Today we are very pleased to announce the finalists of the Outdoors Queensland Awards for 2021.

There were many outstanding nominations and the judges thought long and hard before choosing the following finalists.

We acknowledge all nominees for all that you do and the inspiration you give others.
Thank you to all the nominators for taking the time to share your belief in your chosen nominees.

Congratulations to all the finalists and we wish you well in the final selection of the award winners.

The finalists in the 2021 Outdoors Queensland Awards are:

The Brisbane City Council Award for Outstanding Achievement (Organisation)
This award is open to clubs, organisations and enterprises that have made a valuable contribution to the outdoor community and operate with professionalism and to high standards.

• Seaforth Pines Outdoor Education and Conference Centre
• Outer Limits Adventure Fitness
• Scout Association of Australia Queensland Branch
• Inside the Outhaus
• Birdwings Forest School

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

• Donna Thompson
• Clint Bauer
• Simon Roberts
• Jaimee Galloway
• Glyn Thomas

The Queensland Government Encouraging Participation Award
The recipient of this award will have achieved significant success in encouraging participation in outdoor activities through innovative program development and/or marketing.

• HYPAR WILD
• Queensland Walks
• 2 Bent Rods
• Rocky Trail Entertainment Pty Ltd
• Jean Croft
• Julianne Parkes

The 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. 

• Queensland Police Service
• Youth Flourish Outdoors

The K2 Basecamp Young Achiever Award
This award recognises the efforts and achievements of a individual new to the outdoor sector; a student, young person or other making a change into the field.

• Lachlan Wright
• Haley Evans

The Brisbane City Council Outdoor Event Award
This award is for individuals, organisations or committees that have developed and managed a significant outdoor recreation event, that might include one-off or annual events such as Come-and Try days, Adventure Races, Expos or Festivals, major state / national / international championships, jamborees …

• Mt Barney Lodge
• Mike Carney Toyota Paluma Push
• On The Edge Events

The Nature Play QLD Nature Play Education Award
This award is for educational services or institutions, such as schools or childcare centres, that have increased the time kids spend in outdoor learning, Forest School or unstructured outdoor play.

• Chatterbox Early Learning and Care Centre – Albany Creek
• Wildlings Forest School
• Clearview Early Learning & Kindergarten
• Birdwings Forest School
• Country Kids Childcare…Naturally Fun!

The Queensland Government Award for Outdoor Places and Spaces
This award recognises that outdoor recreation activities require access to places and spaces. Nominees for this award will have developed one or more outstanding outdoor recreation facilities or venues.

• Emu Gully Adventure Education Group
• Atherton Tablelands Railtrail
• Camp Hill Outside School Hours Care
• Borumba Deer Park

The Queensland Government Nature Play Community Award
This award is for communities (individuals or organisations) that have developed initiatives to increase the time kids spend in unstructured play outdoors and in nature.

• The Little Pocket
• Kids World Gilston
• Prior Street Child Care and Development
• Penola Casa Childcare Centre

The Outdoors Queensland Government Achievement Award
This award recognises the achievements of local or state government departments and/or agencies that have produced positive outcomes for the outdoor sector.

• Insufficient nominations for this Award to be included in 2021