OEA Announces renewed Partner Support for organisation and Australian Outdoor Education.

Outdoor Education Australia (OEA) at its biennial conference, NOEC 2018, held in Hobart from 9 -12 April, announced and thanked three outdoor equipment providers for their significant and ongoing support of OEA.

Western Australia-based Wilderness Equipment (WE) formalised its long-running association with OEA in October 2015 as an inaugural Foundation Partner for a 2 year period. In late 2017 WE renewed their commitment for a further 2 years through to the end of 2019. This commitment also included financial and other support for the National Outdoor Education Conference (NOEC).

Also renewing their association with OEA was New Zealand-based Macpac through their OEA Supporter agreement. Joining Macpac, as a new OEA Supporter for the 2018-19 period was Sydney-based Paddy Pallin.

Partner Support Highly Appreciated

In announcing the support of these 3 organisations, OEA Chairperson, Peter McKenna, said OEA was grateful and appreciative of the three organisations financial support but more broadly for their support and recognition of the value of Outdoor Education, particularly within primary and secondary schools across Australia.

“Many within the industry recognise the immense value of outdoor education and experiential learning in the personal development of our young people, however Outdoor Education has to compete with other priorities within schools’ and education department budgets,” noted Peter.

“As an organisational body which comprises state and territory bodies, we have to continue to advocate for Outdoor Education programs and foster and support the people who deliver those programs.

“The support of Wilderness Equipment, Macpac and Paddy Pallin, help us to maintain a higher profile and digital platforms to advance this cause and develop and support the Australian outdoor education community,” he said.