WELCOME TO PARKS & LEISURE AUSTRALIA'S PLA ADVISORY COMMITTEE
PLA Advisory prepare position papers on critical issues, initiate research and explore professional training and development opportunities for our members. PLA Advisory meet monthly via video and once a year at the PLA National Conference. To get involved contact:Â plaadvisory@parksleisure.com.au
John Tower
Advisory Chair
Dr. John Tower, an Honorary Fellow at Victoria University, has over 40 years of experience in the leisure and recreation industry. His expertise includes community participation and research on managing the delivery of community leisure and recreation experiences to enhance engagement and accessibility.
Wendy Holland
PLA Advisory Committee
Wendy joined the PLA National Advisory in 2014, contributing to key projects like the Health and Wellbeing Position Paper and Gender Equity Policy. A PLA Greg Maddock Scholarship recipient, she has been involved with PLA since the 1990s through the Australian Leisure Institute Executive.
Cathy Kiss
PLA Advisory Committee
With a long Local Government career, Cathy has gained experience in planning and managing parks, sport, and recreation spaces. Passionate about unstructured play and physical activity, she is committed to learning, sharing knowledge, and advocating for healthy communities in the parks and recreation industry.
Steph McCallum-Keily
PLA Advisory committee
Steph began her career in local government in North West Queensland and has spent six years with Sport and Recreation in the Queensland Government. She specializes in partnerships, strategy, policy, research, program design, and delivery. She also serves on the PLA Advisory Research Working Group.
Laura Shaw
PLA Advisory Committee
As a PLA Advisory Committee member, Laura helps develop position papers advocating for the industry. With a Bachelor of Sport Management and local government experience, she plans, implements, and monitors strategies for sport and recreation facilities while assessing community needs for future priorities.
Neal Ames
PLA Advisory Committee
Neal has more than 25 years in the parks and recreation industry, working with all three levels of government. He is a specialist in sport, recreation, play, parks and environmental sustainability planning. Neal has been on the PLA National Advisory since 2012.
John Senior
PLA Advisory Committee
John has worked with Parks Victoria on strategic partnerships and helped develop the Healthy Parks, Healthy People mantra globally. Since retiring in 2012, John contributed to PLA through its Advisory Committee, as Journal Editor, and as Chair of the National Conference Committee.
Lucilla Marshall
PLA Advisory Committee
CORE FOCUS
- Prepare position papers and technical guidelines which support PLA’s role as an advocate for the industry.
- Initiate key research with partners utilising external funding opportunities.
- Explore professional development opportunities with accredited providers.
KEY PRIORITIES
- Deliver position papers on key topics such as Climate Change, Health and Wellbeing, Community Health, Tree Management, Gender Equity and a multitude of other relevant topics.
- Conduct research to assist National Board decision making.
- Support the National Board in their selected strategy.
- Support each region in developing or reviewing open space planning guidelines (where they don’t exist).
- Explore professional development opportunities – from endorsement of formal training courses to the establishment of mentoring opportunities.