On Friday 1 November, Parks & Leisure Australia (PLA) celebrated the sector's brightest minds and most creative, sustainable and innovative initiatives from across Australia at the National Awards of Excellence at the Crown Perth. More than 500 guests from across the parks, sports, leisure and recreation industries came together to celebrate.
The evening was hosted by presenter and sports commentator Basil Zempilas.
PLA National President Paul Jane said, "To be presented with a PLA National Award of Excellence is the highest honour in the parks and leisure industry and shows the talent of our great industry. The competition was fierce across all award categories with this year seeing the highest number of entries in the history of the organisation.” 
2019 NATIONAL AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE WINNERS
BEST USE OF TECHNOLOGY AWARD
WINNER | Parks Victoria, VIC
ParkConnect – Connecting Volunteers to Parks
ParkConnect is a highly innovative, tailormade interactive online volunteer management system developed by Parks Victoria. ParkConnect is an important way to support the large network of highly dedicated volunteers who assist to maintain and enhance
COMMUNITY-BASED INITIATIVE OF THE YEAR
WINNER | FORM building a state of creativity, WA
Field of Light: Avenue of Honour
Field of Light: Avenue of Honour brings to the symbolic Albany Heritage Park a unique, ephemeral land art installation by globally recognised UK artist Bruce Munro; a perfect confluence of time, place and culture. Currently in its sixth month of exhibition, over 135,000 people have already attended the artwork.
MAJOR EVENT OF THE YEAR
WINNER | City of Mandurah and WA Police, WA
Australasian Police and Emergency Services Games
The 2018 XVII Australasian Police and Emergency Services Games held in Mandurah Western Australia attracted a record number of 3341 participants, from six different countries to compete in 50 different sports. A positive sporting, social and tourism experience, with significant economic return for the region.
COMMUNITY FACILITY OF THE YEAR AWARD
WINNER | Botanic Gardens & Centennial Parklands, NSW
The Calyx – Australia's living plant gallery
The Calyx is the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney’s jewel – a living art gallery and bespoke piece of architecture that has put our horticulture and science on the world stage. The Calyx features the Southern Hemisphere’s largest green wall and is a hub of community activity attracting 1000+ visitors daily. 
STRATEGIC PLANNING AWARD
WINNER | Belgravia Leisure, VIC
Belgravia Leisure Access and Inclusion 5-year Plan
Equitable access and inclusion in services, programs and facilities is embedded within the Australian ethos of a 'fair go'. Frustratingly, many people still experience exclusion from leisure. Recognising this, and using an evidence-based approach, Belgravia Leisure has developed, validated and resourced an innovative 5-year strategic plan to rectify this inequity.
PARK OF THE YEAR
WINNER | ASPECT Studios, Level Crossing Removal Authority, Lendlease/CPB and Cox Architects, VIC
Djerring Linear Parks and Trail
The new parkland and Djerring Trail, as part of the Caulfield to Dandenong Level Crossing Removal Program, is a unique and benchmarking project delivering new open space and recreational typologies for Australia. It demonstrates how infrastructure can deliver much needed public open space for our growing and dense urban communities.
PLAYSPACE (<$0.5M)
WINNER | Nature Play Solutions, Skate Sculpture and Shire of Lake Grace, WA
Newdegate Skate Park
The Newdegate Skate Park is an all ages and multi-ability play space that uniquely co-locates play and skate facilities together. The project was designed to open new opportunities for children and families of all ages, abilities, interests and dispositions to play, skate, picnic and get together. 
PLAYSPACE (>$0.5M+)
WINNER | City of Greater Bendigo, VIC
Eaglehawk Regional Playspace
Eaglehawk Regional Play Space is a special and unique design that blends three powerful themes of Eaglehawk into one amazing space, tailoring the equipment and experience specifically to the site.
RESEARCH PROJECT
WINNER | University of Wollongong, NSW
More quality greenspace needed for child health
My research uses longitudinal data to understand how much greenspace is needed to maximise health in children and mums in communities across Australia. Results are being communicated in the media, used by policymakers and practitioners in local councils and state-wide strategies, national urban-greening campaigns, and in educational programs overseas. 
