Australian Outward Bound Development Fund Appeal

What is this appeal for?

Outward Bound Australia (OBA), recognised as the leader in experiential outdoor education, is constantly striving to extend the availability of its programs to as many people as possible. The Australian Outward Bound Development Fund was established to provide financial assistance to individuals who are physically or intellectually disabled or who are disadvantaged, socially or financially.

Our program has great potential to work at the root cause of many of the social issues facing young Australians in geographically or socially disadvantaged regions of Australia. Please make a donation.

For example...

For example, many young Australians in geographically or socially disadvantaged regions of Australia face a future with high unemployment, limited opportunities and limited outlooks. In 2002 Outward Bound Australia commenced an initiative to engage with those communities most in need. Since then, through the Australian Outward Bound Development Fund, partnerships with regional communities in the Hunter Valley, Moree, Mildura and Campbelltown have allowed over 300 young Australians to participate in a personal development program they would otherwise not have been able to afford.

These programs serve as a catalyst for the community as well as a means of creating positive shared experiences across differing local cultural and economic sectors. Attending the program creates a sense of cohesion and morale for the youth of the region, leading in turn to increased local pride, interest, and commitment to its development: the program is thus directly linked to building social capital.

Current community strategies to address issues faced by rural youth are being affected by apathy and general low self-esteem of participants. There is no shortage of programs out in the community; the main shortage is in the drive from the young people to be involved in them. By addressing these root issues, OBA aims to encourage regional youth to get involved in other capacity building community initiatives.

There are no other large-scale personal development providers in the outdoors in the regions we are supporting. In regions where we have already delivered programs, the communities also support other initiatives aimed at developing and supporting the youth of the region. These share similar aims and intended outcomes but differ in method to OBA programs (i.e. outdoor, experientially based). The OBA programs support and accelerate the outcomes of these other local initiatives.

It is envisaged that the learning from this project will be widely distributed so that others may begin similar projects in their own way for regional Australia.

Key areas of expenditure for funds donated:

To provide people who have an intellectual or physical disability with developmentally challenging opportunities and experiences in a supportive learning environment.
To support community initiatives for fund-raising for disadvantaged youth to attend a personal development program.
The personal development programs consist of rural and remote area journey-based experiences focusing on personal and group challenges, including activities such as bushwalking, challenge ropes courses, climbing and abseiling, camp craft, reflection and solo, communication, problem solving, and leadership development roles.

Is this appeal tax deductible? Yes

Will I receive a receipt for my donation? Yes, automatically sent to you by email when approved.

There are many ways to donate - select your donation method below

Donate Online

Help to support your community by donating to a community group through our secure online donations service. Donating online ensures 100% of your donation reaches the group of your choice (less 1.228% credit card fee for Visa and Mastercard / less 1.43% card fee for AMEX). Our Community takes no commission or fee for this service.

Donate by Phone

Call 02 6235 5700 and have your credit card details on hand to donate over the phone.

Donate by Fax

Download printable donation form and fax to: 02 6237 5224

Donate by Mail

Download a printable donation form to send through the post to:
Outward Bound Australia
Naas Road
THARWA ACT 2620

Leave a Bequest

Leave a Bequest to Outward Bound Australia in your will. Click here for further information.

Contact details for this appeal:
Mr Nic Porter
Director of Finance
Telephone: 02 6235 5700
Website: www.outwardbound.org.au

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