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).
Nigel Benton is the co-founder and Publisher of Australasian Leisure Management, Australia and New Zealand’s only magazine for professionals in all areas of the leisure industry. Having established the magazine in 1997, shortly after his relocation to Australia, he has managed its readership rising to over 11,500 and its acceptance as the industry journal for professionals in aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues.
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.
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