Parks and Leisure Australia announces 2015 national award winners

Parks and Leisure Australia (PLA) has announced the winners of its 2015 Awards of Excellence, presented last week at an event at Sydney’s Dockside Pavilion hosted by Gardening Australia's Costa Georgiadis.

Individual awards were presented in the following categories.

Frank Stewart Distinguished Service Award
Andrew Smith of the City of Onkaparinga and Parks and Leisure Australia Treasurer/National Finance Director
Named after a former Federal Minister for Tourism and Recreation, this is the most prestigious individual award bestowed by Parks and Leisure Australia.  The award salutes the significant contribution an individual has made to the development, promotion and advocacy of parks and recreation.

Emerging Leader of the Year Award
Eve Cracker, Sport and Recreation Planner at Logan City Council (pictured)

David Aldous Student of the Year Award
Jess Fuller-Smith, Hobart City Council
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.

Individual awards were presented in the following categories.

Events Award    
Toowoomba Regional Council - Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers

Inclusive & Connected Communities Award
Toowoomba Regional Council - The CHANGE Project

Leisure Facilities: Development Award    
Warringah Council - Warringah Creative Space (pictured top)

Leisure and/or Open Space: Planning Award
City of Greater Geelong and Inside Edge Sport and Leisure Planning - Innovative Regional Planning for Sport

Parks and Open Space: Development Award
City of Melbourne and Victoria Department of Health - Return to Royal Park

Playspace: Major ($500,000 +) Award
Frew Park Exceptional Playground - The Play Works and Brisbane City Council

Playspace: Minor (less than $500,000) Award
North Sydney Council -Three Playspaces

Research Project Award    
Bundaberg Regional Council Active By Community Design - The Redevelopment of Boreham Park

Use of Technology Award
City of Busselton, Geothermal Heating Project at the Geographe Leisure Centre

Nominations for PLA’s 2016 Awards of Excellence open soon with PLA Chief Executive Mark Band stating “make sure you don't miss out on the opportunity to recognise the outstanding and innovative efforts of the 'people behind the places' which promote and enhance the good use of leisure time.”

26th October 2015 - CELEBRITY SPEAKERS FOR PARKS AND LEISURE AUSTRALIA 2015 NATIONAL CONFERENCE

14th September 2015 - 2015 PLA NATIONAL CONFERENCE HEADS TO SYDNEY

2nd January 2015 - MARK CASSERLY STEPS DOWN FROM PARKS AND LEISURE AUSTRALIA PRESIDENCY

13th November 2014 - PARKS FORUM CEASES OPERATIONS

12th December 2014 - PARKS AND LEISURE AUSTRALIA OPENS 2015 AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE NOMINATIONS