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Self-Discovery on Summit to Sea

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When people take the time to ‘recharge their batteries’,  images of lying beside pools, reading books and drinking cocktails generally come to mind, but not for local Wanniassa  woman Lizanne Dalgleish, 26; it was twenty-six days straight of hiking, camping, paddling and riding over 500km and three states that did the trick!

Liz’s epic journey, which saw her mountain bike across the Great Dividing Range, summit Mount Koscuizko and raft down the majestic snowy river as part of Outward Bound’s Summit to Sea adventure in January, was an opportunity to disconnect from the everyday stresses of life and re-energise for the New Year.

“2011 was a big year for me,” said Liz.

“I had a close family member pass away, I was working full time hours while trying to finish my nursing degree and had been offered a Graduate position with the Canberra Hospital, which met a big move from Brisbane.

“By the time November had rolled around I was feeling pretty drained. It was at this stage, I started surfing the net for my next holiday destination and I came across the Outward Bound Summit to Sea adventure. With sentences like “the ultimate adventure” and “not for the faint hearted” I thought it was just the physical challenge I had been looking for! However What I had not thought about was the social, education, moral and emotional challenges and achievements I would be faced with as well.”

liz2resizedThe epic adventure took Liz, as well as nine strangers from across the country on a journey of inspiration and self-discovery, starting on foot in the rugged hills of the Namadgi National Park in the ACT, through Aboriginal heritage sites and Australia’s colonial history.

After paddling across what was once the town of Adaminaby – sunken to create the Snowy Hydro Electricity scheme, Liz mountain-biked across the Great Dividing Range before entering the Koscuizko National Park, where she scaled Australia’s three highest peaks and witnessed stunning 360 degree vistas.

Continuing on foot, Liz and the group reached the Snowy River National Park and famous scene of Banjo Patterson’s The Man from Snowy River. After paddling the majestic Snowy River before trekking her way through Victorian State Forests, she arrived at her final destination, the sandy beaches looking over Bass Strait at Cape Conran.

Liz said the biggest challenge and probably one of the most pivotal moments in her life came at the very end of the trip.

“We were on our final day of the last hiking expedition. We had literally bush-bashed for 19 hours to reach our destination at 2am. We re-awoke at 6am to start the last physical challenge – running 15.6km to the Tasman Sea. I’d never run 15.6km, nor did I ever think I would. My whole body was aching after the long day of walking from the day before but there wasn’t a moment in that 15.6km run that I even thought giving up was an option. I reached the sand, a flag was marking the finish line with a view of the water crashing. I ran through that flag and kept going. With each stride I took off my shoes and socks and I kept running till I reached that water. I jumped in and as I emerged I looked out and it was what I can only describe as a true moment of reflection.

I was overwhelmed with a sense of accomplishment. I had just travelled from the ACT to Victoria, I had just found nine amazing new friends, I had not yielded in the face of adversity, I had strived to conquer my challenges and I had served my community and myself with integrity along the way. I had just achieved something that very few people have the honour of saying they have achieved. I’d just completed Summit to Sea.

“After completing Summit to Sea, I’ve come back to my life unable to see negative. I’ve always been a half glass full type of person but like most, I’ve also had self doubt that has held me back from doing a lot of things. Now, my self doubt is gone and all I hold is excitement for my future both in a personal and work related sense.

Summit to Sea is hands down the best thing I have ever done. I came back feeling indescribably free. Free from my worries, free from my fears, reconnected with my values and found a true sense of self-belief within.”

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Ben Farinazzo, CEO of Outward Bound Australia says Summit to Sea is the flagship course for the Outward Bound, which has been providing challenging life experience for Australians for over 50 years.

"Outward Bound is designed to challenge people, get them to explore their personal boundaries and grow,” said Mr Farinazzo.

“We do this in some of the most stunning surroundings Australia has to offer.

“So often we hear tales of how an Outward Bound journey has had profound effects on a participant’s life, even decades after the course.”

For more information about Summit to Sea or Outward Bound’s shorter courses, visit www.outwardbound.org.au or Free Call 1800 267 999.

 

School Leaders scholarships available - Watch the video now

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After the success of the January WA School Leaders program, scholarships for up to 40 per cent off are now on offer for current and aspiring school leaders in Western Australia for the April school holidays program.

Outward Bound CEO Darren Black said the course is designed to develop the students’ skills and attributes when leading themselves and their teams to success.

“The program incorporates indoor theory and knowledge, which is then put into practice outdoors in an adventurous environment,” said Mr Black.

“Graduates are eligible for five WACE points and it’s an excellent opportunity for those interested in leadership to add sparkle to their CV.

“I personally invite all current and aspiring school leaders in the Western Australia, who have a desire to be challenged and be the best they can be, to apply for the April school holidays program.

“We’re offering 40 per cent scholarships but places are filling up fast, so get in touch with our Enrolments Mananger Eva Breidenbach for an application form - free call 1800 267 999 or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Visit the School Leaders website

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

EXCLUSIVE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM RELEASED IN WA

MEDIA ALERT

Monday 20th February, 2012

ATTENTION WA EMERGING LEADERS:
EXCLUSIVE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM RELEASED IN WA

A wilderness-based professional development program that has been developing the management skills of emerging leaders and building strong corporate teams on the east coast for over six years is now available to West Australian professionals, with an exclusive two-for-one offer for its West Australian release.

The Catalyst program, which has been a part of The Fletcher Group, Boral and Evans & Peck’s professional development programs, is being launched by not-for-profit experiential learning organisation Outward Bound and is designed for emerging leaders and graduates in corporations, government agencies and not-for profits in Western Australia.

The inaugural West Australian program is running April 19th to 25th and offers an opportunity for your staff to explore the concepts of effective leadership through high-impact wilderness activities such as rafting, hiking, high ropes and camping; as well as leadership concepts like the Leadership Wheel.

Bunbury based participant from The Laminex Group, Aaron Story, travelled across the country last year to attend Catalyst on the east-coast and speaks of the benefits the course has had on his professional development:

“We learnt how to get others motivated when it wasn’t a task that they would normally excel at. Positive reinforcement and the feeling that everyone was in it together and had the same goal was a huge motivation when it got real tough – this is something I have brought back with me to the office,” said Aaron.

“The activities and challenges we completed taught me how lines of communication can break down without the correct structure. Understanding this concept has helped me enormously when it comes to leading my team.”

If you want to empower your emerging leaders to inspire their own teams and realise what they are capable of, then don’t miss out on this exclusive two-for-one deal for your staff.

Standard Price: $2950

EXCLUSIVE OFFER FOR WEST AUSTRALIANS: 2 FOR PRICE OF 1 ($2950 for 2 participants)

Dates: 19th to 25th April, 2012

Location: Walpole Wilderness

Contact:

Eva Breidenbach
Free call 1800 267 999
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

To find out more, click here

   

Catalyst released in WA: Exclusive two-for-one offer

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Twelve emerging leaders from Western Australia will this now have the chance to gain insight into their management methods and leadership styles while navigating, rafting, camping and climbing through the Walpole Wilderness on a seven day professional development program being released exclusively to West Australians.

The Catalyst program, which is being launched by not-for-profit experiential education organisation Outward Bound Australia, has been running successfully on the east-coast for over 6 years and is this week being released in Western Australia with a two-for-one-exclusive deal for WA professionals.

Bunbury based participant from The Laminex Group, Aaron Story, who travelled across the country last year to attend Catalyst on the east-coast said the course has had enormous benefits to his professional development.

“Talk about stretching our comfort zones straight off the mark,” said Aaron.

“It was emotionally exhausting, yes, but the sheer toughness and mental strain made us so busy that the days flew by, which was good as we started at 6:00am in the morning and never finished until at least 9:00 or 10:00pm most nights - sleeping was not a problem.”

“The activities and challenges we completed taught me how lines of communication can break down without the correct structure. Understanding this concept has helped me enormously when it comes to leading my team,” said Aaron.

“We learnt how to get others motivated when it wasn’t a task that they would normally excel at. Positive reinforcement and the feeling that everyone was in it together and had the same goal was a huge motivation when it got real tough – this is something I have brought back with me to the office.”

Outward Bound CEO Darren Black said the program uses high-impact wilderness activities and experiential learning to explore the concepts of effective leadership.

“Catalyst develops the practical skills of leadership, increases staff productivity, builds long-lasting leaders and fosters strong team connections,” said Mr Black.

“Outward Bound Australia has a long history of developing the management skills of emerging leaders and building strong corporate teams through helping them realise their potential in an outdoor learning environment.

“We’ve worked with teams from companies on the east coast for over six years, including The Fletcher Group, Boral and Evans and Peck and are now excited to offer the program to emerging business leaders in Western Australia.”

The two-for-one offer is available for West Australian businesses, not-for-profits and government agencies to attend the April 19th-25th program. To find out more information contact Eva Breidenbach, Free call 1800 267 999 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

To read the article on Outward Bound's homepage, click here.

   

WA School Leaders unlock their leadership potential

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Outward Bound Australia has successfully initiated its new leadership offering for Western Australian students with the Inaugural School Leaders Program, held in Walpole, WA in late January 2012.

Leveraging from the success of Youth Navigator programs, the exclusive School Leaders program has been developed for current and aspiring school leaders in WA, aged 16 – 17, to fill the gap in leadership development opportunities that are more readily available to their east coast peers.

Five young current and aspiring school leaders from Rockingham, Armadale, Bunbury and Nannup attended the program over seven days, completing theoretical and wilderness based adventures to explore the concepts of effective leadership and help them transfer this into the classroom and become positive role models in their communities.

As well as this, the students walked away as a tight-knit team with 5 WACE points each for their graduate leaving certificates.

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Rockingham student Connor Warn, one of the five who completed the School Leaders program, said the course allowed him to grow as a person and overcome his fears.

“Outward Bound has definitely given me more confidence and motivation to do the things I want, as now I believe I can achieve anything,” Connor said.

“It was a tough course, but I loved every minute of it. I now have so much more confidence in my school work and in myself as a leader.”

Claire Peck, Outward Bound’s WA Partnership Manager, says the program is designed to help current and aspiring school leaders develop the skills and understanding to be the best leaders they can be and get a competitive edge on their peers.

“We are pleased to announce the program will be running again in April, based on the success of the Inaugural course,” Claire said.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity to prepare students for their final years of school and add that extra ‘sparkle’ to their CV  while earning 5 WACE points.”

“I encourage anyone who wants to be or currently is a prefect, sports captain or school leader of any sort to enrol in the course, it’s an opportunity you don’t want to miss.”

The next School Leaders program will be held from 10th – 16th April and 1st – 7th October. To secure your place or a place for your child or student, please contact:

Melissa Mak, WA Business Development Manager
ph: 0419 808 676
e: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

OR

Claire Peck, WA Partnerships Manager
ph: 0407 095 130
e:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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Upcoming Courses

Sat Jun 15 - Fri Jun 21
ACT Catalyst Leadership Development
Mon Jun 24 - Fri Jul 05
NSW Rainforest Navigator - ONLINE ENROLMENTS CLOSED: Please call 1800 267 999
Mon Sep 23 - Fri Oct 04
ACT Australian Alps Navigator
Mon Sep 23 - Fri Oct 04
NSW Rainforest Navigator
Mon Sep 23 - Sun Sep 29
VIC Snowy River Family
Mon Sep 23 - Fri Oct 04
VIC Snowy River Navigator
Mon Sep 30 - Sun Oct 06
ACT Australian Alps Family
Mon Sep 30 - Fri Oct 11
WA South West Navigator
Thu Oct 03 - Fri Oct 11
WA South West Family
Mon Oct 21 - Sun Oct 27
NSW Hawkesbury River Catalyst Leadership Development
Mon Jan 06 - Fri Jan 31
Summit to Sea 2014

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