History of the Hunter Youth Leadership Initiative

The Hunter Youth Leadership began in the Upper Hunter in 2000, with individual scholarships to public Outward Bound programs. Since then, over 1000 young people from the Greater Hunter / Newcastle / Central Coast region have participated in life-changing Outward Bound Outdooer Education character development programs.

In response to community needs and schools advocacy, in July 2003, 50 Year-9 students from Upper Hunter Secondary Schools (Scone, Merriwa, Muswellbrook, Aberdeen, Singleton) participated in the first Foundations course: a 7-day wilderness journey through Toonumbar National Park, near Kyogle, Northern NSW. This was a fantastic first-time program in a new operational area.

Based on wonderful feedback from students, teachers and parents, and growing local demand, the Hunter Community Committee invited a further 8 schools from the Lower Hunter (Rutherford, Maitland, Cessnock, Beresfield and Kurri Kurri communities) to join them. So, in 2004, another 66 Upper Hunter and a further 66 Lower Hunter Yr 9 students became Foundations Outward Bound alumni.

In 2005, another 128 Upper and Lower Hunter students came together for the Foundations Program and an Outward Bound reunion and community service day was held in Singleton, in partnership with Singleton Council, Conservation Volunteers, APEX, PCYC, Coal and Allied and Liddell Mine... to celebrate ongoing character and community development. 2006 saw another 128 Foundations students participating, with growing energy and enthusiasm for this very special opportunity.

Particular thanks must go to the Coal and Allied Community Trust, who has supported the development of this Hunter initiative since 2000, and has committed to be major sponsor for the Hunter Foundations program for 2006-2008. We are very proud to be partnering with communities and businesses passionate about developing their youth. The key is to use this opportunity proactively to create a sustainable initiative within each school.

After the first Foundations program in 2004, St Josephs Aberdeen school executive and P&C rigorously reviewed the program and its outcomes, and took the decision to build Outward Bound into their school culture. An integrated Outdoor Education curriculum program was designed to mark a positive right of passage (or transition) into senior school and into young adult responsibilities; to encourage self-discovery and to develop initiative and leadership. 76 St Josephs students attended in 2004, 88 in 2005, and 2006 saw enrolments reach 100 students from St Josephs to 'develop their potential' at Outward Bound's National Base in Tharwa, ACT.

2006 saw a number of firsts for the Regional Program with enrolments reaching record levels and schools from as far as Newcastle and the Central Coast expressing interest in the program. The Aspiring Leaders and Foundation programs were secured for the next three yeats with the signing of Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation and the resigning of Coal and Allied Community Trust as program partners.

In 2008 150 Scholarships are available for years 9, 10 & 11 students from Schools in the Hunter, Newcastle and Central Coast Regions. Students are encouraged to apply for positions as soon as possible as places are limited.

Application Forms

Year 9 Foundations - 24th - 30th June 2008 - Kippara State Forest

Year 10/11 Aspiring Leaders - 6th - 12th July 2008 - Kippara State Forest

Many schools are looking at their own outdoor education, leadership and retreat programs, and have invited Outward Bound to partner with them. If you would like more information or referees for Outward Bound's schools, public or corporate programs, please contact us.