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THE LEADING SOURCE OF INFORMATION FOR THE LEISURE INDUSTRY

 
 
 

Author

Nigel Benton

About the author

Nigel Benton

Co-founder/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.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).

In 2020, he launched the new Asian Leisure Business website.

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.

Click here to connect with him via LinkedIn.

Post storm clean up underway in South East Queensland as flooding impacts Northern NSW

The impact of ex Tropical Cyclone Alfred is being felt across South East Queensland and Northern NSW with leisure industry operators closed as the area is impacted by heavy rains, flooding…

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Mar 10, 2025 Nigel Benton Recreation / Safety / Tourism /

 
 

Nanjing ready to host World Athletics Indoor Championships

After a five-year delay, the Chinese city of Nanjing is counting down to hosting the World Athletics Indoor Championships from 21st to 23rd March. Nanjing - a city of 9.3 million people -…

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Mar 9, 2025 Nigel Benton Events / Sport / Venues /

 
 

Cyclone Alfred impacts events, fixtures and facilities industry across South East Queensland

The impending impact of Tropical Cyclone Alfred is causing the cancellation of events and closure of facilities across South East Queensland. Intensifying into a Category Two system…

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Mar 4, 2025 Nigel Benton Attractions / Environment / Safety / Tourism /

 
 

Papua New Guinea Government reveals stadium plan for new NRL franchise

Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape has advised that the country’s new NRL team franchise will play its home matches at Port Moresby’s 25,000-capacity Sir Hubert Murray…

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Feb 26, 2025 Nigel Benton Government / Sport / Venues /

 
 

AFL’s Hawthorn announces sale of Waverley Park home

Hawthorn Football Club has announced that its Waverley Park home in Melbourne’s east is up for sale, with an asking price of $20 million. With the AFL club set to move to its new…

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Feb 22, 2025 Nigel Benton Finance / Sport / Venues /

 
 

Live Nation reveals 2024 as ‘biggest year’ for live music

Live Nation Entertainment has revealed that 2024 “was live music’s biggest year yet, as artists toured the world and fans turned out in record numbers”. Revealing its full…

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Feb 21, 2025 Nigel Benton Entertainment / Finance / Sport / Ticketing / Venues /

 
 

Bendigo Stadiums takes on management of Swan Hill Stadium

Following a formal tender process for the lease contract, Swan Hill Rural City Council has announced the appointment of Bendigo Stadiums as the new facility manager for its Swan Hill…

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Feb 20, 2025 Nigel Benton Recreation / Sport / Venues /

 
 
 
Australasian Leisure Management
 

search ausleisure

AusLeisure

THE LEADING SOURCE OF INFORMATION FOR THE LEISURE INDUSTRY

 
 
 

Authors

Linda Tillman

Managing Director, Tilma Group Pty Ltd

Since 2008, Linda Tillman has been combining her skills in tourism development, destination marketing and event management, with a passion for regional and rural Australia to grow Tilma Group, a boutique regional tourism and events agency servicing clients throughout regional Australia.

Tilma Group employs a dedicated, professional and highly skilled team that works with businesses and organisations of all sizes to achieve one common goal - growing regional and rural Australia! Developing and promoting the industry excites me and every achievement, big or small, drives me to go the extra mile to achieve the best results for my clients and the industry.

Linda previously worked in tourism, events and development roles in the government, education and private sectors, is a board member on the Australian Regional Tourism Network (ARTN),  a judge and mentor for the NSW and Queensland Tourism Awards, and has presented on rural tourism and sustainable events at conferences and summits.

Her current role takes here across the nation, providing services to local government, regional and state tourism organisations, event committees and small business.

Click here to visit the Tilma Group website.

ALM Correspondent/Contributor

Australasian Leisure Management aims to report all that is best about the industry that is leisure - focussing on aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues.

Our news content, which is independent and unpaid for (except where noted), is drawn from contributions, industry contacts and experience, media releases and a range of other sources while we also are fortunate to have a range of respected authors writing for us, whom we acknowledge. 

Dr James M. Dorsey

Dr James M. Dorsey is an award-winning journalist and scholar, an Adjunct Senior Fellow at Nanyang Technological University’s S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, and the author of the syndicated column and blog, The Turbulent World of Middle East Soccer.

Click here for more information.

RJ Houston

National Manager - Aquatics, Royal Life Saving Society - Australia

RJ Houston is the National Manager - Aquatics at Royal Life Saving Society - Australia.

He has an extensive background in leadership roles across local government, non-profits, aquatic facility management organisations and peak bodies.

RJ’s role at Royal Life Saving focusses on advocating aquatics and bringing industry, community and government organisations together to develop joint strategies and guidance. RJ’s most recent major work projects have focussed on advocating the health, social and economic benefits of the aquatic industry as well as its social value and social impact.

He is the current author of both the Guidelines for Safe Pool Operations and the Guidelines for Inland Waterway Safety, and has contributed to a range of recent Royal Life Saving research reports.

RJ is currently studying a Masters of Business Administration - Social Impact Specialisation at the Australian Graduate School of Management at the University of New South Wales.

Hayley Fisher

Country Manager Australia and New Zealand, Adyen

Hayley Fisher is Country Manager Australia and New Zealand for Adyen.

Click here to contact her via LinkedIn.

Belinda Lawton

National Manager - Strategic Communications and Partnerships, Royal Life Saving Society - Australia

A communications professional focused on the not-for-profit and government sectors, with a specific interest in international development. I have extensive experience in government relations and journalism.

Click here to connect with Belinda via LinkedIn.

Arnold Williams

Marketing Manager, Hygiene Express

Arnold Williams is Marketing Manager at Sydney-based Hygiene Express.

Ned Coten

Chief Executive and shareholder, EngageRM

Ned Coten is Chief Executive and shareholder of EngageRM, a business and Marketing Automation, CRM and Data Analytics platform for the sport and entertainment vertical.

Ned is a former athlete and sports management leader and the immediate past President of Basketball Australia, while continuing to sit on the Competitions Commission of basketball’s world body, FIBA. He also Chairs the Advisory Board for The Contenders, one of Australia’s leading brand strategy agencies and owns and operates two successful self storage businesses.

He has investments in Aged Care, Property and Technology, while continuing as an active mentor for aspiring business leaders.

Ned has extensive experience in leadership, sports management, consumer branding, sales and marketing. He is a former CEO of a number of Australia’s leading sports organisations and has operated multiple businesses as a senior executive, investor, board chair and director over the past 30 years.

Ned holds an MBA from the University of NSW and has written a book on branding and marketing for sport.

While attending the Australian Institute of Sport, Ned represented Australia at the 1983 World Junior Basketball Championships in Spain. He had a brief career in the National Basketball League and co-founded the Goldfields Giants in Western Australia’s State Basketball League. He holds relationships across sport and business within Australia and globally and remains a passionate and committed volunteer, with continuous service throughout his life.