Wow 2024 marks 11 years in business!!! The story of GAS started from a conversation around a campfire somewhere on an adventure in 2012 when Jeremy and family were on long service leave from his previous career in Outdoor Education teaching. They decided to embark on a different journey. They saw gaps in the various adventure based tourism, disability & mental health sectors in Geelong and the surround area. There was a need for a service who offered a variety of activities with a focus on delivering high quality private experiences. 

The beginning: Mid-way through 2013 they kicked off, since then GAS has worked with a huge variety of organizations and people from all over the world. They have also partnered with many local businesses and organisations to deliver many interesting larger programs. After 4 years of developing a great brand with a solid reputation they decided it was time to take the next step.

2017 They began phase two of their business plan by entering the disability sector. They are a fully registered NDIS service provider. And in doing so they are the only disability support provider who specialises in using nature and adventure as a catalyst for change under the NDIS in Geelong. They also took over Geelongs #1 sightsee tour company More Than A Tour, whose specialty is the Great Ocean Road 12 Apostles Tour and there's many others.   

2018 was been another big year with Shelley Graduating from her second Masters in Counselling, so they added Adventure Based Counselling and Bush Adventure Therapy into the mix. They were also accredited by QIP/Quality Innovation Performance against the Human Service Standards, they said:

“Client and stakeholder feedback indicates that GAS is held in high esteem as a provider of adventure experiences, and provides a respectful tailored program.” - QIP

GAS aims to at all times maintain the upmost levels of service for our customers and strives to place itself at the forefront of operators within the adventure and tourism industries and the disability sector.

Their equipment is among the best you'll see in the industry and their safety record is impeccable. All this ensure that you'll have a fantastic experience. To prove this they've just received another award; being Inducted into the "Trip Advisor Hall of Fame, for 5 consecutive years of delivering excellence". They would love for you to join them on an adventure.

• To create opportunities for all people to get out into nature and have some fun.
• To meet the needs of our clients.
• To facilitate an environment of discovery and knowledge sharing.
• To run an ethical and environmentally sustainable business.

GAS Licenses/Insurance/Registrations/Accreditation:

• Tour Operator Licence, to operate on public land.
• Insurance: 20 million public liability insurance. 
• Bus Certificate of Registration, by Transport Safety Victoria.
• Registered Disability Support Service, under the NDIS. 
• Accredited Community Organisation, By QIP.
• Tourism Greater Geelong & The Bellarine Members. 

Meet the team:

Jeremy - Managing Director- Owner/Operator

Jeremy has lived in Geelong most of his life and has spent a great deal of it recreating in the outdoors and has 25+ years of working in the Outdoor Education Industry.

Before GAS: After graduating a Bachelor of Education, majoring in Outdoor Education, he had a 12 year career of teaching at the Christian College’s Senior Campus, in the Outdoor Education department. As the program grew he took on the coordination of the logistical side of the broader program. Notably they are recognised as developing one of the most successful VCE OE/OES programs in the region. 

He says he doesn't have a favourite outdoor activity, his interests are very seasonal and this makes him a bit of an all-rounder in the outdoors. He really enjoy helping others to be enriched through outdoor experiences and creating opportunities for all to get into nature. 

Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Education - Outdoor Education & Environmental Science
• Remote Area First Aid
• Rock climbing Instructor - SPG (ACIA)
• Telemark Skiing Instructor (APSI)
• Community Surf Life Saving Certificate
• Teacher Registration, Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT)
• Heavy Vehicle Drivers Licence
• Flat water guide canoe instructor (Paddle Vic) 
• Mt Biking Instructor, Foundation level (Aus Cycling). 

Shelley - Managing Partner- Owner- Adventure Therapist

Shelley has a broad range of group facilitation skills. She developed outdoor adventure education programs for secondary and tertiary students and therapeutic programs for adults and adolescents experiencing mental illness.

Shelley always has a new and innovative side-line project on the go, currently she’s working a few days a week in a local secondary school with the wellbeing team to improve attendance. Prior to that she worked with disadvantaged young people at Children's Charity - Cottage by the Sea, in a program that supports transition from primary to secondary school and beyond with a focus on building resilience and self efficacy. 

Shelley completed a Bachelor of Education and worked at Mount Eliza Secondary College. Interest in mental health led to exploration of the therapeutic benefits of nature and the role adventure can play in relationship development. This interest became the topic of Masters research with a focus on adults with a long term disability caused by mental illness.

Shelley served on the Victorian Outdoor Education Association and also the Out Doors Inc board of management. Currently completing a Master of Counselling degree at Monash University. Instructor qualifications in rock climbing, canoeing and surfing.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Education - Outdoor Education & Environmental Studies / Health Education
• Master of Education - Experiential Learning & Development / Wilderness Therapy
• Master of Counselling 
• Remote Area First Aid
• Mental Health First Aid
• Rock climbing Instructor - TRG (ACIA)
• Community Surf Life Saving Certificate
• Teacher Registration, Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT)
• Bus Licence
• Flat water guide canoe instructor (Paddle Vic) 
• Mt Biking Instructor, Foundation level (Aus Cycling).

Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Outdoor & Environmental Education  
• Wilderness First Aid
• Flat water guide canoe instructor & moving water endorsement (Paddle Aus)
• Mt Biking Instructor, Foundation level (Aus Cycling).

Matt - Outdoor Education & Disability Support Worker

Matt is an Outdoor Education and climbing specialist and a Support Worker. He's also into surfing, exercising, playing with his kids. He say's he enjoys how the outdoors has the power to reconnect us to what really matters. He's also the owner of Form Strength & Mobility.

Qualifications:

• Diploma of Outdoor Recreation
• Certificate IV in Fitness
• Rock climbing Instructor - SPG (ACIA)
• Bus Licence
• Mt Biking Instructor, Foundation level (Aus Cycling)
• Community Surf Life Saving Certificate
• First Aid.

Ellie - Social Worker & Bush Adventure Therapy Facilitator & Disability Sopport Worker.

Ellie is one of those special warm hearted go getters. She is a very experienced Bush walker, is also into camping, reading and travelling. When we asked her what she loves about the outdoors she said: "I Love how it slows me down and brings me into the present moment". Her favourite place is camping along the Jameson River or anywhere in the Alps.      

Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Social Work
• Diploma or Nature Based Therapy 
• Cert III in Aged Care
• Community Surf Life Saving Certificate
• First Aid.

 ALSO: To be added (on the new website): 

James: OE & Disability Supports; BArts:OES, MTB Instructor, & WFA. 

Chris: OE & Disability Supports; BArts:OES, MA:SE, DipEd:OE, MTB Instructor, & FA.

Ruth: Mental Health Nurse, Disability Supports: BN, BAS & FA. 

Jen: Mental Health Support Worker; BEd:OES, Paddling specialist, SWR & WFA.  

Brett: MTB specialist: MTB Level 2 Instructor & FA & current age World Champion in 24hr MTB XC.

Mel: OE & Disability Supports; Cert IV Outdoor Leadership, APSI Alpine L1, MTB & Canoe Instructor & WFA.

Sam: OE & Disability Supports; BEd:OES, Cert.III Sport & Rec, MTB Instructor & WFA.

Lily: OE & Disability Supports; BArts:Outdoor Leadership, MTB & Canoe Instructor & WFA. 

Skip: OE & Disability Supports; Cert IV Outdoor Rec, MTB Instructor & WFA.

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