2023 NZILA President's Cocktail Evening
The 2023 NZILA Firth Conference gets underway today in Nelson, following on from last night’s NZILA President's cocktail evening held at The Boathouse.
The cocktail evening is an event designed to thank all volunteers, to recognise new Fellows and Life members and to present the 2023 President's Awards. The evening is proudly sponsored by MHL and WE-EF.
New NZILA Fellow Rebecca Ryder with President Henry Crothers watching on.
Outgoing NZILA Chief Operating Officer Vicki Clague was also made an honorary fellow of the Institute. President Henry Crothers made the announcement while highlighting the pivotal role Vicki has played in the Institute’s growth and development over the past 12 years. Vicki is leaving the role at the end of June.
The President’s awards were also handed out last night. They are seen as an opportunity for the Institute to celebrate some of the heroes and unsung heroes of the profession and can be given to both NZILA members and non-members, individuals and groups/organisations.
Recipients are those who have gone above and beyond and who have engaged with a wide range of issues or who have worked diligently to provide benefits to and for the greater good of the profession.
The 2023 President’s Award winners (Debbie Tikao was unable to attend the event)
This year’s president’s awards went to;
Bruno Marques for recognition in International Achievement – IFLA President
Julia Williams for long-term contribution to the profession of Landscape Architecture – Registration and Accreditation
Rebecca Jerram for contribution to the profession of Landscape Architecture – Working Groups and the Registration Programme
Matt Lester for contribution to the profession of Landscape Architecture – Branch Chair
Debbie Tikao for contribution to the profession of Landscape Architecture – Cultural governance
Shannon Bray for contribution to the profession of Landscape Architecture – RMA advocacy
The conference gets underway today under the theme of “Growing Pains” and includes in person presentations from four international landscape architects.
They are;
Kotchakorn Voraakhom from Bangkok, Thailand who is the chairwoman of the Climate Change Working Group of the International Federation of Landscape Architects and the CEO and Founder of Landprocess and Porous City Network
Kate Orff – New York, USA RLA, FASLA, Founding Principal and Partner at SCAPE and recently named in Time Magazine’s list of the 100 most influential people of 2023.
Dr. Jala Makhzoumi – Iraq / Lebanon / London, UK, adjunct professor of landscape architecture, American University of Beirut, acting president, Middle East Chapter, the International Federation of Landscape Architects. She studied architecture in Baghdad, received her Master in Environmental Design, Yale University, and PhD in landscape architecture, Sheffield University.
Professor Rob Adams is the Director City Design and Projects at the City of Melbourne and a member of the World Economic Forum Global Future Council on Cities and Urbanization. With 48 years' experience as an architect and urban designer and 37 years at the City of Melbourne, Rob has made a significant contribution to the rejuvenation of central Melbourne.