The Finalists

Alice Montoya is a Year 10 student splitting her time between Calamvale Community College and Loganlea State High School. Alice has shown impressive maturity for someone so early in her outdoor journey. While studying a Certificate II in Outdoor Recreation, Alice has led training hikes, mentored fellow Kokoda Challenge participants and even stepped back from her own 96km attempt to support a struggling teammate — a true mark of leadership.

Ella Phillips displays enthusiasm and quiet professionalism as a young leader with Guides Queensland in Far North Queensland. Ella has built her rock climbing and low ropes skills into a genuine asset for the Tropical North Region, helping dozens of girls gain the confidence to attend camps and jamborees. Her calm, inclusive teaching style has made outdoor adventure feel possible for everyone she works with.

Rochelle Dove’s transition from the classroom into outdoor education has been nothing short of seamless. Since joining Tinaroo Environmental Education Centre in 2023, Rochelle has helped reshape the centre’s flagship Leadership Camp programme while quietly strengthening staff culture along the way. Her warmth, professionalism and dedication to student growth have made her a standout emerging practitioner.

Tom Barton has spent three years building a flagship month-long co-educational partnership with Pymble Ladies’ College, in his role as Head of Residential Program at Anglican Church Grammar School. Tom’s calm, relational leadership has driven measurable gains in student wellbeing and belonging, with 97 per cent of participants saying they would recommend the program to others.

Steve Whitmore has been a Director of Project Adventure Australia since the early 1990s. Few names carry as much weight in Australian challenge course design as Steve’s. He has shaped the development of challenge courses and outdoor programs nationwide, sharing his expertise generously with anyone who calls, and helping build the very foundations of the industry as it stands today.

Darryl Dilger has become a trusted “go-to” expert for outdoor and environmental education across Far North Queensland, with more than a decade at Tinaroo Environmental Education Centre. Mentoring colleagues, building relationships with people from remote Aboriginal communities and leading with integrity and compassion, Darryl has shaped a lasting legacy of safe, inclusive outdoor learning.

Brent Greenfield’s passion for adventure has driven him to give his time generously to Queensland’s outdoor community for over two decades. Leading abseiling and climbing bases across the state, he has mentored countless emerging leaders while championing safety and inclusion. Brent’s quiet dedication, technical expertise and willingness to help wherever needed have made him an invaluable and deeply respected figure within Scouts Qld’s adventurous activities programme.

Sabina Kath founded Mums Who Hike in June 2025 to tackle postpartum isolation through nature connection, combining her background in outdoor education with a passion for community.  Fortnightly hikes have brought together hundreds of mothers and children across the Sunshine Coast. Sabina’s dedication to safe, inclusive and thoroughly planned outings has created something Australia had never seen before.

Paramount Adventure Centre’s work across regional and remote Queensland has meant that nationally recognised outdoor recreation qualifications have been delivered to many students. Under Dave Payne’s leadership, the organisation blends classroom learning with hands-on field experience, opening doors for school students, trainees and First Nations participants alike. Genuine pathways into employment and further study reflect Paramount’s steady commitment to building a skilled, confident outdoor workforce.
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Walkabout Training is a Bundaberg-based organisation weaving adventure, culture and vocational learning together. Rivers, beaches and national parks across Central Queensland serve as the classroom for Walkabout Training. From school-based qualifications to the Torres Strait Youth Leadership Program, participants aged twelve to eighty-five build confidence, resilience and connection to Country, while developing skills that can be used in the outdoor workforce for decades ahead.
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Brisbane City Council officially opened Carpet Snake Trail in July 2026, marking an important addition to the Gap Creek trail network. Brisbane City Council combined genuinely accessible trail design with best-practice drainage and careful environmental management to open mountain biking to a far wider range of riders. This project will strengthen Brisbane’s reputation as a city that values green space and community access.
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Bundaberg Regional Council is taking genuine steps to make outdoor recreation part of everyday life across their entire region. Through the long-running Be Active Be Alive programme, partnership initiatives like BOOM, and major investment in coastal pathways and foreshore infrastructure, Bundaberg Regional Council has removed barriers to participation for residents of all ages and abilities.
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City of Moreton Bay has demonstrated its commitment to sustainable, inclusive outdoor recreation by transforming underused bushland into a thriving community asset, the Lagoon Road Mountain Bike Trails. Developed with Trailscapes using environmentally sensitive construction methods, Lagoon Road Mountain Bike trails welcome riders of all ages and abilities, offering accessible adventure and a genuine connection with nature close to home.
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Adventure Alternatives has built a reputation for safe, inclusive and outcomes-focused outdoor education. With an exemplary safety record and a strong culture of staff ownership and mentorship, the organisation designs tailored programs that build resilience, teamwork and environmental awareness, helping participants of all backgrounds grow in confidence within supportive outdoor settings.
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Berrinba East State School has transformed learning for every student from Prep to Year 6 by reimagining the outdoors as a curriculum in its own right. Its Outdoor Play and Learning program has delivered remarkable results, lifting academic achievement while dramatically reducing behavioural incidents. This program was recognised nationally with the 2026 Sydney Opera House Play Award.
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Total Adventures has spent over twenty years shaping confident young Australians through adventure, from its base on the Noosa North Shore situated between bushland, river and beach. Welcoming nearly 12,000 students annually, the organisation blends Indigenous perspectives, environmental science and leadership development, delivering inclusive, curriculum-aligned programs with a consistently strong safety record.
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Trinity Anglican School in Cairns is proud to offer students what is regarded as one of the country’s leading outdoor education programs. TAS takes every student from Year 1 to Year 12 on a journey through the tropical north’s rainforests and reef. In September 2026, the school will host the National Outdoor Education Conference, a fitting tribute to a program already decorated with more than thirty state and national awards.
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Naturally Kids Allied Health’s Joey’s Mob programme brings occupational therapy outdoors for neurodivergent children, using nature’s sensory richness and open-ended play to support regulation, confidence and friendship. Nearly eighty percent of children return term after term, drawn back to a community where they belong, climb, explore and simply be themselves.
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My Summit ABTS is a Brisbane organisation supporting young people facing disability, trauma and complex challenges through Walk and Talk counselling, therapeutic camps and adventure programs. Delivered by qualified social workers, their inclusive, nature-based approach builds resilience, confidence and genuine connection where traditional supports often fall short.
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Birdwings Forest School believes that a genuine relationship with the natural world is crucial for all people. For over a decade, this Gold Coast organisation has supported wellbeing across the lifespan, from its pioneering Forest School roots to Wildflow, its new nature-based programme for adults. Guided by its original LEAF Framework, Birdwings nurtures resilience, belonging and connection through trauma-informed, nature-led experience.
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Alrock Adventures is a family-owned business delivering small-group, off-road motorcycle expeditions across Far North and South East Queensland. From Cape York adventures to beginner-friendly dirt bike experiences, every tour combines personalised coaching, safety and genuine care for the landscapes explored. Husband-and-wife team Jonathon and Tiane Kautai are committed to sustainable, community-minded tourism, which helps riders of all abilities discover Queensland with confidence and respect.
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Adventure Tribe was born from a belief that adventure should be authentic and transformative. Adventure Tribe has grown into a diverse collection of brands delivering kayaking, hiking, abseiling and rock climbing throughout South East Queensland. Operating within the internationally significant Noosa Everglades, the team blends environmental stewardship with genuine hospitality, welcoming thousands of guests each year to build confidence, connection and lasting appreciation for the outdoors.
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Cape York Motorcycle Adventures is the country’s longest-running motorcycle touring company. Recently inducted into the Ecotourism Australia Hall of Fame after two decades of eco-certification, CYMCA pairs rigorous safety standards with deep respect for Traditional Owners and Country, offering riders of every ability an unforgettable, responsibly guided Far North Queensland adventure.
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