From the CEO's Desk
I wish I didn't have to bring this to a newsletter but I feel it is important to do so.
After several phone calls, emails and reviewing social media posts it is necessary that I do so for the reputation of the industry!
I know we are short-staffed, I know we are all tired and I know the demand for our industry's services is great right now... but it doesn't mean we need to drop our compliance, our safety standards and our ethics in providing the amazing outcomes from our activities.
I have frightening heard of, and witnessed activities, that have not followed the AAAS, nor have considered some basic safety principles. It is timely that the Outdoor Council of Australia commissioned some work by Bartier Perry Lawyers to look at the requirements of Outdoor activities when it comes to the law and this is now available.
The basic obligations of WHS Law are required by all of us and you don't need to have an incident to 'lose your house' due to uncompliance. But this information helps to articulate where your other obligations are when it comes to the law and how important the tools like the AAAS & GPG's are to assist you!
Our recent Connect & Share forum discussed this information with Lucinda from Bartier Perry so please spend the time to listen and check that you are NOT the ones that I receive the phone calls about.
"Safety is not just a procedure or a process, it is a state of mind"
Enjoy this month's newsletter and if you see one or a few things that are of interest here consider becoming a member if you are not already. Our members have weekly news and will have access to their own portal of resources and information which will be released in coming weeks.
Have a great September and see some of you at the National Outdoor Education Conference!
Lori Modde
CEO - Outdoors NSW & ACT
OPPORTUNITY for Employers to get involved in a number of Programs!
Outdoors NSW & ACT has been working with the Dept of Education in NSW on building awareness of careers in the outdoors. As a result, there are 2 opportunities coming up where Outdoor employers can get involved and promote the options to work with them in the future.
Central Coast & Hunter Schools will be inviting those students keen on outdoor pursuits to a tailored Outdoors careers day in early November. This will be followed by a designed program to teach outdoor recreation skills while sharing career options with students in Term 1 of 2023 across the region.
The second opportunity will be later in November on the South Coast of NSW, where Outdoors NSW & ACT has been working with Destination Sydney Surrounds South on a Careers Day for tourism and the outdoors industry. This will be held on 22nd November in Ulladulla and employing businesses will be invited.
Both opportunities are open to ONSWACT members, so if you are interested in either opportunity, please get in touch today.
NOEC or BACK COUNTRY SUB-COMMITTEE or FIRST NATION SUB-COMMITTEE...
Last call for volunteers to assist with the National Outdoor Education Conference, to sit on the Back Country Sub-Committee or the First Nations Sub-Committee. Get your application into ONSWACT now.