The lifetime career achievements of the late Don Hartley have been acknowledged at the Aquatics and Recreation Victoria industry awards with the facilities management and software innovator being announced as the posthumous recipient of the award for Outstanding Contribution to the industry.
Presented during the ARV's 2022 Industry Gala Awards last Friday, Todd McHardy, Managing Director at BlueFit, delivered an oration recognising Don Hartley's achievements.
Writing about the presentation, Drew Hildebrandt, Brimbank Leisure Facility Manager at Brimbank City Council, declared on social media "this was a wholly deserved honour made slightly sad due to the fact we lost Don recently to a hard fought battle with cancer.
"Don was an exceptionally hard working, innovative figure in our industry. Managing facilities including pools, gyms and many golf courses was part of the legacy. He was also part of the establishment and impressive growth of the Links POS system. Although some may have been frustrated by the system over the years(!) over many years it remained the leading POS system for leisure operators. All systems that have surfaced since have learnt plenty from Links and no doubt borrowed its best features. Don and his team also delivered Metra lockers, something I just installed in my new Brimbank facility.
"Don’s legacy will live on through these key advancements that he has delivered to the industry as well as the many leisure professionals he has positively influenced with his dedication, passion and knowledge.
"It was fantastic to see his contribution recognised and his family should be very proud."
Among other presentations at the PerfectGym sponsored awards, Brimbank Leisure Centres team won in four categories.
The successes included Matt Evans winning the Duty Manager of the Year award while the Sunshine Leisure Centre won the Community Initiative, Watch Around Water and Sustainability Awards.
Click here for more information on the ARV Awards.
Images: Don Hartley (top) and the Brimbank Leisure Centres team at last Friday's awards (below, credit: Ashley Fleming).
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.au 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 magazine journalism and publishing.
In addition to publishing, Nigel 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).
As of October 2024, he was inducted into the Australian Fitness Awards Roll of Honour at the 2024 AUSactive National Awards.
Among a range of published works and features, his comments on a Blog (blogspot) from 2007 to 2011, when this website went live in its current form, may be interesting to reflect back on.
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.
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