Eligibility to Nominate/ be Nominated for an Award

  • All categories of PLA membership are eligible to be nominated
  • All nominators must be individual members, corporate members or representatives of corporate members of PLA
  • Nominators may nominate their own organization/person/project or a third party known to them for all awards except the Frank Stewart Award
  • Only projects of PLA members can be nominated for an award

How to Nominate

  • All award nominations must be submitted on-line via the www.plaawards.com.au website by 5.00pm Tuesday 23 June 2009. Late nominations will not be accepted.
  • Nomination Forms can be viewed/downloaded from the www.plaawards.com.au website.
  • All entries should:
    • address the relevant judging criteria for the award
    • be in the template format applicable to the category
    • be uploaded onto the website
    • be no greater than five (5) mbs in either a Word or Powerpoint format or PDF file.
  • Photographs should be explained and highlight the nomination. These can be uploaded onto the website (maximum of 4 photographs – each photograph being a maximum of 2 mb).
  • Supporting documents and testimonials can be uploaded separately.
  • Play Space nominations must be in a Powerpoint format (Max 15 Slides).

Please contact Alan Bull 03 9893 4095 or awards@parks-leisure.com.au if you have any questions.

Process for Judging

  • After receipt at National Office, Regional/State Award nominations will be sent to respective PLA Regional Councils for Regional judging in July 2009. Regional awards will be judged by a panel appointed by the PLA Regional Council.
  • Regional winners will be announced in early August 2009 to coincide with the PLA Regional Annual General Meetings.
  • All National Award judges are past recipients of the Frank Stewart Award. The current judging panel is: Helen Croxford, Les Dennis, David Aldous, Sarah Jo Mason, Tony Veal and Stephen Wearing.
  • All National Award judges are past recipients of the Frank Stewart Award. The current judging panel is: Helen Croxford, Les Dennis, David Aldous, Sarah Jo Mason, Tony Veal and Stephen Wearing.

National Finalists

  • The Regional Council will nominate regional award-winners to be forwarded to the national judging panel for consideration for a national award.
  • To be considered for a national level finalist an application must be of national significance, that is, the qualities which characterise the application – innovation, etc. must be recognised at a national level.
  • National finalists will be invited to present their project as a case study, as part of the Darwin National Conference program in September 2009.
  • All National Awards will be judged by the PLA panel of judges in August 2009.
  • National Awards will be presented at the PLA National Conference in Darwin from 13-16 September 2009.

Award Conditions and Recognition

  • Late nominations cannot be accepted.
  • All decisions of the judging panel will be final and no correspondence will be entered into. Should the respective judging panel believe that no nomination meets the criteria or standard of excellence required, it will not be obliged to confer the particular award.
  • Awards will be judged in accordance to their particular objectives and criteria.
  • National winners or representatives are expected to be in attendance at the PLA National Conference (at their own cost) 13-16 September 2009 in Darwin in order to receive their awards. A two minute acceptance speech may be expected from the PLA professional responsible for the awarded project.
  • The finalists must be prepared to present an overview of their project at the PLA 2009 National Conference. Advance notice will be provided to these short-listed finalists.
  • National Award winners will be invited to contribute an article on their project for the PLA Journal.
  • Information supporting nominations may be used by PLA for editorial, promotional or advertising purposes.
  • Nominators may be approached for awards publicity.

Regional Award Winners Recognition

  • Certificate of Recognition – presented at the Regional Function (AGM);
  • Regional Newsletter profile;
  • PLA Website profile – overview information;
  • Nomination for the National Award.

National Award Winners Recognition

  • Glass shard/plaque – presented at National Conference;
  • Profile in Awards Booklet on finalists – presented at National Conference;
  • Profile in PLA Journal;
  • PLA Website – overview of award recipients.

Nomination & Submission Checklist

  • All sections of the Nomination form must be completed;

Does your submission include?

  • A word or PDF formatted document template of the Nomination form (maximum of 5mb, which consists of:
    • Section A:- Title page Category, Name and location of Facility or project, organisation, contact person, contact phone numbers, email address, etc - mandatory
    • Section B:- Relevant information that addresses the judging criteria for the award, (powerpoint presentation for Play Space Nomination )
  • Photographs of the plan, project, facility or event (maximum 4 – 2mb each in jpeg format), and include explanation of the photographs;
  • Supporting material in Word format or powerpoint and charts, brochures, certificates, awards, media stories, citations, reports testimonials or statements from referees. Maximum of 4 pages.

Please note:

  • The nomination form is to be used for review and information only.
  • Any other supplementary printed matter, DVD’s or additional presentations are not required, and will not be considered by the judging panel.
  • Do not include any Information you need returned to you or you do not want published.
  • All information received remains the property of PLA.
  • Separate applications are required for each different award nomination lodged.
  • An electronic letter will be sent to applicants acknowledging receipt of their nomination.

Contact Information


The PLA National Office
P.O. Box 210,
Bendigo Central, VICTORIA, 3552
Phone: 03 5444 1763
Email: awards@parks-leisure.com.au
Website: www.plaawards.com.au

Further Information and clarification of categories can be obtained from Alan Bull – awards@parks-leisure.com.au or (03) 9893 4095