Australian Lions Clubs

History: 
Outward Bound has been involved in informal partnerships with Service Clubs and other Community organisations for over 20 years. Our more formalised Community Partnership Project of recent years has Australian Lions Clubs as an integral part, with the potential to become the major player. 

Always on the lookout for suitable partners with similar philosophical aims and where genuine energy is evident, Outward Bound has found the most natural of partners in Lions Clubs. We are kindred organisations in every sense in that we are both independent, altruistic in purpose, totally values driven and part of an international family committed to making the world a better place. We are continually proving that together we can make a genuine difference! 

Over 15 years ago, trail blazers Nowra Lions (N2 District) sponsored a couple of youngsters on an Outward Bound Navigator Course and every year since have provided an annual group of varying size, dependent on the funds raised from their dedicated fundraiser and outstanding support from individuals, licenced clubs, schools and local sponsors. A recent review of Nowra Navigator numbers revealed a staggering total of 88 sponsored participants and all concerned continue to be thrilled with the results. In recent years every Club in Zone 3 has joined in and more N2 District Clubs have followed their lead, swelling sponsored participant numbers to over 100. An outstanding achievement! A total of 10 Clubs from W1 and W2 Districts in WA have no participated or indicated an intention to join the project.

Which Lions Clubs are Outward Bound Partners?
As of June 2010 ten clubs from N2 District (south/eastern NSW) were involved - Nowra, Bomaderry, Gerringong, Minnamurra, Ulladulla, Kiama, Tathra, Bega, Pambula-Merimbula and Queanbeyan. In 2008 W2 District Clubs Albany, Narrogin, Bull Creek and Mt Barker participated. Albany has been back again since, being joined by Albany south Coast, Pinjara and Denmark; with Northam, Pt. Kennedy and Newman indicating an intention of becoming involved.

Current Project:
Our ongoing focus is the establishment of enduring Community Partnerships that provide opportunities for disadvantaged young people aged 15-18 years to discover, develop and achieve their true potential by participating in a 12-day Outward Bound Navigator Course. This project seeks to instil essential life skills by building on the positive strengths of our emerging young adults while establishing the basis for a concerted community campaign against youth apathy.

Project Status

• Ten N2 Clubs participated in 2009/10 Courses, sponsoring 19 participants.
• The WA Lions Community Partnership project continues to gain momentum
• Presentations were made and display stands exhibited at W1, W2 and N4 District Conventions and a display stand was set up in N2 District Convention
• The tried and tested Nowra format and procedures, generously provided by Project Chairperson Geoff Stanton, remain freely available for the guidance of newly involved clubs. Positive and appreciative responses continue to flow from this initiative.

Not sure where to start? Want more information on any Outward Bound course?
Simply dial Freecall 1800 267 999 or call Lloyd Worthy direct on 0412 489 926.

Want a Guest Speaker?
Our Community Partnerships Officer is Lloyd Worthy, a retired Police Commander with vast personal and professional experience in dealing with teenagers, who is willing to “go anywhere” to talk about Outward Bound. As he says “I don’t sell Outward Bound, I believe in it!” For a truly inspirational Guest Speaker, talk to Phoebe Saunders on the Freecall number or call Lloyd direct on 0412 489 926. Click here for his Speaker Profile.

How to Get Involved
This project needs a committed Lions Club and a driver; a champion; an individual Lion with energy and enthusiasm to work directly with Lloyd. The process is simple and can be time consuming for one person, requiring strong Club support. But the rewards are enormous!

This is How it Works
Having made the decision to participate:

1. Appoint the Project Coordinator or Chairperson
2. Liaise with the Outward Bound Community Partnerships Officer
3. Enter into a Partnership Agreement (merely a guide, without any legal obligation)
4. Follow the agreed functions set out in the Agreement (who does what and when)
5. Be guided by the agreed timeline (highly recommended but completely flexible)
   Click here for a sample Partnership Agreement and Practical Advice

Joint Funding
Outward Bound Australia has its own Scholarship Fund. There may be occasions when it is appropriate for a joint funding venture. Click here to find out more about the Australian Outward Bound Development Fund (AOBDF).

What’s in it for your Club?
The future lies squarely in the hands of our youth. Their lives and those of everyone in the communities of which they are part (and some are destined to lead), will be influenced by the vital choices they make. At Outward Bound they will, quite simply, learn how to make better choices. This is your chance to be part of the future by giving them the opportunity for positive attitudinal change.

Click here for testimonials