Walpole Weekly - Town of Walpole

Walpole's Outward
Bound comes out tops
OUTWARD Bound
Australia’s WA team,
based in Walpole, has been
judged tops in the state in
outdoor expedition.
At the inaugural WA
Outdoor Recreation
Industry Awards held in
Perth recently, they
were awarded Best
Expedition into the
Outdoors by a Group
for their Navigator
program.
The Navigator program
aims to provide young
people aged 15-18 the
opportunity to discover,
develop and achieve their
potential as they transition
into adulthood.
By stepping into the
Walpole wilderness for 12
days, without the distractions
of their everyday lives,
participants can take a
closer look at who they
really are and who they
want to be — as well as
have a shared experience
and a fun-filled adventure!
With ample opportunities
to practice leadership, goal
setting, teamwork,
communication, planning
and problem-solving skills,
participants develop
strategies and behaviours
to support them through
the challenges they may
face in the future.
Damon Croke, Outward
Bound’s team manager
WA, said: “The award is a
solid pat on the back to the
staff who dedicate
themselves to the goal of
helping others achieve
more than they know they
are capable of.”
In addition to Navigator,
Outward Bound runs a
variety of school programs
varying from 5-10 days in
the bush, as well as a oneof-a-kind
family program.
This sees fathers and
daughters, mothers and
sons create lasting
memories together and
gaining new insights into
one another through
Damon Croke, left, Outward
Bound’s team manager based
in Walpole, receives the
award in Perth from Tom
Shackles.
adventure and never-to-berepeated
moments.
All the programs take
place in the Walpole-
Nornalup and
D’Entrecasteaux national
parks.
Damon said: “Outward
Bound is proud to have
been providing unique
wilderness experiences out
of Walpole since 1987.
“You might have spotted
us paddling against the
wind across the inlet or
hiking somewhere out in
the parks.
“We are happy to
announce that Walpole
now has some permanent
OB residents. Damon
Croke (team manager) and
Claire Peck (program
development and
coordinator) have moved
to town, and are excited to
bring OB out of the bush
and back into the
community. Stay tuned for
upcoming events!”
Outward Bound is a nonfor-profit
values-based
organisation providing
accessible programs to all
Australians.
“Without the generosity
and commitment of local
businesses, land owners
and DEC in the Walpole
community, we could not
have achieved our success
or supported so many
young people,” Damon
said.
“Thank you all.”
For more information,
contact Outward Bound
Australia's WA office on
9322 1277 or visit
www.outwardbound.org.au
Walpole Weekly May 18, 2011 — 5