Programs

18 students sponsored by the Graham “Polly” Farmer Foundation have recently returned from an Outward Bound Course. The students are part of the Port Augusta Partnership for Success program which assists indigenous youth to reach their potential.

The students made the journey from Port Augusta in South Australia to National Base at Tharwa. They completed a seven day course on which they were taken out of their comfort zone and their limits tested.

The 18 students spent the week hiking, caving, abseiling and most importantly, working together.

The Polly Farmer Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation, established in 1995 to help improve opportunities for young Australians. The Foundation works with indigenous youth who have the capacity and desire to complete secondary education. To do this the Foundation establishes outside school support facilities, which give students the facilities and networks they need to achieve.

Read more: The Graham Polly Farmer Foundation Sponsors Students to Learn

In the first instance, Regional Partnerships begin when a community identifies problems or opportunities for young people, and that they want to provide solutions for their young people via greater educational opportunities in life. This involve the coming together of community champions who are motivated and willing to take a leadership role in promoting and coordinating programs at a local level.

Read more: How Regional Partnerships Work

This significant regional outdoor education initiative began in the Hunter Valley (NSW) with the Coal & Allied community partnership in 2000. It has expanded to include Central West NSW, Mildura/Suraysia (VIC), Northern NSW, Southern NSW, South East NSW, Mid-West WA and South Western Sydney.

With Regional Partnerships programs now well established, with over 2500 young people from regional communities participating, there now exists the opportunity to build on the success of the Solid Foundations program expanding into South East Queensland, Victoria and Western Australia, followed by South Australia, Tasmania and Northern Australia.

Read more: History of the Regional Partnership Program

Outward Bound is about building stronger communities by inspiring the new generation.

Outward Bound's combined schools regional community partnerships are a strategic initiative designed to foster growth in communities of regional Australia, and allows not only the youth of the area but the whole community to benefit from an Outward Bound program.

Outward Bound's Combined Schools program initiative began in 2003, linking communities and schools across the Upper and Lower Hunter Valley, with the support of the Coal & Allied Community Trust. Combined Schools programs have grown through Outward Bound Regional Community Partnerships to include Central West NSW, Mildura/Suraysia (VIC), Northern NSW, Southern NSW, South East NSW, Sydney, Newcastle/Central Coast (NSW), and WA.

Read more: Combined Schools Programs