In 2024 Parks week falls in the same week as International Woman’s Day (March 8)! Join us for breakfast in Victoria Park as we celebrate inspirational women from the Parks, Leisure and Built Environment Industries and hear the unfiltered stories of their careers. From the tool shed to the boardroom this event will provide delegates with valuable insights and perspectives about leadership from our local and interstate speakers.
We encourage people within the Parks and Leisure Industry from all genders and at all stages of their careers to attend.
PLA QLD have once again teamed up with our friends at the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects to produce this inspiring forum.Â
Meet the Speakers
Peta-Maree Ashford
Peta-Maree is a Principal Landscape Architect with unwavering passion and advocacy for her profession. As an Owner and Director of a private consultancy firm, Emerge Associates, she guides design teams with innovation and a solid grasp of construction, ensuring successful execution of urban and regional projects in Western Australia. In 2016, Peta-Maree emerged as a finalist for the Inaugural UDIA Women in Leadership Award. Her recognition in 2017 with a Fellowship from her institute (AILA) attested to her distinguished professional practice and leadership. Peta-Maree recently concluded her tenure as the President of the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA) and continues to play an active role as a Director on the UDIA Enviro Development Board. Flourishing in all these roles, her accumulative professional exposure fosters innovative thinking in addressing generational challenges on a nationwide context.
Amy Ahchay
Amy Ahchay, a councillor on the QLD Parks and Leisure Board, has been a pioneer in operational spaces since her entry into the parks and leisure industry in 2004. Breaking gender norms in operational roles, during her more than 9 years with a government-owned corporation, she advanced from a parkland's gardener into several leadership roles. As a female leader, Amy’s dedication extends to continuous improvement, reflected in her training in horticulture/parks & gardens and leadership & management, along with her mentoring of trainees and those working under her supervision. Her journey mirrors an unwavering commitment to creating a positive influence in both professional and environmental domains, inspiring resilience, authenticity, and self-belief.
Tahlia Steadman - Blaklash
Tahlia Steadman is a Ngemba woman with family ties to Brewarrina in northwest New South Wales. Growing up on the Gold Coast in southeast Queensland, far from Ngemba Country, she has always been on a journey to better connect to her culture and community. Tahlia is an early professional with a background in architecture and project management. In her role as Principal at Blaklash, she works to connect industry and First Nations communities to ensure project outcomes are inclusive and built upon the foundations of community inputs. With experience across the public and private sectors, Tahlia is interested in unpacking how projects are delivered to identify key opportunities in the process for First Nation's agency and voice.
Leah Lang (panellist)
Leah Lang, has 25 yrs experience as a Strategic Design Advisor, is a Fellow of the Institute of Architects and the current Queensland Government Architect. In this role Leah provides advice to Government on the built environment, and urban design outcomes for Housing, Olympics, Health, Planning policy and projects. She is focused on advocating and facilitating high-quality, people and place and climate responsive design and heritage outcomes for Queensland.