2025 Outdoors Queensland Award Finalists

Outdoors Queensland is proud to announce the finalists of the 2025 Outdoors Queensland Awards. The awards judging panel would like to acknowledge all the finalists, all the nominees and all those who put forward a nomination, for all they have done for the outdoors in Queensland.

And the finalists are:

Queensland Government Individual Achievement Award
This award is for individuals who have demonstrated professionalism, high achievement in a particular field and exemplary role modelling.
Finalists:

• Russell Boswell
• Allana Bold
• Mark “Mango” Mangles
• Cherelle Stager

K2 Base Camp Emerging Achiever Award
This award recognises the efforts and achievements of an individual new to the outdoor sector; a student, a young person, or anyone making a change into the sector.
Finalists:

• Sian Anstis
• Antonia Loizos
• Orielle Michaelis-Thorpe
• Seth Graham
• Brigid O’Brien

Equipped Outdoors Outdoor Education Award
This award is for school, early childhood, out of school care, camp or outdoor education providers that deliver outdoor education programs in outdoor adventurous settings, and significantly influence a participant’s physical ability, mental health and ability to thrive
Finalists:

• Total Adventures
• Emu Gully Adventure Education Group
• Barambah Environmental Education Centre
• Scout Association of Australia Queensland Branch

AQIA Workforce Development Award
This award is open to any organisation that supports workforce development by taking on trainee employees/volunteers, provides in-house training or supports workers to undertake external training.
Finalist:

• Walkabout Training
• Guides Queensland
• University of the Sunshine Coast

Queensland Government Outdoor Recreation Award
This award is for an outdoor recreation peak body, club, provider, event or product that stands out from all others; has raised awareness about the benefits of outdoor recreation and being outdoors; has increased participation in outdoor recreation; and has made a significant impact on the outdoor recreation sector.
Finalists:

• Rick Petersen
• Hike Club Social
• 26th Australian Scout Jamboree
• QLD Camping Bears

Protect Beautiful Queensland Outdoor Therapies Award
The recipient of this award is an individual, organisation or program that has significantly improved the health and wellbeing of Queenslanders through the use of nature and/or adventure by delivering innovative programs, interventions, training, advocacy and/or research.
Finalists:

• Walkabout Training
• Sunrise Peak Psychology and Adventure Therapy
• Jump Up For Kids
• My Summit ABTS

Queensland Government Adventure Tourism Award
This award is for a tourism operator, event or product that delivers outdoor activity adventure products for either local or inbound participants.
Finalists:

• By Earth and Ocean
• Girls Trek
• Arcadia Women Adventures
• Hike Club Social
• Trevena Glen Farm

Queensland Government Outdoor Play Award
This award is for organisations (eg. play groups, nature play providers, community groups, councils) that have increased opportunities for Queensland children to spend time in unstructured play outdoors and in nature.
Finalists:

• The Outsiders Play Advocates
• FNQ Nature Quest
• Tallitha Taylor

Outdoors Queensland Government Achievement Award
The Government Achievement Award recognises the achievements of local or state government department, agency, person or program and/or agency that has produced positive outcomes for the outdoor sector.
Finalists:

• Active Women and Girls Program – Sport & Recreation
• Finch Hatton MTB Trails – Mackay Regional Council
• Mt Coot-tha Adaptive MTB Trail Project – Brisbane City Council –
• Destination 2045 – Dept of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation
• Boodjamulla National Park Restoration – Dept of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation & Waanyi Native Title Aboriginal Corporation

The Outdoors Queensland Awards Dinner is a popular networking opportunity for members of the outdoor community to get together to celebrate the Award winners – the individuals and organisations who have made a positive and lasting difference to the outdoors and outdoor recreation in Queensland.

Join us for an unforgettable evening of recognition, connection, and celebration as we honour the trailblazers, leaders, and rising stars of the outdoors. Everyone is welcome, don’t miss your chance to be part of this inspiring event!

Our special guest this year is Tim Franklin – an ordinary guy, with an extraordinary goal: To run around the world! (read more)

Outdoors Queensland thanks and acknowledges the ongoing support of the Outdoors Queensland Awards from our sponsors: the Queensland Government, K2 Base Camp, the Active Queenslanders Industry Alliance, Equipped Outdoors and Protect Beautiful Queensland.