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.