VIC/TAS 2025 Conference RECAP

Thanks to our 2025 partners for their support

We returned stronger than ever, heading to CENTREPIECE at the iconic Olympic Park in the heart of Melbourne for our 2025 Regional Conference and Awards of Excellence.

Across several dynamic days, over 350 attendees came together for an incredible program of networking, knowledge sharing, and showcasing the best our industry has to offer. As the only sector conference created by local government for local government and its supporters, it was a true celebration of the PEOPLE behind the PLACES.

We launched the event with inspiring opening keynotes from John Harnden and Sally Capp, followed by a thought-provoking panel of council CEOs. From there, delegates experienced two full days of rich content — more than 12 hours across three diverse streams.

And of course, we couldn’t forget the social highlight of the year: the Awards of Excellence Gala Dinner, where we honoured the outstanding contributions across PLA Vic/Tas. We wrapped up on a high with a captivating closing keynote from Beau Miles.

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OPENING KEYNOTE – JOHN HARNDEN

John Harnden AM, was appointed as CEO of M&OP in 2019 and his experience in sports and entertainment spans a 30-year career in key leadership positions, including as Chair and Chief Executive of the Australian Grand Prix Corporation, Chair of the ICC 2022 T20 World Cup Organising Committee, Director of Cricket Australia, Chief Executive of the ICC 2015 World Cup Organising Committee, and Chief Executive of the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games. In 2007, Mr Harnden was awarded an Order of Australia for services to sport for his work on the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games.

OPENING KEYNOTE – SALLY CAPP AO

We were lucky to have Sally Capp AO join us as one of our keynote speakers for the 2025 conference. Sally Capp AO is a trailblazing leader whose career spans business, government, and academia. She was the first woman to serve on the Collingwood FC board, the first female Agent-General for Victoria in the UK, Europe, and Israel, and the first woman directly elected as Lord Mayor of Melbourne. In 2024, Sally became a Vice Chancellor’s Fellow at the University of Melbourne, further cementing her legacy of leadership. Her varied career gives her unique perspectives and some hilarious stories!

Our opening keynote Sally Capp was proudly brought to you by Atlantis Liquid Dynamics

CLOSING KEYNOTE – BEAU MILES

Beau is a Father, YouTuber, award winning filmmaker, author of The Backyard Adventurer, wannabe farmer and maker of stuff from other people’s junk. He needs to shower more. Known for oddball storytelling that aims to make seemingly mundane or hair-brained ideas into something that’s enjoyable, challenging and insightful. He started to lecture at Monash University in outdoor education, and later earned his PhD in Outdoor Education which was an autoethnographic inquiry into sea kayak expeditioning. If you’re interested in finding out more, check out Beau’s YouTube channel.

OUR 2025 HOST/MC

We were thrilled to have Brett Phillips as our host for the 2025 Conference and Awards of Excellence. Brett is a leading tennis commentator and long time supporter of PLA. He is the host of SEN’s The First Serve, a dedicated two hour weekly radio show, covering the world of tennis from the elite to the grass roots here in Australia and abroad. Brett is also a host of Channel 9’s French Open, Wimbledon, US Open, Davis Cup, Billie Jean King Cup, Brisbane International and Adelaide International TV coverage as well as being the big screens host for Tennis Australia at the Australian Open.

Our conference host proudly brought to you by Green Life Group www.glgcorp.com

COUNCIL CEO PANEL

We closed out the conference opening with a Council Chief Executive Officer Panel moderated by Sally Capp, exploring the challenges and opportunities of our industry.

Panel CEO’s were hand picked for their ties to the Parks and Leisure industry – some starting out as learn to swim instructors, others being former members of the PLA Vic/Tas Region Council – ensuring a relevant, robust, and honest conversation about what the future holds for the sector.

Sally Capp and the CEO panel were proudly brought to you by Atlantis Liquid Dynamics

Panel speakers:

🎤 Cathy Henderson, Merri-bek City Council
🎤 Fiona Blair, Brimbank City Council
🎤 Lincoln Fitzgerald, Loddon Shire Council
🎤 Jacqui Weatherill, City of Greater Dandenong

2025 AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE

The 2025 PLA VIC/TAS Awards of Excellence Gala Dinner was held in the Grand Hall at CENTREPIECE. We enjoyed the spectacular views of Olympic Park as we celebrated the outstanding initiatives and innovative efforts of our industry. For a full recap of the event, including photos and our 2025 winners, visit the link below.

This event was proudly brought to you by Landmark Products

2025 TRADE EXHIBITORS

We were thrilled to have 25+ trade exhibitors this year where delegates could find all the information needed on the latest and greatest innovations from our industry suppliers.

A big thank you goes out to all the exhibitors for choosing to be a part of this great event. View the Trade Exhibitor Booklet below to find details on all of the exhibitors, including links to their websites and brochures!