Australasian Leisure Management’s Nigel Benton inducted into Australian Fitness Industry Roll of Honour

October 12, 2024

Karen Sweaney

Nigel Benton, Publisher of Australasian Leisure Management, has been named as one of four inductees into the Australian Fitness Industry Roll of Honour at the AUSactive National Awards gala in Sydney last night.

Benton’s honour came at the close of 2024 AUSactive Award Gala in Sydney last night at which he, along with Leanne Sklavenitis of FightMND and author of Finding Awesomeness Through Adversity; Katrina Edwards, co-founder of Aligned for Life Pilates and Director of National Pilates Training and Harry Konstantinou, Chief Executive and Managing Director of Viva Leisure were also added to the Role of Honour.

Sklavenitis was also named as the recipient of the AUSactive Lifetime Award.

Commenting on the program, AUSactive Chief Executive, Barrie Elvish said it was an honour to celebrate this year’s winners, noting “I’m immensely proud of the achievements of our award winners and all the category finalists in this year’s Awards Program.

“It was a privilege to induct Leanne Sklavenitis, Nigel Benton, Katrina Edwards and Harry Konstantinou onto the AUSactive Roll of Honour.

“Your dedication to the Australian active health and fitness industry is phenomenal.”

Speaking after receiving his award from AUSactive Chair Jayne Blake in front of a sold-out Gala event, Benton stated “I’m stunned, humbled and honoured … I think the last time I received an award was when I was at school.”

Appreciating the recognition from his industry peers, Benton went on to say “over the year’s we’ve reported on some incredible people who’ve received this accolade - industry giants, high achievers, game changers such as Tony de Leede, Mel Tempest, Steve Jensen, Amanda Bracks, Emmett Williams, Kristen Greene - many of whom I count as friends - as well as the late John Holsinger and Don Hartley and others whom I apologise for not mentioning - so I am really humbled to join their ranks.

“I may not look like the most appropriate person to receive this but I do really appreciate getting the recognition for what we have done over the past 20 plus years and continue to do in trying to report all that is best about this industry and what it delivers in terms of experience, enjoyment and achievement.

“It’s also very satisfying to be recognised for something that I truly love doing - that process that I call ‘joining the dots’ to make sense of things for the benefit of others.

"I’d like to thank those who thought to nominate me for this recognition along with Barry Elvish and the AUSactive team for the presentation and for how they have staged this wonderful event as well as Sean Krenz and all his team at National Media for the wider AusFitness expo.

“Within what we do I’d like to acknowledge our growing team who make sure what we do happens: Jan Miley, James Croll, Declan Gillard-Martin (and our security guru Stella the Pug) and the SPASA team headed by Lindsay McGrath, along with all our advertisers, partners, contributors and supporters.

“Most of all I’d like to thank business partner, life partner and wife Karen Sweaney.

“And in closing I’d say, not just to make our life easier, but to also continue to grow the stature of this industry and enhance your own personal and business reputations I’d urge you all to keep sharing about the great things you do.”

Roll of Honour
The aim of this Award is:

To recognise individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the health and exercise industry in Australia.
To raise public awareness of the origin, development and growth of the preventative health and exercise industry as an important part of Australia’s culture.
To promote activating Australians: Every body. Every way. Every day. Thereby contributing to the health and wellbeing of the nation.

The Roll of Honour is an important part of AUSactive’s community education activities that in turn, help to raise the profile of the industry and its members.

Biography
Nigel Benton, Publisher, Australasian Leisure Management
Born in the English county of Dorset, Nigel Benton is the co-founder and Publisher of Australasian Leisure Management, Australia, New Zealand and the Asia-Pacific’s only magazine for professionals in all areas of the leisure industry and the www.ausleisure.com website - the go to news resource for industry leaders and professionals.

With a long-term commitment to communicating all that is best about the leisure industry (aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues) his career has been defined by an ability to develop and implement industry communications.

Starting his career working in heritage visitor attractions and then adventure travel in Africa and the Middle East, an interest in writing about his experiences led to his change of career into journalism and magazine publishing.

In addition to publishing, he speaks on marketing communications at a range of industry events.

He was made a Life Member of the World Leisure and Recreation Association in 2006 and is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society (London).

His philosophy on life is to be kind to all and to indulge those that you love.

His passions include family, Newcastle United and motorcycles (especially British ones) as well as caring for Stella the pug.

Images: Nigel Benton with Australasian Leisure Management Editor, Karen Sweaney after receiving his AUSactive award (top) and (below, from left): Australasian Leisure Management Managing Director Lindsay McGrath, Karen Sweaney, Australasian Leisure Management Brand Manager Declan Gillard-Martin, Australasian Leisure Management Partnerships Manager James Croll and Nigel Benton at the awards.

About the author

Karen Sweaney

Co-founder and Editor, Australasian Leisure Management

Artist, geoscientist and specialist writer on the leisure industry, Karen Sweaney is Editor and co-founder of Australasian Leisure Management.

Based in Sydney, Australia, her specific areas of interest include the arts, entertainment, the environment, fitness, tourism and wellness.

She has degrees in Fine Arts from the University of Sydney and Geological Oceanography from UNSW.

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