Outdoors Queensland Awards

Photograph: Shane Cresser

Outdoors Queensland Awards

The Awards recognise and reward excellence in the outdoor recreation community.

The Winners 2023

Outdoors Queensland is proud to announce the winners of the 2023 Outdoors Queensland Awards. The awards judging panel would like to acknowledge all the winners, all the finalists, all the nominees and all those who put forward a nomination, for all they have done for the outdoors in Queensland.

Check out the Finalist Videos that were played on the night and understand why the judges had such a hard time choosing the winners.

Congratulations to all!

The Queensland Government Individual Achievement Award
This award is for individuals who have demonstrated professionalism, high achievement in a particular field and exemplary role modelling.
Finalists: Peta Jay, Darren Osmond, Renae Kunda

Winner: Andrea Newton

The K2 Base Camp Emerging Achiever Award
This award recognises the efforts and achievements of an individual new to the outdoor sector; a student, a young person, or anyone making a change into the sector.
Finalists: Dylan Carter, Chelsea Lineham, Willow Bonett

Winner: Shontay Henry-Hegerty

The Equipped Outdoors Outdoor Education Award
This award is for school, early childhood, out of school care, camp or outdoor education providers that deliver outdoor education programs in outdoor adventurous settings, and significantly influence a participant’s physical ability, mental health and ability to thrive
Finalists: Seaforth Pines Outdoor Education Centre, Konomie Island Environmental Education Centre

Winner: Autism & Beyond Australia

The AQIA Workforce Development Award
This award is open to any organisation that supports workforce development by taking on trainee employees/volunteers, provides in-house training or supports workers to undertake external training.
Finalists: Scouts Queensland – Adventurous Activities Training Team, Sport and Recreation Venues – DTIS

Winner: QCCC CAMPFIRE Internship

The Queensland Government Outdoor Recreation Award
This award is for an outdoor recreation peak body, club, provider, event or product that stands out from all others; has raised awareness about the benefits of outdoor recreation and being outdoors; has increased participation in outdoor recreation; and has made a significant impact on the outdoor recreation sector.
Finalists: Girl Guides Qld, Blue Sky Trails, Scout Association of Australia Queensland Branch

Winner: 2 Bent Rods

The Bec Fox Unleash Your Power Adventure Therapy Award
The recipient of this award is an individual, organisation or program that has significantly improved the health and wellbeing of Queenslanders through the use of nature and/or adventure by delivering innovative programs, interventions, training, advocacy and/or research.
Finalists: HYPAR Wild, Cairns Adventure Therapy

Winner: Youth Flourish Outdoors

The Queensland Government Adventure Tourism Award
This award is for a tourism operator, event or product that delivers outdoor activity adventure products for either local or inbound participants.
Finalists: Aquascene Magnetic Island, Big Red Tours

Winner: Run Queensland

The Queensland Government Outdoor Play Award
This award is for organisations (eg. play groups, nature play providers, community groups, councils) that have increased opportunities for Queensland children to spend time in unstructured play outdoors and in nature.
Finalists: Walloon State School – Outdoor Education, Seedlings & Co Calamvale

Winner: Curious Me

The Outdoors Queensland Government Achievement Award
The Government Achievement Award recognises the achievements of local or state government department, agency, person or program and/or agency that has produced positive outcomes for the outdoor sector.
Finalists: The Northern Outlook – Dept of Youth Justice, Employment, Small Business and Training, Ipswich City Council – Experience Nature

Winner: City of Gold Coast – Our Natural City Strategy 2032


The Outdoors Queensland Distinguished Achievers Award

This award recognises and acknowledges the achievements of the winners of 3 or more Outdoors Queensland Awards (and formerly the Queensland Outdoor Recreation Awards) since their inception in 2002.

In 2023 this award was presented to Youth Flourish Outdoors


Outdoors Queensland Life Member

Gillian Duncan
Conferred 2023

Gillian was made an honorary life member of Outdoors Queensland in March 2023 for her amazing work for over 20 years advocating for and supporting outdoor activities, particularly mountain biking. Outdoors Queensland is sad to announce that Gillian Duncan passed away on Tuesday 16th May 2023.

 

Outdoors Queensland Awards Dinner

The winners were announced at the Outdoors Queensland Awards Dinner on Friday October 27th, 2023, at Rydges South Bank Brisbane

The Outdoors Queensland Awards Dinner is a popular networking opportunity for members of the outdoor community to get together to celebrate the Award winners – the individuals and organisations who have made a positive and lasting difference to the outdoors and outdoor recreation in Queensland, in all its various guises.

Guest speaker for the evening was Bonnie Hancock, a Gold Coast paddler who, in 2022, set a record for the fastest time to paddle around Australia on a surf ski.

DATE: Friday 27th October
TIME: 6.00 pm arrival for 7.00 pm start (end approx 11.00 pm)
VENUE: Rydges South Bank Brisbane (Find on Google Maps)

DRESS CODE: Smart Casual – a chance to get dressed up!

Check out the PHOTOS (use code qld2023) taken on the night!


All photos courtesy of Element Photo & Video Production

 

 

Guest Speaker - Bonnie Hancock

Bonnie Hancock grew up in the small NSW town of Sawtell and was primarily a board paddler and swimmer and a late bloomer on the ski, not picking up a paddle until the age of 17. After a move to the Gold Coast, Bonnie managed to grab a spot in the Nutri-Grain Ironwoman Series and would complete 7 years on the professional circuit.

In 2020, Bonnie read a book about a previous circumnavigation of Australia by paddle. Two years later, she set off from Mermaid Beach on her surf ski and, after 254 days paddling for 12,700kms, finished a clockwise loop around the country. Bonnie broke the previous Guinness World Record by over 2 months.

She also holds the record for the furthest distance paddled in 24 hours (open ocean) by a female, completing 235 kms on her surf ski at Airlie Beach, just two weeks after returning from her paddle around Australia.

New Award Sponsors

We are very pleased to announce two NEW award sponsors for 2023 and beyond!

 

Equipped Outdoors is the new sponsor of The Equipped Outdoors Outdoor Education Award

 


Bec Fox – Unleash your Power is the new sponsor of The Bec Fox Unleash Your Power Adventure Therapy Award

About the Awards

The Outdoors Queensland Awards recognise and reward excellence in the outdoors community. The Awards celebrate individuals, organisations, programs, events and activities that have been successful in significantly improving outcomes for participants, clients and communities.

The Outdoors Queensland Awards are for the ‘outdoors community in Queensland’ – outdoor enthusiasts, adventure tourism operators, outdoor education providers, activity clubs, land managers, retailers … and more.

The Outdoors Queensland Awards are an important means of recognising the size and diversity of the outdoors community and industry and provide an opportunity for outdoor individuals and organisations to be rewarded and recognised for their contribution. They are also a means of recognising how important the outdoors, outdoor activity and the environment are to the lifestyle of Queenslanders.

Be inspired!

Check out the Previous Award Winners    

The Outdoors Queensland Distinguished Achievers Award

This award recognises and acknowledges the achievements of the consistent winners of the Outdoors Queensland Awards (and formerly the Queensland Outdoor Recreation Awards) since their inception in 2002. The benchmark is a minimum of three awards.

Previous recipients:

The Awards

The Queensland Government Individual Achievement Award

Sponsored by the Queensland Government

This award is for individuals who have demonstrated professionalism, high achievement in a particular field and exemplary role modelling.

They should meet all or some of the Essential Criteria, and in addition, they may have demonstrated excellence through one or more:

  • High achiever in chosen field
  • Exemplary leadership and role modelling
  • Commitment to professional practice and communication
  • Ethical outdoor practice
  • Significant contribution to an organisation, outdoor recreation and/or the outdoor community

Suitable for an Individual

The K2 Base Camp Emerging Achiever Award

Sponsored by K2 Base Camp

This award recognises the efforts and achievements of an individual new to the outdoor sector; a student, a young person, or anyone making a change into the sector. They may be enrolled in a structured course (eg school, TAFE, university), volunteering, working as a trainee, or newly employed by an outdoor provider.

They should meet all or some of the Essential Criteria, and in addition, they may have demonstrated excellence through one or more:

  • Achievement of personal goals or marked improvement
  • Personal leadership qualities and initiative
  • Professional behaviour and ethical outdoor practice
  • Effort over and above what is expected
  • Commitment to best practice delivery and safety
  • Contribution which has helped achieve significant outcomes

Suitable for an Individual

The Queensland Government Outdoor Recreation Award

Sponsored by the Queensland Government

This award is for an outdoor recreation peak body, club, provider, event or product that stands out from all others; has raised awareness about the benefits of outdoor recreation and being outdoors; has increased participation in outdoor recreation; and has made a significant impact on the outdoor recreation sector.

They should meet all or some of the Essential Criteria, and in addition, they may have demonstrated excellence through one or more:

  • Consistent high quality service delivery and safety record
  • Innovative instructional, recreational, or educational programs
  • Inclusive opportunities for people of all ages and/or abilities
  • Demonstrated environmental sustainability and land management practices
  • Active involvement in local communities
  • Opportunities created for people to have positive experiences in the outdoors
  • Effective marketing and promotion

Suitable for an Organisation

The Equipped Outdoors Outdoor Education Award

Sponsored by Equipped Outdoors

This award is for school, early childhood, out of school care, camp or outdoor education providers that deliver outdoor education programs in outdoor adventurous settings, and significantly influence a participant’s physical ability, mental health and ability to thrive.

They should meet all or some of the Essential Criteria, and in addition they may have demonstrated excellence through one or more:

  • Innovative instructional or educational programs
  • Consistent high quality service delivery and safety record
  • Inclusive opportunities for students of all ages and/or abilities
  • Development of innovative outdoor learning environments, spaces or venues
  • Development of creative resources for outdoor education – activities, games, initiatives.
  • Demonstrated environmental sustainability and land management practices
  • Innovative or creative approaches to curriculum interpretation in outdoor learning.
  • Creating opportunities for students to have positive experiences in the outdoors
  • Outcomes that include improved student personal, social and environmental awareness, understanding and commitment

Suitable for an Organisation

The Queensland Government Outdoor Play Award

Sponsored by the Queensland Government

This award is for organisations (eg. play groups, nature play providers, community groups, councils) that have increased opportunities for Queensland children to spend time in unstructured play outdoors and in nature.

They should meet all or some of the Essential Criteria, and in addition they may have demonstrated excellence through one or more:

  • Innovative outdoor / nature play programs, events, or activities
  • Provision of exciting outdoor / nature play spaces
  • Development of creative resources for outdoor / nature play
  • Awareness raising events, publications, or services

Suitable for an Organisation

The Bec Fox Unleash Your Power Adventure Therapy Award

Sponsored by Bec Fox – Unleash Your Power

The recipient of this award is an individual, organisation or program that has significantly improved the health and wellbeing of Queenslanders through the use of nature and/or adventure by delivering innovative programs, interventions, training, advocacy and/or research.

They should meet all or some of the Essential Criteria, and in addition they may have demonstrated excellence through one or more:

  • Inclusive program design and delivery
  • Program development in line with state and/or national health initiatives
  • Demonstrated commitment to sustainable replicable program development
  • Outcomes demonstrating improvements to users and/or practice
  • Demonstrated commitment to the development of adventure therapy

Suitable for an Individual or an Organisation

The Queensland Government Adventure Tourism Award

Sponsored by the Queensland Government

This award is for a tourism operator, event or product that delivers outdoor activity adventure products for either local or inbound participants.

They should meet all or some of the Essential Criteria, and in addition they may have demonstrated excellence through one or more:

  • Consistent high quality service delivery and safety record
  • Innovative physical activity products
  • Demonstrated focus on the environment and/or indigenous culture
  • Inclusive opportunities for people of all ages and/or abilities
  • Demonstrated environmental sustainability and land management practices
  • Opportunities created for people to have positive experiences in the outdoors
  • Responsible marketing and promotion

Suitable for an Organisation

The AQIA Workforce Development Award 

Sponsored by the Active Queenslanders Industry Alliance (AQIA)

This award is open to any organisation that supports workforce development by taking on trainee employees/volunteers, provides in-house training or supports workers to undertake external training. 

They should meet all or some of the Essential Criteria, and in addition, they may have demonstrated excellence through one or more: 

  • Commitment to personal and career development of workers 
  • Consistent high quality in-house training delivery 
  • Provision of support for workers to undertake education and/or training with Registered Training Organisations or universities
  • Trainee positions offered to a diverse range of people and abilities 
  • Incorporating a commitment to the Australian Adventure Activity Standard (AAAS) within worker training

Suitable for an Organisation

The Outdoors Queensland Government Achievement Award

Sponsored by Outdoors Queensland

The Government Achievement Award recognises the achievements of local or state government department, agency, person or program and/or agency that has produced positive outcomes for the outdoor sector.

The recipient of this award, selected by the Outdoors Queensland Board, should meet all or some of the Essential Criteria, and in addition may have demonstrated excellence through one or more:

  • Development of supportive policies, strategies and/or actions
  • Active engagement with advisory groups or committees to address community needs and values
  • The provision of a diverse range of outdoor activity opportunities

Outdoors Queensland thanks and acknowledges the ongoing support of the Outdoors Queensland Awards from our award sponsors: The Queensland Government, K2 Base Camp, the Active Queenslanders Industry Alliance, Equipped Outdoors and Bec Fox – Unleash Your Power

 

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