Outdoors NSW & ACT held its 40th Annual General Meeting and voted in a new Chair as Dr Phil Hamdorf resigned his position due to a move interstate. Welcome Peter Kent, Principal of Birrigai Outdoor School and President of Outdoor Education Australia, as the incoming Chair of Outdoors NSW & ACT. 

The Outdoor Council of Australia (OCA) held its Annual General Meeting this month, where outgoing Chair Graeme Janes highlighted the organisation's achievements, including securing funding for the Australian Adventure Activity Standards. Neil Le Febvre, CEO of Outdoors WA, was elected as the new Chair, joining a diverse Board of directors representing various outdoor industry sectors. OCA also announced its Member Forum representatives, who will meet quarterly starting in early 2025 to provide insights and perspectives on industry matters.

The first cohort of the Pinnacle Leadership Program has commenced with a full contingent of applicants and mentors ready to start on 18th November. All the program folders were sent to the participants in the last week of October. This program was able to be offered to women in the outdoors due to the support of Office of Sport NSW, ACT Government and Paddy Pallin.

The very first MTB Symposium saw close to 130 delegates for 2 days discussing the needs of the MTB sector. There were land managers, MTB Clubs, RTOs, consultants, trail builders, government departments, tourism bodies, peak outdoor bodies and local government. The comments that formulated the discussions are being compiled into the Merimbula Manifesto which will be released prior to Christmas and be the guiding light to a more sustainable MTB future. This event was possible thanks to Destination NSW, Blue Sky Trails and Affinity Insurance Brokers. 

Announced in September, the plan for the review of the Outdoor Leadership qualifications was approved in October and will focus on updating qualifications to reflect current practices, improving career pathways, and ensuring safety and quality in training to meet today’s needs and anticipating future challenges. ONSWACT is welcoming Humanability to our Connect & Share on 15th November to discuss the plan for consultation.

The OCA are now reviewing applications that closed in September, for the review of the AAAS and associated GPG's. The process for this review will come to the industry shortly. This project is with thanks to the states and territory departments of sport and recreation, for seeing the need and helping to fund this important activity. 

Announced in September, ACT Parks are about to undergo their review of the Tidbinbilla National Park Plan of Management. ONSWACT is keen to hear from operators that want to see any change to the current plan as we begin to work with them on this review. Email ceo@outdoorsnswact.com.au

The outsourcing of the Roping, Water and Alpine Adventurous Training activities by the Department of Defence is a great opportunity for many operators. Tender documents will be released on 4 November 2024.