Bushwalking Leadership South Australia

BMWLTB came about after strong growth in the popularity of outdoor education and recreation. Two unrelated fatal outdoor incidents in November 1971 lent urgency to establishing outdoor leader training. Scotland’s Cairngorms disaster saw five teenagers and their instructor die on a mountain. The next day in Tasmania a Victorian party had one student die from hypothermia and another 10 students lucky to survive. Outdoor Leadership training schemes were rapidly formed in the United Kingdom, Victoria and South Australia by organisations and individuals seeking to prevent a repeat of such tragedies and develop a code of best practise.

The BMWLTB was a representative Board with two members each from the Education Department, Outward Bound SA, National Fitness Council, SA Mountain Activities Federation and the Police Search and Rescue Squad. The BLSA has continued to evolve over the years and remains as the only organisation in Australia providing bushwalking training outside of Recognised Training Providers. We utilise involvement from the SA Police Special Tasks and Rescue Group, SA Ambulance Service and representatives from educational providers and the commercial sector, including private enterprises and not-for-profit associations such as Scouts SA. Our course coordinators are volunteers, and unfortunately we receive no state government funding. Alternative funding streams and grants are often pursued, with mixed results. Our greatest asset to a sustainable future is our wealth of expertise offered on a volunteer basis, and a steady stream of candidates.

The primary course is the Bushwalking Leadership Assistant Course (BLAC), which has changed in recent times after the devastating Bangor Forest fires ripped through the training area of Wirrabara Forest in 2014. Our training program is being modernised, with online learning available for courses, and a website update. In the past, we have only run one BLAC course per year.

However, online learning allows students to begin training when they wish, and progress at their own pace. This flexibility will hopefully make the leadership training course suitable for a broader number of participants.

The current course structure sees participants begin by undertaking the BLAC training that provides skills qualifying them to assist a qualified leader on multi-day walks of up to three days duration. The BLAC qualification is suitable for people leading day walks, such as walking club leaders, or those interested in increasing their skills to lead private walks in a self-reliant capacity.

The next level in our course structure is the Bushwalking Leadership Certificate (BLC) that qualifies people to lead groups on walks of up to three days in semi-remote locations. This certificate is well-regarded by educational institutions and commercial organisations. It is suitable for Scout leaders as well as teachers wishing to teach Outdoor Education or lead extra-curricular programs. To reach this goal candidates must meet a number of experiential learning criteria, including assisting on walks in varying conditions and undertaking an outdoor leadership and group management assessment. Additionally, this is a good qualification for those interested in becoming freelance Outdoor Education Instructors employed on bushwalking or adventure programs.

BLC graduates who wish to obtain higher qualifications can complete our Advanced Bushwalking Leadership Certificate (ABLC) that incorporates experience in arid and alpine regions and remote area critical incident training. Upon completion of this course, successful candidates are qualified to lead extended bushwalks over, including trips in remote and difficult mountain areas. The additional knowledge and experience gained through completion of the ABLC is vital for people considering leading challenging walks to areas in South Australia such as the Flinders and Gammon Ranges. The ABLC is the benchmark for leading adventurous outdoor activities in popular hiking regions interstate and overseas, especially the demanding environments of Tasmania or New Zealand.