Discover our Forests is an exciting initiative to help more Victorians explore our State Forests and engage in outdoor activities, supported by the Victorian Government and delivered in partnership with the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) and Outdoors Victoria.

Check out OV’s Andrew Knight, alongside Darrel & Rhonda from the Gembrook Seniors Group, being interviewed about the program by our Victorian Minister for Outdoor Recreation, Environment, Tourism, Sport and Major Events, the Hon. Steve Dimopoulos MP 

Minister Steve Dimopoulos interview with OV and members of the Geembrook Seniors Group about the “Discover Our Forests” Initiative: https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1BKmqksRLK/

You can now book T4 Professional Development Sessions

• 28th Oct | ONLINE 4-5pm | Recruitment & Retention: Practical hints & tips for helping recruit and retain great talent– Sandee Harris & Matilda Hubbard
• 11th Nov | 4-5pm | Indigenous leadership in place-based learning – Lachlan Saunders
• 2nd Dec | ONLINE 4-5pm |Crucial Conversations: Debriefing, delivering Feedback to support a healthy team culture – Tintin Bangalore
• 9th Dec | ONLINE | 4-5pm | Teaching Unit 3 VCE OES – Jarrod Paine

We’re excited to share our new Careers Portal, a one-stop space to explore outdoor jobs and volunteer opportunities. Whether you’re looking for your first role, a new career pathway, or a chance to give back through volunteering, you’ll find plenty of options here.

On this page, you’ll find:
✅ Current vacancies from our Affiliate Supporters – who can promote their roles with us for free.
✅ Volunteer opportunities across Victoria and beyond.
✅ Links to national and international outdoor job boards, including:

Our goal is to make it easier for people to connect with opportunities that grow careers and strengthen the outdoors sector.

👉 Explore available jobs in the outdoors here: https://www.outdoorsvictoria.org.au/careers-in-the-outdoors/outdoor-jobs/

Outdoors Victoria and Hume City Council is proud to share our “Park IT: Pilot Impact Summary” for anyone interested in creating more child friendly, active and playful outdoor communities, that walk to school.

400 Hume Primary School Students engaged so far and counting!

Special thanks to the Victorian State Government who funded the initiative under Sport & Recreation Victoria’s Kids Active Travel Program.

Read more about Park IT here.

OV wants to congratulate Mark Collard, who has recently received a prestigious award from the Association for Experiential Education in the US. Mark has been involved with several organisations, including the Camping Association of Victoria and Outdoors Victoria, as a board member.

Some of the Research team members from the University of Sunshine Coast and Edith Cowan University with Outdoors sector representatives in a pre-planning meeting for the exciting next chapter of UPLOADS.

News of the successful UPLOADS 3 ARC LINKAGE GRANT 2026-2029

Understanding and Preventing Led Outdoor Accidents Data System (UPLOADS) project, initially was the development of a standardised, national approach to incident reporting and learning for the outdoor sector in Australia. The Outdoor Council of Australia, which OV has a representative on the Board, has been involved from the foundation of the project over 10 years ago. More on the partners who form the team here: https://uploadsproject.org/about/

The new research just approved involves the development, implementation, and evaluation of an integrated risk assessment, incident reporting and learning system.

The team will explore as part of the annual report, forming up an online workshop to unpack recommended interventions in Led Outdoor Activity businesses and NFP’s operating procedures and training. Amongst several other initiatives, the team will also explore ease-of-use improvements to the current data entry system. Much more detail to come on all of this in coming months.

Join the over 100+ Outdoors Victoria Affiliate Supporters today and gain great benefits while you support the outdoors sector.

Summer By The Sea grants are now open to apply for event delivery in January 2026!

Organisations can apply to share in $70,000 of funding to deliver events that engage Victorians with their local coastlines!  

The theme for this year is ‘The coast, the sea, and our community’ reflecting the value and importance of community in how beautiful local places are cared for.  

Grants of up to $7,000 are available for organisations to deliver Summer by the Sea events from 3 – 18 January 2026. 

To find out more or discuss your event idea, speak to a Coastcare Victoria Officer:

• For general enquiries: coastcare.victoria@deeca.vic.gov.au   
• Barwon South West Region: Shaya Kaartinen-Price – 0436 604 127 or shaya.kaartinen-price@deeca.vic.gov.au 
  (Please note – Shaya is unavailable from 15 to 19 September 2025) 
• Port Phillip Bay and Western Port Region: Jess Schubert-Hoban – 0475 557 628 or jess.schubert-hoban@deeca.vic.gov.au 
  (Please note – Jess is unavailable from 25 to 6 October 2025)  
• Gippsland Region: Laura Town-Hopkinson – 0427 818 683 or laura.town-hopkinson@deeca.vic.gov.au 

Applications are open now and close on 15 October 2025.

For more information, event criteria, guidelines and to apply visit: https://www.marineandcoasts.vic.gov.au/coastal-programs/coastcare-victoria/summer-by-the-sea/  

Registrations for the Outdoor Recreation and Leadership Qualification Review public consultation are now open.

Humanability are inviting RTO managers, faculty leaders, head teachers, teachers, subject matter experts, assessment designers, learning designers, quality assurance officers, First Nations people and more to join us.

Beginning late October, Humanability are hosting consultation workshops across the country in person and online. These workshops will give you the opportunity to share your knowledge and provide feedback on the draft qualification materials and proposed changes.

Victorian dates for in-person feedback: 

• Wodonga: Tue 11 Nov
• Geelong: Thur 13 Nov
• Melbourne: Fri 14 Nov

Please save the date for the 2026 Eco Learning Network pedagogy & practice conference – featuring online and in-person workshops over 2 days, tickets are onsale now!

Friday March 20 – online (9am-4pm)
Sat March 21 – Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne (9am-4pm)

$75 (Friday online only)
$195/$95 conc (2 days – online and in person)

Tickets: https://www.trybooking.com/DFSXG

OV wants to congratulate Mark Collard, who has recently received a prestigious award from the Association for Experiential Education in the US. Mark has been involved with several organisations, including the Camping Association of Victoria and Outdoors Victoria, as a board member.

Awards Victoria is excited to launch the Compass Award Provider Directory, a trusted resource for families and schools seeking enriching activities that build young people’s health, skills, citizenship, and sense of adventure. The directory provides providers with free exposure to thousands of parents and educators across Victoria and beyond, aligning with a respected wellbeing and education program. Inclusion is free — providers complete a short application with insurance and child safety documentation.

Apply here: https://form.jotform.com/252428382660863

We all deserve to be safe, equal and respected. But more than 1 in 3 women have experienced men’s violence. Safety for women is not a given in any community – and neither is respect.

It doesn’t have to be this way. The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is a global campaign to prevent and eliminate violence against women and girls, running from 25 November to 10 December.  

During the 16 Days of Activism, communities around the world join the call to prevent and eliminate violence against women and girls. Read on to see how you and your organisation can get involved in this year’s campaign.

The Victorian Government is supporting businesses in Porepunkah and the surrounding region following the events on 26 August 2025.

• $5,000 grants for eligible visitor economy businesses that have experienced significant disruptions and revenue losses following the security incident
• Financial support for the Alpine Shire Council and the local business chamber to support community activities and events
• Tourism marketing and promotional activities to boost visitor numbers to the Alpine and High Country region
• Funding for the Ride High Country Marketing Phase 2 project – to support longer term tourism in the region, increase overnight visitation, and drive economic growth.

Financial counselling and mental health and wellbeing supports are available now.

Looking for some adventure inspo? Mark your calendars!

We’re stoked to be teaming up with the Banff Australia crew as they launch the all-new Adventure Reels Film Tour – screening for ONE NIGHT ONLY at MELBOURNE ASTOR THEATRE 15TH OCT AND RMIT CAPITOL THEATRE 16TH OCT 7:00PM.

Find us in the foyer on the night talking about all the good things we do in the outdoors, including promoting careers in the outdoors, all our professional development opportunities and our new Jobs Portal.

Grab your tickets now at www.adventurereels.com.au

8 BIG SCREEN PREMIERS: 2 GLOBAL PREMIERS: ALL EPIC OUTDOOR FILMS

#adventurereelstour#adventurereelsfilmtour#livelifeoutdoors

@adventurereels Banff Mountain Film Festival – Australia

Geelong Mountain Bike Club
Women’s Open Day

This is an event for any women, women-identifying individuals, non-binary and gender non-conforming people who are 13 years and older, interested in having a go at mountain biking either socially, racing or both. No prior experience mountain biking is required. The aim of this event is to introduce Women to mountain biking, providing them with a fun and supportive day of skills sessions, mechanic demonstrations, riding/racing tips, Q&A with club members, social ride and a BBQ.

Sign up here.