2002 Australia's Year of the Outback

"2002 - Australia's Year of the Outback" was a starting point, a platform from which to raise awareness of Outback Australia, its immense diversity and its vital role in our future.

"OUTBACK 2002" presented a challenge to Australians of all ages, city and country, to respond to their innate identification with the Outback.

This challenge met overwhelming acceptance Australia wide by individuals, communities, organisations, schools, colleges, universities and all levels of government.

Outback 2002 Ltd - the Board of Directors and the National Secretariat - supported by State Steering Committees, attracted and coordinated a program of events and activities to the "Year of the Outback" banner which achieved a positive and exciting focus on the contribution made by, and the future of, the Australian Outback. A single port of call was provided to support communities in their various events and to maintain a coordinated approach and build collaborative effort. One of the many outcomes of this approach was the creation of an extensive support network as numerous Individuals, Organisations, Companies, Government Bodies, registered with the Secretariat to ensure they were on the mailing list for updates and support.

As 2002 progressed momentum and levels of involvement accelerated:

More than 300 distinguished Australians accepted invitations to be "Year of the Outback" Ambassadors.
In excess of 3000 events and activities were identified with the "Year of the Outback". At least 1000 of these were created specifically for the "Year" with many of these to be repeated.
All Royal Shows featured "Year of the Outback".
An extraordinary number of supportive relationships were established with communities and organisations across Australia.
Major Annual Conferences traditionally held in cities "went Bush" in recognition of the "Year of the Outback": Eg The "National Farmer's Federation" to Carnarvon W.A.; "Local Government Association of Australia" to Alice Springs.
A sitting of Queensland Parliament was held in Townsville.
Media interest and coverage - Print, radio, television (including major programmes) - was extensive, achieving in excess of 1 200 items per month. Benefits exceeding $300 million in value were generated. This can be repeated and increased in subsequent years.
Charities benefited by more than $4 million.
Travellers went "Bush" in unprecedented numbers.
The "Year of the Outback" was recognised with prestigious awards including:
"Jaguar Award" for innovation in travel.
"Outback Queensland Tourism Authority's Award" for outstanding contribution to Regional Tourism.
On 25th January 2003 "Year of the Outback" Founder and Chairman Bruce Campbell was named "Senior Australian of the Year 2003", largely in recognition of the "Year's" extraordinary impact and in May 2003 he was awarded a "Centenary Medal" and in 2004 was made a member of the Order of Australia.
The Royal Australian Mint struck a series of "Year of the Outback" coins.

Clearly the word "Outback" had cast its powerful spell and generated an explosion of national spirit that detonated an unstoppable chain reaction.

The "Australian Outback Development Consortium Ltd" (AODC) has been established to continue and expand this process.

'2002 Year of the Outback' Report

During 2002 the word 'Outback' emerged as a unifying national symbol embracing all Australians.

2002 Australia's 'Year of the Outback', assisted by an amazing array of individuals, communities, groups and organisations across our great nation, produced what have been referred to as 'miracles'. People achieving what, in many cases, conventional belief would have deemed the 'unachievable'and displaying time and time again tireless determination in completing the task at hand for the betterment of their country, their community and/ or worthy benevolent causes.

Across the nation the enthusiasm was infectious. '2002 Year of the Outback' detonated an unstoppable chain reaction and the process will now continue with the many positive outcomes of '2002' as a benchmark.

To learn more about '2002' and its outcomes, please click here to view the complete '2002 Year of the Outback' Report.