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Word of mouth can have a powerful impact, especially when people speak from their heart. The following stories about Outward Bound experiences, told by three separate people, pay testament to the ability to reach out and change the life of individuals through the power of story telling:

Outward Bound Alumni member and AMP Retirees Association member Brian East recently invited Outward Bound CEO Darren Black to speak at a quarterly Association meeting. Brian chose Darren based on his own personal experiences with Outward Bound, having been selected for an Outward Bound course in 1984 and experiencing a life-changing journey.

“Before I went on the Outward Bound course, I was offered a very challenging position with AMP, one that I had rejected on several occasions as I didn’t think I could do the job. After the course, having gained a new confidence instilled in me by my OB experiences, I accepted the new job, which I stayed in for 15 years with great success and lead me to my current role as a practicing Financial Planner, running my own business in Cronulla.

It is without question that if not for Outward Bound, I would not be where I am today. I have stayed connected with OB over the years and decided the AMP meeting was the perfect opportunity to share Outward Bound with my fellow members. I believe Outward Bound is the best personal development organisation in Australia bar none!”

- Brian East, Outward Bound Alumni & AMP Retirees Association Member

At the AMP meeting, Outward Bound Australia CEO Darren Black spoke about Outward Bound and its potential to help youth and adults realise they are capable of more than they think. His words were powerful and had a profound impact on one Association Member in particular, Les Gill. Les went on to sponsor his 15 year old granddaughter, Rebecca, to participate in Outward Bound’s Youth Navigator program and was astounded at the positive change in Rebecca’s attitude when she returned from the course. Rebecca and Les now have a great relationship.

“My wife and I have eight grandchildren between us ranging in ages from 12 to 22 years of age. I became motivated to find out more about Outward Bound and how it can positively influence teenagers after Darren spoke to us at the AMP Retirees Association meeting because I’m very aware of what an important and difficult time of life this can be, not only for grandchildren themselves but also for parents and grandparents like us.

My thoughts were, what a gift we could give to our grandchildren, so I followed through after the Outward Bound presentation and discovered to my delight that there was just one vacancy on the 12-day Youth Navigator course.

Nothing could have prepared me for the wonderful and inspiring stories Rebecca and I shared on our five hour return journey home after her Outward Bound course. I was quite honestly moved to tears on hearing of the wonderful growth and learning Rebecca had received. She told me:

“Granddad, I hated it at first. My legs hurt, my back hurt, I hated what I was wearing.  I threw a huge dummy spit and wanted to go home. But after four days of negativity and emotion, I realised that the people around me were all going through the same thing and that they actually cared about me. I realised how much parents and grandparents do for their children and how much we take advantage of them. I realised that life is what you make it. I learnt that I can take ownership of my life.”

We are currently preparing to send our other grandchildren on Outward Bound courses; the rewards are immeasurable.”

- Les Gill, AMP Retirees Association Member

Les, Rebecca and Brian’s stories pay testament to the power of sharing experiences; a chain of events that began in 1984, when Brian was chosen for an Outward Bound course, has allowed young Rebecca, 17 years later, to experience a journey that has changed her life, positively impacting her entire family.

As an Outward Bound Alumni member, we invite you too, to take the opportunity to empower your staff and colleagues with the knowledge of Outward Bound’s life-changing experiences.  To arrange an Outward Bound guest speaker to visit your organisation please contact Lucas Gamble, phone 1800 267 999 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

For thirty-five young students from regional Australia, a week with Outward Bound meant much more than a chance to develop individual potential - it meant an opportunity build their local town into a strong, thriving community.

The students from local public and catholic schools in the western NSW town of Cowra recently spent seven days with Outward Bound in ACT’s Namadgi National Park as part of the Regional Community Partnerships program, which aims to build stronger communities in marginalised areas by inspiring the local youth. The program is made possible only by generous donations to the Outward Bound Development Fund from organisations and individuals who are determined to see rural and regional students gain access to the same learning opportunities as their peers in the city.

Outward Bound CEO Darren Black said this partnership with local communities, schools and sponsors has enormous potential to work at the root cause of many of our most problematic social issues.

“By exposing young people growing up in rural or marginalised areas to the critical life skills learned on an Outward Bound course, they’re given the opportunity to strengthen their perceptions of the world, despite the influence of a sometimes negative society,” Mr Black said.

“It means these young people can harness their leadership potential and become role-models in their community, inspiring a trend that see’s small communities thrive.”

The Regional Community Partnerships program is based on an initiative that introduced the “circle of giving” by assisting another in similar need. Participants are encouraged to raise a portion of the course cost themselves, which is then channelled directly back into Outward Bound and allows AOBDF to contribute to others’ scholarships.

Cowra’s St Raphael’s High School student Ben Wilkinson, 14, said the course gave him the chance to gain discipline he never would have had the opportunity to develop without Outward Bound.

“The most challenging aspect of the course was having to be with 17 totally different people for a whole week,” Ben said.

“Learning to deal with and tolerate other people was difficult, but with perseverance I overcame it and learnt to harness this frustration and use it to lead the group with enthusiasm.”

Bianca Riggio, 15, also from St Raphael’s, said the course taught her the importance of respecting her parents, teachers and local community members.

“Outward Bound taught me to pay more attention to others’ needs and has inspired me contribute more both at home and at school,” said Bianca.

Cowra High School and St Raphael’s High School have been engaged in the Community Partnership program since 2005 and were able to attend this year’s program thanks to a generous last-minute donation to the Australian Outward Bound Development Fund from the Danks Trust.

If you would like to contribute to the future of the Cowra Community’s Outward Bound program, or donate towards a program for a regional school in another area, please contact AODBF Officer Susan Sharf:

Phone (02) 6235 5754, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Or you can make a direct donation at
www.outwardbound.org.au/community/donate-now

Bravery is just one quality that describes young local student Jonah Amberose from Mullumbimby, who has not only just completed a challenging twelve-day personal development journey in the Australian wilderness, but also stood up to speak about his experience in front of his local Lions Club.

Jonah is the first participant to be sponsored by a Q1 District Lions Club and one of five students who joined the course as part of a Community Partnership Program between Outward Bound and local Lions Clubs around Australia, aiming to help local youth discover and achieve their potential and become positive leaders in their communities.

The wilderness adventure, held in the ACT’s Namadgi National Park, teaches students valuable life lessons about perseverance and leadership through challenges that test their resilience including abseiling, trekking, rock-climbing and learning how to be self-sufficient.

Jonah was selected by the Lions Club of Brunswick-Mullumbimby to attend the course and said the course was not only physically challenging, but also emotionally and psychologically challenging every day.

“The hiking and steep climbs were tough, but the teamwork, leadership and planning skills the group learnt during the course helped us push through every challenge we faced,” Jonah said.

“The highlight was the solo time, which gave me time to reflect on my experiences and plan for my future.

“What I got out of Outward Bound will help me in the future with communication and many life skills.”

Jonah’s plans to apply for an Internship with Outward Bound next year to train as an Outdoor Recreation Instructor pays testament to the impact the course has had upon him.

He also showcased his newly acquired confidence at a recent Q1 District Lions Convention when he stood up in front of community members to speak about his Outward Bound experience and challenges they overcame.

Lions District Govenor of the Q1 area Lorraine Mackenzie said it was awe inspiring to see and hear from a youth who has grown so much in confidence from attending an Outward Bound course.

“Jonah has changed his life around from attending this course and we as Lions know that he has benefitted from this experience,” Ms Mackenzie said.

“Lions from all over Australia are working hard to build up self esteem in all our youth and Jonah from attending this course has been given a real chance at this.

District 201Q1 Lions Clubs, which include communities from south of the Brisbane River in the north, Ballina in the South and westward to St George are, in partnership with Outward Bound, in the throes of recruiting more young Australians who seek sponsorship to a similar course to be held near Uki, NSW in early January. District Chairman for the Project Tony Cornell of the Brunswick-Mulumbimby Lions Club said following the outstanding success of the first sponsorship with Jonah, many Clubs have expressed interest in the scheme.

“We would love to hear from local young people who are interested in participating in the Outward Bound course, Tony said.

“Positions are limited and we are looking to conclude arrangements in the next couple of weeks, so if it’s something you’d like to do, please get in touch with us.”

If you or anyone you know is interested in being sponsored by Lions to attend the Outward Bound course, email Tony Cornell at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or telephone 02 6680 2011.

Seventy two Albury High School students have returned from a seven day wilderness adventure with valuable life lessons about perseverance and leadership as part of a continuing program with Outward Bound Australia.

The Year Eight students left their mobiles, iPods, makeup and other creature comforts back at home in Albury and put their resilience to the test with a range of physical, social and mental challenges aimed to take them out of their comfort zones in the bush surroundings of ACT’s Namadgi National Park.

The course offers a personal challenge to the students of their perceived limits and encourages them to push against the ‘easy way out’ through challenges such as abseiling, rock-climbing, hiking and learning how to become self-sufficient.  The concept of leadership was also introduced to the Year 8’s through navigation challenges where the students take turns navigating teams through the national park, learning to communicate with each other and increase their tolerance of others.

Student Darcy Larkin said the course has been a life changing experience.

“Outward Bound has helped me become more independent, fitter and healthier,” Darcy said.

“Everyone was so supportive and we made a great team.”

Michael Heran, another student who participated in the course, said the week with Outward Bound was hard but taught him some important life skills.

“It was an amazing experience that taught me the limits of myself and how to be independent,” Michael said.

The Annual Albury High School Outward Bound course has become a rite of passage for the Year 8 students and, now in its eighth year, has been part of the school’s curriculum since 2004.

To ensure the students are given equal opportunity to attend the course, The Australian Outward Bound Development Fund offers support and funds to Albury High School and relies on the generous donations from members of the public.

Year 8 teacher Melissa Albert said the course is an important part of the student’s personal development and hopes to be able to continue on with the program.

“It’s a rewarding and positive experience for the students which allows them to develop both physically and personally”

Outward Bound CEO Darren Black believes outdoor adventures are crucial for the development of young Australians so they can discover, develop and achieve their potential.

“The course stretches students mentally and physically, but the challenge helps them grow,” Mr Black said.

“They learn to work together and draw strength from each other to succeed, developing the most positive elements of the human character consistent with our core values of integrity, responsibility, resilience, compassion, service and human potential.”

If you would like to assist the continuation of the Albury High School Outward Bound Program and help give next year’s Year 8 students the opportunity to participate in this life-changing course, please contact the Australian Outward Bound Development Fund on 1800 267 999 or email Susan Scharf: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it