Outdoors Queensland is proud to announce the winners of the 2022 Outdoors Queensland Awards. The awards judging panel would like to acknowledge all the finalists, all the nominees and all those who put forward a nomination, for all they have done for the outdoors in Queensland.
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.
Winner: Graham Pringle
Finalists:
Chris Szymanski
Craig Humbley
Simon Lee Roberts
Andrew Grant
The K2 Basecamp 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.
Winner: Alexis Newey Finalists:
Annika Eckermann
Bella Moore
Liliana Nemeth
Tayla Whittaker
The Brisbane City Council 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
Winner: Birdwings Forest School and Loganlea State High School
Finalists:
Samford Valley Steiner School
Sports Tuition
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.
Winner: Paramount Adventures
Finalist: Perfect Beginnings Childcare
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.
Winner: Triballink
Finalists:
Australian Trail Horse Riders Association
Queensland Moto Park
Outer Limits Adventure Fitness Pty Ltd
The Brisbane City Council 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.
Winner: Succeed Healthcare Solutions
Finalists:
Jump Up For Kids
Mark Cartner
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.
Winner: Cape York Motorcycle Tours
Finalists: 2 Bent Rods
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.
Winner: The Playmakers Finalists:
The Outsiders Play Advocates
Seedlings & Co, Logan Reserve
Cassowary Coast Regional Council Family Day care Scheme
Camp Hill Outside School Hours Care
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.
Winner: EmpowHER Hiking Program – Scenic Rim Regional Council Finalists:
DTIS (Sport and Recreation) – Queensland Recreation Centres
Brisbane Sustainability Agency Pty Ltd – Oxley Creek Development
2022 Outdoors Queensland Awards Full Livestream
and you can watch each if the finalist compilations here: Finalists
Awards Presentation
Due to success of last year’s presentation, we once again hosted an online winners announcement event this year. All attendees, including finalists and their supporters from all over Queensland, gathered together in a virtual presentation on Friday, October 28 at 6pm.
Watch the live show recording here:
Please note that finalists joined us via Zoom meeting while supporters and others were able to join in the fun on Facebook Live.
Our very entertaining and thought provoking guest speaker was award winning filmmaker, poly-jobist, speaker, and writer, Beau Miles …
Guest speaker: Beau Miles
The Backyard Adventurer
After years of adventuring around the globe – running kayaking hitchhiking exploring – Beau Miles came back to his block in country Victoria. Staying put for the first time in the years, Beau developed a new kind of lifestyle as the Backyard Adventurer. Whether it was walking 90km to work with no provisions, building a canoe paddle out of scavenged scrap timber or running along a disused railway line through properties, blackberry thickets and past inquiring police officers, Beau has been finding ways to satisfy his adventurous spirit close to home.
Learn more about Beau Miles – award winning filmmaker, poly-jobist, speaker, writer, odd
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 Awardsare 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.
* (formerly known as the Queensland Outdoor Recreation Awards)
Major Sponsor
Outdoors Queensland is proud to announce that the Queensland Government is the new Outdoors Queensland Awards Major Sponsor
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
