Passed away 16^th May 2023

Outdoors Queensland is sad to announce that Gillian Duncan passed away on Tuesday 16^th May 2023.

Gillian was made an honourary life member of Outdoors Queensland in March 2023 for her amazing work for over 20 years advocating for and supporting outdoor activities, particularly mountain biking.

Gillian was a strong advocate for mountain biking in Queensland for more than 20 years. Gillian coordinated the Gap Creek Trail Alliance for around 17 years – Brisbane City Council acknowledged Gillian’s contributions  by officially renaming Gap Creek Circuit to “Gillian’s Circuit”.

Gillian was a former president of Mountain Bike Australia (MTBA), and in 2020, was awarded life membership of MTBA (now AusCycling).

Gillian co-authored several books on mountain biking and cycling in Queensland, including the bible for many riders, Where to Mountain Bike in South East Queensland.

Ian has been involved with Scouting since he was 8 years old and it was through Scouting that he developed a life long passion for the outdoor environment, bushwalking, camping and kayaking.

He has been a volunteer adult member within Scouts Queensland continuously since 1982, predominantly as a Scout Leader. As formal recognition in adventurous outdoor activities started to be issued, he held Instructor level qualifications in canoeing, kayaking and bushwalking reflecting his interest in the outdoors and in encouraging youth to follow that interest.

Ian took that interest into the Queensland Outdoor Recreation Federation (now Outdoors Queensland), formally representing the interests of Scouts Queensland from 2003 to 2020. He was on the Outdoors Queensland Board from 10 November 2003 to May 2020 overseeing a period of intense change.

“Over my life I have become passionate about outdoor recreation and the management of indigenous protected areas”

John Wood has spent 50 years serving the parks and leisure industry in a variety of roles as a government officer, university lecturer, consultant and community volunteer. He has earned national and international respect for his expertise in natural area management, parks, recreation, tourism, open space planning in urban and rural areas, world heritage areas, national parks and wilderness areas. John passed away on 17 September 2021 in Brisbane.

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“Every now and then, I really do just have to immerse myself in deep nature, not just dance around the edges”

Donna Little spent her childhood swimming, camping along the Eastern seaboard and fossicking in the Queensland Outback. A trained teacher, the experience of leading at a US Summer Camp inspired her to facilitate outdoor opportunities for others. Years spent in academia in the fields of sport, outdoor recreation, education and tourism brought her in contact with QORF in its early days and saw her become the organisation’s CEO from 2008 to 2013

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“I’m still active in the outdoors though day and multi-day bushwalks; occasional road cycling and mountain biking; canoeing, flat, sea and white-water paddling; camping, body surfing and bird watching.”

Dave Batt grew up playing in the outdoors sparking an interest in landscapes, nature conservation and outdoor recreation. These interests led to an Associate Diploma in Wilderness Reserves and Wildlife; 13+ years working for QPWS; and 18 years in various Queensland Government departments for Sport and Recreation, Forestry and Regional Planning.

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“When looking back on QORF at that time I think the value it provided was the promotion of outdoor activity with control and standards around leadership ansd safety.”

Brian Kross joined the Seventh Day Adventist’s Pathfinders Club at a young age and it soon became a way of life. Brian, at 78, is close to celebrating fifty years as a club and later district director of the organisation.

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“Venerate the natural landscape and show this love of the natural world to others. I did my thesis on Landscape Aesthetics – it was first study I know of that addressed the issue of the value of landscapes as a resource – not just for recreation but for scenic aspects”

Rob Simson was a pioneer of Outdoor Education in Queensland: introducing environmental studies into the curriculum; leading school excursions to Carnarvon Gorge; establishling the Outdoor Education Centre at Maroon Dam (MOEC), forming the Outdoor Educators Association of Queensland and developing orienteering in Australia.  Rob passed away on 15 July 2018 in Brisbane.

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“To reach individuals and families involved in outdoor recreation and adventure tourism independently, in addition to the current client base of organisations, clubs and their members.”

Kathy Kingsford who was QORF Executive Officer from March 1999 to May 2008, has recently retired from a position with Sport and Recreation Services,  Queensland Department of National Parks, Sport and Racing.

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