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Parks and Leisure Australia has presented its Frank Stewart Distinguished Service Award - its highest individual honour - to Dr John Tower.

Presented at its Awards of Excellence Gala Dinner on Tuesday 24th October 2023, the Frank Stewart Award is presented annually by Parks and Leisure Australia (PLA) to an individual who has made a significant contribution to the development, promotion and advocacy of the parks and recreation industry through their personal and professional endeavours.

Dr Tower has worked for over 40 years in the leisure industry, has been on the Boards of World Leisure Organisation (WLO) and Australian and New Zealand Association of Leisure Studies (ANZALS) and is currently the Chair of PLA Advisory.

His industry achievements include over 100 presentations at park and leisure conferences, over 20 refereed articles, being co-author of two books, educating over 1500 university students studying leisure and recreation management and supervised four PhD graduates.

Welcoming receiving the Award, Dr Tower advised “I have been able to contribute to the parks and leisure industry because I have worked, and continue to work with wonderful people, including students, researchers, and park and leisure professionals.

“My association with Victoria University and a range of professional associations including Australian and New Zealand Association for Leisure Studies (ANZALS), Parks and Leisure Australia (PLA), World Leisure Organisation (WLO) and Bon Leisure have enabled me to do work that demonstrates leisure's capacity to contribute to a community's quality of life.

“Thank you to PLA and the Frank Stewart Fellows for honouring me with this award. I look forward to continuing to contribute to the park and leisure sector.”

PLA National Awards of Excellence Winners
The full list of winners of Parks and Leisure Australia's 2023 awards.

Best Regional/Rural Industry Contribution Award:
Town of Port Hedland, Royal Automobile Club & Town Team Movement
South Hedland Youth Placemaking Program

Best Use of Technology Award:
City of Melville & ArborCarbon
Aerial Tree Management

Community Based Initiative of the Year Award:
Collective Leisure
Collective Leisure A Business for Good

Community Based Facility of the Year Award:
Brimbank City Council/Brimbank Aquatic and Wellness Centre

David Aldous Emerging Leader Award:
Jessie Carter

Environmental Stewardship Award:
Brimbank City Council/Brimbank Aquatic and Wellness Centre

Park of the Year Award:
Wollongong City Council/Cringila Hills Recreation Park

Playspace Award (more than $500,000):
City of Monash
Westerfield Drive Sensory Playspace, Notting Hill

Playspace Award (less than $500,000):
City of Bunbury & Playce P/L
Koolambidi Woola

Research Award:
Queensland University of Technology, Moreton Bay Regional Council & 7 Senses Foundation
Intergrational Parks for Active Communities

Strategic and Master Planning Award:
South Burnett Regional Council & Otium Planning Group
Kingaroy Memorial Park Master Plan

Frank Stewart Distinguished Service Award:
Dr John Tower

Image: Dr John Tower.

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