We are back bigger and better than ever on 20-21 May 2025 as we head to CENTREPIECE @ Melbourne Park, home of the Australian Open.
The only sector conference brought to you by local government for local government and its supporters, the event brings together industry celebrating the PEOPLE behind the PLACES.Â
We will be bringing you two full days, 50+ speakers and 12+ hours of content across 3 diverse streams:
- Places + Spaces
- Parks + Projects
- People + Planning
Don’t forget the social event of the year as we celebrate the best of the parks and leisure industry at our Awards of Excellence Dinner!
A full conference program including all speakers and presentation abstracts will be available closer to the event date.
PROGRAM PARTNERS
We are thrilled to be teaming up with our program partners to provide a series of spotlight speakers who will present throughout the conference:
MEET YOUR HOST
Brett Phillips, Tennis Commentator + Broadcaster
Brett Phillips is a leading tennis commentator and long time supporter of PLA. 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
OPENING THE CONFERENCE
Luba Grigorivitch MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Outdoor Recreation
MEET YOUR KEYNOTE
Sally Capp AO, Former Lord Mayor of Melbourne
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!
FACILITATED SESSION
Sally Capp AO will moderate a Council Chief Executive Officer panel session exploring the challenges and opportunities of our industry.
Panel CEO’s have been 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.
MEET YOUR KEYNOTE
Beau Miles, The Backyard Adventurer
Who is this bearded bloke? 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.
MEET YOUR KEYNOTE
John Harnden, CEO MOPT
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.
Thanks to our partners and sponsors for their support
