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, until February 2025 when she left us, caring a little pug named Stella.
Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?
As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.
Geoff Ninnes Fong & Partners (GNFP) is a structural, aquatic and civil engineering consultancy with broad experience in the design of new municipal and institutional swimming pools, hydrotherapy…
Pico Play is a global leader in the planning, design, development and construction of world-class themed attractions and entertainment that deliver extraordinary and memorable experiences to millions…
InterQuad (International Quadratics)
With a combined legacy spanning over 150 years, International Quadratics (founded in 1976) and Pierce Pool Supplies (originally established in 1898 as A H…
At easyemployer we've come up with a software solution that manages one of your most important, and often most costly, business resources - your staff. We are helping 100s of clients to…
Stadiums and venues around the world recognise that success hinges on more than just what happens on the pitch. More than ever, fan engagement within each facility is a critical part of the overall…
A leading designer and manufacturer of innovative waterslides and attractions, Australian Waterslides and Leisure (AWL) is also able to advise clients in the areas of concept and design, feasibility…
revolutioniseSPORT is the emerging market leader in online club management in Australia. Whether it is memberships, registrations, events, online sales or governance tools - revolutioniseSPORT is the…
BH Fitness, part of the long-standing and iconic bike manufacturer BH Group, is a global leader in fitness equipment for both Commercial and Home markets. The company, with the headquarters based in…
TO READ OUR UNIQUE DELIVERY OF NEWS COVERING
ALL SECTORS OF THE LEISURE INDUSTRY YOU WILL NEED TO SIGN UP.
You will be able to access more than 50,000 news items along with a
growing selection of additional features to help you be better informed in your work.
