Parks and Leisure Australia (PLA) is the leading industry association for professionals in the sector.
Our aim is to build, serve and develop a strong and united parks and leisure industry in Australia.
As the national peak body for the 'people behind the places' we support our members through the provision of training, professional development, research, advocacy and provide a range of products and services to support you and the industry.
Member benefitsPLA has been servicing and advocating for the parks and leisure industry since 1926.
It originally formed as the Victorian Tree Planters Association and then in the 1950's & 60's expanded its focus around parks and recreation administration nationally, becoming the Royal Australian Institute of Parks and Recreation in the 70's that continued supporting the industry until merging with the Australian Leisure Institute in 1998 to form Parks and Leisure Australia.
Over this time, there have been significant contributions made by many individuals and attached is a list of the previous presidents and honorary award winners that have reflected these contributions.
| 1926-34
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Councillor William Cockbill
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| 1934-38
|
James Railton
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| 1938-47
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Councillor William Warner
|
| 1947-65
|
John Stanley (Jack) Owens - Melbourne City Council
|
| 1965-68
|
TR Noel Lothian OBE - Director Adelaide Botanic Gardens
|
| 1968-69
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RTM Pescott - Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne
|
| 1969-71
|
David Shoobridge -ACT
|
| 1971-72
|
Frank Keenan MBE - Director Parks, Gardens & Recreation, City of Melbourne
|
| 1972-73
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WR Watson - Assistant Director Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney
|
| 1973-74
|
Val B Ellis - Director Adelaide Parks & Gardens
|
| 1974-75
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Gordon R Shearwood -WA
|
| 1975-76
|
Jim H Sullivan - Director Melbourne Zoological Gardens
|
| 1976-77
|
John E Gray - National Capital Development Commission, ACT
|
| 1977-78
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WA Bill Goodman -Launceston Council, TAS
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| 1978-7
|
Ray J Steward Director Parks & Recreation, Brisbane City Council, QLD
|
| 1979-81
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WR Watson - Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney, NSW
|
| 1981-82
|
Dr Paul Wycherley OBE -Director Kings Park Perth, WA
|
| 1982-83
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Ken Trafford - Toowoomba City Council, QLD
|
| 1983-84
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Ted Gleeson -TAS
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| 1984-85
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Barry Nielsen - QLD
|
| 1985-86
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Laurie Withers - Hume City Council, NSW
|
| 1986-89
|
John Mortimer - NSW
|
| 1990-91
|
Peter Nicholls - SA
|
| 1991-92
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Graham Mustow - VIC
|
| 1992-93
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Tom Crossen - TAS
|
| 1993-94
|
Richard Clarkson - QLD |
| 1994-96
|
Kerry Geale -Director Parks & Community Services Wagga Wagga City Council, NSW
|
| 1996-97
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Andrew Taylor - SA
|
| 1997-98
|
Phil Gale - WA
|
| 1966
|
Ben Bone
|
| 1967
|
James Sullivan
|
| 1969
|
Noel Lothian OBE, Alex Wilkie
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| 1970
|
Bill Halligan
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| 1971
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Frank Keenan MBE, Richard Pescott
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| 1974
|
David Shoobridge
|
| 1976
|
Jack Firth
|
| 1977
|
George Vafiopolous, Warwick Wilson
|
| 1978
|
John Gray, Gordon Shearwood
|
| 1989
|
Bill Goodman
|
| 1991
|
Val Ellis
|
| 1985
|
Richard Clough, Jack Owens, Tom Wood
|
| 1986
|
Ian Frencham
|
| 1985 | Laurie Boyd |
| 1986 | Rob Ewart |
| 1987 | Ric Thompson |
| 1988 | Garry Henshall |
| 1989 | Peter Butler |
| 1990 | Michael King |
| 1991 | Helen Hayes |
| 1992 | Greg Maddock |
| 1993 | Jim Harley |
| 1997
|
Ken Marriott
|