BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
PRODID:-//Parks & Leisure Australia - ECPv6.17.3.1//NONSGML v1.0//EN
CALSCALE:GREGORIAN
METHOD:PUBLISH
X-WR-CALNAME:Parks & Leisure Australia
X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://parksleisure.com.au
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Parks & Leisure Australia
REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H
X-Robots-Tag:noindex
X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H
BEGIN:VTIMEZONE
TZID:Australia/Adelaide
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:+1030
TZOFFSETTO:+0930
TZNAME:ACST
DTSTART:20250405T163000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:+0930
TZOFFSETTO:+1030
TZNAME:ACDT
DTSTART:20251004T163000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:+1030
TZOFFSETTO:+0930
TZNAME:ACST
DTSTART:20260404T163000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:+0930
TZOFFSETTO:+1030
TZNAME:ACDT
DTSTART:20261003T163000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:+1030
TZOFFSETTO:+0930
TZNAME:ACST
DTSTART:20270403T163000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:+0930
TZOFFSETTO:+1030
TZNAME:ACDT
DTSTART:20271002T163000
END:DAYLIGHT
END:VTIMEZONE
BEGIN:VTIMEZONE
TZID:Australia/Perth
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:+0800
TZOFFSETTO:+0800
TZNAME:AWST
DTSTART:20250101T000000
END:STANDARD
END:VTIMEZONE
BEGIN:VTIMEZONE
TZID:Australia/Melbourne
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:+1100
TZOFFSETTO:+1000
TZNAME:AEST
DTSTART:20250405T160000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:+1000
TZOFFSETTO:+1100
TZNAME:AEDT
DTSTART:20251004T160000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:+1100
TZOFFSETTO:+1000
TZNAME:AEST
DTSTART:20260404T160000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:+1000
TZOFFSETTO:+1100
TZNAME:AEDT
DTSTART:20261003T160000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:+1100
TZOFFSETTO:+1000
TZNAME:AEST
DTSTART:20270403T160000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:+1000
TZOFFSETTO:+1100
TZNAME:AEDT
DTSTART:20271002T160000
END:DAYLIGHT
END:VTIMEZONE
BEGIN:VTIMEZONE
TZID:Australia/Brisbane
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:+1000
TZOFFSETTO:+1000
TZNAME:AEST
DTSTART:20250101T000000
END:STANDARD
END:VTIMEZONE
BEGIN:VTIMEZONE
TZID:Australia/Sydney
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:+1100
TZOFFSETTO:+1000
TZNAME:AEST
DTSTART:20250405T160000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:+1000
TZOFFSETTO:+1100
TZNAME:AEDT
DTSTART:20251004T160000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:+1100
TZOFFSETTO:+1000
TZNAME:AEST
DTSTART:20260404T160000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:+1000
TZOFFSETTO:+1100
TZNAME:AEDT
DTSTART:20261003T160000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:+1100
TZOFFSETTO:+1000
TZNAME:AEST
DTSTART:20270403T160000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:+1000
TZOFFSETTO:+1100
TZNAME:AEDT
DTSTART:20271002T160000
END:DAYLIGHT
END:VTIMEZONE
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Adelaide:20260915T120000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Adelaide:20260915T160000
DTSTAMP:20260723T050255Z
CREATED:20260723T030659Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260723T050255Z
UID:10000615-1789473600-1789488000@parksleisure.com.au
SUMMARY:Practical AI for Parks and Leisure Professionals Workshop: Become an AI champion in your workplace
DESCRIPTION:About the session\nAI has moved from interesting to unavoidable across local government. For parks and leisure professionals the question is no longer whether it matters\, but where it fits\, what good use looks like\, and how to start in a way that is practical and safe. \nThis is a hands-on\, half-day online session built for parks\, recreation and leisure roles. You see the tools used live on real work\, learn how better prompts and context lift what you get back\, and build your own AI Workplace Action Report during the session. It is human-led and AI-enabled. The tools support the thinking. Your judgement stays in charge. \n\n\n\nAt a glance\n\n\nDates\nTuesday 15 and Tuesday 29 September 2026 (two identical sessions\, choose your date)\n\n\nTime\n12:00 to 16:00 ACST. 12:30 to 16:30 AEST. 10:30 to 14:30 AWST\n\n\nFormat\nLive online\, delivered on Microsoft Teams\n\n\nLength\nHalf day\, about 4 hours including a short break\n\n\nPlaces\nCapped at 20 participants per session\n\n\nFee\nMembers $400 + GST. Non-members $500 + GST\n\n\nDelivered by\nStephen Yarwood\, city2050. Former Lord Mayor of Adelaide\n\n\n\nWhat you will learn\nFour ideas sit at the heart of the session; each grounded in the parks and leisure work you already do. \n\nFrom chatbots to agentic systems: the journey from asking AI one-off questions to setting up simple systems that do repeatable work for you\, and an honest read on where you sit today.\nThe right tool for the job: which tools suit which work\, and why\, so you stop guessing. Writing and analysis\, research and document synthesis\, and live meeting capture each have a best fit.\nA superpower for better work\, not a way to do your work for you: how AI carries the repetitive load so you can spend your time on judgement and the parts that need a human.\nThe role of AI in leadership: what changes when you lead AI rather than just use it\, including the ethics\, guardrails and transparency the public sector expects.\n\nWhat you will walk away with\n\nPractical AI skills: better drafting\, summarising and preparation across common tasks.\nConfidence with the tools: less second-guessing and more useful experimentation.\nA clear view of risk and governance: safer use aligned to public-sector expectations and human oversight.\nNamed quick wins: clear opportunities now\, and realistic pathways over the next 3 to 12 months.\nYour AI Workplace Action Report: a structured\, role-specific document you build during the session and can take straight to your manager.\n\nWho should attend\nParks\, recreation and leisure professionals across planning\, community development\, sport and recreation\, aquatics\, open space\, venues\, engagement\, policy\, strategy and service delivery. It suits coordinators\, team leaders\, managers and practitioners who want a practical start\, not a technical deep dive. No AI experience is needed\, and you do not need to share any sensitive or confidential information to take part. \nHow to register\nTwo dates\, 20 seats each. Choose 15 or 29 September and register through Parks & Leisure Australia. Members and non-members are both welcome. \n\nWorkshop Delivered by: Stephen Yarwood\n\nStephen Yarwood is an internationally recognised urban futurist\, former Lord Mayor of Adelaide and executive advisor who works at the intersection of leadership\, local government\, strategic planning and artificial intelligence. Through city2050\, he helps CEOs\, executive teams\, elected members and organisations strengthen their ability to think ahead\, make better decisions and respond confidently to a world changing faster than traditional planning systems were designed for. \nHis credibility is grounded in lived leadership. As a former Lord Mayor\, Deputy Lord Mayor\, Councillor and senior planning professional\, Stephen understands firsthand the pressures of public accountability\, political dynamics\, stakeholder expectations\, governance complexity and the challenge of balancing short-term delivery with long-term stewardship. He has also worked in state government policy roles\, led strategic planning and community engagement processes\, and advised a wide range of councils\, corporations and public bodies in Australia and internationally. \nStephen is especially valuable to CEOs because he is both strategic and practical. He translates complex issues into plain-English implications\, challenges assumptions without theatrics and works on real problems rather than abstract theory. His current practice is deeply AI-enabled: he uses advanced tools every day for research\, synthesis\, workshop support\, strategic drafting\, insight generation and productivity uplift. That means he is not simply talking about AI from the sidelines; he is demonstrating how it can improve executive workflow\, decision support\, organisational learning and future readiness while remaining grounded in governance\, ethics and human judgement. \nKnown for his engaging style\, systems thinking and ability to connect global trends to local realities\, Stephen helps leaders move from uncertainty to clarity. He brings rare value as a peer-level advisor who understands cities\, communities\, leadership\, change and the emerging operating environment CEOs now need to lead within.
URL:https://parksleisure.com.au/event/practical-ai-for-parks-and-leisure-professionals-workshop-become-an-ai-champion-in-your-workplace/
LOCATION:https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/464888072688109?p=AFaBAdteTZOiUU7X0c
CATEGORIES:National,Online Event
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://parksleisure.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/cityskyline-1.webp
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Perth:20260916T070000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Perth:20260916T100000
DTSTAMP:20260826T002942Z
CREATED:20260513T044641Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260826T002942Z
UID:10000606-1789542000-1789552800@parksleisure.com.au
SUMMARY:Breakfast at Baileys Fertiliser - WA Region
DESCRIPTION:Parks and Leisure WA Region – Breakfast at Baileys\nParks and Leisure WA Region and AILA invites members and stakeholders to an exclusive morning visit to Baileys Fertiliser. The event offers a behind-the-scenes look at how soil\, mulch\, and fertiliser products are manufactured\, tested\, and distributed. \nGuests will enjoy a light breakfast\, followed by a short presentation and guided tour of the production facility\, including access to the on-site laboratory. \n\nEvent: Breakfast at Baileys\nDate: 16 September 2026\nTime: 7:00am arrival for 7:30am start\nDuration: Approximately 3 hours\nLocation: 24 Beach Street\, Kwinana WA 6167\n\n\nProgram Outline\n\n7:00am – 7:30am: Arrival and networking breakfast\n7:30am – 8:00am: Welcome and brief presentation by Baileys team\n8:00am – 10:00am (approx.): Guided site tour including production areas and laboratory\n10:00am: Event close\n\n\nKey Features\n\nExclusive access to an operational fertiliser and soil production facility\nBehind-the-scenes laboratory tour and testing insights\nDirect engagement with technical experts\nNetworking opportunity for Parks and Leisure WA Region members\n\n\nLogistics / Requirements\nBaileys\, 24 Beach Street\, Kwinana Beach WA \nPPE Requirement: Steel cap boots are mandatory. High-vis clothing\, eye and ear protection\, and dust masks will be supplied. \nAttendance is limited to 40 participants. Parking is limited please carpool where possible.  Early registration is recommended. \nPlease contact PLAWA@PARKSLEISURE.COM.AU if you have any questions around the event or registration. \n       
URL:https://parksleisure.com.au/event/breakfast-at-baileys-fertiliser-wa-region/
LOCATION:24 Beach Street Kwinana WA 6167\, 24 Beach Street\, Kwinana\, WA\, 6167\, Australia
CATEGORIES:WA
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/avif:https://parksleisure.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/farmer-image.avif
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Adelaide:20260918T100000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Adelaide:20260918T153000
DTSTAMP:20260903T005037Z
CREATED:20260209T234520Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260903T005037Z
UID:10000575-1789725600-1789745400@parksleisure.com.au
SUMMARY:SA/NT Adelaide Play and Parkour Study Tour
DESCRIPTION:From Playgrounds to Parkour\, and everything in between\nAn opportunity to understand the evolution\, and emerging trends\, of the playground and parkour over time with site visits throughout Adelaide’s north-western suburbs. \nHear from coaches\, artists and designers of these spaces and connect with other industry professionals in celebration of 100 Years of PLA. Featuring speakers from Campbelltown City Council\, SA Australian Parkour Association\, City of Port Adelaide Enfield\, City of Charles Sturt\, and more. \nCome ready to learn and play! \n\n\n\nEvent is inclusive of bus travel to and from each site\, along with complimentary lunch at Yitpi. Tour begins and ends at Ovingham Underpass. \n*Tickets including bus transfer have now sold out\, all remaining tickets are self-drive only*\n\n\n\nWhere? Ovingham Underpass / Karrarendi Yerta Kadla – near Ovingham Railway Station. Transport between sites is by minibus / coach. \nWhen? 09.45 meet for a 10am start\, Friday 18th September. \nParking? Free car parking is available on Exeter Tce and surrounding side streets. \nExtra info: Lunch is provided\, please bring own drink bottles. Wear clothes comfortable to walk and\, if you would like\, play in! \n \nAgenda\n\n10 AM | Ovingham Underpass / Karrarendi Yerta Kadla\nKick off the day at this hidden gem. We begin with an introduction from Emily\, followed by a deep dive into the world of urban movement with the SA Parkour Association (SAPA). Completed in June 2025 as part of the Ovingham Level Crossing Removal Project\, a new community plaza\, hardcourt sports courts and parkour zone can now all be found under the shade of the Torrens Road Bridge. \n \n\n\n10:40 AM | George Whittle Reserve\nBridging Play and Precision. Just a short stroll (and perhaps a coffee) away lies George Whittle Reserve. This site is a prime example of integrated play design. A skate park with a nature inspired climbing area that encourages play that connects us to how we have evolved to move our bodies through chaotic jungles\, forests and natural environments. \n \n\n\n11:30 AM | Jack Watkins Reserve\nHeritage in Motion. As we head into the City of Port Adelaide Enfield\, we visit Jack Watkins Reserve. This site offers a unique perspective on how regional history and open-space recreation coexist. A $4 million transformation undertaken during 2025 has led to a vibrant and inclusive space for all ages to play\, connect\, and stay active with a railway and train theme as a nod to the history of the area. \n \n\n\n12:40 PM | Hart’s Mill\nIconic Industry Meets Modern Play. Located in the heart of Port Adelaide\, Hart’s Mill is perhaps one of the most recognisable play spaces in the state. Set against the backdrop of the historic flour mill\, this stop showcases how industrial heritage can be repurposed into a world-class\, multi-generational destination. \nBright yellow equipment including a hamster wheel\, spider web climber and seated flying fox echo the universal animal instinct to play\, while large tubular steel words designed to play on reflect the site’s industrial flour milling heritage. \n \n\n\n1:25 PM | Yitpi Yartapuultiku\nCulture\, Connection\, and Lunch. We take an extended stop at Yitpi Yartapuultiku – “Soul of Port Adelaide”. This is a space for reflection and connection to Country. We will explore the site’s cultural significance and indigenous design elements while enjoying a lunch break in this award-winning precinct. \nNature play\, exploration\, imagination and a celebration of Indigenous culture on the banks of the Port River\, this play space offers jumping\, swinging\, sliding\, climbing\, drumming\, water play\, interpretive signage and more. \n \n\n\n2:50 PM | Spad St Reserve\nThe Art of the Flow. Our final site tour brings us to Spad St\, featuring the innovative Flowbars. We are joined by artist and designer Seb Humphreys\, alongside John Wilkinson from the City of Charles Sturt. Opened in August 2024\, this reserve features a large climbing structure called a flowbar – an interactive\, free-flowing sculptural work that exist at the intersection of arts\, science and play\, providing more options for creative development. \n \n\n\n4:00 PM | Return to Ovingham Underpass / Karrarendi Yerta Kadla\nTour Conclusion. We head back to our starting point to wrap up the day\, share final thoughts\, and reflect on the diverse “history of play” we’ve experienced across Adelaide’s northern and western suburbs. \n\nKick off the day at this hidden gem. We begin with an introduction from Emily\, followed by a deep dive into the world of urban movement with the SA Parkour Association (SAPA). Completed in June 2025 as part of the Ovingham Level Crossing Removal Project\, a new community plaza\, hardcourt sports courts and parkour zone can now all be found under the shade of the Torrens Road Bridge. \n \nBridging Play and Precision. Just a short stroll (and perhaps a coffee) away lies George Whittle Reserve. This site is a prime example of integrated play design. A skate park with a nature inspired climbing area that encourages play that connects us to how we have evolved to move our bodies through chaotic jungles\, forests and natural environments. \n \nHeritage in Motion. As we head into the City of Port Adelaide Enfield\, we visit Jack Watkins Reserve. This site offers a unique perspective on how regional history and open-space recreation coexist. A $4 million transformation undertaken during 2025 has led to a vibrant and inclusive space for all ages to play\, connect\, and stay active with a railway and train theme as a nod to the history of the area. \n \nIconic Industry Meets Modern Play. Located in the heart of Port Adelaide\, Hart’s Mill is perhaps one of the most recognisable play spaces in the state. Set against the backdrop of the historic flour mill\, this stop showcases how industrial heritage can be repurposed into a world-class\, multi-generational destination. \nBright yellow equipment including a hamster wheel\, spider web climber and seated flying fox echo the universal animal instinct to play\, while large tubular steel words designed to play on reflect the site’s industrial flour milling heritage. \n \nCulture\, Connection\, and Lunch. We take an extended stop at Yitpi Yartapuultiku – “Soul of Port Adelaide”. This is a space for reflection and connection to Country. We will explore the site’s cultural significance and indigenous design elements while enjoying a lunch break in this award-winning precinct. \nNature play\, exploration\, imagination and a celebration of Indigenous culture on the banks of the Port River\, this play space offers jumping\, swinging\, sliding\, climbing\, drumming\, water play\, interpretive signage and more. \n \nThe Art of the Flow. Our final site tour brings us to Spad St\, featuring the innovative Flowbars. We are joined by artist and designer Seb Humphreys\, alongside John Wilkinson from the City of Charles Sturt. Opened in August 2024\, this reserve features a large climbing structure called a flowbar – an interactive\, free-flowing sculptural work that exist at the intersection of arts\, science and play\, providing more options for creative development. \n \nTour Conclusion. We head back to our starting point to wrap up the day\, share final thoughts\, and reflect on the diverse “history of play” we’ve experienced across Adelaide’s northern and western suburbs. \nSpeakers\n \n\nEmily Moskwa | Campbelltown City Council\nEmily’s background in the parks and leisure sector is impressively broad. Her experience ranges from academic research in national parks and botanic gardens to local government roles focusing on trail master planning\, sportsfield redevelopments\, and play space strategy. \n\nEmily’s background in the parks and leisure sector is impressively broad. Her experience ranges from academic research in national parks and botanic gardens to local government roles focusing on trail master planning\, sportsfield redevelopments\, and play space strategy. \n \n\nRick Hartley | SA Australian Parkour Association\nMeet Rick- the South Australian Parkour Association’s COO\, with over a decade of experience and knowledge Rick is happy to share what he knows about Parkour. Whether it be about design\, coaching\, education\, development\, infrastructure\, processes and procedures\, engagement or about the amazing Australian community Rick is here to help share what he knows. \n\nMeet Rick- the South Australian Parkour Association’s COO\, with over a decade of experience and knowledge Rick is happy to share what he knows about Parkour. Whether it be about design\, coaching\, education\, development\, infrastructure\, processes and procedures\, engagement or about the amazing Australian community Rick is here to help share what he knows. \n \n\nColin Donnelly | City of Port Adelaide Enfield\nProject Delivery Team Leader in Parks & Garden Department at City of PAE. Colin has worked in Local Government for 8 years and have been previously employed in landscape construction with roles in Supervision\, Estimation and Project Management. \n\nProject Delivery Team Leader in Parks & Garden Department at City of PAE. Colin has worked in Local Government for 8 years and have been previously employed in landscape construction with roles in Supervision\, Estimation and Project Management. \n \n\nDean Philip | SA Parkour Association Board Member\nDean is a Parkour coach and South Australian Parkour Association Board Member. Through his business and concept of Moving Puzzles\, he loves helping humans build connection with each other through powerful play-based and site-specific practices. \n\nDean is a Parkour coach and South Australian Parkour Association Board Member. Through his business and concept of Moving Puzzles\, he loves helping humans build connection with each other through powerful play-based and site-specific practices. \n \n\nJohn Wilkinson | City of Charles Sturt\nJohn has over 20 years’ experience in local government in various sport\, recreation and open space planning roles. His current position is Open Space Planner at the City of Charles Sturt\, leading a small team of landscape architects responsible for the strategic planning and design of the city’s open space assets. \n\nJohn has over 20 years’ experience in local government in various sport\, recreation and open space planning roles. His current position is Open Space Planner at the City of Charles Sturt\, leading a small team of landscape architects responsible for the strategic planning and design of the city’s open space assets. \n \n\nSeb Humphreys | Visual Artist\nSeb is a Visual Artist based in Adelaide. Investigating the love of play and incorporating it with the inspiration of natural forms birthed his Flowbars project: sculptural play structures that seek to evolve play\, bringing a new philosophy and viewpoint to the way we see play structures. \n\nSeb is a Visual Artist based in Adelaide. Investigating the love of play and incorporating it with the inspiration of natural forms birthed his Flowbars project: sculptural play structures that seek to evolve play\, bringing a new philosophy and viewpoint to the way we see play structures. \n \n\nWillis Daveson | Cultural Ranger\nWillis Daveson is the Cultural Ranger at Yitpi Yartapuultiku. He delivers cultural guided walks\, manages operations (play/playground areas) and the multiple landscape environments including the native plants on site. \n\nWillis Daveson is the Cultural Ranger at Yitpi Yartapuultiku. He delivers cultural guided walks\, manages operations (play/playground areas) and the multiple landscape environments including the native plants on site. \nWith thanks to
URL:https://parksleisure.com.au/event/sa-nt-adelaide-play-and-parkour-study-tour/
LOCATION:Ovingham Underpass\, Ovingham Underpass\, Adelaide\, South Australia\, 5008\, Australia
CATEGORIES:SA/NT
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://parksleisure.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Yitpi004.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Adelaide:20260929T120000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Adelaide:20260929T160000
DTSTAMP:20260723T050414Z
CREATED:20260723T050056Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260723T050414Z
UID:10000618-1790683200-1790697600@parksleisure.com.au
SUMMARY:Practical AI for Parks and Leisure Professionals Workshop: Become an AI champion in your workplace
DESCRIPTION:About the session\nAI has moved from interesting to unavoidable across local government. For parks and leisure professionals the question is no longer whether it matters\, but where it fits\, what good use looks like\, and how to start in a way that is practical and safe. \nThis is a hands-on\, half-day online session built for parks\, recreation and leisure roles. You see the tools used live on real work\, learn how better prompts and context lift what you get back\, and build your own AI Workplace Action Report during the session. It is human-led and AI-enabled. The tools support the thinking. Your judgement stays in charge. \n\n\n\nAt a glance\n\n\nDates\nTuesday 15 and Tuesday 29 September 2026 (two identical sessions\, choose your date)\n\n\nTime\n12:00 to 16:00 ACST. 12:30 to 16:30 AEST. 10:30 to 14:30 AWST\n\n\nFormat\nLive online\, delivered on Microsoft Teams\n\n\nLength\nHalf day\, about 4 hours including a short break\n\n\nPlaces\nCapped at 20 participants per session\n\n\nFee\nMembers $400 + GST. Non-members $500 + GST\n\n\nDelivered by\nStephen Yarwood\, city2050. Former Lord Mayor of Adelaide\n\n\n\nWhat you will learn\nFour ideas sit at the heart of the session; each grounded in the parks and leisure work you already do. \n\nFrom chatbots to agentic systems: the journey from asking AI one-off questions to setting up simple systems that do repeatable work for you\, and an honest read on where you sit today.\nThe right tool for the job: which tools suit which work\, and why\, so you stop guessing. Writing and analysis\, research and document synthesis\, and live meeting capture each have a best fit.\nA superpower for better work\, not a way to do your work for you: how AI carries the repetitive load so you can spend your time on judgement and the parts that need a human.\nThe role of AI in leadership: what changes when you lead AI rather than just use it\, including the ethics\, guardrails and transparency the public sector expects.\n\nWhat you will walk away with\n\nPractical AI skills: better drafting\, summarising and preparation across common tasks.\nConfidence with the tools: less second-guessing and more useful experimentation.\nA clear view of risk and governance: safer use aligned to public-sector expectations and human oversight.\nNamed quick wins: clear opportunities now\, and realistic pathways over the next 3 to 12 months.\nYour AI Workplace Action Report: a structured\, role-specific document you build during the session and can take straight to your manager.\n\nWho should attend\nParks\, recreation and leisure professionals across planning\, community development\, sport and recreation\, aquatics\, open space\, venues\, engagement\, policy\, strategy and service delivery. It suits coordinators\, team leaders\, managers and practitioners who want a practical start\, not a technical deep dive. No AI experience is needed\, and you do not need to share any sensitive or confidential information to take part. \nHow to register\nTwo dates\, 20 seats each. Choose 15 or 29 September and register through Parks & Leisure Australia. Members and non-members are both welcome. \n\nWorkshop Delivered by: Stephen Yarwood\n\nStephen Yarwood is an internationally recognised urban futurist\, former Lord Mayor of Adelaide and executive advisor who works at the intersection of leadership\, local government\, strategic planning and artificial intelligence. Through city2050\, he helps CEOs\, executive teams\, elected members and organisations strengthen their ability to think ahead\, make better decisions and respond confidently to a world changing faster than traditional planning systems were designed for. \nHis credibility is grounded in lived leadership. As a former Lord Mayor\, Deputy Lord Mayor\, Councillor and senior planning professional\, Stephen understands firsthand the pressures of public accountability\, political dynamics\, stakeholder expectations\, governance complexity and the challenge of balancing short-term delivery with long-term stewardship. He has also worked in state government policy roles\, led strategic planning and community engagement processes\, and advised a wide range of councils\, corporations and public bodies in Australia and internationally. \nStephen is especially valuable to CEOs because he is both strategic and practical. He translates complex issues into plain-English implications\, challenges assumptions without theatrics and works on real problems rather than abstract theory. His current practice is deeply AI-enabled: he uses advanced tools every day for research\, synthesis\, workshop support\, strategic drafting\, insight generation and productivity uplift. That means he is not simply talking about AI from the sidelines; he is demonstrating how it can improve executive workflow\, decision support\, organisational learning and future readiness while remaining grounded in governance\, ethics and human judgement. \nKnown for his engaging style\, systems thinking and ability to connect global trends to local realities\, Stephen helps leaders move from uncertainty to clarity. He brings rare value as a peer-level advisor who understands cities\, communities\, leadership\, change and the emerging operating environment CEOs now need to lead within.
URL:https://parksleisure.com.au/event/practical-ai-for-parks-and-leisure-professionals-workshop-become-an-ai-champion-in-your-workplace-2/
LOCATION:https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/464888072688109?p=AFaBAdteTZOiUU7X0c
CATEGORIES:National,Online Event
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://parksleisure.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/cityskyline-1.webp
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260930T124500
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260930T150000
DTSTAMP:20260903T023841Z
CREATED:20260825T041620Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260903T023841Z
UID:10000622-1790772300-1790780400@parksleisure.com.au
SUMMARY:Public Open Space Handbook Masterclass
DESCRIPTION:Public Open Space Handbook\n				\nMasterclass – Module 1\nParks & Leisure VIC/TAS\, in partnership with VicHealth\, is proud to officially launch the new Public Open Space Handbook — a contemporary framework for the provision of Public Open Space (POS) in Victoria. It was developed to assist land managers across Victoria to plan\, design and manage public open space. The POS Handbook replaces the 2013 Open Space Planning and Design Guide. \nJoin us to celebrate the launch of this important new resource for the sector\, hear about the thinking behind its development\, and take a deeper dive into Module 1 through an exclusive two-hour masterclass led by Jenn Benden from Xyst. \nPlease note: The Module 1 masterclass is open to all\, with places limited to 30 participants. The handbook will be made available the day of the masterclass\, you will be able to access it through the PLA website. \nWhat to expect?\nThe two-hour masterclass will provide an opportunity to explore Module 1 in greater depth: \n\nPPN1 – Research review: The benefits of POS\nPPN2 – Planning Framework\nPPN3 – Open Space Strategies\nPPN4 – Provision standards\n\nExplore the practical application of the Handbook through real-world examples and insights\, current sector challenges\, and discussion with Jenn and fellow practitioners. \nThe masterclass is for anyone involved in planning\, designing\, managing or advocating for public open space\, including local government practitioners\, planners\, landscape architects\, designers\, consultants and land managers. \n																														 \nIntroducing the Public Open Space Handbook\nThe Public Open Space Handbook replaces the 2013 Open Space Planning and Design Guide\, bringing together contemporary knowledge\, existing resources and new guidance to support the sector. \nRather than being a single\, static guide\, the Handbook has been developed as an interactive\, modular resource that can evolve with the sector and respond to emerging needs\, challenges and opportunities. \nThe first edition of the Handbook brings together three modules\, providing guidance and resources across key areas of public open space planning\, design and management. \nWhy does public open space matter?\nPublic open space plays an important role in creating healthy\, connected and liveable communities. \nThe way we plan\, design and manage parks\, reserves\, recreation spaces and other public places can influence how people move\, connect with others\, interact with nature and experience their neighbourhoods. \nAs the needs of our communities and the challenges facing the sector continue to evolve\, so too does the need for contemporary\, practical guidance to support the people responsible for creating and managing these spaces. \nThe Public Open Space Handbook has been developed to provide a contemporary resource for practitioners working across the public open space sector\, supporting better-informed decision-making and helping to achieve positive health and wellbeing outcomes through the planning\, design and management of public space.
URL:https://parksleisure.com.au/event/public-open-space-handbook-launch-masterclass/
LOCATION:The Cluster\, The Lounge and Abell Boardroom\, 20\, 17/31 Queen St\, Melbourne\, Victoria\, 3000\, Australia
CATEGORIES:VIC/TAS
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://parksleisure.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Ruffey-Lake-Park-Photo.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20261007T100000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20261007T153000
DTSTAMP:20260810T040634Z
CREATED:20260604T005700Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260810T040634Z
UID:10000610-1791367200-1791387000@parksleisure.com.au
SUMMARY:Victorian Sustainable Mountain Bike Trails Summit 2026
DESCRIPTION:Be part of a\n					pivotal\n					moment in the next chapter of mountain biking in Victoria!\n					\nJoin organisers PLA (VicTas)\, Outdoors Victoria\, and Blue Sky Trails for the second Victorian Sustainable Mountain Bike Trails Summit. Supported by AusCycling and Box Hill Institute.  \nTickets are now LIVE! This year we are offering four Trade Booths to showcase your organisation. Please see inclusions here and contact victas@parksleisure.com.au for any questions. \nThis year’s program will move beyond the “why” and focus on the “how”. Through keynote presentations\, panel discussions and facilitated workshops\, delegates will explore practical solutions for governance\, funding\, trail stewardship\, maintenance techniques\, volunteer coordination\, data-driven decision making and building stronger partnerships across the sector. \nMountain biking continues to play a vital role in Victoria’s outdoor culture. From local volunteer-built trail networks to destination trail experiences\, these places support recreation\, health and wellbeing\, community connection\, tourism\, and regional economies. \nAs demand continues to grow\, so too does the need for collaborative\, sustainable approaches to planning\, management\, and investment. \nScroll down to see the provisional agenda (being updated daily!) \nWhy This Summit Matters\nThe conversations started at last year’s Summit highlighted both the opportunities and challenges facing Victoria’s trail sector. Increasing trail use\, changing environmental conditions\, evolving governance requirements\, and growing expectations on clubs and land managers all reinforce the need for a coordinated approach. \nThis Summit will continue the conversation\, bringing together key stakeholders to: \n\nshare knowledge\nidentify priorities\nexplore practical solutions that support the long-term sustainability of mountain bike trails across Victoria.\n\nWhether you’re a land manager\, council officer\, trail builder\, club committee member\, volunteer\, consultant\, industry representative\, or policy maker\, this Summit is an opportunity to contribute to shaping the future of the sector. \nPlanning is Underway\nThe Victorian Sustainable Mountain Bike Trails Summit Advisory Council (VMAC) and Planning Committee have the first meeting on the 10th September. \nWe want this Summit to reflect the priorities\, challenges\, and opportunities that matter most to the Victorian mountain biking community and are working closely with stakeholders to reflect this. \nProgram (updated daily!)\n\n\n					 10:00am – Opening\, welcome and setting the sceneAndrew Knight (Outdoors Victoria)\, David Strickland (Sport and Recreation Victoria)\n						\n\n\n\n					 10:20am – Set the scene from last yearMel Ward (AusCycling)\n						\nMel Ward will share key insights from AusCycling’s Victorian Trail Governance and Maintenance Workshops. This session will ground us in the realities facing clubs\, land managers\, and agencies\, and set the foundation for the deeper discussions throughout the day. \n\n\n\n					 10:30am – Local Government InsightsDEECA\, Parks Victoria\, GORCAPA\, ARV\n						\nHear directly from councils across Victoria with MTB trails in their communities. We’ll learn what’s driving local trail decisions\, what challenges councils are facing\, and the creative solutions emerging on their trails. \nInformation on speakers coming soon. \n\n\n\n					 11:00am – Club Presentation Clubs announced soon!\n						\n\n\n\n					 12:00pm LUNCH\n						\n\n\n\n					 1:00pm – InspireSpeakers coming soon!\n						\n\n\n\n					 2:00pm – Workshop – How Might We?\n						\nTogether we’ll tackle the big questions that arise during the day\, we think\, (but of course don’t yet know!) they could be along the lines of…What are the greatest challenges facing Victorian MTB trails? What would it take to solve them? And what actions can we take now to shift the dial?Should a Vic Trails Working group be formed to represent the MTB trail community? Who should be on it and what should their mandate look like?If the Vic MTB Trails community were to approach State Government\, what should it ask? And how could it be delivered? \n\n\n\n					 3:30pm – Wrap up + Close\n						\n\nMel Ward will share key insights from AusCycling’s Victorian Trail Governance and Maintenance Workshops. This session will ground us in the realities facing clubs\, land managers\, and agencies\, and set the foundation for the deeper discussions throughout the day. \nHear directly from councils across Victoria with MTB trails in their communities. We’ll learn what’s driving local trail decisions\, what challenges councils are facing\, and the creative solutions emerging on their trails. \nInformation on speakers coming soon. \nTogether we’ll tackle the big questions that arise during the day\, we think\, (but of course don’t yet know!) they could be along the lines of…What are the greatest challenges facing Victorian MTB trails? What would it take to solve them? And what actions can we take now to shift the dial?Should a Vic Trails Working group be formed to represent the MTB trail community? Who should be on it and what should their mandate look like?If the Vic MTB Trails community were to approach State Government\, what should it ask? And how could it be delivered?
URL:https://parksleisure.com.au/event/victorian-sustainable-mountain-bike-trails-summit-2026/
LOCATION:Box Hill Institute – Lilydale Lakeside Campus\, 1 Jarlo Drive\, Lilydale\, VIC\, 3140\, Australia
CATEGORIES:VIC/TAS
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://parksleisure.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/High-Country3-1-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Perth:20261015T090000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Perth:20261015T163000
DTSTAMP:20260827T021443Z
CREATED:20260825T044402Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260827T021443Z
UID:10000621-1792054800-1792081800@parksleisure.com.au
SUMMARY:PLAWA & AILA Field Day 2026
DESCRIPTION:PLAWA x AILA Kings Park Field Day\nThursday 15 October 2026 | 9:00am – 4:30pm\nKings Park and Botanic Garden \nPresented by Parks & Leisure Australia WA in collaboration with the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects\nExplore. Learn. Connect.\nJoin Parks & Leisure Australia WA (PLAWA)\, in collaboration with the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA)\, for a full day of practical learning\, professional development and industry connection in the spectacular surrounds of Kings Park. \nThe PLAWA x AILA Kings Park Field Day will bring together parks\, landscape architecture\, horticulture\, environment and recreation professionals for an immersive program of expert-led learning\, practical workshops and behind-the-scenes experiences. \nWith four concurrent streams in the morning and four specialist tours in the afternoon\, delegates can shape their day around the topics most relevant to their work and interests. \nEvent Details\n📅 Thursday\, 15 October 2026⏰ 9:00am – 4:30pm📍 Kings Park and Botanic Garden👥 Limited to 60 participants \nTickets:PLAWA Members – $125Non-Members – $175 \nMorning tea\, lunch and networking drinks are included. \nProgram\nThe day begins at 9:00am at Kaarta Gar-up with a Smoking Ceremony\, followed by a presentation from Jason Stevens\, Director WA Botanic Garden\, at the Biodiversity Conservation Centre. \nFollowing morning tea\, participants will break into four groups for a choice of specialist sessions. \n🌿 Crisis or Opportunity?Bel Foster and Amy Stewart \nUsing design thinking to address critical environmental issues\, including a site tour of recent BGPA projects and the Ngooninup (Mt Eliza Scarp Stability) works. \n🌳 Managing Tree Health in Amenity LandscapesEmily Tudor / Wolfe Lewandrowski and Chelsea Payne \nA presentation on recent work in tree physiology by Kings Park Science\, followed by a site tour covering sentinel sites\, biosecurity response areas and treatment trials including Armillaria\, PSHB\, Phytophthora and root-compaction-impacted areas. \n🛝 The Good\, the Bad and the UglyPeta Lewis and Charlotte Vaughan \nExplore the benefits\, management and considerations associated with high-amenity educational play spaces\, including a tour of Naturescape with BGPA specialist staff. \n🔥 Fire Science and Weed EcologyRussell and Ryan Glowacki \nA presentation and site tour examining Kings Park trial sites and the relationship between fire regimes\, weed management and biodiversity. \nAfternoon Tours\nFollowing lunch\, participants will take part in two afternoon rotations\, commencing at 1:00pm and 2:15pm. \nChoose from: \n🌱 Plant Development / Nursery TourAmanda Shade and Digby Growns \n🌾 Kings Park Seed Science / Seedbank TourMatt Stray and Dave Merritt \n🌿 Resilient Landscapes TourJaimee Rulyancich and Peta Lewis \n🌳 Small Eucalypts TourChelsea Payne and Ali Smith \nEach group is limited to 15 participants\, creating an interactive experience with Kings Park specialists. \nFinish the Day Together\n🥂 3:30pm – 4:30pm | Afternoon Tea \nAfter a full day of learning and exploration\, attendees will come back together for afternoon tea at Ngoolaark Pavilion\, with the Biodiversity Conservation Centre available as the backup venue. \nImportant Information\nThe Crisis or Opportunity? session includes a site tour of the Ngooninup/Mt Eliza Scarp Stability works and requires a good level of fitness and appropriate footwear. \nWith specialist access\, multiple session choices and only 60 places available\, early registration is recommended. \nArrive early. Choose your group. Explore Kings Park. Learn from the experts.
URL:https://parksleisure.com.au/event/plawa-aila-field-day-2026/
LOCATION:Biodiversity Conservation Centre\, Kings Park\, Lot 557 Bellevue Terrace\, Perth\, WA\, 6000\, Australia
CATEGORIES:WA
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://parksleisure.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/KP-Field-Day-event-cover-image.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Adelaide:20261022T130000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Adelaide:20261022T140000
DTSTAMP:20260714T020445Z
CREATED:20260714T020445Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260714T020445Z
UID:10000605-1792674000-1792677600@parksleisure.com.au
SUMMARY:Playground and Playspace Safety Webinar - PLA x Kids Safe NSW
DESCRIPTION:Playground and Playspace Safety\nParks and Leisure Australia x Kids Safe NSW \n\nOverview\nPlaygrounds and public playspaces are vital community assets that promote physical activity\, creativity\, and social connection for children and families. However\, they also present inherent risks that require careful planning\, design\, maintenance\, and governance to ensure safe and inclusive play environments. \nThis webinar\, delivered in partnership between Parks and Leisure Australia and Kids Safe NSW\, will provide members with practical\, evidence-informed guidance on playground and playspace safety. The session will focus on balancing play value with safety outcomes and strengthening risk management approaches across the lifecycle of playspace provision. \n\nPresenters\nThe webinar will be presented by two experienced representatives from Kids Safe NSW: \n \n\nChristine Erskine – Executive Officer\n\n \n\nKim Cooke – Manager\, Playground Advisory Unit\n\nTogether\, they bring extensive expertise in child injury prevention\, playground safety assessment\, and strategic leadership in community safety initiatives. \n\nObjectives\nParticipants will gain insight into: \n\nCurrent playground and playspace safety standards and expectations\nKey hazards and risk factors in public play environments\nRisk-benefit assessment approaches in play provision\nInspection\, maintenance\, and asset management best practice\nDesigning inclusive\, engaging\, and age-appropriate playspaces\nPractical strategies to improve safety outcomes without limiting play value\n\n\nWho Should Attend\nThis webinar is relevant to: \n\nLocal government parks and recreation professionals\nPlayspace planners\, designers\, and landscape architects\nAsset and infrastructure managers\nRisk\, compliance\, and safety officers\nCommunity development and open space teams\nContractors and consultants involved in play space delivery and maintenance\n\n\nKey Topics Covered\n\nUnderstanding modern playground safety frameworks and expectations\nCommon causes of playground incidents and prevention strategies\nBalancing challenge\, risk\, and developmental benefits in play\nMaintenance systems\, inspection routines\, and documentation\nSafe design principles and inclusive play considerations\nReal-world examples and lessons from practice\nEmerging trends in playground safety and community expectations\n\n\nExpected Outcomes\nBy the end of the session\, participants will be able to: \n\nApply practical risk management strategies in playground environments\nIdentify and mitigate common safety hazards in playspaces\nStrengthen inspection and maintenance processes\nSupport better-informed design and asset decisions\nContribute to safer\, more resilient community play environments\n\n\nFormat and Logistics\n\nFormat: Online webinar\nDuration: 45 minutes\nIncludes: Expert presentation and live Q&A\nRecording: Available to registered participants (if applicable)
URL:https://parksleisure.com.au/event/playground-and-playspace-safety-webinar-pla-x-kids-safe-nsw/
LOCATION:
CATEGORIES:National,Online Event
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://parksleisure.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/kids-safety-photo.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Brisbane:20261027T093000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Brisbane:20261028T160000
DTSTAMP:20260909T001934Z
CREATED:20260825T061320Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260909T001934Z
UID:10000624-1793093400-1793203200@parksleisure.com.au
SUMMARY:QLD Leisure Planners Course - Cairns
DESCRIPTION:Location: Cairns Regional Council Main Administration Building \n119-145 Spence St Cairns\, Level 3 – Hoare Training Room. \nParticipants will need to present to Level 1 Reception for entry. \nThis course will provide participants with the underpinning skills and knowledge required to be a successful Leisure and Recreation Planner in Australia. The Leisure Planners Course has been designed for those early in their sport and recreation planning journey in the public sector\, or those transitioning into a planning role. The course is delivered by industry professionals with significant expertise and experience in their chosen fields. Specifically\, the course will help participants to: \n\nDevelop / enhance base level competencies of those who plan facilities in order to meet the organisational needs.\nImprove the skills and knowledge of current and emerging practitioners\, in line with industry best practice.\nStrengthen capacity to plan\, design\, coordinate\, organise and manage projects.\nProvide networking and potential mentoring opportunities for participants to seek advice\, share information and problem solve well after the course has been completed.\nProvide a high quality\, industry-based course\, that is an extension to formal tertiary / education pathways and work experience.\n\nIt will be an intensive two-day course where the following topics will be presented in different modules: \nLeisure and Recreation Planning in the local government context & Resourcing documentation and data for projects \n\nIntroduction to Leisure and Recreation Planning\nIntroduction to strategic planning documentation\nIndustry challenges and trends\nSituation Analysis\nGap Analysis\nDeveloping facility provisions framework for your organisation\nInfluences on provision standards\nOther provision and planning approaches\n\n Planning for projects \n\nProject Governance\nWhat is a project / project management?\nDeveloping a project plan\nSite analysis\nPreparing a design brief to inform initial design drawings\n\n  \nPresenters\n\nAnand Pillay – CEO\, Parks and Leisure Australia\n \nAnand has worked in the sport and recreation industry for the past 24 years.  Prior to taking on his current role as the CEO of Parks and Leisure Australia he enjoyed many opportunities in the public service including being the first Regional Director\, Sport and Recreation for North Queensland\, leading the development of community partnerships for the State and was part of the team that developed Queensland’s first whole of government sport and active recreation strategy. He has previously held sport and recreation planning roles for Brisbane and Townsville City Councils and a leadership position in the Department of Premier and Cabinet’s Economic Policy team. \nAnand is completing the final stages of a PhD at James Cook University investigating the benefits and quantifying the value of sport and recreation facilities.  He was a member of the inaugural Discover Sport board at James Cook University\, a former Australian representative on the Board of World Urban Parks and a Parks and Leisure Australia National Board member. Anand has a passion for understanding how physical activity can provide a platform for equity\, health and social connection. \n\n\nTracey Wilson – Owner-Director Working Visions\nTracey is an advisor to government\, business\, and non-government organisations\, providing services across Australasia focussing on: \n\nsustainable development\nstakeholder and community engagement\, including in complex projects\nsystems thinking collective impact\nstrategic planning\nproject governance and planning\npolicy and program evaluation.\n\nTracey has worked with various local governments on open space\, facilities\, sport and recreation and master planning projects across Queensland. She was a guest speaker at a PLA Qld State conference on the Gold Coast.  Tracey is a Fellow of the International Association for Public Participation (IAP2)\, and holds a Master of Sustainable Development. She has won several awards\, including the Inaugural IAP2 UNESCO International Sustainable Development in Community Engagement Award and the IAP2 Core Values Awards Indigenous Project of the Year.
URL:https://parksleisure.com.au/event/qld-leisure-planners-course-cairns/
LOCATION:Cairns Region Council Main Administration Building\, 119-145 Spence St\, Portsmith\, Cairns\, QLD\, 4870\, Australia
CATEGORIES:National,QLD
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://parksleisure.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Image-1-e1780540817906.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Adelaide:20261105T083000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Adelaide:20261105T163000
DTSTAMP:20260825T045644Z
CREATED:20260825T045644Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260825T045644Z
UID:10000625-1793867400-1793896200@parksleisure.com.au
SUMMARY:PLAWA Spring Playspace Tour 2026
DESCRIPTION:Explore. Connect. Learn. Play. \nJoin Parks & Leisure Australia WA on Thursday\, 5 November 2026 for the Spring Playspace Tour\, a full-day professional tour showcasing six playspaces across Perth’s northern suburbs. \nDesigned for parks and recreation professionals\, landscape architects\, local government officers\, designers\, planners\, contractors and play industry specialists\, the tour provides an opportunity to get out in the field and explore how contemporary playspaces and public open spaces are being planned\, designed and delivered. \n🚌 Six playspaces. One day. Plenty of ideas. \nThroughout the day\, participants will travel together by bus\, visit each location and hear directly from local government representatives\, designers\, contractors and industry specialists involved in the featured projects. \n🌳 The Tour \n Duncraig Adventure Hub – Duncraig \nWe’ll begin the tour at Duncraig Adventure Hub\, exploring the planning\, design and delivery of this recreation destination and hearing about the thinking and collaboration behind the project. \n Whitfords Park \nOur second stop explores play and recreation infrastructure within an established community setting\, providing another perspective on the design and delivery of quality public open space. \n Expedition Park – Clarkson \nAt Expedition Park\, we’ll take a closer look at the design and delivery of the playspace\, including the creative thinking behind the project and how play elements have been integrated into the surrounding landscape. \nRiverlinks All-Abilities Playground – Clarkson \nThe tour continues at Riverlinks All-Abilities Playground\, where we’ll explore inclusive play in practice and the considerations involved in creating spaces that provide meaningful play opportunities for people of different ages and abilities. \nRotary Park \nWe’ll then visit Rotary Park to explore another approach to community recreation\, play and public open space\, looking at the features that contribute to a successful and engaging destination. \nKanangra Park – Greenwood \nOur final playspace visit will be Kanangra Park\, providing an opportunity to examine another contemporary play environment and discuss the ideas\, design decisions and lessons that can be applied to future projects. \nThe original tour planning identified Duncraig Adventure Hub\, Expedition Park\, Riverlinks and Kanangra Park among the proposed northern-suburbs sites\, with the itinerary subsequently developed to incorporate the broader mix of locations. \n🎤 Hear From the People Behind the Projects \nThis is more than a sightseeing tour. \nAt key locations\, participants will hear from professionals directly involved in the projects\, providing practical insight into areas including: \n\nPlanning and design\nPlay and recreation outcomes\nAccessibility and inclusive design\nLandscape integration\nConstruction and project delivery\nStakeholder collaboration\nCommunity outcomes\nMaintenance and ongoing management\nChallenges and lessons learned\n\nContributors across the day will include representatives from local government and industry. \n📅 Event Details \nEvent: PLAWA Spring Playspace Tour 2026\nDate: Thursday\, 5 November 2026\nTime: 8:30am – approximately 4:00pm\nLocation: Perth Northern Suburbs\nFormat: Full-day guided bus tour\nTransport: Bus transport between all tour locations\nCatering: Refreshments and lunch included \nRegistration and networking will commence from 8:30am\, before the group boards the bus and departs for the tour. \nParticipants will travel together throughout the day\, with presentations and discussions taking place at key locations before returning to the original departure point in the afternoon. \n👷 Who Should Attend? \nThe Spring Playspace Tour is designed for professionals working across parks and recreation\, public open space\, landscape architecture\, playground design\, local government\, urban design\, community infrastructure\, construction and asset management. \nWhether you’re responsible for planning new facilities\, designing them\, constructing them or managing them once they’re open\, the tour provides an opportunity to see projects first-hand and exchange ideas with professionals from across the sector. \n🤝 Connect With the Industry \nAs well as professional development\, the Spring Playspace Tour is an opportunity to spend the day connecting with colleagues from across WA’s parks\, leisure\, landscape and play industries. \nShare ideas\, ask questions of the people behind the projects and build new industry connections while experiencing the projects in person. \n🎟️ Limited Places Available \nPlaces on the bus are limited to ensure participants have a practical and interactive experience at each location. \nEarly registration is strongly recommended. \n🌳 See the projects. Meet the people behind them. Ask questions. Share ideas. And spend a day exploring some of Perth’s most interesting playspaces.
URL:https://parksleisure.com.au/event/plawa-spring-playspace-tour-2026/
LOCATION:Duncraig Edible Garden\, Corner Warwick rd\, Marmion Ave\, Duncraig WA 6023\, Corner Warwick Road and Marmion Avenue\, Duncraig\, Western Australia\, 6023\, Australia
CATEGORIES:WA
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://parksleisure.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/spring-tour-event-cover-image.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20261119
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20261212
DTSTAMP:20260908T031652Z
CREATED:20260825T025437Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260908T031652Z
UID:10000623-1795046400-1797033599@parksleisure.com.au
SUMMARY:NSW/ACT Leisure Planners Course
DESCRIPTION:*The Leisure Planner’s Course is 2 x 2 day blocks: 19-20 November and 10-11 December\, 9-4pm each day. \nThis course will provide participants with the underpinning skills and knowledge required to be a successful Leisure and Recreation Planner in Australia. The Leisure Planners Course has been designed for those early in their sport and recreation planning journey in the public sector\, or those transitioning into a planning role. The course is delivery by industry professionals with significant expertise and experience in their chosen fields. Specifically\, the course will help participants to: \n\nDevelop / enhance base level competencies of those who plan facilities in order to meet the organisational needs.\nImprove the skills and knowledge of current and emerging practitioners\, in line with industry best practice.\nStrengthen capacity to plan\, design\, coordinate\, organise and manage projects.\nProvide networking and potential mentoring opportunities for participants to seek advice\, share information and problem solve well after the course has been completed.\nProvide a high quality\, industry-based course\, that is an extension to formal tertiary / education pathways and work experience.\n\nIt will be an intensive four-day course where the following topics will be presented in different modules: \nModule 1 – Leisure and Recreation Planning in the local government context \n\nIntroduction to Leisure and Recreation Planning\nWhat is a Leisure and Recreation Planner?\nIndustry challenges and trends\nInfluencing Legislations\nLand-use planning Legislation\nIntegrated Planning & Reporting Framework\nCouncil Governance\nIntroduction to strategic planning documentation\n\nModule 2 – Resourcing documentation and data for projects \n\nSituation Analysis\nGap Analysis\nDeveloping facility provisions framework for your organisation\nInfluences on provision standards\nOther provision and planning approaches\n\nModule 3 – Community and stakeholder engagement within the Local Government context & Persuasion Lab Masterclass – Nature Positive Storytelling for Impact \n\nPrinciples of community and stakeholder engagement\nDeveloping a stakeholder engagement plan for your project\nMasterclass\n\n Module 4 – Planning for projects \n\nProject Governance\nWhat is a project / project management?\nDeveloping a project plan\nSite analysis\nPreparing a design brief to inform initial design drawings\n\n  \nPresenters\n\nFiona MacColl – Director\, SCAPISM – Landscape Architects and Stragtegic Planners\n \nFiona is a strategic leader and infrastructure planner specializing in sustainable public open space\, active recreation\, and data-driven public sector management. In her role as Principal Advisor at the NSW Office of Sport\, she leads high-impact infrastructure strategies\, growth precinct planning\, and policy development. Notably\, Fiona spearheaded the Greater Sydney Sports Infrastructure Plan and developed the ground-breaking NSW Sport Infrastructure Dashboard (SID)—a first-of-its-kind statewide database utilized by major government planning agencies.\nWith over two decades of expertise spanning all three levels of government\, academia\, and industry bodies\, Fiona is highly skilled at solving complex urban challenges. Her diverse background includes serving as Executive Officer for the Australian Bicycle Council—where she won a National Bicycling Achievement Award—and lecturing in Recreation Planning at the University of Technology\, Sydney (UTS).\nFiona holds a Master of Planning\, a Master of Management (Business)\, and a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture. She is a Registered Landscape Architect and actively contributes to the sector as a National Board Director for Parks and Leisure Australia. She is dedicated to creating healthy\, connected\, and sustainable communities through innovative infrastructure solutions.\n\n\nDr Megan Taylor – Adjunct Fellow\, University of Technology Sydney\n \nMegan is an urban planner and researcher interested in a deceptively simple question: when a city grows\, how do we make sure there is still enough room for people to play\, gather\, exercise and spend time outdoors? \nHer work focuses on public open space provision and the planning decisions that shape it. Megan’s PhD at UTS examined the politics of park provision in Sydney\, looking at how land\, planning policy\, funding\, governance and competing priorities come together to determine where parks are provided — and whether enough space is secured in the first place. \nMegan has worked across planning\, governance\, strategy\, research and the built environment. She brings a perspective that sits between policy and practice\, with a particular interest in what happens between having a good idea for a park and actually getting that park delivered. \nFor the Leisure Planners Course\, Megan will explore the realities of planning for public open space in growing communities\, including the assumptions and regulations behind provision\, the choices and trade-offs that planners face\, and the opportunities to influence open space outcomes before the most important decisions have already been made. \n\n\nSarah Reilly – Founder and CEO\, CRED Consulting\n \nSarah is the Founder and CEO of CRED Consulting and one of Australia’s leading thinkers (and doers!) on community led and participatory planning for social assets\, social cohesion and community resilience. Sarah champions collaboration for design\, delivery and management of equitable and beautiful places and services for and with the people they are for. With over 25 years industry experience\, she is a big ideas generator who is changing the way things work in social policy and practice. She is known within the industry for her passion\, strategic thinking\, ethics\, and ability to work across diverse sectors and communities to reach mutually beneficial outcomes. \nThe depth of Sarah’s experience is always apparent – she facilitates\, and advises at all levels from community groups to senior executives\, to councillors and ministers. Sarah brings her emotional intelligence\, energy\, and extensive subject matter expertise and strong networks to every project. \nSarah leads and mentors her growing national team of experts\, (and all female executive group) with passion\, care\, and commitment to the highest ethics. She has built a solid business with a team of values-driven experts\, clients\, and communities\, all striving towards Social Cities and Complete Communities from the site to the city-scale. Sarah is an active member of Parks and Leisure Australia and a Fellow of the Planning Institute of Australia. She delivers national Social Planning training for PIA. \n\n\nJen Guice – Executive Director\, national Lead Engagement and Resilience\, CRED Consulting\n \nJen has over 25 years industry experience in engagement\, strategic communications\, strategy development and project management for government\, not-for-profit organisations\, and the private sector in Australia. \nJen loves nothing more than bringing people together. Whether it’s community members who start as strangers but become colleagues and friends\, colleagues or stakeholders who need to align\, or an auditorium full of delegates looking to be lead through an event\, Jen creates community. Jen is trusted by her clients and sought after for her creative\, warm\, strategic\, successful\, and fun facilitation and innovative approaches to community and stakeholder engagement. \nAs an IAP2 accredited engagement professional\, leading state and national award-winning engagement and research projects each year since she started at CRED in 2020\, Jen brings her leadership\, insight\, creativity\, and energy\, to make CRED’s community and stakeholder engagement projects exemplary \nJen has forged a reputation in the industry as a leader by designing and delivering research and engagement projects that build community resilience and social cohesion. Jen is an authentic\, empathetic\, and caring leader who connects with people across generations\, cultures and places. Jen specialises in designing research and engagement processes that elevate the voices of diverse and under-represented communities \n\n\nBelinda Bean – Founder\, Wilder Impact\n \nBelinda  is the founder of Wilder Impact Pty Ltd\, a nature-positive strategy and communications consultancy helping governments\, businesses and communities turn big sustainability goals into action. She is Executive Director of the Australasian Green Infrastructure Network and past Chair of the National Urban Green Infrastructure Roundtable\, working nationally to advance greener\, cooler and more resilient cities. Belinda brings systems thinking\, storytelling and practical insight to conversations about how nature-based solutions can shape better urban futures. \n\n\nMark Bruhn – Contract manager\, Greater Sydney Parklands\n \nMark is currently employed as Contract Manager for Greater Sydney Parklands and is a current member of the ACT/NSW PLA Regional Council. \nMark’s previous roles include Director Service Delivery\, Manager Parks\, Parks Senior Consultant\, and as a stakeholder engagement manager for a Primary Health Network over the COVID period. \nEnsuring successful service delivery is a passion of Marks whose experience in procuring and managing parks and facilities contracts extends over 25 years in Australia and New Zealand. \nIn his spare time\, Mark continues to play hockey\, advocate for mental health\, volunteer on sports committees and find time to spend with his wife and four “semi-adult” (who are hopefully leaving home soon) offspring.
URL:https://parksleisure.com.au/event/nsw-act-leisure-planners-course/
LOCATION:Ropes Crossing Community Hub\, 54 Pulley Drive\, Ropes Crossing\, NSW\, 2760\, Australia
CATEGORIES:National,NSW/ACT
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://parksleisure.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Leisure-Planners-Course-pic.jpg
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR