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Upcoming State Election: What matters to the outdoor sector?
A word from our CEO:
Victorians are preparing for another state election on 24 November, so let’s activate our campaigns to put the Outdoors front and centre in this year’s election.
We have a number items we're advocating for:
- More government support for Nature Play and Bush Kinder groups and organisations.
- More access to 'The Outdoor Learning Classroom' : from prep to year 10
- Extending the reach of the new Office for Women in Sport and Recreation
- Canoeing Victoria’s efforts to get approval for the first regional new Paddle Sports Centre
- VTIC's comprehensive campaign: Tourism is Victoria's Business.
- Increased funding for Parks Victoria
- First Peoples: Outdoors Victoria welcomes the recent legislation enabling a path to Treaty with First Peoples and looks forward to further initiatives from all sides of politics on the ways in which self-determination and Treaty-making can be strengthened in the years ahead.
Please contact me if you have any feedback or further ideas and initiatives OV might support as there's still time to showcase and advocate for them.
Andrew Knight
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Please join us in welcoming our new Nature Stewards Program Project Co-ordinator, Maddy Willcock!
"I am very excited to be joining the Outdoors Victoria family and to be part of the team working on the Nature Stewards program. Having grown up in the outdoors with many family and scouting adventures, I have a great respect, love, and spiritual connection with the natural environment. Supporting others with their connection with the environment, is a key passion. Therefore, I am particularly excited to be part of the Nature Stewards program which not only promotes this relationship but gives participants the skills to assist their communities attain greater understanding, best management practices, and stewardship of their natural areas.
I come to this role having attained a PhD in volcanology and worked in geological field research and STEM education program development. These have been marvellous journeys for me and I look forward to stepping out on this next great adventure!"
The Victorian Nature Stewards program, primarily funded by DELWP in line with Biodiversity 2037, promotes environmental literacy, participation and stewardship through discovery and action.
By early 2019 we anticipate rolling out The Victorian Nature Stewards Program with partners, city of Melbourne & City of Melton. It involves an introductory 10-week training course focussed on local ecosystems and environmental management; support for volunteering in local parks or natural areas with agencies or community environmental groups; and continuing ecological learning.
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A New Look for our Website
We've been giving our website a bit of a refresh lately with some new dedicated landing pages to make navigation easier. Come over and take a look at some of the changes.
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We've added a quick reference guide to the latest articles in the Journal Of Education & Environment (JOEE) on the new Outdoor Learning page. We'll also keep you updated on latest journal content in future newsletters.
The next issue will be out later in the year and focus on Wild Pedagogies.
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Because Mountain District Christian School renewed their School OV Affiliate membership this month, their staff and students have complimentary access to OEA's digital library for the rest of the year. Thank you Mountain District Christian College!
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Outdoors Victoria Supports RESPECT VICTORIA
Respect Victoria is a state government initiative which was launched on Aug 1 and is focused on the primary prevention of family violence for all Victorians. That means stopping violence before it starts, by changing the culture that allows it to happen.
The second round of the 'Change Our Game' Scholarship Program for women is still open until 5.00 pm 24 August 2018. If you are having any issues with your application, contact Andrew Knight via email or 0437 452 456 and he'll be happy to help.
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Women's Adventure Weekend. NE Victoria, Sep. 8 & 9
ACTION THE ADVENTURE is a non-profit event, profiling adventure options from local outdoor groups and individuals. We hope to highlight as many adventure options as possible, in N.E Victoria, over the weekend of 8 & 9 September.
It's about celebrating well-being and connection through adventure. The program includes activities like come try Canoeing, Kayaking or Rafting. Yoga. Nature meditation. Rock climbing. Walk and Run (via Bushwalks, Parkrun & Trail runs) Mountainbike and more.
All women are warmly welcomed to come adventure!
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Sharing the Passion
Stress, Adventure, and Challenge: What’s the relationship and what do I manage?
During this workshop using critical thinking, common practices, and current brain research we examine the relationship of stress, adventure, and challenge within outdoor learning, adventure education, and adventure therapy paradigms.
We explore the relationship of risk and stress to the cognitive, affective, social, physical, and spiritual domains
Book online for pre-conference session with Denise Mitten, PHD: Cost Members: $140 Non Members $180
ONLY 18 days to go until Outdoors NSW conference in NSW Register Now!
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Environment Education Victoria (EEV) are running some special events that caught our eye. Check these out:
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In other news
Applications for 2019 VCE Examination Development panels are now open.Interested in some sessional work on an examination development panel (writing and reviewing VCE exams) with the VCAA Examinations Unit? Please apply via the Sessional Staff Management Systems (SSMS)
This ACA October 11 workshop: Managing the Media in a Crisis in Preston, is well worth attending. You even get a discount in you are an OV Member!
A reminder that Nature in Nurture's Campference 2018 starts this Friday and runs over the weekend. Here are just a few of the Interactive Sessions & Workshop Topics:
- Engaging Families in their Child's Nature Connection Journey
- Be ResourceSmart: Embedding Sustainability into curriculum for real life learning & cost saving
- Making More Authentic Indigenous Connections
- Campfire Cooking
- So you want to get outdoors more often ... BUT. The 5 Big BUTS of Nature Play and what to do about them.
Heading to QLD? Don't miss the Outdoors Queensland Symposium Brisbane Wednesday, September 12th & Cairns Friday, September 14
Or maybe if you happen to be in the UK in November, go to the Outdoor Learning Conference, which is running between the 7th - 9th November 2018 in Staffordshire
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