The festive season has come and gone and the rhythm of 2019 is starting to take shape. Finding time to focus on my Churchill Fellowship is requiring more and more of a concentrated effort, but the appeal and motivation only continues to grow.
Since the last update... I’ve had the chance to spend some time in Victoria’s High Country, overall though, getting outdoors has presented it challenges with some of Adelaide’s hottest weather experienced. I’ve continued to meet with a diversity of stakeholders here in Australia and my itinerary is coming together ready to depart in June.
But there is still lots to do! I’ve reached out to 80 people and organisations who I hope to cross paths with during my travels. The finer details of my travel also need to start coming together.
The biggest challenge however is continuing to refocus my passion to align with my project, wary of being consumed by my overall general interest in how the outdoors can effect positive change in people’s lives.
Reflections on the Victorian High Country
For a number of years, I have ben eager to visit Victoria’s High Country during summer to experience what all the hype was about… and it didn’t disappoint.
Beyond the stunning landscapes, boutique cafes, flowing creeks, micro-breweries, and picturesque towns, there was an abundance of diverse trail for everyone, no matter ability, interest, age, skill or experience.
With all these elements mixed together, the High Country is not just a location, but a destination which activates and promotes outdoor recreational trails and all the benefits associated to a diversity of users.
The High Country creates a remarkable opportunity to engage more people, specifically young people, in community-focussed outdoor recreational activities.
The best outcome however is that the region has been considered and developed to specifically promote the social, physical and economic benefits of outdoor recreational trails.
During my time in the Victorian High Country, I had the chance to experience five key reflections:
Community is a choice, but it’s a choice that will continually reward. It was inspiring to see both locals and visitors making decisions opting to share in the outdoors. Bring surrounded and embraced by others who were seeking to enjoy the outdoors as much as me was a satisfying feeling. So many people come to the Victorian High Country, brought together for many reasons, and together we generate many outcomes.
Culture determines attitudes. Collectively, the Victorian High Country is a place that generates happiness because the people in the region are consciously seeking a positive experience. Locals and visitors aren’t naive however, and understand that they need to give a little, to get a little. Best still, they appreciate that outdoor recreation is a thing - on land and water and it’s there to be enjoyed for all the physical, emotional and social benefits.
Support for Trails, is supported. It’s not just a statement, an idea or a strategy. Right across the region, there is an comprehensive range of useful resources and information making trail engagement easy. This is backed up with an extensive level of services, amenities and car parking to further engage users. Private operators are also supporting trails through offering shuttle services increasing both accessibility and opportunities. There is an abundance of hospitality, none more so than cafes for when the body needs to rest and replenish after tiring stints of adventure (the bike racks were also noted). Lastly, there is a diversity of retailers to not only troubleshoot accidents and damages, but also inspire they next purchase.
The Victorian High Country also reminded me that when using trails, education is critical, but implementing practice is crucial. Whether it be for shared trails or single use tracks, signage can be provided, land authorities can offer information, decision makers will provide documentation and supporters can raise awareness. However, engaging in trail etiquette is the users commitment to make good decisions. Trail use requires individualised decisions undertaken with the wellbeing of the broader community in mind - back the system and accept what’s offered.
Engage young people in opportunities, even if they’re not asking for it. Because while they may not be asking, they will eventually respond to an experience that exceeds expectations and then they’ll appreciate the chance to maximise their participation. With a chance to grow an active community of young people, it gives potential to a thriving generational culture which has everyone excited. Young people through outdoor opportunities when surrounded by an empowering culture, have the chance to learn from others, to seek out role models they can look up to and recapture confidence, belief and a sense of identity from supporters of their adventures.
Conversations and Research Ongoing
Since my last update, I’ve been thoroughly grateful for the continued opportunities to meet and/or chat with many people, from different sectors. This includes government, representative bodies, trail builders, clubs, commercial operators and others who are in some way connected to the outdoor industry who have generously given of their time, opinions and perspectives.
The latest people I’ve been grateful to connect with include:
Alex Green - Outward Bound
Kain Gardner - Trailscapes
Danni Robson - TreeClimb
Rhys Taylor - Latitude
Melanie Sjoberg - Friends of Heysen Trail
Brett Simes - Department of Environment & Water
Shane Coppin and Denise Cox - Mountain Bike Australia
Damian McCrohan, Frank Kinnersley & Steve Kaye - Rail Trails Australia
Tim Savage - Australian Hiker
Craig Grocke - Regional Development Australia (Barossa, Gawler, Light, Adelaide Plains)
Have I had the chance to meet with you yet? If not - I'd love to!
I've also attended meetings including:
Adventurous Activities Standards Workshop - Adelaide, Jan 2019
I'm also grateful to have been mentioned in:
Itinerary Planning
With 3 months until I depart for my 8 week adventure, my itinerary is starting to come together. Here’s a snapshot to give you an idea of where I’ll be heading:
Fly: Adelaide to Wellington (New Zealand)
Drive: Wellington to Lake Taupo to Rotorua to Auckland
Fly: Auckland to Vancouver (Canada)
Drive: Vancouver to Whistler to Vancouver
Fly: Vancouver to Calgary
Drive: Calgary to Banff to Calgary
Fly: Calgary to San Francisco (United States of America)
Drive: San Francisco to Lake Tahoe to Yosemite National Park (NP)
Drive: Yosemite NP to Zion NP to Grand Canyon NP
Drive: Grand Canyon NP to Las Vegas
Fly: Las Vegas to Denver
Drive: Denver to Boulder to Denver
Fly: Denver to New York
Drive: New York to Niagara Falls to New York
Train: New York to Washington DC
Fly: Washington DC to London (United Kingdom)
Drive: London (England) to Brecon Beacons NP (Wales) to Fort William (Scotland)
Fly: Glasgow to Zurich (Switzerland)
Drive: Zurich to Lenzerheide to Zurich
Fly: Zurich to Adelaide
Now the hard work starts... I need to:
Lock in meetings with those I have started preliminary conversations with
Continue seeking out opportunities for meetings
Find accommodation options - mix of campgrounds and hotels
Organise visas and currency
Book hire cars, train rides, and other transport
Map out what attractions and points of interest I want to list
Got a travel recommendation, suggestion or advice for me? Would love to hear it!
Keen to get involved?
Right up until I depart, I’ll be looking to continue having conversations with anyone who feels that they or someone they know may have a question to pose, opinion to share or perspective to consider.
I’m especially excited to speak with anyone in roles of leadership or influence within the outdoors community to listen, learn and understand challenges, opportunities and/or strategies which you’re currently working through.
Furthermore, if you have any suggestions or recommendations of people and/or organisations who may in some way be connected to my Churchill Fellowship project that I might be able to connect with while overseas, I would love to hear from you.
I appreciate your interest in my Churchill Fellowship and look forward to sharing my next update prior to departure in June.