The Outdoor Education Foundation provides high-quality outdoor education programs to young people, who for reasons such as place-based disadvantage, economic inequality and refugee backgrounds, cannot access outdoor education development.
We believe all young people need access to opportunities helping them prepare for a rapidly changing and unpredictable future where resilience, strength and health will be crucial for tackling life's challenges.
We support diverse groups of young people in immersive outdoor settings where they support each other, share life experiences and practice skills including resilience, self-belief, empathy, leadership, altruism and teamwork.
A Weekend of Fun and Friendship brings 40 young women together to share a rare and special outdoor education experience at Camp Jungai in May 2021.
The Outdoor Education Foundation has a key role to play in helping young people reconnect with outdoor spaces and each other following a challenging and isolating year in 2020.
Reaching our $8,000 goal will make this memorable experience a reality for 40 deserving young women! Please consider making a donation to support our work.
All donations over $2 are tax deductible.
We are an arm of the Outdoor Education Group, and utilise the Group’s infrastructure to run programs for disadvantaged young people and groups.
We have access to more facilities, land, gear, and people than any other outdoor education provider in Australia. Together we have educated and cared for 2 million Australians (and counting)!
Our staff are exceptional facilitators and professional communicators. They are trained to deal with diverse groups and provide life-changing outdoor education experiences to participants from all walks of life.
We have strong community partnerships with leading community organisations including AMES Australia, Western Chances, The Les Twentyman Foundation, Victoria University, Melbourne Indigenous Transition School, Wesley Mission, Murrindindi Shire and many others who work with us to place young people into our world class programs.
Our funding partners make it all possible. We would like to acknowledge and thank our donors, sponsors and all those advocating for equitable accessible to outdoor education in Australia. We appreciate you!
The Outdoor Education Foundation supporters also include:
If funding the work of Outdoor Education Foundation is of interest, please reach out – we would love to meet with you.
We are incredibly proud of our OEF Board and team.
Robert Pascoe is the founder and Managing Director of Closed Loop, an Australian company providing comprehensive environmental solutions across industries including aviation, events, hospitality and health.
Robert has been instrumental in the development of the new Circular Economy particularly in Australia. He is passionate about waste and regards it as a valuable resource that we shouldn’t simply throw away. In recent years, he has invested in numerous technologies that treat waste as a resource to manufacture products from recycled material as well as purchasing a farm on Victoria’s Surf Coast and establishing The Farmer’s Place, a commercial demonstration of all aspects of sustainability in agriculture and food production.
Robert is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD) and is a director of numerous companies in Australia and Overseas. These include roles as Deputy Chairman of Australia’s largest outdoor education provider The Outdoor Education Group, a Director of the Sydney Swans Australian Rules Football Club, Chairman of The Outdoor Education Foundation.
Jenny brings a diverse set of experiences to her role as a Director of The Outdoor Education Foundation, having commenced her career in education which included outdoor education and community service programs.
Jenny has headed up the Victorian Olympic Council and the People and Parks Foundation and now is a Partner and Lead facilitator at Non Profit Training; working to build capability in not for profit organisations. She has been involved in international, national and local boards and has an Olympic Bronze medal from her 14 year membership of the Australian Softball Team.
Margaret is currently a director of the Melbourne Indigenous Transition School (MITS), Kingswood College and the Mac.Robertson Girls High School Foundation.
She has been involved in outdoor education in schools well as with the OEG Board for many years. She retired as the Chair of the OEG Board in May 2020.
Margaret's involvement with outdoor education through The Outdoor Education Group began in the 1980’s when as a teacher she attended many programs. Margaret saw the value was not only in the activities, but equally important, the value was in the conversations, self reflections, challenges and relationships built along the way. As the principal of Toorak college, Mt Eliza Margaret was able to ensure the girls had the same opportunities.
Margaret is very keen to see young people from whatever background, experience and gain from the opportunities offered by outdoor education.
Jack brings a wealth of experience from his work across the not-for-profit sector to the Outdoor Education Foundation. He has an extensive background working with not-for-profits to maximise their impact, collaborate meaningfully and build sustainable partnerships for effective system-level change.
Jack brings a comprehensive knowledge of the fundraising landscape and understands what motivates donors. Jack looks forward to developing meaningful relationships with Outdoor Education Foundation supporters and building partnerships that improve outcomes for young people and communities across Australia.
Jack studied a BA, majoring in journalism. He has since completed the Executive Master of Arts (EMA) at Melbourne University, specialising in project management and organisational leadership. More recently Jack completed a Diploma of Business (Governance) with the Institute of Community Directors Australia.
Jack is passionate about the environment, fair access to education, music, and sport. Jack’s favourite hikes are the Routeburn track in New Zealand and the Overland track in Tasmania.
Richard has worked within the outdoor industry for over 25 years. He has been the Chief Executive of The Outdoor Education Group since January 2016. Previously, Richard was CEO of UK Sailing Academy, Deputy Director at The Prince’s Trust and Operations Director of Fairbridge. He was also Chair of the Adventure Activities Industry Advisory Committee, the UK’s lead body for safety in adventurous activities.
Richard is currently a member of the Sports and Recreation Industry Reference Committee and Chair of the Committee reviewing the Outdoor Recreation Training Package.
Clare has been an outdoor educator for over twenty years, a decision influenced by her own experience as a participant on outdoor education programs growing up in Northern Ireland.
Clare has been focused on improving risk management in the outdoors for the past sixteen years and has published and presented her innovative research all over the world.
Clare has an MSc. in Risk and Crisis Management and currently leads Risk Resolve, OEG’s risk management consulting division. As part of Clare’s PhD research, she has developed a new risk assessment method which has recently been published (Dallat, Salmon & Goode, 2017).
Clare also leads The Outdoor Education Foundation, where she is responsible for developing new partnerships and processes to enable young people who may, through multiple circumstances, be prevented from participating in highly meaningful outdoor learning opportunities.
Jamie joined The Outdoor Education Group in the first half of 2018. He had a career in industry in various accounting roles before joining the AFL in 2005.
He held a number of roles at the AFL including Business Analytics, State Operations Finance, Club and Stadium reporting and Manager of the Soft Cap. He now leads The Outdoor Education Group’s Finance and Resources Division overseeing HR, IT, Resources as well as Finance.
In addition, Jamie is The Outdoor Education Group’s Company Secretary.
Jarek brings significant experience in finance and corporate governance through a wide range of financial and governance roles over the past 25 years. He currently advises entities on best practice compliance and governance and utilises governance frameworks for positive strategic outcomes.
Jarek brings a comprehensive knowledge of best practice governance practices and processes. He is currently the Company Secretary of four ASX listed companies and Chief Financial Officer of one of these companies. He has held similar roles with other ASX entities in the past and has other business interests with numerous unlisted public and private entities.
Jarek holds a Bachelor of Commerce, majoring in accounting. He is a Certified Practising Accountant, being a member of CPA Australia. Additionally, he is a Chartered Secretary having completed the Graduate Diploma in Applied Corporate Governance.
Jarek is married to a teacher (and former school principal) and understands first hand the value in integrating education, well-being and hands on learning via the backdrop of the outdoors.
