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QORF Newsletter - August 2009
In this Issue...
 | CEO's Message | |
Nominate Now! | |
Photo Competition | |
SA Aquatic Conference | |
Ipswich Sports Summit | |
Snake bite alert | |
National Ride to Work Day | |
Changes to Disability Discrimination Act | |
Business Tax Break | |
Great Aussie Campout - April 17th 2010 | |
Grow Your Business | |
Outer Edge Adventure Awards |
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CEO's Message
Why Outdoors?
There are many things that we could be aware of that provide us with opportunities to highlight the strength of our industry and to promote the value of various outdoor experiences to government, bureaucracy and the community. Very few of us have the time to put a lot of attention to this side of the business, but I wanted to highlight for you some key considerations to keep in the back of your minds:
1. 6.4% of the Qld population participate in bushwalking (39.7% of Qld’ers walk for physical activity purposes – highest participation activity by all Australians) (ERASS, 2008)
2. Nationally the figures are similar with ABS data revealing that:
a. Cycling – 5.9% of Australians - fourth on rank ordering of participation
b. Cricket – 1.7%
c. Rugby League – 1.0% (ABS, 2007)
3. TQ data shows that 72% of international visitors bushwalk/ rainforest walk; 37% snorkel; 19% do water activities (sail, windsurf, kayak); 15% SCUBA dive; 13% surf.
Going beyond participation data, we are also increasingly aware that outdoor recreation across its many forms, is a great form of physical activity, acts as a health intervention and enhances environmental stewardship. More topically, participation in outdoor environments and participating in challenging, creative play in this space is vital for our children’s health and development. Recent news articles have highlighted the loss children experience if they don’t have these opportunities and note that modern playgrounds are “boring and breeding a generation of children who don’t know how to use a swing” … thereby stifling children’s independence and skills (Courier Mail, July 30 2009).
Without going into great detail it is recognized that children who spend time outdoors are healthier and have higher levels of physical activity, can have reduced effects if suffering from attention deficit disorders, stress or anxiety, and have better motor development particularly in relationship to strength, balance and coordination. These are surely great reasons why outdoor recreation participation is to be encouraging, celebrated and promoted!
Adventure Activity Standards
Just a quick update to let you know that the majority of AAS are residing with Sport and Recreation Services, awaiting an endorsement process from the Government Departments involved in funding and over-viewing the process. The Rockclimbing and Abseiling AAS are still being negotiated by the Technical Working Group, and will be progressed through a Technical Advisory Committee to reach resolution. The SCUBA, Snorkelling and Wildlife Swim AAS is being refined to align with existing, freely available information and will consist of a series of information links to accommodate to the legislated nature of SCUBA in Qld.
Enjoy your introduction to Spring – in calendar time and not just in the realities of our weather – and we hope to see as many of you as possible at the Outdoor Awards this year. We have received notice that the Minister for Sport will be attending the awards this year, so this evening will be a great opportunity to highlight the wonderful things that are happening in our industry. See you there.
Donna
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Nominate Now!
Nominations for the 2009 Queensland Outdoor Recreation Awards close this Friday September 4th so please ensure you have contacted us if you're planning to nominate.
The Award categories are:
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| Outstanding Achievement Award (Individual) | |
Outstanding Achievement Award (Organisation) | |
Fostering Training and Professional Development Award | |
Encouraging Participation in Outdoor Recreation Award | |
Environmental Award | |
Government Achievement Award | |
Outdoor Event Award |
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We'll also be opening bookings for the Awards Dinner very shortly so start planning your table now and more information will be posted on the Awards web page over the coming weeks.
If you have any queries or require further information please contact John Guise at the QORF office on: (07) 3369 9455 or by email john@qorf.org.au
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We want your photos!
The Outdoors Queensland Photography Competition has gone from strength to strength with entries coming in from all over the state.
Although it's those magic images that will be the hot contenders for the major prize, Nikon's latest Digital SLR, the competition is all about capturing your adventures, your special moments and experiences in the outdoors.
We're also encouraging school students to take part with an exclusive schools category. If your kids, friends or relatives are current students please get them involved as they could be walking with away with some great prizes.
Remember, the competition is free to enter and open to both national and international images.
So have you been on an adventure lately?
Follow the link below to view the latest feature images from our competition Ambassador Chris Bray and download your entry form.
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SA Aquatic Conference
WHEN: Tuesday Sept 15th - Wednesday Sept 16th
WHERE: Education Development Centre, Hindmarsh
Conference Sessions include:
"Leadership and Management in Challenging Times" (Simon Weatherill - Victorian State Sport Centres Trust)
"How great customer services can increase you business profits" (Lorraine Thorton - LT Associates)
"Communicating Risk to Parents" (Stan Wall - Lifeguard Services)
For more information please download attached conference flyer.
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Ipswich Sports Summit
The Queensland Government's Department of Communities, Sport and Recreation Services is proud to present the Ipswich Sports Summit in partnership with the Ipswich City Council.
The Summit provides Coaches, Officials and Club Administrators an opportunity to exchange ideas and share knowledge of high profile industry professionals.
This year's Sports Summit includes topics such as:
- Getting parents into coaching
- Training tips
- Making technology work for your club
- Working with State Sporting Organisations
- Sport for all cultures
- Local club stories
The Sports Summit will be held:
When: Saturday 19th September 2009, 9am to 12:30pm
Where: Rooms 101 and 102, Building 19, UQ Ipswich Campus, 11 Salisbury Rd, Ipswich
Cost: FREE
Bookings: Ipswich City Council, phone 3810 6666 or email buildingbetterclubs@ipswich.qld.gov.au
More information will be available soon at www.sportrec.qld.gov.au and www.ipswich.qld.gov.au so remember to save the date!
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Snake Bite Alert
Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability
The Honourable Kate Jones
19/08/2009
South East Queensland residents need to be on the alert for snakes as temperatures rise, Climate Change and Sustainability Minister Kate Jones warned, following an incident on the weekend.
"A snakebite incident at Lamington National Park on the Gold Coast at the weekend was a timely reminder that snakes are on the move as the weather heats up," Ms Jones said.
"Snakes are likely to be active during the next couple of months as they look for mates and feed to replenish their energy after their inactivity during winter.
"It's important for people to take precautions in their homes, workplaces and when visiting our National Parks to reduce the chances of coming into contact with snakes.
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National Ride To Work Day - 14 October
Wednesday 14 October is the day for National Ride To Work Day. Why not give it a go? Help is available with everything you want to know about riding to work ... but were afraid to ask.
If you're already riding to work and you're keen to encourage new riders, there are plenty of resources including a PowerPoint presentation and flyers.
For more information visit:
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Changes to Disability Discrimination Act
Long-awaited changes to disability discrimination laws have started.
Under amendments to the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA), employers have an explicit and positive duty to make reasonable adjustments for people with disabilities.
In relation to the development of the premises standards that will sit under the DDA, the House of Representatives Legal and Constitutional Affairs Standing Committee has recommended that the standards be finalised and introduced. The Federal Government is currently considering the committee's report.
Meanwhile, Federal Parliament returns on August 11 to consider a range of safety-related and other bills currently before it.
Among the bills are the Safe Work Australia Bill 2008 that seeks to make Safe Work Australia a statutory authority and amendments to the Building and Construction Industry Improvement Act 2005 that seek to replace the Australian Building and Construction Commission.
For more OHS news, read more on the National Safety Council of Australia website below.
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International Camping Director’s Course (ICDC)
The Australian Camps Association (ACA) take great pleasure in providing the first Camp Director's Course in Australia. The Camp Director's course has been running in Northern America for some years and has provided formal training for campsite managers to assist and support professional development and awareness of current standards and procedures.
Course details
• Start: 9.00 am Monday, September 28 (accommodation available at site for Sep 27)
• Finish: 4.00 pm Wednesday, September 30
• Venue: YMCA Anglesea Recreation Camp, Victoria
• Course size may vary between 20 to 25 participants
Spaces in the course are filling up quickly so please contact ACA as soon as possible to make your booking.
For more information please go to:
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Business Tax Break
Businesses can claim an additional tax deduction when they buy certain assets, and when they spend money to improve existing assets, for a limited time. It’s called the Small Business and General Business Tax Break – ‘business tax break’ for short.
The Australian Government announced the tax break as an ‘investment allowance’ in December 2008 aimed at helping businesses meet the challenges of the economic downturn.
The government later extended this tax break in the May Budget to allow small businesses to claim a 50% tax deduction on eligible assets bought by 31 December 2009.
The links below are to assist businesses in understanding the business tax break, who is eligible, and how to claim the tax break for your business.
For more information please visit the website below or call 1300 337 921.
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Service Skills Australia National Conference 2010
Conference 2010: Focusing on a positive future
You're invited to attend the Service Skills Australia National Conference 2010. The conference will be held from 1-2 March 2010 at the Sydney Exhibition and Convention Centre, Darling Harbour.
The conference will bring together employers, workers, industry bodies and training organisations to discuss ways to work together to increase the productivity and participation of the workforce in the service industries.
To register your interest in the conference, please fill out our expression of interest form through the following link:
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For more information please see:
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The Great Aussie Campout - April 17th 2010
The Great Aussie Camp Out (GACO) will bring together thousands of Australians for one big night where they will share the experience of camping out under the stars … in their back yards, on a river bank, in a camp, a National park, a caravan park - in fact, anywhere they might feel like!
With the long term goal of promoting healthy active lifestyles by encouraging individuals, families, friends and clubs to enjoy the great outdoors, GACO will coordinate a one night 'camp-out' across the country with the aim of introducing people to the fun and adventure of camping out.
People will be encouraged to stay at a residential camp or caravan park, pitch a tent, sleep under the stars, grab a Barbie, organise some games and get away from their normal weekend routine.
It is anticipated that a range of come'n'try activities will also be offered on the day of the GACO by community groups such as scouts/guides, bushwalking clubs, canoeing clubs. Residential camps will also be able to offer activities such as high ropes, flying fox, atlatl and archery. National Parks could arrange to have Park Rangers on duty to conduct interpretation activities for the night.
In this way participants will be able to sample adventure activities and experiences in the outdoors in a controlled and supported environment.
There will be plenty more information coming soon about the Great Aussie Campout so stay tuned to the QORF website as well as the official GACO website at:
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Grow Your Business
Below are this months business tips from Andrew Griffiths, an entrepreneur with a real passion for small business and author of "101 Survival Tips".
These survival tips offer a great checklist for any small business owner to ensure they are maximising their business' potential.
Tips for September:
1. Budgets and Planning - welcome to reality )Plan for the worst, not for the best)
2. Keep good records from the start
3. Keep your costs down without losing your customers
4. Beware the third year boom and fourth year bust
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Camp Quality K2 BaseCamp Charity Treasure Hunt 2009
We announced details for the upcoming Camp Quality K2 BaseCamp Charity Treasure Hunt 2009 on
SEPTEMBER 5th 2009 earlier in August and wanted to follow that up with the official Media Release for thr event. Please see attached below.
The Treasure Hunt is based in the Brisbane CBD and limited to only 130 teams of two. Everyone who enters receives a t-shirt and is eligible to win the following prize:
1. Return flights to Papua New Guinea – valued at around $600
2. Icon Adventures ‘Kokoda Trek’ package - valued at around $3,500
The winner of the Treasure Hunt on the day receives a $1,000 Voucher to be spent on the goods of their choice at either K2 BaseCamp or K2 Odyssey
Please be quick, numbers are very limited and this time it is ‘first in best dressed!’
Please contact Gary Walters for more information:
Email: gary@k2.com.au
Ph: 07 3257 3310
K2 EXTREME CLUB
40 Wickham Street
Fortitude Valley
Brisbane 4006
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Outer Edge Adventure Awards Launched
The team at Outer Edge Magazine is on the search for all that's great in the wide world of adventure so have created the Australasian Adventure Awards.
The Awards are about celebrating not only big-budget expeditions but also the multitude of grassroots efforts that are the bedrock of true adventure. They aim to commend and recognise those that push themselves out of the comfort zone and over the edge in their quests for adventure, no matter the motivation.
There are 14 categories to enter from Solo Adventurer, Tour Operator and Community Club awards to Adventure Destination, Photograph, Video and Hall of Fame awards.
To find out more about the Adventure Awards or to send in your feedback, click on the link below:
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