can build local support for play, to build health and wellbeing within our communities.

Download the State fo Play Report 2025.

Promoting Jobs and Careers in Outdoor Adventure

The Australian Government Department of Employment and Workplace Relations are excited to announce the formation of the National Adventure Workforce working group, which aims to enhance career opportunities within the adventure and outdoor industry.

The group members include all State/Territory peak bodies for the Outdoor Industry, the Australian Department of Employment and Workplace Relations and other industry stakeholders.

To support increasing awareness of jobs and careers in the outdoor industry, we are dedicating the month of October to focus nationally on careers in this vibrant industry, as part of  “Outdoor October.”

In line with this initiative, the Department is planning to hold an online event specifically for careers advisors and employment services providers. 

This event will provide valuable insights into the diverse range of jobs and career paths available within the adventure workforce. It will be an excellent opportunity for you to showcase your organization and the exciting career opportunities you offer.

They would like to invite you to be a part of this initiative by promoting your jobs and careers during Outdoor October. Your participation will not only help in attracting talented individuals to your organisation but also contribute to the growth and development of the adventure workforce as a whole.

Please fill out this form if you are interested in participating in the online event and promoting your career opportunities. 

Outdoor Health Forum 2025 – register now!

The 2025 national Outdoor Health Forum is taking place on Bundjalung Country, October
17-19. Just 15 minutes from both Byron Bay and Ballina and set against the stunning
backdrop of coastal lakes, ocean and rainforest, the national Outdoor Health Forum
celebrates diversity in age, gender, culture and identity. Outdoor Health includes all
evidence-informed nature-based practices and approaches.

This year’s Forum has a strong involvement of Indigenous presenters including Bundjalung and Yiman women Dr Caroline Atkinson, Delta Kay (Arakwal Bundjalung) and kuku-Yalanji man from Cape York Peninsula Johnny Murrison. The 3-day event has nine featured presenters including Dr Arne Rubinstein, Ms Emily Krystelle and Dr Tim Baker and over 50 workshops spanning theories and practices designed to inspire and challenge us. Quality pre and post forum offerings add further richness to the experience. 

The forum theme ‘Nurture with Nature’ grounds us in a journey of health and wellbeing
outdoors. The Forum will illuminate the diversity, breadth and depth of our outdoor health community, uniting diverse thinkers and doers. With over 50 workshops, spotlight sessions, fireside yarns and immersion circles, the 3-day event will be a captivating experiential journey into the evidence and practices of outdoor health.
 
Whether you’re a practitioner, researcher, academic, student, policy maker, manager, CEO
or an interested person, you are invited to attend this valuable professional development
event and meaningful personal experience.

Dates: Friday 17 Oct to 5pm Sunday 19 Oct 2025 

Location: On the coast – Lake Ainsworth Sport & Recreation Centre, Lennox Head, NSW
See the emerging program and register at: www.outdoorhealthforum.com.au

Emerging Leader Scholarship sponsored by the Department of Jobs Skills Industry and Regions; Sport and Recreation Victoria and Outdoors Victoria.
Open – current
Closes – 14th JULY 2025
These three scholarships are for emerging leaders and contributors to the Outdoor Health field. Two of the scholarships are for Victorian residents; applicants for the third scholarship are invited from other states across Australia.
Find out more and apply here, or find out more about other scholarship opportunities here.

The National NAIDOC Committee has announced NAIDOC Week celebrations will be held from 6 – 13 July 2025.The Albanese Labor Government is providing up to $3 million to support local communities and organisations across Australia to celebrate a milestone National NAIDOC Week, from 6 to 13 July 2025.

This year’s National NAIDOC Week marks 50 years of the week-long celebrations, and the theme, The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy, celebrates achievements of the past and the bright future ahead.Applications for the 2025 NAIDOC Local Grants are now open, with funding available across three streams: educational institutions ($1,250 – $2,000), small scale grants (up to $10,000), and large scale grants ($10,001 – $25,000).The Local Grants enable communities to hold activities and events that recognise the histories, cultures, achievements and ongoing contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.First Nations communities, registered businesses, schools and local governments are encouraged to apply for funding to run NAIDOC Week activities or events.These grants are intended to provide support towards grassroots and community-led initiatives.Applications can be submitted through GrantConnect. Applications close at 3pm AEDT on Thursday 20 February 2025.For more information on NAIDOC Week, visit About National NAIDOC Week.

Summer camping bookings open

Half price camping from 1 July 2025

Camping bookings at Parks Victoria’s bookable campgrounds are currently open to 17 December 2025.

From 1 July 2025, the Victorian Government is investing $10.5 million to keep camping fees at half price at Parks Victoria campgrounds across the state for another two years.

For stays up to 1 March 2026, including summer peak season and the 26 January long weekend, bookings opened at 10am (AEST) from Monday 30 June and be staggered throughout the week depending on the location to manage high demand.

Book your campsite at https://bookings.parks.vic.gov.au/book

NatCORR has partnered with Outdoors NSW/ACT to host the Outdoor Risk and Resilience Symposium in Canberra, ACT.

The Symposium focuses on the latest strategies for building organisational resilience, mastering critical incident response, and understanding the profound impact of weather in a rapidly changing climate.

With dynamic interactive sessions, expert-led panel discussions, and invaluable insights from both industry leaders within the outdoor sector and beyond, this event will be an unforgettable day of learning and connection.

Download the Outdoor Risk & Resilience Symposium Brochure or Find out more here.

Yooralla, one of Victoria’s leading disability service providers, has joined forces with MEGT, a leading national leader in employment, training, and apprenticeship solutions, to unlock more inclusive employment opportunities for people living with disability.

Together they’re breaking down barriers and building open employment pathways, empowering individuals with skills, support, and confidence they need to thrive in meaningful careers.

They are interested in working with interested outdoor providers who operate within approximately one hour’s drive from their four locations in Footscray, Mooroopna, Benalla and Seymour.  They can provide tailored job readiness programs, on-the-job training and long term support, with the aim of helping businesses tap into a skilled, diverse and motivated workforce.

For more information please get in touch with:

Codey Bergsma

M:   0411 657 178

codeybergsma@megt.com.au

https://www.megt.com.au/pathways-open-employment

Get ready for one of the most energising and unmissable professional development events of the year — the HOPE Conference 2025 is back and better than ever!

Created for teachers, by teachers, the HOPE Conference is a full-day experience designed to ignite your passion, expand your practice, and connect you with an incredible network of like-minded educators. Held in the heart of regional Victoria, this one-of-a-kind event brings together high-quality professional learning, inspiring keynote speakers, hands-on workshops, and the kind of community spirit that reminds you why you started teaching in the first place.

Whether you’re a Health, Outdoor Ed, PE, or Respectful Relationships teacher, or an emerging leader looking to build your network and skills — this conference is for you. The HOPE Conference has quickly become a must-attend event for educators across North East Victoria and beyond, with an infectious atmosphere that blends fun, innovation, and practical takeaways you can apply the very next day.

Find out more here: https://www.regionalhopenetwork.com/#home