OV Annual Conferences
The largest annual outdoor education conference in Australia
The Outdoors Victoria Conference is a major annual event that provides professional learning for outdoor practitioners, teachers, educators and students within the Outdoor Education sector.
Our most recent annual Conference in 2023, held at the Lilydale Lakeside and Events Centre (Box Hill Campus), was the largest ever Victorian Outdoors sector conference, with a sold-out event attracting over 350 attendees across both days and a diverse exhibitor space.
Welcome to the OV Conference 2026!
After successfully hosting Australia’s largest-ever nationwide outdoor education conference, NOEC 2024, and OV’s Conference in 2025, we’re excited to bring yet another growing state conference back—this time at the incredible Victoria University in Footscray.
📅 Save the Date: 23–24 July 2026
Join us for two days of inspiration, networking, and professional growth!
The Brian Nettleton Lecture
The Brian Nettleton Lecture was introduced by Outdoors Victoria in 2018 at the “Your Future in the Outdoors” Conference, held at Victoria University, in honour of Dr Brian Nettleton, who passed away in 2017.
Brian was a pioneer of Outdoor Education and place-based experiences in Australia. His active engagement in the field had a remarkable influence on the journey of Outdoor Education in Victoria and inspired and supported many Outdoor Education professionals who have continued to think, teach and write in ways he helped establish.
A speech delivered by John Quay from Melbourne University & Brian’s daughter, Lisa O’Leary, was a moving tribute and the birth of the “Brian Nettleton Keynote Lecture”.
Since then, the Outdoors Victoria Conference has featured a keynote speech by an outstanding individual who shares Brian’s values and passionate working contribution to outdoor and environmental education in Australia.
Brian Nettleton Lecture (Oration) – Outdoors Victoria Conference 2025 presented by Scott Polley
Brian Nettleton Lecture – Outdoors Victoria Conference 2023 presented by John Quay
Brian Nettleton Lecture – Outdoors Victoria Conference 2022 presented by Bryan Wattchow
Brian Nettleton Lecture – Outdoors Victoria Conference 2019
Presented by Bruce McGregor, co-founder of Nature Stewards. VNPA President
A speech, delivered by John Quay from Melbourne University & Brian’s daughter, Lisa O’Leary, was a moving tribute and the birth of the “Brian Nettleton Keynote Lecture”.
Bruce Mc Gregor accepting a gift from Lisa O’Leary, daughter of Dr. Brian and his granddaughter.
Brian Nettleton Lecture – NOEC 2024 presented by Dr Val Nicholls and Sandy-Allen Craig
NOEC 2024 featured a keynote speech by two outstanding individuals who embody Brian’s values and commitment to outdoor and environmental education in Australia: Dr Val Nicholls and Sandy-Allen Craig.
Inspired by Brian Nettleton’s innovative and creative approach to life and education, Val and Sandy, reflected on the wholistic well-being of the Educator and considered the way in which their own continued, extracurricular nature-based activity may support a sustainable OE career and lifelong well-being.
NOEC 2024
In 2024, Outdoor Education Australia, together with co-host Outdoors Victoria, hosted the National Outdoor Education Conference (NOEC).
This is a biennial conference held nationwide for 46 years since 1978, and this was the first time the NOEC had been held in Victoria since 2007.
We brought together around 600 people in the outdoors sector from all over Australia and internationally, making it the largest-ever National Outdoor Education Conference.
Find out more about what happened at NOEC through this link!
