CATEGORIES

FRANK STEWART DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD

Named after a former Federal Minister for Tourism & Recreation, this is the most prestigious individual award bestowed by Parks & Leisure Australia. The award salutes the significant contribution an individual has made to the development, promotion and advocacy of the parks and leisure industry through their personal and professional endeavours over a substantial period.

The Frank Stewart Distinguished Service Award winner receives an Honorary Life Membership to Parks and Leisure Australia and a commemorative plaque acknowledging the awarding of this prestigious honour.  

They must be nominated by a third party (who is an active Parks & Leisure Australia member).

2017 WINNER: PENNY DAVIDSON, ACT

DAVID ALDOUS STUDENT OF THE YEAR AWARD

Named in honour of the late Dr. David Aldous (a recipient of the Frank Stewart Distinguished Service Award), this award seeks to recognise and celebrate the outstanding contributions made by students in a course of study leading to a nationally recognised qualification in the sector throughout Australia.  Finalists receive a ticket to the Awards of Excellence Gala Dinner, 1 night's accommodation and return flights. In addition the winner receives a 12 month Parks and Leisure Australia membership. 

They may either self nominated or nominated by a third party (who is an active Parks & Leisure Australia member).

2017 WINNER:  JACKSONE HOLLAND - Sponsored by WillPlay

EMERGING LEADER AWARD

This award recognises outstanding achievement by a young or emerging professional (under 30 years of age) who has made a significant contribution to the parks and leisure industry.  Finalists receive a ticket to the Awards of Excellence Gala Dinner, 1 night's accommodation and return flights.

The winner of the Emerging Leader Award is awarded a trip to the New Zealand Recreation Association (NZRA) National Conference (including flights and accommodation) in November, 2018 and a 12 month Parks and Leisure Australia membership.

They may either self nominate or be nominated by a third party (who is an active Parks & Leisure Australia member).

2017 WINNER: JO MASSOUD -  Sponsored by Otium Planning Group

MAJOR EVENT OF THE YEAR AWARD

This award is designed to recognise the community events which receive third party sponsorship and that charge an admission or participation fee. The event is commercial (major sponsorship / partnership) in nature and promotes community participation through industry related events. Evidence of the success should form a component of the submission.

2017 WINNER: CITY OF JOONALUP, WA - Sponsored by City of Gold Coast (Previously Event of the Year Award)

COMMUNITY BASED INITIATIVE OF THE YEAR

This award is designed to recognise the combined effort that is required to successfully plan, organise and manage effective initiatives, programs, events and/or festivals which promote and enhance leisure time for a number of social, environmental and economic benefits to the community. Evidence of the success should form a component of the submission.

2017 WINNER: THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS AND DOMAIN TRUST, NSW - Sponsored by Telstra (Previously Community Program of the Year)

STRATEGIC PLANNING AWARD

This award recognises the development of strategies for parks, open space, sport, recreation and leisure opportunities by rewarding outstanding examples of strategic planning that have enriched and revitalised a community. 

2017 JOINT WINNERS: KU-RING-GAI COUNCIL, WA + BRIMBANK CITY COUNCIL, VIC/TAS (Previously Leisure and/or Open Space Planning Award)

COMMUNITY  FACILITY OF THE YEAR AWARD

The community facility award recognises facilities that demonstrate innovative features of design, development and operation.

2017 WINNER:  CITY OF GOSNELLS, WA - Sponsored by Tennis Australia (Previously Leisure Facility of the Year Award)

PARK OF THE YEAR AWARD

This award celebrates and promotes vibrant, successful well designed and managed new or significantly revitalised parks/ open spaces by recognising and rewarding exceptional examples of best practice in terms of design and management.

2017 WINNER:  CITY OF KWINNA, WA - Sponsored by GreenLife Group

PLAYSPACE AWARD (>$0.5M)

This award is given to a regional level play space that involves a range of stakeholders, contributes to the creation of a sense of “place’’ for its local community and exhibits landscape and/or structural design innovation that delights and aids childhood development.

2017 WINNER: CITY OF KWINANA, WA AND JOSH BYRNE AND ASSOCIATES - Sponsored by Proludic

PLAYSPACE AWARD (<$0.5M)

This award is given to a regional level play space that involves a range of stakeholders, contributes to the creation of a sense of “place” for its local community and exhibits landscape and/or structural design innovation that delights and aids childhood development.

2017 WINNER: FIONA ROBBE AND ASSOCIATES

RESEARCH PROJECT AWARD

This award acknowledges outstanding research achievement by a group or individual, professionals, student or academics, who have made a significant contribution to the parks and leisure industry through expanded knowledge enhancement promoting the benefits or importance of the parks and leisure sector in Australian society.

2017 WINNER: DEPT. OF SPORT AND RECREATION, VIC - Sponsored by ETP Turf

BEST USE OF TECHNOLOGY AWARD

This award acknowledges outstanding and innovative achievement in the area of technology application and how that application has benefited the industry.  This could relate to an event based system application through to an ongoing monitoring program of relevance to parks and leisure.

2017 WINNER: SRS SPATIAL, QLD - Sponsored by Allow Access

BEST RURAL INDUSTRY CONTRIBUTION AWARD (NEW)