Testimonials

From our agency workers

'The Northern Outlook provided our clients with a meaningful adventure based learning opportunity. The program was customised to specifically suit the client's needs which emphasised both group and personal growth and development through hands on activities designed to allow the clients to experiment with new skills, behaviours and group roles in a safe and encouraging environment.'
- Lisa Ryan, Commonwealth Respite & Carelink Centre, Cairns

'Facilitators are professional, fun and supportive and the training is something you will not forget. Can't say enough about the program; think outside the box and connect with your clients.'
- Daniel Morris, Youth Link, Cairns

'Cairns Youth Justice Service Centre utilises The Northern Outlook to expand the development and delivery of programs to assist the young people to experience learning in a way that they would never have the chance to.

The Northern Outlooks support with our programs has provided welcomed outcomes, through Adventure Based Learning. It gives the young people a sense of achievement as well as promotes their self esteem by challenging them out of their comfort zones.

They were able to provide support both locally to Cairns or in the Cape. From the first point of contact to the last debrief they ensure that you are focusing on your goals and your safety.'
- Graham Ross, Rural & Remote Youth Justice Services

'I work with disengaged youth in a training capacity. Northern Outlook training and assistance with programs has improved my ability to make training programs more interesting, fun and appropriate to their learning needs. It has been the best training I've participated in for years. Go the Coolie Dudes.'
- Colleen Postans, Vocational Partnership Group Inc, Atherton

'Upon departing on the sea kayaking journey a number of the participants were very nervous and worried including myself. As the journey progressed you could see the tough barriers that the boys usually have up 24/7 slowly dissolved, and they started to be boys again. Young people that had great difficulty engaging communicated freely during this journey, and it seemed that they started to take a serious look at their behaviour and the negative course of their lives. I do not think that the honest communication would have occurred in the normal program room setting. This was a magical journey and I can't wait to be involved in the next sea kayaking activity. This was a life changing experience.'
- Ps. Billy Ross, Youth Justice Services, Cairns

'Northern Outlook's A.B.L. programs provide an exciting and safe environment that we can 'tailor' to fit our clients needs.

The activities we've shared with Northern Outlook staff have given those who've participated memorable life enhancing experiences and left them wanting more!'
- Chris Wighton, Flexible Learning Centre

'Training with the Northern Outlook has opened many doors for me in my work with at risk young people. I am now able to offer more programs and a better service. What I really like about the Northern Outlook is the way in which they build capacity in community workers. After the training they accompany you to run programs until you are confident enough to do it on your own. I am very thankful to the Northern Outlook for everything they have taught me and for their continued support. I have also seen how young people really benefit from the adventure based programs we run. I have seen young people coming alive and being transformed through these programs.'
- Community Worker

'It has been great working with Northern Outlook for the past two years. Their staff are very efficient, thorough, helpful and are willing to tailor programs to suit our needs as well as our clients. They have helped us run a range of programs from holiday camps featuring abseiling, low ropes, canoeing to assistance with the Adventurous Journey component of our Duke of Edinburgh program. I would not have been able to run these programs as effectively without their assistance. The West Cairns Youth Prevention and Diversion Program works with two groups of Indigenous youth. We work with Indigenous Youth Role Models in instilling leadership qualities in them as well as a desire to make an effective impact on Indigenous 'at risk' youth residing in West Cairns. We also work with Indigenous youth that are at risk of having adverse contact with the criminal justice system. We have found that all of our youth have benefited significantly from Northern Outlook's programs. Northern Outlook's programs cause our youth to challenge themselves, learn teamwork, communication and discipline as well as boost their self-esteem. We have also sponsored one of our Indigenous youth mentors to undertake the PDF program and saw an increase in his level of confidence as well as his skills in managing groups and devising programs.'
- Melissa Bann, West Cairns Youth Prevention & Diversion Program

'Adventure Based Learning connects with Indigenous young people because it is practical and as such makes a lot of sense in its application and everyday use including camping, fishing, sporting and recreational activities and all activities in general.

The language used by the program is simple and direct showing clear direction, outline and consequence. The program sets parameters for safe outcomes and as such is in a format Indigenous young people can identify with.'
- Jerry Callope, Youth Justice Services, Cairns

'For many years our staff and young people have enjoyed the educational and personal growth experiences provided by 'The Outlook' and now the 'Northern Outlook'.

Our organisation has recently embarked on the innovative 'Bridge Program', whose North Queensland bases have been established in Townsville and Mount Isa. The 'Bridge Program' will work intensively with very small groups of disengaged young people (often those with juvenile justice history) to re-engage them positively with their education pathway and society at large.

We already run two 'flexible learning centres' in the region and I am hoping for continuing Northern Outlook support as these initiatives inevitably grow. In the future I am hoping that we increasingly work together across the North and North-West region to produce better outcomes for the most disadvantaged in society.'
- Dale Murray 'Youth Plus' Edmund Rice Education Australia

'For over 20 years our programs have been supported on many levels by 'The Outlook' and 'The Northern Outlook'. Their support of our programs adds much depth and richness to the experiences of our young people. These programs, be they single day events or expedition style journeys have been proven to truly 'hook' youth disengaged from mainstream schooling.

'The Outlook' and 'The Northern Outlook' are also involved in training and mentoring those EREFLC staff who seek personal development in the outdoor education/adventure based learning field. As our school network continues to expand into North Queensland (new schools have recently opened in Townsville and Mount Isa) this on-going support for both programming and training is going to be vital.

In the future I am hoping that we increasingly work together to produce better outcomes for the more disadvantaged in society.'
- Bryn Dunlop, Edmund Rice Education Australia

From their clients

'From the program I was able to meet and connect with other carers who I shall be friends with for life.'

'From the program…I mainly enjoyed trying new things I didn't think I could do.'

'Good to be with other kids that know and understand my situation.'

'The program was fun. We were in canoes going down the river and we had to learn to look after ourselves and the other people in the group.'

'I had never been in a sea-kayak and didn't really know where we were going. We paddled over to an island and set up camp. We had to work as a team to get across and the workers helped us when we needed it.'