Meet our outdoor education providers

Black Diamond Adventures comprises of a tightly knit team of experienced outdoor educators who believe young Australians have what it takes. Our instructors are passionate about developing young Australians and value the role Australia’s landscape and heritage can play in that development.

Our staff share other qualities that go beyond being skilled at facilitating outdoor education programs. As a progressive outdoor education provider, we value an inclusive community and people who have gained life skills from a variety of endeavours. To us, lived experience is vital as it underscores reasoning. It also develops empathy and authenticity when inspiring participants to step outside their comfort zones and go for personal growth.

As a by-product of this, you’ll find that our staff are interesting folk and genuinely good people to be around.

If you are interested in becoming a valued member of the Black Diamond Adventures team, please get in CONTACT with us.

ROB – DIRECTOR

Rob is our founder and visionary. After being inspired by his own experience as a participant of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and a comprehensive outdoor education program throughout high school, Rob developed a thirst for adventure and went on to discover just how big Australia really was. Being raised in suburban South West Sydney, he was blown away by a gap year spent on some of the Northern Territories largest Cattle Stations. Rob quickly became aware of what our First Nation people and early settlers endured to create our Australian Identity. It was during this time that his passion for Indigenous culture was ignited. Rob soon became inspired to expose young people from the coast and suburbs to also understand what has shaped us as a country.

From 2008 – 2018 Rob continued his adventures, this time as a high school PDHPE teacher. He taught his first 2 years in some tough conditions in London, before finding his dream PDHPE job at Bulli High School. Rob held leadership roles in many areas of the school, but found his true passion for outdoor education, playing an integral role in leading the most sought after Duke of Edinburgh’s Award program in the Illawarra.

When Rob decided to leave Bulli High School to start Black Diamond Adventures, it was a very difficult decision. However, it was clear to him that it was time to do as he had asked of his students for many years and be willing to step out of his comfort zone.

Rob remains hands on in the day to day operations of the company, wearing many hats. He still enjoys being on the ground with students and leading his small team by setting strong examples. By doing this Rob keeps his finger on the pulse and ensures the quality of each program lives up to the Black Diamond Adventures culture and values. It is his vision that not only will Black Diamond Adventures programs be highly sought after by schools, but be the first choice company that Outdoor Educators are aspiring to work for.

CONNOR – PROGRAM COORDINATOR

Connor is a British citizen, born in Hong Kong, raised in Abu Dabi, educated at Edinburgh University and worked all over the world, it is fair to say that Connor is a wise man for his age. Connor has a degree in Outdoor Education and further refined his skills working for some of the world’s most renowned outdoor education companies. He is well respected by his students and highly regarded by his colleagues. Not only is Connor continually looking to improve, he is always going above and beyond to get the best out of those around him.

EMILY – OFFICE MANAGER

Emily is the Office Manager at Black Diamond Adventures and is responsible for the day to day running of the business.

Emily has worked in Administration for over 15 years. Having worked for a number of large corporate organisations including Deloitte and KPMG, Emily brings professionalism and efficiency to all aspects of the business operations.

Being raised on a small property near Camden NSW, where dairy farming played a big part in her family’s life, Emily has a strong appreciation for the outdoors and the Australian lifestyle.

Emily is a mum of three active boys and she loves to spend time with them outdoors on their own camping and beach adventures.

TYSON BRICKNELL – DUKE OF ED COORDINATOR

Tyson completed his Gold Duke of Ed Adventurous Journey with BDA Director Rob Mann as his teacher back in 2018 in the Top End of the Northern Territory. This became a formative experience for him, sparking his love for adventure and exploration. After working with the disability trust, Tyson discovered a passion for working with young people. Combining these two interests, Tyson joined the BDA team in 2021 as a trainee.

Now, having completed his Certificate 3 & 4 in Outdoor Leadership, Tyson is responsible for coordinating Duke of Ed Adventurous Journey’s. In this role, Tyson focuses on coordinating logistics for trips, liaising with schools about their journey’s, and supports both BDA leaders and school teachers out on programs.

SARA JONES – GROUP LEADER & MEDIA COORDINATOR

After finishing Year 12 in 2021, Sara moved from the Northern Beaches of Sydney down to Wollongong to work with Black Diamond Adventures as a trainee in 2022. Having completed her Bronze and Silver Duke of Ed at school, Sara has a passion for being active and supporting other young people through their Adventurous Journey’s.

Since completing her traineeship, Sara has taken on the role of coordinating BDA media channels, as well as planning new programs and further developing existing programs for Black Diamond.

Trainees

MAEVE – CERTIFICATE 4

Maeve completed her Gold Duke of Ed AJ with BDA leaders Connor and Tyson in 2022 in the Northern Territory. This experience opened Maeve up to the possibilities of turning her passion for adventure and nature into a career after school, starting at Black Diamond in 2023 as a Cert 3 trainee. Maeve is currently undertaking her Cert 4 in Outdoor Leadership and is continuing to have a positive impact on all the students she works with.

GEORGIA – CERTIFICATE 4

Georgia joined the team in 2023 and is currently completing her Cert IV in Outdoor Leadership. Georgia’s passion for the outdoors began in High School where she had the opportunity to participate in the Duke of Edinburgh Award and got to experience first hand the rewards of stepping outside your comfort zone in the outdoors. Since then, Georgia’s wanted to provide the same experiences she’s had for other young people as she shares her love for the outdoors.

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Our staff have qualities that go beyond being skilled at facilitating outdoor education programs.

THE MAKING OF AUSTRALIANS