The ROC Adventure Fund (ROC AF) is an initiative used to support ROC members to make their epic dream trips come to life!
This fund carries on the spirit of the Nicola Andrews Adventure Fund (NAAF) which was initially created in memory of Nicola Andrews who pioneered advanced trips in the club including ridge hikes in Tasmania and New Zealand. Though NAAF has officially wrapped up as of 2022, we hope ROC AF can continue to encourage and allow people to enjoy the outdoors as Nicola did.
Applications can be submitted individually or as a group. First-round applications involve a short, 500-word overview of the trip and what ROC AF money would be used for; shortlisted applications from this round will be asked to submit a more detailed second-round application including a budget, risk assessment and itinerary.
There are 2 different grants that are offered in alternating years:
Student Grant – Open to ROC members who are also current local students, for a grant of $500-750 to use in the next 12 months to explore Australia and its outdoors.
Open Grant – Open to all ROC members for a grant of $500-$2500 to use in the next 18 months on a larger-scale adventure anywhere in the world.
This year (2025) we are offering the open grant and look forward to reading about all your trip ideas! For more details and information on how to apply, please see the linked documents at the bottom of this page. Applications close April 9 and round 1 decisions notified April 21!
Previous Adventure Fund Recipients:
Heath Manning (2024 student recipient) – Castlemaine to Daylesford, via the Goldfields Track, to Trentham
“Throughout the trip we talked to local historians, farmers and nature-lovers, who were happy to trade stories, knowledge and snacks. Whilst we did not find the original ‘hippies’, the spirit of the ‘hunt’ was fulfilled through these encounters, making it a great success.”
Tim Billington (2017 recipient) – Climbing Ismoil Somoni Peak
At 7495m, it’s the highest mountain in Tajikistan and the highest peak ever to be reached by a ROC member!
Lewis Clarey and Alex Williams (2019 recipients) – New Zealand Expedition to Explore Alpine Caves
Hope of discovering caves never before explored by man…
Estelle Fleming (2019 recipient) – Solo horse trekking in Mongolia
“…Mongolia is said to be one of the last countries in the world that still has a true nomadic culture. I want to experience this before it changes and I don’t want to do it in a tour group where things are commercialised. I want this to be a true adventure, something that I will remember forever, for both its ups and downs. I want to be on my own in the wilderness for 3 weeks and just to live and experience this. Away from cities, technology and distractions. To challenge myself both mentally, emotionally and physically. That is the dream.”
We are SUPER excited to have supported this adventurous trip and hope it inspires others as much as it did for us! NAAF was able to contribute $4000 to Estelle to bring her dream to reality.
