State Award
Program/Project/Practice Awards

Overview

These awards seek to recognize improved and innovative programs/ projects/ practices which demonstrate significant outcomes to provide greater opportunities in leisure through:

  • more sustainable parks and open space; and
  • inclusive and connected communities.

It is recognized that programs, projects or practices may take a number of years to be implemented however the improvements or development must have occurred over the past two years.

Nominations should be acclaimed as models of best practice and examples to the industry.

The Categories for the 2008 Program/Project/Practice Award are

1. Water Conservation and Management and
2. Inclusive and Connected Communities

1. Australia is renowned for its irregularity, scarcity and changing climatic conditions affecting water resources. To promote the excellent work being done across the country, Parks and Leisure Australia is calling for nominations so that other people and organizations can learn from these innovations.

Examples of water conservation and good management may come from parks and gardens, lakes, wetlands, open space, leisure and recreation centres, swimming pools or sporting facilities.

2. Australia’s population is a mixture of cultures, races, abilities, backgrounds, environments, economies, ages, and sex. It can be difficult to include all people in the community – the marginalized, the isolated and those on a lower income.

How are communities involving all their residents and visitors, making them feel welcome and improving their opportunity to participate in leisure or local projects? How are people feeling connected to their community? What programs/projects/ practices are being implemented and would benefit the publicity of winning an award in this category?

Eligibility Criteria

Nominations must:

  • Be of a current member organisation;
  • Be nominated by a PLA individual or corporate member;
  • Nominate a program, project or practice that has been commenced, implemented and evaluated over the past two years; and
  • Nominate a program, project or practice that demonstrates the highest standard of innovation in water conservation and management or an inclusive and connected community.

Judging Criteria

Judges will take into consideration evidence which demonstrates how some or all of the following issues were addressed:

1. Water Conservation and Management

  • The nature and scale of the problem, issue or situation which led to the search for an innovative solution;
  • The ways in which the problem, issue or situation was addressed in the past and why an innovative solution was sought;
  • The sources of information which were used in identifying possible innovative solutions;
  • The strategies which were evaluated, those which were devised or selected for use and why;
  • How the innovation was implemented and any difficulties which were experienced during the process;
  • Whether the outcomes of the application of the innovative solution were evaluated and if so, the extent to which the outcomes were an improvement on past outcomes; and
  • Changes which would be made if the innovation was to be applied in the future by the same or another organisation.

2. Inclusive and Connected Communities

  • The make up of the community;
  • The nature and scale of the issue or situation which led to the search for an innovative solution;
  • The processes which were used in becoming an inclusive and connected community;
  • The outcomes of the program/practice/project that have made the community inclusive and connected;
  • The strategies which have been evaluated, those which were devised or selected for use and why;
  • Any difficulties which were experienced during the process;
  • Whether the process has been evaluated and if so, what are the results; and
  • Changes which would be made if the process was to be applied in the future by the same or another organisation.

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 5mg, which consists of:
    • Section A:- Title page (name and location of program/project/practice, name of contact person, contact phone numbers, email address and mailing address of nominators);
    • Section B:- Relevant information that addresses the judging criteria for the award,
  • Photos of the program/project/practice (maximum 4 – 1mg each in jpeg format), and include explanation of the photos;
  • Supporting material can be submitted ‘on-line’ in Word Power Point or PDF format and can include charts, brochures, certificates, awards, media stories, citations, reports testimonials or statements from referees. (Maximum of 4 pages)

Please note

  • This nomination is to be used for review and information only;
  • That any other supplementary printed matter, DVD’s or additional presentations are not required, and will not be considered by the judging panel
  • Please 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; and
  • An electronic letter will be sent to each applicant acknowledging receipt of the nomination.


Closing Date Friday 18 July 2008 – 5pm