2026 AILA Awards

The Landscape Architecture Awards jury serves an important role in determining Awards in recognition of exceptional Landscape Architecture practice. The jury awards practices and members in confirmation of talent, commitment, and design excellence.

NATIONAL JURY ACT JURY NSW JURY QLD JURY SA & NT JURY VIC & TAS JURY WA JURY

2026 National Jury 

To be announced soon.

2026 ACT Jury

Jury Chair: Stuart Scobie, AILA RLA

Stuart Scobie RLA is a landscape architect with more than 37 years of experience across landscape architecture, sustainability and environmental design. His work spans residential communities, public realm projects, commercial developments and national parks. Stuart is committed to creating enduring places that balance environmental stewardship, community needs and design excellence.

Catherine Keirnan, AILA FRLA

Catherine Keirnan FRLA is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects with more than 40 years of professional and volunteer contribution to the profession. Her experience spans public and private sector practice, with expertise in landscape planning, cultural heritage, landscape restoration and rural master planning. Catherine remains a passionate advocate for landscape architecture.

Gay Williamson, AILA FRLA

Gay Williamson FRLA is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects with extensive experience leading multidisciplinary teams across local, state and national government. Her career has contributed to award-winning planning, infrastructure and landscape projects. Gay is a longstanding advocate for design excellence through education, advisory panels, competitions and professional leadership.

Georgia Stynes

Georgia Stynes is a broadcaster and communicator with a longstanding interest in architecture, landscape architecture and the role of design in shaping communities. As presenter of Canberra Drive on ABC Radio Canberra, she regularly explores the stories behind places and public spaces. Georgia brings a community perspective and passion for great design to the jury.

Dr Julian Raxworthy, AILA FRLA

Dr Julian Raxworthy FRLA is a landscape architect, researcher and educator whose work explores the relationship between design, ecology and landscape practice. As Principal of Free-Ranging Landscape Architects and Honorary Principal Fellow at the University of Queensland, Julian has made significant contributions to contemporary landscape architecture through practice, teaching and scholarship.

Mel Krzus

Mel Krzus is a planner with more than 16 years of experience delivering complex projects across New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory. Working within multidisciplinary teams, she brings expertise in planning, design excellence processes and environmental assessment. Mel is recognised for championing strong social and environmental outcomes through strategic project delivery.

2026 NSW Jury

Jury Chair: Julie Marler, AILA FRLA

Julie Marler FRLA is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects and a Registered Landscape Architect with more than 25 years of experience in heritage conservation, public landscapes and place-based design. Through her practice and leadership roles, Julie champions design excellence, collaboration and the enduring value of landscape architecture.

Esther Dickens, AILA RLA

Esther Dickens is a landscape architect with more than 30 years of experience delivering integrated design outcomes across landscape architecture, architecture and urban design. She is a strong advocate for the profession, championing collaborative practice, engagement with First Nations communities, and the creation of sustainable, inclusive and enduring places.

Jojo Navarro, AILA RLA

Jojo Navarro RLA is a Registered Landscape Architect with more than 30 years of experience across landscape architecture, urban design and public realm projects in Australia and internationally. He has led multidisciplinary teams delivering parks, civic spaces and mixed-use developments, creating practical, sustainable and people-focused places that support thriving communities.

Dr Melissa Cate Christ, AILA RLA

Dr Melissa Cate Christ RLA is a Registered Landscape Architect, educator and researcher whose practice spans landscape architecture, design research and community engagement. With experience across Australia, North America, Europe and Asia, Melissa brings an international perspective to creating innovative, place-responsive and socially meaningful landscape outcomes.

Michael Barnett, AILA RLA

Michael Barnett RLA is an award-winning landscape architect and urban designer with more than 20 years of experience delivering public landscapes and open space projects across Australia. His work focuses on creating enduring outcomes for communities and Country, with expertise in collaboration, co-design and meaningful engagement with First Nations communities.

Nadia Greatbatch

Nadia Greatbatch is a landscape architect, placemaker and inclusive design specialist with more than 20 years of experience shaping public spaces across Australia and internationally. Her work is grounded in collaboration, accessibility and community wellbeing, with a strong commitment to creating equitable, resilient and people-centred environments.

2026 QLD Jury

Jury Chair: James Birrell, AILA RLA

James Birrell is National Design Director at Place Design Group, with more than 20 years’ experience across landscape architecture, urban design, placemaking and place activation. His work spans major master-planned communities, public realm projects and community-led initiatives, with a strong focus on the relationship between physical design and human experience. As Chair of the AILA Queensland Awards Jury, James is proud to recognise projects that create meaningful, connected and enduring places across Queensland.

Juliet Alabaster

Juliet Alabaster is Chief Executive Officer of City Parklands, managing Brisbane’s most significant inner-city parklands and civic spaces. She leads multidisciplinary teams across horticulture, asset management, events and visitor experience. Previously COO of the Brisbane Economic Development Agency, Juliet brings extensive experience in precinct activation, partnerships and city-shaping initiatives, alongside ongoing board and mentoring roles.

Luke Jones, AILA RLA

Luke Jones is the founder of LARC, a landscape practice with studios in Byron Bay and Brisbane specialising in residential gardens. Working closely with architects, builders and homeowners, Luke designs bespoke landscapes shaped by place, people and horticultural knowledge, with a strong belief that successful landscapes emerge from a thoughtful response to their environment.

Sarah Chalkley, AILA RLA

Sarah Chalkley is a landscape architect and urban designer at Therefor Group, with more than 25 years’ experience across local government and private practice. She has led major public realm projects, influenced policy and design guidance, and contributed to award-winning outcomes. Sarah brings a collaborative, strategic approach shaped by extensive experience in multidisciplinary leadership and major event delivery.

Shael Erda, AILA Graduate

Shael Erda is a Graduate Landscape Architect at TCL and recipient of the 2025 Karl Langer Award. Drawing on backgrounds in visual art, fashion design and permaculture, Shael brings a creative and ecologically sensitive approach to landscape design, focused on resilient, meaningful spaces that strengthen connections between people and nature.

Tarek Barclay, AILA RLA

Tarek Barclay brings more than 25 years’ experience in landscape architecture across education, health, civic and urban public realm projects. Having led and contributed to award-winning work, he offers a practical and considered perspective on design excellence, valuing clarity of vision, design rigour, engagement and the long-term performance of landscapes.

Theresa Bower

Theresa Bower is a proud Wiradjuri woman and Director of Burrundi Design Studio on the Gold Coast. With 15 years’ experience across practice, research and academia, she works holistically to translate First Nations knowledges into the built environment. Her work embeds cultural identity and supports a distinctly Australian design approach grounded in Country.

2026 SA & NT Jury

Jury Chair: James Hayter, AILA FRLA

Bio coming soon

Bronwyn Marshall

Bio coming soon

Daryl Tian, AILA RLA

Bio coming soon

David Guy, AILA RLA

Bio coming soon

Fiona Eddleston, AILA FRLA

Bio coming soon

Marguerite Bartolo, AILA RLA

Bio coming soon

Michael White

Bio coming soon

Dr Saskia Schut

Bio coming soon

2026 VIC & TAS Jury

Jury Chair: Joanna Bush, AILA RLA

Bio coming soon

Angus Stewart

Bio coming soon

Henry Crothers, AILA RLA

Bio coming soon

Heike Rahmann

Bio coming soon

Kirstine Wallis, AILA Affiliate

Bio coming soon

Mark Fountain

Bio coming soon

Martin Reeves, AILA FRLA

Bio coming soon

2026 WA Jury

Jury Chair: Emily Parsons, AILA RLA

Emily Parsons is a landscape architect and place planner with more than 25 years of experience across local government and private practice. Her work spans strategic planning, public realm design and project delivery. Emily is passionate about creating sustainable, community-focused places that strengthen connections between people, culture and place.

Doug Pott, AILA RLA

Doug Pott is a landscape architect with more than 16 years of experience across public and private sectors. His portfolio spans civic, commercial, industrial and residential projects. Doug is recognised for his collaborative approach to design and project delivery, creating places that enhance community wellbeing and support positive social outcomes.

Jen Lorrimar-Shanks, AILA RLA

Jen Lorrimar-Shanks is a landscape architect with more than 20 years of experience across design practice, sustainability consultancy and research. Her work combines evidence-based design with a strong focus on environmental performance and community outcomes. Jen is passionate about delivering place-specific landscapes that are people-centred, resilient and sustainable.

Kelsie Davies, AILA RLA

Kelsie Davies is a landscape architect with more than 18 years of experience across government, development and private practice. As Director of KDLA, she delivers projects ranging from residential landscapes to complex multidisciplinary developments. Kelsie is committed to creating site-responsive, sustainable landscapes that strengthen connections between people and nature.

Dr Maria Ignatieva, AILA Affiliate

Dr Maria Ignatieva is a landscape architect, researcher and educator with an internationally recognised career spanning five countries. Her expertise includes urban ecology, biodiversity, green infrastructure and nature-based solutions. Maria is committed to advancing research and practice that strengthens the relationship between landscape architecture, ecology and urban resilience.

Renée Barton, AILA RLA

Renée Barton RLA is a Registered Landscape Architect and visual artist with more than 20 years of experience across urban, coastal and natural environments. Working across landscape architecture, planning and public art, her practice is grounded in a deep understanding of place and the environmental, cultural and social values that shape communities.