Bindaree News archive

Happy New Year

Jan 06, 2010

Well a very happy New Year to all!

2010 promises to be full of fun and frivolity in the Bindaree camp throughout the coming year.  Regardless of your situation, inclination or group we have activities and programs to suit all interests and abilities.

Each Saturday we have our hire department on the banks of the Yarra River at Warrandyte ready to loan you a canoe to see the beautiful reaches of the upper Yarra.  Not so confident, book in with a guide to assist you on your journey.

Looking for a little more adventure?  Then how about joining us for a day of White Water Rafting on one of the Eastern Vicotria rivers.

Bike riding more your style?  Then let us show you some wonderful mountain bike trails or lead you along some of the spectacular bike paths Melbourne has to offer.  Happy to send yourself then just hire one of our bike fleet and explore in your own time.

Bindaree looks forward to being part of your adventure in 2010

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Bookings for 2010

Oct 14, 2009

It is amazing that the year roles around so fast, but we are at that stage again where 2010 dates are filling fast for Bindaree Outdoors and the school groups that it supports.  Numerous schools have already booked in their semester one programs but there are still dates available, especially early in term one.  So if you are keen to get a camp up and running early in the New Year, drop us a line and we will see what we can do for you.  There are some good incentives to fill our quiet weeks in February and late May.  Drop us a line frazer@bindaree.com

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Severe Weather Warnings for 2009 / 2010

Aug 26, 2009

As we saw earlier in the year, severe weather can have a major impact on outdoor programs within Victoria.  This term relates to more than just the risk of fire within our National Parks but can be linked to extreme cold, wind, storms and excessive heat.  We should prepare for more of these warnings during the remainder of this year and into the future. 

The Department of Education has the power to decree that a severe weather day is in effect which means that schools should not conduct excursions or camps during this time.  For single day excursions this causes a minor glitch in a days activity that may be able to be postponed to a more appropriate day.  If however the day is declared during the week for a program of multiple days, it causes some interesting logistical issues with a group already in the field.  Evacuating the group from its current location to one considered safer is a progression that is already adopted, often before the decree is given from the Department of Education.

All outdoor providers should have in place a system for constantly evaluating the on coming weather and be in a position to remove groups from possible hazardous areas well before the on set of severe weather.  As an industry we spend our careers managing risk in the outdoors and the number one objective is the safety of the students and staff that we are leading into the great outdoors.

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Sequential outdoor educational programming in 2010 & beyond

Jul 27, 2009

As we enter the second half of 2009 it is time to begin to think about your programs for 2010.  It is important that in outdoor education there is a progression of skills to allow students to gain the most from each program they encounter.  To do this sequential programs need to be put in place with an understanding of the progression of skills they need to attain to reach the final program outcomes.

 

Bindaree outdoors is able to assist you with this progression planning with suggestions on a sequential program to suit each individual group.  Now is the time to be booking for 2010 to ensure your preferred dates and locations are still available.

 

Contact us to see how Bindaree can assist your organisation achieve all of its outdoor goals within your budget.  outdoors@bindaree.com or 9720 9896

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Help Marysville Recover - Cross Country Skiing at Lake Mountain this season

Jun 12, 2009

A Rare Opportunity For Your Students & The People Of Marysville.

  

Following the devastating Black Saturday fires, the people of Marysville and nearby Lake Mountain, are keen to rebuild their lives and their town.  They don't want charity - they want business to return so that they can put their lives back together along with their families and community.  

 

With the summer heat now passed and a winter season approaching, Lake Mountain will soon come alive with a new snow season.  Hence the Rare Opportunity !  Please consider building into your curriculum in 2009 and perhaps for years to come, a day trip to Marysville and Lake Mountain.  Such an excursion would introduce your students to a snow environment, provide the excitement and challenge of cross country skiing, whilst aiding the people and community of Marysville.

 

For many of your students, this may be their first opportunity to see and experience a snow environment.  But this year, there will be a difference.  Students will be able to experience first hand the aftermath of the fires, the rebuilding and determination of a town, witness the rebirth of the forest and the striking contrast between the pure white snow scape and the blackened forest.  This will provide a unique experience - one that we hope will never be seen again.

 

The people of Marysville rely heavily on Lake Mountain to bring business into their town during winter in a normal year.  2009 is not a normal year.  For the past twenty years, Marysville has supported Bindaree, it is now our turn to support Marysville.  Bindaree Outdoors has therefore put together a 'Snow & Ski' package designed to use as many local business' as possible and so return business and self reliance to the town.  For 2009, Lake Mountain has gained new snow making machines that will provide consistent snow levels throughout the winter season.

 

As most accommodation in the area no longer exists this 'Snow & Ski' package will focus on a 1 day excursion to and from Melbourne.   This package includes school based pick up & return, mini bus or coach transport (depending on group size), mountain entry and trail fees, ski hire, protective clothing hire, ski lesson and group skiing following lesson.  Your students only require suitable clothing, lunch and snacks (recommended list provided).  As a school, you will need to provide one staff member per twelve (12) students to aid in supervision ratios.

 

Bindaree Outdoors have run ski programs (15 - 100 students) in the area for 20 years and are keen to assist the local community by bringing business back to the region. As a company, we specialise in school based programs.   You can find out more about us by visiting the remainer of our website.  Feel free to contact us to discover more about this 'Snow & Ski' package and costs.

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Wilson Promotory re-opens in part

Apr 06, 2009

Parks Victoria have announced the re-opening of parts of the Wilsons Promontaory National Park for the Easter holidays.  Check out the link below for all of the up to date information. 

http://www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/1park_display.cfm?park=217

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Victorian Bushfires and Program Changes

Mar 09, 2009

The Victorian bushfires have had a devastating effect on many of the natural environments, providers and towns that are central to many outdoor education programs in Victoria.  The damage to towns, business and residents of these areas can not be put into words and the flow on effect to many Victorian business' is immeasurable.

Bindaree has held discussions with all client schools for semester one to ensure that programs due to be run in affected areas could be altered or postponed to provide the same educational outcomes as were planned for the original programs.  With student, client staff and Bindaree staff safety at the forefront of all decisions it is important that we still support these communities to get back on their feet and provide the foundation for rebuilding and growth.

It is important that we all look to the future and the optimum times to be running programs in various locations and environments.  Bindaree will be working closely with school co-ordinators, executives and boards to find the optimum dates for programs in 2010 and beyond....

 

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VOEA Conference Dates Announced

Feb 20, 2009

The VOEA has announced the dates for the 2009 conference.  They are the 28th and 29th May 2009.  Click on the link below for all of the details.

http://www.voea.vic.edu.au/conferences/2009/index.html

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Staff Shuffle at Bindaree HQ

Feb 26, 2009

There are some familiar faces taking over new roles in 2009 within the Bindaree office.

Jarrad Laird will be working part time as Operations Assistant, so as to spend more time with his young family.  He will be back on deck full time in October.

Taking over operations for the interim will be Warren (Sheepy) Sanders who steps up from a Program Manager and Training role within the company.  We wish Warren all the best with this logistics position for this year.

Monica Adriaans is also on the move and has stepped into the vacated Program Manager role left by Warren.  Monica spent part of last year in the field and will now take on a more senior role on regular occasions.

As always, you can contact any of the staff on the office line (03 9720 9896) and we look forward to serving you again in 2009!

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Bindaree Site Goes Live!

Mar 08, 2009

Bindaree is excited to launch its new look website to assist in all of your outdoor needs.  The new site enables you to find hire items and prices to assist in your next adventure, or let us take care of all of the details with one of our adventure packages.  Thinking of a school camp, then browse our sample programs which will help unify your ideas to suit your students.

Following your selection, contact us for help designing the program to suit your needs and budget.

We look forward to seeing you in the outdoors soon......

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