Testimonials

Most sporting teams only know each other by what happens on the training and playing field. It is rare that they get an opportunity to bond beyond that relatively superficial level. It’s my belief that if you are able to create an open relationship throughout the team where you know what makes your teammate tick, you create the ‘X-factor’.

Our week with Outward Bound was very successful in stripping players and staff back to their bare essentials and allowing them to be honest with the group and with themselves.

There were a number of tasks that challenged people both emotionally and physically but the end result was an extremely positive one that featured a tremendous sense of satisfaction and achievement.

The goal at the beginning of the week was to get everyone involved in the team to learn more about each other and themselves and I don’t think there’d be one person within the group who’d dispute that outcome of our Outward Bound experience.
Andy Friend, CA Brumbies Head Coach

A number of us had done the army-style boot camps in the past but hadn’t experienced a team building experience like this.

There were a range of exercises from the ropes course and abseil, hiking, the values journey and solo night that pushed us mentally, physically and emotionally and looked to take us beyond our comfort zones.

The camp was a great way of putting everyone on the same level and I don’t think any of us were prepared for the bonding effect we experienced over the five days.

There’s no question that we were a tighter unit after the camp and it’s funny how often we still refer to stories from our Outward Bound experience even now.
Stephen Hoiles, CA Brumbies Captain

For the week of the 25th August I was the Boral facilitator on the Outward Bound Leadership Experience (OBLE). The program was attended by 14 Boral Managers from around Australia and was conducted at the OBA Base Camp at Tharwa.

Having worked for a few multinationals who would pride themselves on their development programs - and having been a participant on many programs - I would have to say that the OBLE program is one of the best I have been involved in. I admit that I am biased and passionate about this style of learning - however if we are looking to deliver a sustained lifestyle change in a Manager - this has to be the environment in which to do.All participants were taken out of the 'comfort zone' at one point or other - physically emotionally and intellectually. The OBA leaders however always provided a safe supportive and reflective environment to maximise learning and sharing.

All participants were suitably 'charged up' by the end of the program. Our final debrief reminded them that their challenge would be to reflect and maintain at least one or two personal changes that would improve themselves, their family and their workspace.

The OBA Leaders Peta, Roman, Aimee, Gabe and Mikey where professional and fun throughout the program.It was great to be the 'fly on the wall' facilitator and to offer sagely advice when needed. Thanks for the opportunity!
David Proud, Boral Facilitator

I recently went on the Outward Bound Leadership program. Personally for me to be able to experience the program with a diverse group of people, being outside of my comfort zone and pushing myself mentally and physically has left me with a completely different outlook on ‘life’. Not to get too sentimental, but honestly it was an experience that I never thought could have had such a huge impact on myself and I believe others. Also, to go through this at my age/stage in life it definitely feels like a privilege. I’m now the biggest Outward Bound advocator.

Priscilla Manio, Boral Participant

Outward Bound's leadership programs take people outside their comfort zone, require people to be courageous and to consider unusual situations and make decisions. The Outward Bound Leadership Experience has played an important part in Boral's overall process for over five years, with two programs per year. To date over 120 Boral leaders have grown through their exposure to Outward Bound.

Michael Craner - General Manager Learning and Organisational Development, Boral Ltd.

Outward Bound’s Catalyst Program is a life-changing experience to say the least. Every member of my group was privileged to have been able to take away so many learnings and apply them in our daily lives from just one short week. I believe the unique blend of theoretical, experiential and real-life scenario teachings, together with a balance between team-oriented and self-guided activities have greatly increased our awareness towards our personal behaviours and how we interact with other people in our worlds.

Victor Lee, Project Logistics Manager, Mettle Group

The course was heavily focused on practical ways to transfer the learnings back to the home and workplace. I believe that this course is well targeted to a wide range of people and roles from the Supervisor looking to move to a Management position all the way to Managers already at a senior level. All would benefit from this style of leadership training.

Andrew McLean, Stramit Building Products

I firmly believe that this course is one of the most valuable leadership learning experiences I have undertaken. In summary, I believe my participation in the Catalyst program has given me benefits and new skills which would not be possible though any other type of training. This course is unique in the way it is delivered and I personally found it a great learning experience.

The difference between a regular training session and the Outward Bound course is that people can study management techniques for years and not to be able to use them in the practice. The participants of Outward Bound courses are challenged in an emotional and mental way in order to be able to use such techniques in a natural and conscious way at the end of each training session.

Many studies promoted by the mass media talk about the importance of individuals in the organizations. However there is a gap between the theory and the practise; Outward Bound is like a bridge over this gap. The course participants are provided with techniques they are comfortable to use after returning home, which make them capable to create an environment where the misery of unimportance is unknown.
Josh Smolenears, The Laminex Group

We have found that Outward Bound provide a high level of service from conception to outcome. Without exception, the feedback from 12 years of course participants has been very encouraging. As a result, I am happy to recommend Outward Bound Australia as an organisation that has demonstrated its effectiveness to CFA, in developing both team performance and leadership skills.Len Foster- Chairman, Country Fire AuthorityThe experience has been a great benefit and I recommend it to anyone who wants to improve their leadership capabilities, including my own work teams and emerging leaders across Coal and Allied. This should be a formal part of staff development training. Understanding your strengths and weaknesses as a leader.

Tim Veness, Mine Geologist - Rio Tinto Coal and Allied