Roma House adventure program recognised with award

Julie Attwood MP presents Julia Clifford,
Kathryn Haisty, Tetera Tama and Amanda
Smith from Roma House with their award.

An innovative Mission Australia "bush therapy" program offering outdoor adventures to people who are homeless or struggling with disadvantage has taken out a major prize at the Queensland Outdoor Recreation Awards.

Mission Australia's Adventure Based Learning program, which is run out of Roma House was recognised for encouraging participation in outdoor recreation.

The program's Wild Earth Adventures aims to help Roma House residents to set life goals, build self-esteem and reconnect with nature through single and multi-day group activities, including kayaking, high ropes, camping and hiking.

Mission Australia Queensland State Director Penny Gillespie said it was great to see the program recognised at the prestigious awards ceremony.

"This is a program that is changing people's lives," Ms Gillespie said. "It allows the participants to challenge themselves physically and mentally, to do things many of them never would have contemplated in their lives.

"This year, groups have taken part in kayaking trips to Fraser Island and along the Noosa River, mountain hikes in the Scenic Rim and high-ropes courses.

Being away from the issues they are facing on the city streets, in a drug and alcohol-free environment, allows them to explore new ways to overcome the challenges they are dealing with and feel good about what they can achieve.

"The trips have proven to be a great experience for the clients and staff, as an innovative approach to bush therapy. Many of the participants have now taken part in multiple adventures, and see them as a great chance to get outdoors, develop new skills and make lasting friendships.

"This is a wonderful example of how thinking outside the box can lead to great result for people who are struggling.

"Our staff have shown great innovation and also commitment in developing the program to help give participants a better chance at transforming their lives."

The annual awards, run by the Queensland Outdoor Recreation Association aim to recognise excellence and innovation in the outdoor recreation sector. This year's final awards night was held at the Greek Club in Brisbane last Friday night.

The Encouraging Participation in outdoor recreation prize was also jointly awarded to DETOUR Youth Program (Parkour), UnitingCare Community Townsville.

Roma House’s Adventure Based Coordinator, Amanda Smith, said that the team had just finished planning its 2012 calendar, and next year will offer sailing expeditions along with equine therapy, surfing, rock climbing and abseiling, canoeing, bush walking and semi remote camping.

To learn more about Roma House’s adventure-based learning programs, view the following short video:



For more information or to support this project please contact Amanda at SmithAma@missionaustralia.com.au or call (07) 3839 1826.


Further reading: 
‘Our Wild Earth Adventuerers return’