Awards
We work towards developing and supporting the Parks & Leisure sector by providing a wide array of member benefits
Frank Stewart Distinguished Service Award
The Frank Stewart Award is Parks and Leisure Australia's highest individual honour. It is awarded to an individual who has made a significant contribution to the development, promotion and advocacy of the parks and leisure industry through their personal and professional endeavours.
The Frank Stewart Distinguished Service Award is judged by previous winners of the award and the recipient receives an Honorary Life Membership to Parks and Leisure Australia as well as a commemorative plaque.
Nominees must:
- Be a current individual member of PLA or the nominated representative for a corporate member of PLA
- Have at least 5 years continuous and current membership of PLA
- Have a minimum of 5 years' experience in the parks and leisure industry
- Be nominated by two current individual PLA members
- Please note: Individuals cannot self-nominate
Previous Winners
| Year | Winner | Position / Organisation |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Laurie Boyd | Director, Centre for Leadership and Management |
| 1986 | Rob Ewart | Retired |
| 1987 | Ric Thompson | General Manager, Inclusion Works |
| 1988 | Garry Henshall | Managing Director, Garry Henshall and Associates |
| 1989 | Peter Butler | Manager, Amstel Golf Course |
| 1990 | Michael King | Director, SGL Leisure Group |
| 1991 | Helen Hayes | Planning Consultant, Queensland |
| 1992 | Greg Maddock | Deceased |
| 1993 | Jim Harley | Retired |
| 1997 | Ken Marriott Helen Croxford | Managing Director, HM Leisure Planning Director, City of Maroondah |
| 1998 | Peter Fitchett | Director, City of Casey |
| 1999 | John Senior Neville Byrne | Manager - Strategic Partnerships, Parks Victoria Team Leader, Mt Lofty Ranges |
| 2000 | Francis Lobo | Senior Lecturer, Edith Cowan University (retired) |
| 2001 | Andrew Taylor | Chief Executive Officer, Snowy Works and Services |
| 2002 | Martin Doulton | Director, Monash Sport |
| 2003 | Peter Nicholls | Managing Director, Work Leisure International |
| 2004 | Sarah-Jo Mason | Communications Manager, The AbiGroup |
| 2005 | Les Dennis David Aldous | Director, Community Development and Special Events Management Adjunct Professor, The University of Queensland (since deceased) |
| 2006 | Tony Veal | Adjunct Professor, University of Technology (Sydney) |
| 2007 | Stephen Wearing | Adjunct Professor, University of Technology (Sydney) |
| 2008 | Stephen Bourke | Director Community and Recreation, Sutherland Shire Council |
| 2009 | Sally Jeavons | Principal, @leisure |
| 2010 | Anne Binkley | Retired |
| 2011 | John Brandenburg | John P Brandenburg Consulting (since deceased) |
| 2012 | John Wood | John Wood Consultancy Services Pty Ltd |
| 2013 | Bruce Fordham | Manager of Leisure and Events, Hume City Council |
| 2014 | Cathy Kiss | Senior Open Space Planner, City of Melbourne |
| 2015 | Andrew Smith | Group Leader Asset Management, City of Onkaparinga |
| 2016 | Not Awarded | |
| 2017 | Penny Davidson | Retired |
| 2018 | Kevin Lowe | General Manager Urban Planning & Leisure Services, Campbelltown City Council, SA |
| 2019 | Kirsten Jackson | Manager Active Communities, Cardinia Shire Council |