Keynotes

Bio: Scott Polley works and lives on Kaurna Country in South Australia. He is the Program Director of the Bachelor of Outdoor and Environmental Leadership at University of South Australia, soon to be Adelaide University. He is discipline lead of Outdoor Education overseeing a sub-major and soon major in Outdoor Education in the Bachelor of Education and the Bachelor of Human Movement. He also oversees the Outdoor Environmental Education pedagogy courses in the Bachelor of Education and Master of Teaching.

Scott’s teaching includes Outdoor Education, Group Dynamics, Sociology, Outdoor Education pedagogy, Outdoor Healthcare and Social Justice. His writing spans the nature and scope of Outdoor Education in South Australia, Wellbeing in Outdoor Education, OE Curriculum, Threshold Concepts for Outdoor Educators and associated ideas and Outdoor Education text books. He is currently co-supervising 2 PhD and 2 Masters students and reviews editor for the Journal of Outdoor and Environmental Education.

Scott is currently Co-Chair of the Australian Tertiary Outdoor Education Network, Deputy Chair of the Nature-based Network of South Australia, Outdoor Education Australia representative, Outdoor Council of Australia representative, Walking SA Education Committee member and Assessor, Outdoor Educators’ Association of South Australia committee member and Life Member, South Australian Rock-climbing Education Association Board member, Assessor and Life Member, Paddle Australia Sea, Whitewater and Flatwater Instructor and Assessor and Paddle SA Education Committee member, South Australian Certificate of Education Outdoor Education Subject Advisory Group member, Health and PE Curriculum Advisor, TAFE Curriculum Panel Advisor.

He holds outdoor leadership accreditation and assesses leaders in bushwalking, sea/white/flatwater kayaking, rock-climbing, and holds accreditation in SUP and Mountain Biking.

Peta Lawler

KEYNOTE SESSION THURSDAY 14TH OF AUGUST, 10:30 – 11:10 am

Current Job Title: Director of Experiential Learning at St Michael’s Grammar School

Bio: Peta Lawler has spent 15 years in the Victorian outdoor education sector, shaping Experiential Learning that is meaningful, inclusive, and works in the real world. A VU graduate and early learning and primary school teacher, she has worked with schools and outdoor companies across the state, designing programs that help students connect with the world beyond the classroom.  
As a female guide/coordinator, she has been pregnant in the outdoors, dealt with every possible menstrual mishap in the field, and continues to navigate her own endometriosis diagnosis while hauling gear through the bush. If there’s one thing she’s learned, it’s that outdoor education could do with a few more practical solutions—whether that means rethinking gear, improving support systems, or just making sure there are enough appropriately sized tampons to go around.
 
Having walked the tracks, paddled the rivers, and probably duct-taped more gear than she cares to admit, Peta knows this sector inside out. She’s passionate about making outdoor education as welcoming and accessible as possible—because everyone should have the chance to enjoy a great adventure.

Adam Heath

KEYNOTE SESSION FRIDAY 15TH OF AUGUST, 10:15 – 11:05 am

Current Job Title: Headmaster of Ballarat Grammar 

Bio: Adam Heath is an educator who has sought to instil innovative and holistic learning approaches within School communities in Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.  He was appointed Headmaster of Ballarat Grammar in 2016, a regional Victorian coeducational school with over 2000 students, 270 of whom are boarders.  An outdoor and environmental education teacher, Adam enjoyed early teaching experiences with MLC in Mallacoota and schools in the United Kingdom.  Adam joined Caulfield Grammar School at Yarra Junction, where he became Head of Campus. In 2005, Adam was appointed as the founding Head of Middle School at Scotch Oakburn College in Launceston.  With family in Auckland, the move to the role of Middle School Principal and Deputy Principal of Kristin School in 2009, a three program IB School, was opportune. This facilitated involvement in the International Baccalaureate organisation to represent schools across the Asia-Pacific region.

Adam is the Chair of The Association of Heads of Independent Schools (AHISA, Victoria), as well as being a member of the National Board of AHISA. 

Abstract: The Grateful Leader How outdoor leadership is formative in shaping the leader within
 
How has time in nature, connection with place and providing immersive experience for young people in the outdoors shaped our leadership?  How has supporting young people in developing their environmental ethos helped each of us to develop our own leadership compass?  Has our understanding of natural systems honed our understanding of the interconnectedness of leading others?  Does our constant return and reference to nature give us the perspective of grateful, compassionate leaders?