When reflecting on the Leadership Weekend, one of the suggestions that came up near the end was that the name put some people off. For example, “if I go to the Leadership Weekend I will have to lead trips” or “they are going to tell me how to suck eggs when I already know what I am doing.”

In hindsight, we should have called the weekend the “what if weekend,” because as much as leadership was the goal, it ended up being an incredible weekend of discussing difficult situations and sharing stories about our own experiences in the outdoors.

Our Training and Safety Co-ordinator Liz Henderson worked tirelessly planning this event for the last three months. Despite the worry and the unknowns, it came together beautifully.

The attendees were all wonderful and willing participants. Instead of it being a lecture on what to do and what not to do, it became an open discussion group where everyone spoke up and asked questions and shared ideas.

As a tramping club, it is our responsibility to look after each other in the outdoors. It is important that we all arrive home safe and sound, if not just a little tired. At the same time, the adventure is about the risk and pushing our limits, so it is so important to continue doing so, while taking steps to make sure that we avoid getting into strife and potentially killing or seriously injuring anyone.

There are so many variables in the wilderness that it is impossible to prevent any accidents or tricky situations. Knowing what to do when someone is hurt, or lost... and being able to discuss the “what ifs” was the best outcome of this weekend.

A big thank you to Richard Walker and Tim Tyler who helped facilitate the discussions and training.

Participants : Kate Krawczyk, Leah Parker, Liz Henderson, Debbie Hogan, Marianne Hermsen, Peter Phipps, Michele Cunningham, Patrick Holland, Kath Ballantine, Richard Walker, Tim Tyler, Sue Henley, Nicola Harwood, Don Morissey, Nina Solter, Brian Renwick, Ian Morris, Marilyn Morris, Friede Schultze, Barry James, Daven Illenberger.