Outdoors NSW & ACT celebrated a year of growth, leadership, and collaboration at its Annual General Meeting on 27 October 2025. The event featured an address by Adam Berry, Deputy Secretary of the NSW Office of Sport, who acknowledged the organisation’s vital role in strengthening the connection between government, industry, and community. A key highlight was the presentation of Life Membership to Professor Tonia Gray in recognition of her outstanding contribution to outdoor education and research, inspiring generations of educators and practitioners across Australia.

The AGM also welcomed two new Directors — Emma Williams and James (Jimmy) Collins — who bring valuable expertise in outdoor tourism, education, and governance. A huge thank you to Nathan Brown for his 8 years of service to the Board and to Dylan Jones after 3 years of service. Collectively, they will not be strangers to ONSWACT, and we continue to gain from their knowledge and expertise in other ways.

Reflecting on the organisation’s achievements, including four consecutive financial surpluses and major initiatives such as the Outdoor Learning Mini Conference, Mountain Bike Symposium, Pinnacle Leadership Program, and Outdoor Industry Census, CEO Lori Modde said these outcomes demonstrate the strength and unity of the outdoor community and its growing recognition as an essential contributor to health, education, and wellbeing.

The new website has certainly caused a lot of public comment, but if you want to know how to get access to the same features you had before as well as understand the new features available, watch back 31st October Connect & Share with MJ from the BOM as she shows us all how to use the new website. 

The recording of this episode is in your members portal under Industry Events / Connect & Shares / Recordings. 

The Outdoors NSW & ACT Prospectus for 2026–2027 is now available for potential, current, and past partners to explore. It highlights the many ways to get involved in our growing calendar of events, from the Outdoor Industry Summit and the Outdoor Learning Mini Conference to the Mountain Bike Symposium and other sector-building initiatives.

We invite you to review the Prospectus to identify the partnership opportunities that align with your organisation’s goals and values. Whether you’re seeking visibility, collaboration, or direct impact within the outdoor, tourism, or education communities, now is the perfect time to secure your involvement before key opportunities are filled.

Email ceo@outdoorsnswact.com.au to receive your copy.

Kathy from the state Duke of Edinburgh office attended our Connect & Share on 24 October and took our members through all the changes. Members can review that recording in their member portal under 'Industry Events' / 'Connect & Shares' / 'Recordings'.

Please note this has an impact on Adventurous Journeys at this level.

Located just 3 km west of the town centre of Jindabyne in the Snowy Mountains region and spanning approximately 500 hectares, the site offers panoramic views of Lake Jindabyne and the Thredbo Valley, with a 300 metre vertical rise and a rugged, rolling landscape. The region’s terrain provides a natural playground for mountain biking and adventure tourism. 

The NSW government — via the Regional Growth NSW Development Corporation — will fund and deliver the enabling infrastructure (visitor access, parking, amenities and stage 1 trails) to get a year-round mountain bike and adventure park off the ground.

From a strategic and commercial standpoint, this is an opportunity to develop and operate a flagship adventure venue as part of the broader Snowy Mountains Special Activation Precinct (SAP). The precinct is designed to fast-track and support year-round tourism investment through streamlined planning approvals and concierge services. For an experienced operator, this means the chance to expand the trail network, introduce complementary adventure activities (e.g., e-biking, skills parks, enduro trails, family-friendly zones) and build supporting commercial ventures that leverage the destination’s natural assets. For more information go to https://www.nsw.gov.au/regional-and-primary-industries/regional-business-and-economy-nsw/special-activation-precincts/snowy-activation-precinct/jindabyne-mountain-bike-and-adventure-park 

Sea to Summit is conducting a recall of Back Country Cuisine Brand Mushroom Bolognaise and Spaghetti Bolognaise with best-before dates from 7 April 2029 to 29 Sept 2029. 

Please get in touch with Sea to Summit for more information. 

The inclusion of Outdoor Adventure Leaders and Guides on the latest Jobs and Skills Australia Occupation Shortage List marks a major achievement for the outdoor industry. This recognition confirms what the sector has long known — that Australia is facing a national shortage of qualified outdoor professionals to meet the growing demand for adventure tourism, outdoor education, and nature-based recreation. It validates years of advocacy, data collection, and collaboration across the industry to elevate outdoor leadership as a skilled and essential profession.

This recognition carries significant implications for workforce development and policy. It strengthens the case for increased investment in training and education pathways, supports new funding opportunities for vocational programs, and positions outdoor leadership as a legitimate, respected career choice. It also provides stronger grounds for government and industry partnerships to address workforce gaps, improve employment conditions, and attract new entrants into this vital field that connects people, nature, and wellbeing.

CALL FOR MORE AAAS EXPERT ADVISORS — REGISTRATION EXTENDED UNTIL 14th NOVEMBER

Being an Expert Advisor involves:

• Reviewing relevant documents in your own time during November / December;

• Providing technical feedback on proposed changes; and

• Participating in the collaborative review process to reach agreement on recommendations.

Please note that there are no online meetings. Where complex issues arise, a small group of experts may be convened for a focused, real-time discussion.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY

or for more information click here

The Office of the Children’s Guardian (OCG) is consulting on the uncommenced provision in the Children’s Guardian Act 2019 that would bring ‘providers of overnight camps’ into the Reportable Conduct Scheme. 

As part of this consultation, the OCG is seeking feedback on a proposal to narrow the scope so that only organisations that provide overnight camps for children as a primary activity or function would be captured.

The OCG has released a Consultation Paper on the NSW Government’s Have Your Say website, and they will attend a Connect & Share Forum in November to consult with the industry.

Attend our Connect & Share forum on 14 November to hear from Fieldbook about their new product and offer for ONSWACT members... 

Finding solutions to make your life easier. 

The NSW Government introduced a new Community Services Industry portable long service leave scheme on 1 July 2025.

Workers become eligible for long service leave after 7 years of service to the industry with 1 or more employers. This long service leave will allow eligible workers to claim up to 6 weeks’ long service leave. Employers with 1 or more workers in the Community Services Industry in NSW are required to register* with the Long Service Corporation and begin recording worker service. This involves anyone providing services of Community Recreation or amongst 30 other services. *Employers are required to pay a quarterly levy calculated at 1.7% of the gross ordinary wages of employees.

Go to https://www.longservice.nsw.gov.au/ for more information.

Couldn’t make it to the event on July 9? We now have a recording of the whole day available for you to view at your own pace. Expert Panels, Case Studies and an important Keynote Address from Dr Grant Lynch titled “Protecting People, Not Just Places: Managing Heat Stress Risk in the Outdoor Industry.”

“NatCORR day was extremely valuable with excellent presenters and content.”

“NatCORR! Excellent content and industry connection on some key issues.”

Find out for yourselves why people gave this feedback! The recording is hosted on the website of our event partner, Outdoors NSW & ACT. A small fee is attached to recoup the cost of recording the day.

Click here to purchase today https://outdoors.kartra.com/checkout/NatCORR25