Join PLAWA for a valuable webinar on activating ageing communities through the introduction of seniors’ exercise parks. The webinar, facilitated by Regional Councillor Lindsay Weaver, will be presented by Bree Sturges of Lark Industries and Professor Pazit Levinger PhD, AEP Principle Researcher at the National Ageing Research Institute (NARI) along with honorary positions at the Rehabilitation, Ageing and Independent Living (RAIL) Research Centre, Monash University and the Institute for Health and Sport (IHES), Victoria University.
Explore the data and research behind seniors’ exercise parks and the benefits to ageing communities, along with design considerations, site considerations, equipment choice and a discussion on the successful NARI Enjoy programme.
Meet the speakers
Lindsay Weaver, PLAWA Regional Councillor and Business Development Manager at Green by Nature
Lindsay has over twenty years of experience in the Parks and Open Spaces sector, holding a BSc (Hons) in Landscape and Garden Design. She began her career at Nottinghamshire County Council and joined Torbay Council at 22, working in various Parks Ops/Development roles for 10 years before becoming the Grounds Operations Manager at the University of Exeter. In her early thirties, she moved to New Zealand and managed parks operations in Auckland, later working as a Parks Consultant. Lindsay then joined Gisborne District Council as a Recreation and Amenity Advisor before moving to Perth. She has recently joined Green by Nature as their new Business Development Manager. She is also a PLAWA Regional Councillor as well as a Green Flag Award judge. Lindsay advocates for play, smart technologies, and inclusivity. Outside of work, Lindsay enjoys gardening and mural painting.
Pazit Levenger PhD AEP, Principal Researcher, National Ageing Research Institute and an Exercise Physiologist
Professor Levinger holds honorary positions at Monash University and Victoria University. With over 18 years of experience in active ageing, physical activity falls prevention, and clinical biomechanics, her research emphasises translating findings into community initiatives and collaborating with local governments. She is an expert in designing age-friendly outdoor environments and leads the award-winning ENJOY Seniors Exercise Park projects. Professor Levinger has over 100 scientific publications, has given 70 national and international presentations, and secured several successful grant applications.
Sharon Winbanks, Senior Business Development Manager – VIC & TAS, Lark Industries.
Sharon has a Bachelor of Science from Monash University, majoring in Psychology and Applied Mathematics, and has been at Lark since May 2022. Â
Since joining Lark, she has discovered an enthusiasm for quality playground and exercise equipment that engages people of all ages and gets everyone up and moving. Having had elderly progress through the aged care system, she has become particularly evangelical about senior’s exercise and fitness.
Bree Sturges, Business Development Manager – WA/SA, Lark Industries
Bree forms part of the Lark Industries National team covering both Western Australia and South Australia. Lark Industries is a national supplier of quality European-manufactured custom playgrounds, proprietary playgrounds, fitness equipment and skate equipment.
With an eclectic background in building and construction, play design consultation and health and fitness, Bree brings her passion to life at Lark Industries by assisting in the creation of innovative and creative public open spaces for the wider community.
Parks & Leisure Australia (WA) thanks our Regional Sponsors:
The State government through the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries is a major supporter of Parks and Leisure Australia in Western Australia. Sport and recreation build stronger, healthier, happier and safer communities.
Parks and Leisure Australia WA acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.