I began with the idea of not working for OEG but Jungai, a hard top centre with a focus on cultural education.  For me that meant working in a space that shared indigenous culture and history in a positive and meaningful way, and at times life changing for young people.  I had no idea about OEG as a culture, and the spiritual, emotional, confidence building benefits outdoor education has on young minds. 

I have moved to the training department at OEG, and have taken a great amount of learning from my time at Jungai. My initial focus on the sharing of indigenous culture has expanded greatly.  For me the issues, politics, personalities, dynamics that can and do flow through OEG inspire and at times challenge me. OEG is full of people willing to think outside the box, passionate about education, young in mind if not in body, risk takers, capable, strong minded individuals who are not just sitting around waiting for the next pay cheque, but people who want to create change.  It feels like a community of inspired people, who are committed to a way of life and thinking that sets them apart from other organisations I’ve worked for.  I feel as if I am part of a wider community committed to instilling a sense of self into young people and also committed to working towards following their own passions.  It’s a really great dynamic place to be.

I work at OEG to enable our staff to be the best they can be, to grow in an environment that values difference, change and growth.  I choose to work in an organisation that is positive and focuses on the opportunities rather than the roadblocks.  I am a leader of people because I want to see young people have the experiences I had growing up.  I want our staff to feel and realise that they do make a positive difference and that they do this in a way that fosters a spirit of connection with their teams.  I want to ensure that we operate our business in a way that is never complacent and always values the welfare of our students and staff.  I want our people to feel that they have earned the right to work at OEG and with our young people.

I work at OEG to take students to places they may never otherwise see by a mode they may never use. To show them what is in their own back yards and that it is theirs to enjoy if they want it.

I work to push students’ comfort levels so they amaze themselves and their peers of their limits in which they might not have even yet started to explore. I work to show students the differences in everyone. That there is so much more to their mate than what they see, that they can trust each other when it really counts. To show that the classroom is not the only place to learn, and especially that struggling or failing in the classroom does not mean that you are struggling or failing in life. That they do not need their hand held for every step that they take. Most are at an age when they need to be learning to take gentle steps on their own, and reap the rewards for doing so.

For me the internal pleasure of leading a team, making an important decision on behalf of a group, and showing that life does not always need to be taken seriously is my reward. I aim to show students that making wrong decisions can be looked at positively as a learning decision.

The outdoors is an amazing place, that can be one of comfort and fun with endless places to explore, but only if you want it to be.