Parks and Leisure Australia

#PlayWell | Do you play community sport? How much do you pay to play? Australian Sports Commission are working with Federation University Australia on a project looking at how to make community sport more affordable for all as part of the #PlayWell Strategy. If you or a family member plays sport, they want to hear from you. Your feedback will help to reduce the barriers to playing sport. ▶️ Hurry, fill out the survey before it closes on 31 December and help us ensure everyone has a place in sport. https://lnkd.in/gnKa9uTX

🎉 We are thrilled to announce that Parks and Leisure Australia has been named a Play Well Affiliate! This milestone highlights the shared commitment of nine organisations to creating safe, welcoming, inclusive, and fun experiences for everyone in sport. With the vision that ‘everyone has a place in sport,’ we’re proud to stand alongside these leaders in shaping a future where sport is accessible to all. Together, we’ll continue to champion inclusion and participation across Australia! 💪 #PlayWell #SportForAll #ParksAndLeisure #InclusiveSport #EveryoneHasAPlace https://lnkd.in/gAD3Bw9M

Our executive team had the privilege of attended the Recreation Aotearoa | Te Whai Oranga Recreation Conference 2024 in Auckland, where the city truly turned on the weather for a memorable event, thanks to Auckland Council. The conference brought together the recreation sector under the inspiring theme ‘He Manu Tukutuku’—a metaphor drawn from the traditional Māori kites that embody adaptability and leadership. These kites, influenced by external pressures, require skilled navigation to soar high, mirroring the challenges and opportunities faced by our sector. Throughout the event, we explored how recreation professionals can rise to meet external pressures while strengthening our communities through innovation, inclusion, resilience, and leadership. We’re inspired by the conversations and connections formed at the conference and look forward to applying these insights to shape the future of recreation here at home. Let’s keep the momentum going as we continue to adapt and lead together! #PLA #RA #Bettertogether #Recreation #Leisure #Parks #Sports

#PlayWell | Do you work or volunteer at a local sporting club or association? How much does it cost to deliver your sport? Australian Sports Commission are working with Federation University Australia on a project looking at how to make delivering and playing community sport more affordable as part of the #PlayWell Strategy. Your feedback will help understand the barriers involved in playing sport and steps we can take to make sport more accessible to all. ▶️ Please fill out the survey before it closes on 31 December https://lnkd.in/gnKa9uTX

🌟 Celebrating Excellence in the Parks and Leisure Industry 🌟 We are thrilled to acknowledge the outstanding achievements of the winners of the Parks and Leisure Australia Awards of Excellence! 🏆 These awards shine a spotlight on the remarkable individuals, teams, and organizations who are shaping the future of parks, recreation, and leisure across Australia. A special congratulations to Paul Jane, former PLA President, whose dedication and leadership were recognised with the Frank Stewart Distinguished Service Award. Paul's legacy, alongside the work of so many passionate professionals in our field, showcases the power of parks, open spaces, and leisure services to foster well-being, connection, and community spirit. This year’s winners across all categories have demonstrated innovation, commitment, and a deep passion for creating vibrant and sustainable spaces that enhance the well-being of our communities. The recognition of all category award winners serves as a reminder of the critical role our industry plays in improving the quality of life for all Australians through the creation of accessible and sustainable public spaces. Together, we are creating places that inspire, engage, and connect people in meaningful ways. 🌿💚 You can read all about it here - https://lnkd.in/gFjBP67H.

🚨 Exciting Leadership Announcement! 🚨 We are thrilled to announce that Anand PIllay has been appointed as the new Chief Executive of Parks and Leisure Australia (PLA). 🎉 With 24 years of experience in the leisure industry, Anand has been a visionary leader, dedicated to enhancing community well-being through sport and recreation. His expertise in leadership, strategic planning, and collaboration aligns perfectly with PLA’s mission to support the incredible professionals behind the places that bring our communities to life. Anand’s diverse background—from working with outdoor practitioners and First Nations communities to advocating at various levels of government—makes him the ideal person to lead PLA into the future. His passion for policy development and research, combined with his comprehensive understanding of the industry, ensures that PLA will continue to grow and elevate the impact we have across Australia. Welcome to the team, Anand! We are excited to see how your leadership will propel us forward. #Leadership #ParksAndLeisure #Leisure #Recreation #Innovation #Collaboration Read more here - https://lnkd.in/gz3V-KTZ

Brisbane truly shone this week for the Parks and Leisure Australia 2024 National Conference! ☀️ From the moment we gathered on opening night, through insightful presentations, an inspiring pep-talk from Steven Bradbury, and an unforgettable Awards of Excellence, it was clear this gathering would be something special. And indeed, it was—a time to connect, reflect, and protect the future of our organisation. On Tuesday, members united to address a significant motion at the Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM). The proposed change to federate—a move not aligned with the direction and preference of most of the country—was carefully considered. With 69.6% of valid votes opposing the motion, members sent a resounding message: our strength lies in unity. I’m incredibly proud of the passion and commitment you all demonstrated. Together, we stood tall and affirmed the values that bind us as an organisation and sector. At the Annual General Meeting (AGM), we moved forward by considering the new Official PLA Constitution. With 73.5% of valid votes in favour, we came just 1.5% short of the 75% required for constitutional change. While many proxy votes couldn't be counted due to late submission, they would have likely filled the small gap and further shown our members' desire for progress. Rest assured, we will re-table the official constitution at a future date—without disruptions—and continue driving PLA’s growth and future direction. Thank you to everyone who took the time to vote and support our vision. Your engagement makes all the difference, and it's true what they say: every vote counts.

What a way to wrap up our 2024 PLA National Conference – honouring our industry's best and brightest at the National Awards of Excellence! With amazing music and exciting entertainment, it was a fantastic opportunity for our industry to catch up and enjoy each other's company. Thanks to GLG GreenLife Group for their support, and we'll see you all next year.

🌿 Cities at Play 🏞️ From October 13th-16th, the 2024 Parks and Leisure Australia Brisbane Conference brought together leaders, innovators, and passionate professionals across our industry. Under the theme Cities at Play, we explored how leisure, play, and community meet innovation, driving the future of vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable spaces for all. Building on the 2023 International Congress Adelaide Statement, this year’s Brisbane Conference Statement emphasises six key pledges to guide our strategic vision: 🤝 Foster Collaboration: Partnering across disciplines, cultures, and sectors to enhance leisure outcomes. 🌱 Promote Sustainability: Advocating for ecologically sound leisure experiences. ⚖️ Advocate for Equity: Creating fair outcomes by understanding diverse experiences. 💡 Embrace Innovation: Infusing purpose into our parks and spaces through creative design and planning. 🧘♂️ Champion Health and Wellbeing: Integrating wellness into park programs and designs. 🗣️ Community Engagement: Empowering communities to contribute to the decisions shaping their local spaces. This year's conference streams—ranging from sports and physical activity to future planning and sustainability—offered invaluable insights. As an industry, we’re committed to sharing these learnings, driving innovation, and tackling challenges like climate change and evolving physical activity trends. We look forward to using the Brisbane Statement to inspire and inform our colleagues, organisations, and political leaders as we shape the future of parks and leisure. You can access the full statement here - https://lnkd.in/gxq8DpSn #ParksAndLeisure #CitiesAtPlay #Sustainability #HealthAndWellbeing #Innovation #CommunityEngagement #FutureOfLeisure

It was an incredible night at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre on Tuesday for the 2024 PLA National Awards of Excellence! A massive congratulations to all the people, organisations and businesses that were nominated, as well as our very deserving winners. The night was proudly sponsored by the team at GLG GreenLife Group.