My name is John Bicknell and I attended the first OB course in Australia, held at Narrabeen National Fitness Camp in 1956. By way of a much abbreviated background, I was born in England on 4 June 1939 and lived in Essex about five miles from the east coast during the Second World War.

My early life was one of intense hardship and negative events that are the subject of a book I have written, involving most significantly, placement in a Dr Barrnardo's home in England and then in Australia.

A sponsorship from Atlas Cop-co in 1956, to undertake the inaugural Outward Bound Course held in Australia, changed my life forever, as my eyes were opened as to what could be achieved, treasured and passed on. I emerged a new person with a whole new outlook on life  I went on to complete my year 11 Leaving Certificate in 1957 having been elected School Captain for that year and left Barnardo's after 12 years of incarceration in that institute.

It is worth noting that of over one thousand boys who attended Barnardo's at Picton only about six were allowed to complete the Leaving Certificate.

My painful and challenging past life experiences have made me deeply empathetic to young people and I continue to exercise that empathy to give them a better start than I had. I am now in my 5th year of mentoring Picton High School students.

I am forever indebted to the teachers and staff of Outward Bound for shaping my life both back then and now. If sufficient interest can be engendered with the local population, combined with the co-operation of Tahmoor Lions club and Outward Bound Australia, we will be sending Picton High School students on a regular basis to Outward Bound courses in the future.

-John Bicknell