Mark Squires – Testimonials

Donna Little

Hi Mark

Well done on reaching 10 years with QORF. It’s a unique effort to reach this milestone, but one I hope that you value and the sector appreciate. I know I speak for more than myself when I say that right from the start, the Federation has benefitted from your diligence, insight, thoughtfulness and support.

I remember how wonderful it was to have you apply to work with us back in 2009. You brought with you experience, understanding, wisdom and a willingness to challenge the way things were done – and offer solutions on how they could be done. You also (wonderfully) started withy us early, coming to the QORF/ ACA Conference in the few days before you officially started. Straight away your technological mindset was hugely valuable, and it was great to see how comfortable you were chatting with people, listening and making your contributions to ideas, decisions and possibilities.

Personally, I greatly value your resilience and kindness. In the role as CEO it was vital for me to have someone who could vet my emails when my ire was raised; who could step in and attend a range of different meetings; who would offer an opinion on what was important; who would hold the fort while I went on leave; and who would quietly and efficiently get on with the role/s that you were asked to play.

While the person in the EO role has changed, I know each of us have drawn on your multiple qualities and skills and are grateful for your resilience, flexibility, patience, care, thoughtfulness – and sector knowledge.

Mark, best of good fortunes with the next years with QORF/ Outdoors Queensland – and for the other dreams you are yet to follow. You are a gem, a great person, and a caring man.

Regards
Donna

Murray Stewart

Mr Squires,

10 years and you still have all your hair! Mate you are the soul of the organisation keeping us all reminded of why we do what we do. The outdoors is truly awesome and your ability to remind us of this regularly is a real gift. You do so much for the outdoor community that goes unnoticed as you do it with out fuss or for reward.

I do need to make special mention of surviving the ever-complicating IT world that we constantly live in and your dedication to getting it sorted out so the QORF message always gets through. Thanks so much for your help in getting Nature Play up and running and creating the foundations for it to grow into the amazing “thing” it has become.

I do hope you are able to make it to 20 years as the outdoor world needs more people with your qualities leading it.

Thanks mate.
Murray

Dom Courtney

Hi Mark,

Congratulations on notching ten years of service to QORF and to our outdoor sector.

Your passion for outdoor activities, the environment and the development of other people who work in the outdoors shines through in all that you do.

In addition to always performing your job to the best of your ability, you provide a great sounding board for me, for other staff and for QORF members, particularly when issues arise that might be slightly outside the standard enquiry.

I appreciate the efforts that you put into making sure that QORF’s presence in the digital realm is as professional and wonderful as possible. The outdoor sector is indebted to you for your endeavours to expand the organisation’s reach through many initiatives, including Visioning the Outdoors film and photo competition and the Outdoors Queensland Awards.

Queensland’s outdoor sector is privileged to have you working to improve our industry.

Cheers!
Dom