Fellowship is an honour that AILA may bestow upon registered members of AILA and is made in recognition of distinguished service to AILA and the profession.

AILA Fellowship

Learn more about Fellowship with the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects

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New South Wales Chapter 

Christine Hay,  AILA FRLA

 

Christine Hay is recognised for distinguished service to AILA and the profession of landscape architecture through her pioneering leadership in cultural landscape conservation, interdisciplinary advocacy, and public engagement. Christine has held multiple executive and advisory roles in AILA and aligned organisations, contributing over a decade of sustained service to policy reform, membership advocacy, and the recognition of landscape heritage at both state and national levels.

As co-author of the AILA Landscape Heritage Study (2018), Christine shaped a landmark initiative that resulted in the nomination of ten significant cultural landscapes to the NSW State Heritage Register. The study developed the "Landscape Lens" methodology, now a key heritage assessment tool. Her work garnered national recognition, winning the AILA President's Award and multiple National Trust Heritage Awards. Christine continues to advocate for the 'Green Necklace' vision, with multiple listings now gazetted.

In her role at Heritage NSW, Christine led the listing of the Appin Massacre Cultural Landscape --a project recognised with the AIA Reconciliation Prize. Her approach integrated community-led consultation, whole-of-government engagement, and application of the Landscape Lens methodology to influence strategic planning outcomes and protect culturally sensitive sites from encroaching development.
Christine has served on the NSW AILA Advocacy Committee, the Australian Garden History Society National Executive, and heritage advisory groups, preparing influential submissions and representing AILA in parliamentary inquiries. She also convened the national AGHS Conference in 2021, showcasing AILA-listed landscapes and celebrating cultural landscapes through the lens of reconciliation, equity, and climate-positive practice.
 
Through her contributions to publications, university teaching, guided walks, and conference leadership, Christine has shaped the public understanding of landscape heritage.

David Martin, AILA FRLA

 

David Martin is an accomplished design leader of multiple award-winning projects - demonstrating a deep commitment to community-led outcomes and design innovation. 

Representing AILA at national level, David is a recognised thought-leader who has played a key role over an extended period in shaping Australian policy, national standards and handbooks for Urban Green Infrastructure - emphasizing the co-benefits to Australian settlements to adapt to a changing climate while improving outcomes for public health and urban ecologies. 

DAVID MARTIN- CONTRIBUTIONS TO AILA -
NSW CHAPTER
2002-2004: Examiner: AILA
2008-2009: NSW Coordinator: CPD Talks Program – Tusculum House
2010: Competition Registrar: Sea-Change 2030+ International Ideas Competition coordinated public and private sector, prepared the competition brief for responses to urban sea- level rise
2011: NSW Coordinator - Climate Change Adaptation Skills Development Program  - for a national capacity building program for the built environment professions
NATIONAL LEVEL
2011-2013: AILA national representative - Australian Standard for Climate Change Adaptation for Settlements & Infrastructure
AILA's national representative, playing an influential role in stakeholder negotiations to adopt AILA's Green Infrastructure – achieving landmark national policy recognition - in collaboration with the AILA CEO and AILA National Policy Manager
2014-2015: AILA national representative - CSIRO National Research Workshops: Climate Change Adaptation and Green Infrastructure
2015: AILA National Public Sector Working Group
Active member of group tasked with stronger engagement with public sector Landscape Architects,
2019-2023: AILA national representative - National Urban Green Infrastructure - Planning & Decision Framework
AILA Subject Matter Representative: Standards Australia Expert Committee
In collaboration with the AILA CEO, played an influential role building national support through the Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council, prepared a Project Plan for Standards Australia
2024: AILA National Festival Review Working Group
Active member
2024-present: Founding Member/Collective Impact Strategist - National Urban Green Infrastructure Roundtable
Establishing and expanding the membership played a key role in drafting a joint response to the Federal Government'
Consultation draft : Urban Policy
BRISBANE 2032 OLYMPICS - Legacy Strategy advice to AILA Qld
Providing ongoing strategic advice to AILA Qld on 'Green Games' Legacy and Design Governance

Victorian Chapter

Skye Haldane, AILA FRLA

 
Skye Haldane is an outstanding landscape architect and public design leader whose 25+ year career has profoundly shaped the civic life of Melbourne and the practice of landscape architecture in Australia. Through roles in both practice and local government, she has led transformative, award-winning projects that embed cultural knowledge, ecological care and inclusive design. She has contributed significantly to advancing the Institute’s reconciliation journey and deepened the profession’s engagement with Country-led design, including as co-chair of AILA’s Connection to Country Committee. Skye’s work exemplifies thoughtful leadership, systems change, and a collaborative ethic that uplifts both community and profession. Her sustained contribution across practice, advocacy, education and public service makes her richly deserving of Fellowship of the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects.

Queensland Chapter

Andrew Prowse, AILA FRLA

 

Andrew Charles Prowse BLArch, AILA RLA, FAIH, has been a well-respected figure in shaping the built environment of Regional Queensland from his Cairns base for more than 35 years as a Registered Landscape Architect and has been an AILA Member for 40 years. His leadership in the long-standing role of Co-Chair of the AILA North Queensland Regional Group, and his commitment to fostering collaboration, professional networks, and mentoring have left a profound and enduring impact on the profession.

Andrew has led significant projects across the Tropical North, Cape York, Torres Strait Islands, Papua New Guinea and the South Pacific. Before moving north, Andrew worked in local government in Sydney, delivering landmark urban renewal and upgrade projects that continue to define parts of Sydney’s public realm. 

His design expertise has been recognised through international, national, and state awards, including the Australia Council’s inaugural Community Environment Art & Design Award for National Achievement in the Arts for the Gordonvale Townscape project. Minister’s Award for Urban Design for TUDLab Tropical Design Studio: Strategic concept masterplans in northern Queensland country towns. Multiple AILA Awards and recognition for his celebrated design of Munro Martin Parklands in Cairns—recipient of the Australian Institute of Architects Queensland State Award for Urban Design and FNQ Project of the Year—demonstrate the breadth and calibre of his contribution. Andrew has also served as a jury member for the AILA Queensland Landscape Architecture Awards.

Andrew’s influence extends beyond his practice. He represents the profession as one of four Landscape Architects on the Queensland Government Urban Design and Places Panel (QUDAPP), is Vice-President of the Australian Institute of Horticulture and holds positions on external reference panels and juries across the industry. Through these roles, he continues to strengthen the standing of landscape architecture and allied professions, build meaningful alliances across the industry, and advocate for design excellence. His career exemplifies the lasting influence of regional practice, underpinned by vision, generosity, and a steadfast commitment to community.

 

 

Western Australian Chapter

Shea Hatch, AILA FRLA

Shea Hatch is a registered landscape architect whose 20-year career reflects a deep commitment to equitable, inclusive and evidence-based public realm design. Her practice integrates environmental systems, human health and cultural resilience. Through her professional work, thought leadership, and long-standing support of the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA), she has made a lasting contribution to the profession in Western Australia and beyond.

Shea’s project portfolio includes major WA developments such as the Scarborough Foreshore Redevelopment, Ocean Reef Marina and Subi East Redevelopment Masterplan. She holds a Diploma in Conservation and Land Management and a Master of Public Health from UWA, supporting her strong focus on environmental restoration and inclusive design.

Her research into children’s independent outdoor play continues to inform nature play and public health initiatives. At Nature Play WA and the Heart Foundation, she led efforts to align built environment policy with community health outcomes, including national strategies for the Healthy Active by Design tool.

As a Principal at UDLA, Shea leads major public projects, mentors emerging professionals and drives internal initiatives such as the Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group. She contributes widely to industry discourse through conferences and public forums.

One of her most impactful contributions is the Aboriginal Development Manager (ADM) protocol, developed with DevelopmentWA. Recognised with a 2022 UDIA WA Judges Award, the ADM model embeds Aboriginal-led organisations into public project teams and is now adopted across major DevelopmentWA projects.

A former AILA WA Chapter President, Shea continues to serve on design review panels and shape policy. Her advocacy for a more inclusive, health-supportive public realm continues to influence both practice and culture. She is a highly deserving recipient of a Fellowship.

Andrew Thomas, AILA FRLA

Andrew shows leadership & dedication to the profession, serving as AILA WA State President for two terms from 2017-2021. Where he successfully championed;
· An increasing representation of LAs at state government level and within the Office of Government Architect.
· Advocated to government bodies the appropriate mechanisms for the engagement of LAs.
· Advocated for more AILA involvement from local government LAs.
· Established a state Advocacy Committee.
· Championed the 2020/2021 AILA Festival being held in Perth.
For 5 years Andrew taught UWA LA unit Professional Documentation. He remains actively involved in taking guest lectures, hosts yearly student groups as part of the Professional Practice unit for both UWA and UNSW and has been the RLA mentor and seconder for numerous applicants.
Andrew brings 18 years' experience, with particular expertise and passion for education landscapes. Andrew has been the lead landscape architect on over 170 education facilities, recognised with multiple State and National Awards.
Andrew plays a pivotal role in the profession. He is generous with his time and knowledge and has a reliable and humble `can do attitude'. His appointment as the 2024 AILA National Awards Jury chair is testament to his standing in the industry and his previous and ongoing commitment to AILA is inspiring and worthy of acknowledgment.

South Australia Chapter

Tara Graham-Cochrane, FRLA

Tara Graham-Cochrane is a highly accomplished Landscape Architect with over 20 years of expertise across the public and private sectors. Renowned for her pioneering work in therapeutic landscapes, she has received numerous awards for her design of healing environments that enhance well-being in aged care, healthcare, education, and disability-friendly spaces.
Tara has dedicated over a decade to the AILA SA Education Committee and has served as a panel member for new Landscape Architect registrations in South Australia, demonstrating her commitment to the profession. A familiar face at AILA events, she is respected within the industry for her specialized design skills, ethical approach, and empathy-driven philosophy. Tara also actively mentors students and graduates through the University of Adelaide and has helped establish internship programs at Designwell and Tract Adelaide. In her current role as Principal Landscape Architect at Tract, she continues to nurture emerging professionals.
During her 14yr ownership of DesignWell, Tara won numerous AILA awards, including an AILA SA Award for Excellence in Educational Facilities for St Francis de Sales College (2021), Landscape Architecture awards for Resthaven Paradise (2014), and a People’s Choice Award for the Mary Potter Hospice Healing Garden (2015). Her notable publication, Gardens that Care: Planning Outdoor Environments for People with Dementia (2011), has been a valuable resource in the field.
A past president of Therapeutic Horticulture Australia (THA), Tara is a recognized leader in Therapeutic Horticulture, frequently presenting at conferences and webinars across Australia. Recently, she led a Latitude CPD seminar on Harmony in Nature: Designing Healing and Therapeutic Landscapes, further reflecting her dedication to creating supportive landscapes.
Beyond her advocacy, Tara has also shown entrepreneurial spirit through her landscape architectural business, Designwell and her other business, Connection2Nature, which offers adaptive gardening tools and planters designed to make gardening accessible for elderly individuals and those with varying abilities.
Tara’s contributions to the field of Landscape Architecture extend far beyond her design work; her mentorship, advocacy, and dedication to creating spaces that truly enhance lives make her a deserving candidate for an AILA Fellowship.

 

Tim Conybeare,FRLA

 

Tim Conybeare is a landscape architect and urban designer with a diverse career spanning 25 years. He co-established ASPECT Studios’ Adelaide studio in 2011, where he is a Studio Director.
Educated in Sydney, Tim moved to Adelaide in 2005 and has since built a strong reputation for his significant contributions to urban design, landscape architecture and place-making across the state.  He has a broad experience in a variety of project typologies and scales, and his work includes multiple award-winning strategic master planning and built projects across greater Adelaide and S.A., as well as nationally and internationally.
Tim is driven by a commitment to sustainable design solutions that enhance public life, foster human connection with nature and build resilient, healthier communities.  He has a focus on the planning and design of public realm spaces and has been influential on many city-shaping projects, having led multi-disciplinary teams to deliver strategic and enduring visions for both urban and natural environments.  
Tim has a passion for design excellence and integrity.  He champions inter-disciplinary collaboration that elevates the role and influence of landscape architects.  He is a strong voice for integrated, high-quality urban design outcomes, and has been pivotal on numerous significant and transformational infrastructure projects which have set a benchmark for South Australia.  
His continued advocacy for high-quality outcomes is demonstrated by his ongoing engagement across industry and government agencies, including his position on the Design Review Panel with the Office of Design and Architecture South Australia (ODASA), since 2011.  
Tim is an experienced collaborator who regularly draws upon allied professionals, artists and social planners to ensure the best outcome for any project.  He thrives on challenging projects with complex sites, utilising his expertise and refined inter-personal skills to generate creative design processes, make appropriate design decisions and deliver outcomes that instil high levels of client confidence.  Tim also understands the value of community participation within the design process and is an experienced consultation facilitator, often crafting innovative stakeholder and community engagement strategies.
Tim always champions genuine collaboration and engagement with First Nations Peoples.  He demonstrates leadership and respect in this space, always listening, learning, and advocating for the self-determination of Indigenous Australians where possible.  He adopts design approaches that seek to embed cultural narratives and foster a deep connection with Country.  As chair of ASPECT Studios’ national Connection to Country committee, he oversees the implementation of ASPECT’s Reconciliation objectives, including elevating cultural awareness competency and training across the Australian studios.
Tim demonstrates generous leadership, both with his time and the sharing of knowledge and experience.  His career has exemplified AILA’s values, goals and objectives, which is expressed through his continued advocacy of the profession and elevation of its profile, and ongoing support for its local membership and emerging graduates.
Tim has continually contributed to AILA through the following involvement:
- As a past executive member of AILA
- Mentoring AILA registration candidates
- Participation on AILA registration interview panels 
- As an AILA SA state awards jury member
- As an AILA national awards jury member
- Participation on numerous AILA supported external reference groups, including state government planning and infrastructure departments

Dr Brett Grimm, FRLA

 

This Fellowship is awarded in recognition of Brett's extraordinary contribution and distinguished service to AILA at both a State and National level. His commitment to advocacy, focussed on education and continual improvement of the Landscape Architecture profession has been inspirational.

Brett is a highly respected, multi-award-winning Landscape Architect, and has been responsible for leading major city infrastructure projects and programs that contribute to the development of a vibrant public realm. In his current role as Senior Advisor, City Activation, at City of Marion, Brett advises the Executive team and Council on the feasibility and planning of major projects to ensure they are aligned to the strategic priorities, maximising place enhancement opportunities.

Brett has been integral to the delivery of key projects, coordinating and partnering with State Government and more recently, has lead the integration of Smart Cities strategic planning, administering the integration of new technologies that support efficiencies in public realm asset management, project planning and community experience. His various roles at City of Marion involved project management of strategic projects and many years providing leadership and mentoring in landscape architecture and urban design through managing teams, whilst also advising on Council policies. Project highlights include the Marion Cultural Plaza and Oaklands Precinct – public realm and climatic resilience enhancement, Hallett Cove Foreshore Masterplan, Hendrie Street Inclusive Playspace and Tonsley Innovation District working collaboratively with Renewal SA as Council's project lead.

In addition to working in the public sector, Brett has pursued his interests and expertise in Landscape Character and Visual Assessment and in particular renewable energy infrastructure, consulting and collaborating with colleagues on numerous project assessments across Australia.

Completing his PhD in 2009, Brett continued to add to his education, completing a diploma in Project Management and an IAP2 Community Engagement, further expanding his field of influence. With over 20 years’ experience in both private practice and public practice, Brett has always generously given his time to serve on AILA national committees, AILA juries and panels, while continuing to follow his passion for teaching at the University of Adelaide, giving compelling lectures, tutoring and participating in critiques and mentoring.

Brett has facilitated collaboration through Cross-council workshops, helping to raise the profile of the profession within the public sector and provide more recognition and representation of Landscape Architects within the public sector. His involvement in AILA SA advocacy documents, his representation on education and accreditation panels, demonstrates a clear passion to increase and maintain quality of education for the profession.

Early on in his career, Brett was the recipient of the inaugural Rodney Beams Landscape Architecture Award (2002). His collaborative approach was evident early on with his work with Gehl Architects and Adelaide City Council on Public Life and Public Spaces Study 2002 and Wind Farm visual assessment (methodology testing), in consultation with Dr Andrew Lothian (Department for Environment and Heritage). Brett is established in academia, not only because of his numerous lectures and tutorials, but his for his publications, including his PhD thesis on the Visual Effects of Wind Farms: A Theoretical Process in an Evolving Australian Visual Landscape, and representation at many national and international conferences.
Key highlights
-Contribution to advocacy panel discussions, representation during AILA SA workshops
-AILA Awards Jury member 2018
-AILA NART Education panel member UTS 2017
-AILA Chair SA Education Committee (2015-2019) current member
-AILA Education Accreditation Panel Member (2009-2014)
Affiliations/ Academic bibliography and other achievements
-Publication: Grimm, B. (2009). Quantifying the Visual Effects of Wind Farms: A Theoretical Process in an Evolving Australian Visual Landscape. Adelaide.
-Co-author of “Short-sighted visual character concerns in renewable energy and landscapes: a case study of South Australia” by Grimm, B and Zeunert, J (2020).
-Numerous lectures and tutorials at Adelaide University
-IFLA World Congress 2005 – Edinburgh
-Edith Cowan 2004 “On the Beach” – Fremantle
-Australian Wind Energy Association annual conference 2004 ‘Best research paper’

Mark Adams, FRLA

 

Mark Adams has been nominated for an AILA Fellowship in recognition of the outstanding commitment and contribution he has made to AILA and the profession of landscape architecture in South Australia.

Mark has dedicated his career to public practice, working in both Local and State Government for over 30 years, where he has helped shape the landscape and urban design outcomes of many of South Australia's largest and most complex transport and infrastructure projects.

During his early career at the City of Adelaide and City of Salisbury, Mark developed a diverse range of skills in horticulture, landscape design and project management from site planning through to construction and maintenance. He brought these skills to his leadership role at the Department for Infrastructure and Transport (DIT) and as Principal Supervising Landscape Architect at the Office for Design and Architecture SA, where he has been a tireless advocate for the integration of landscape architecture and urban design outcomes in road, rail, active transport, infrastructure and building projects. Mark has been responsible for quietly educating a generation of DIT engineers and project managers about the skills and value that landscape architects can bring to government projects.

Working on the client side, his involvement in the development of design guidelines, project briefs, technical specifications, contract documentation and his contribution to technical design review and construction verification has helped project teams deliver outstanding public realm outcomes for many AILA award-winning projects. AILA award winning projects Mark has worked on include:
2019 AILA National Award of Excellence – Acknowledgement of Aboriginal Country Signage,
2020 AILA National Landscape Architecture Award for Infrastructure - Oaklands Crossing Grade Separation Project, 2021 AILA SA Landscape Architecture Award for Infrastructure - Northern Connector Project,
2022 AILA SA Landscape Architecture Award for Landscape Planning - North-South Corridor: Regency Road to Pym Street (R2P) Project Green Infrastructure Plan,
2023 AILA SA Landscape Architecture Award for Civic Landscape - Adelaide Festival Plaza Stage 1, 2023 AILA SA Landscape Architecture Award for Urban Design - Adelaide Festival Plaza Stage 1,
2023 AILA SA Landscape Architecture Award for Landscape Planning - Adelaide Garden Guide for New Homes, 2023 AILA SA ShadeSmart Award - Adelaide Garden Guide for New Homes,
2024 AILA SA Landscape Architecture Award for Infrastructure - Ovingham Level Crossing Removal Project, 2024 AILA SA Health Parks Healthy People Commendation - Ovingham Level Crossing Removal Project.

Mark has been instrumental in the ongoing development and revision of DIT's NATSPEC and Public Realm Master Specification to support the successful design, delivery and maintenance of on-ground landscape and urban design works. Through attention to detail and an appreciation for practical solutions Mark has taken a lead role in raising standards within the landscape and civil industry.

He helped establish DIT's Landscape Architecture and Landscape Construction prequalification scheme, which directly supports the AILA profession in delivering high quality landscape design and construction outcomes and ensures involvement by registered landscape architects is elevated, valued and realised across government.

Mark has served AILA through his involvement in a variety of working groups and roundtables. He has mentored many graduate landscape architects in their applications for AILA Registration, regularly giving his time and sharing his considerable knowledge and expertise with students, practitioners and colleagues.

Mark Adams is celebrating his 35th year of AILA membership in 2024. He is a strong supporter of the AILA CPD program and has been actively involved in CPD activities each year to continue to grow is knowledge and keep up to date with technical knowledge to support his mentoring roles and advisory roles as a Government representative for the profession in many different settings. He has also actively contributed to many AILA SA Advocacy Roundtables over the last 8 years contributing insight for submissions to government on several consultations relating to Planning Reform, Greening and Infrastructure related policy in SA. Through his role at ODASA he has also hosted roundtables supporting LAs in Public Practice and small practices.

Through his advocacy for AILA, Mark has established and fostered relationships with businesses and government agencies that now support and provide sponsorship to AILA. He has been instrumental in developing the partnership agreement between the Government of South Australia and AILA, securing funding for AILA and it's design with Country initiatives.

Mark's ongoing commitment to the profession and his passion for ensuring that revegetation, urban greening, street tree planting, public realm and active transport outcomes are incorporated into all government transport and infrastructure works has profoundly shaped the environment now enjoyed by all South Australians.

ACT Chapter

Dr, Julian Raxworthy, AILA FRLA

 

Dr Julian Raxworthy has been awarded Fellowship for his exceptional commitment to AILA and landscape architecture. His contributions have been diverse, he has shaped the profession and inspired future leaders through his academic career, his publications on design and key issues, in advocating for the contribution of the profession to urban planning and design in shaping policy and through his own innovative award-winning work. 

Julian has been a long serving member of AILA's Education Committee, advising on and leading course accreditations as well as reviewing and updating the relevance of policy requirements.  
In his academic career, Julian has been instrumental in driving unique, impactful educational programs and opportunities. His contributions to RMIT, QUT and University of Canberra are testimony to this.  His dedication to the education of emerging professionals and his overriding passion and respect for the program at UC has been significant.  Julian forged new relationships with local professional group, he elevated the quality of the student work and in the face of closure he selflessly advocated for a place of ‘refugia’ - the retention of core units that would allow the education of Landscape Architects in one of Australia’s oldest programs to come back. 

Julian's curiosity, critical thinking and drive has been instrumental in his research. His desire to write and his presentation style has made him an excellent advocate for the profession and AILA. Evidence of this is in the continuing publication of Kerb, a publication Julian instigated and the recognition of his book 'Overgrown' has received.  Julian's research, publications and presentation demonstrate to allied professionals the value of landscape architecture  in urban planning,design and managment. 
Dr Raxworthy is simply an eminent professional whose contribution extends across education, design process and the standing of landscape architecture in Australia and internationally. 

Tas Chapter

NT Chapter

Fiona Eddleston, FRLA

 

Fiona has been a well-valued member and significant contributor to AILA NT for more than two decades. Over the years she has held various roles, both officially & unofficially and has been an active member of AILA at both the NT Group level as well as being the NT Representative on National Council from (2013-2015). With the small representation of Landscape Architects within the NT (typically between 6 – 10 members), executive roles tend to be lengthy, and even when not on the executive, an active member role is also critical. They are also very demanding because of limited paid staff (typically some administrative support from other state of the National body). So, positions will always morph into a 'jack of all trades' requirement.

Fiona is a leader who drives and supports our team to greater heights.  She was then an active mover and shaker on National Council and oversaw a few governance structural changes. She was instrumental in arranging a National Council meeting in Darwin which included a small Care for Country seminar held at the then recently completed award-winning Australian Centre for Indigenous Knowledge & Award Education (ACIKE) Building at Charles Darwin University. Anyone who was on National Council at that time (2014) will remember fondly the three days they spent in Darwin. 

After previous lengthy periods as NT Group president, she has again taken up the mantle.  She has been instrumental in our advocacy efforts with the NT Government, which resulted in ongoing NTG-AILA meetings which facilitates a direct conduit to government on landscape matters. In her collaboration with NT Government, she has been actively involved in fostering an improved approach in the engagement of Landscape Architects. This has included how projects are scoped, briefed, and procured through what is often a clunky tendering process. This continues to evolve but is already paying dividends in the outputs from public expenditure.

Through respectful work relationships, Fiona has also been part of the strengthening collaboration with other professional institutes and has played a crucial role in elevating the profession within the built-environment industry. This has allowed expansion of CPD opportunities for AILA members and has also fostered opportunities and engagement of young professionals, many of whom may not be AILA members. This has been a consistent aspect of Fiona's approach – spread AILA and Landscape Architecture story widely and generously. 

Under her leadership, AILA is now regularly involved and leading numerous industry events with AILA NT now recognised key stakeholder in important discussions for the Territory.  Thanks to Fiona's instigating, fostering, and support of numerous initiatives, AILA now has a seat at many tables.

A valued member of the Landscape Architect's community, Fiona's contributions have greatly benefited AILA and the landscape profession. Fiona is most deserving of fellowship, a fitting recognition of her personal contributions that has led to AILA NT's greater achievements.

Marisa Fontes, FRLA

 

Marisa has been an integral member of our close-knit AILA NT team, always willing and consistently dedicating her time and effort to various AILA activities here in the Top End.  Marisa relocated to Darwin in 1993 and has been a leading designer first with Clouston Associates and then as part of her private practice Outsidesign. She has always taken a pro-active position in working collaboratively with other professions.  She strongly believed this was an important approach to strengthen the understanding and appreciation of the role of landscape architecture within the built environment.
These activities have been undertaken both through practice relationships as well as formal roles within the NT AILA Executive. Marisa has been an active member of the NT Group for her entire time in the NT. With the small representation of Landscape Architects within the NT (typically between 6 – 10 members), executive roles tend to be lengthy, and even when not on the executive, an active member role is also critical. They are also very demanding because of limited paid staff (typically some administrative support from other state of the National body). So, positions will always morph into a 'jack of all trades' requirement.
Marisa has served multiple roles on the Executive including President, Vice-president and at various times has taken on the role of education advisory/ promotion. These roles have always been undertaken with enthusiasm. She has managed to galvanise the membership to ensure effective participation and has always stepped up to fill positions or undertake extra tasks when resources are stretched – which has been often.  
Marisa was the NT Representative on National Council for a 4-year period from 2006. She actively promoted the importance of the work being undertaken in remote and regional Australia and worked with the National body to improve how small chapters are supported and engaged in the national debate. During her period within AILA NT Group, she actively promoted and assisted with organising and running 2 Regional Conferences and the National Conference in Darwin in 2002. There were also multiple collaborative efforts for small, local industry events with the Planners, Architects and Engineers. In the Territory, it pays to spread your attention and effort widely, and Marisa has done this with generosity and enthusiasm.
She has been actively involved in various advocacy initiatives from ongoing consultation and development of guidelines & policies with the Northern Territory Government to organising an AILA stalls at career expos and serving as a "Be a Landscape Architect" Ambassador. Given the relatively stagnant number of Landscape Architects in the NT since her arrival in the 90s, Marisa has been particularly strong in her advocacy of the profession's growth in the Territory. Currently she is the AILA NT Chapter president.
In her collaboration on significant projects with Clouston, Marisa not only provided valuable contributions to the project but taken the opportunity and gone above and beyond as a highly experience Landscape Architect to mentor and support Clouston’s emerging landscape architects. She serves as an inspiring model for others in the field.
All these selfless activities have been undertaken while also raising a family and juggling a demanding work life in remote, regional Australia. It should not be underestimated the dedication required to deliver positive outcomes in the areas of professional recognition, professional mentoring, and development of younger Landscape Architects with limited resources and minimal support networks which may be available in other Australian cities.
Marisa is a fine and deserving candidate for fellowship. This recognition would be fitting of her contributions to date and distinguish her ongoing and specific dedication to AILA and the profession.