Dr Aldous authored, co-authored and delivered a number of refereed papers at national and international conferences and congresses and also helped to compile the ‘International Turf Management Handbook’ (1999) and ‘Sports Turf and Amenity Grasses – A manual for use and identification’ (2002). Rising to Associate Professor at the University of Melbourne’s School of Land & Environment, Dr Aldous semi-retired in 2007 to Queensland where he became an Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Queensland. Despite scaling back his involvement, Dr Aldous still remained heavily involved in a range of projects and was one of the convenors of the 29th International Horticultural Congress to be held in Brisbane this August.
Many strings to the bow Outside of the turf industry, Aldous was equally as active in the parks and recreation industry. His overall contributions were acknowledged in 2005 with Park and Leisure Australia’s (PLA) highest accolade, the Frank Stewart Award, in recognition of significant innovation and best practice in the parks and leisure industry. His enthusiasm and foresight included being instrumental in establishing the much acclaimed National School in Park Management at the University of Melbourne and in 2006, on behalf of PLA and along with Garry Henshall, Dr Aldous
helped develop and subsequently deliver annual Certificated Park Management training to the Singapore National Parks Board’s Centre for Urban Greenery & Ecology. Also very active with the International Federation of Park and Recreation Administration, Dr Aldous was an Australian Commissioner, becoming its Asia-Pacific chair and subsequently world president (1998-2001) and was a member of its Science Task Force. He received its Australian Award for ‘leadership in the field of parks and recreation’ in 1995 and just days before his unexpected death was the recipient of its coveted Silver Medal. “Fondly admired and loved by his peers, David will be sorely missed by them and the whole parks and recreation industry will be saddened by his departure,” says PLA chief executive Mark Bond. “He was a dedicated and tireless contributor over many years and leaves an immeasurable legacy to the industry which can never be repaid.”
Dr Aldous (pictured third from left) was part of a strong Australian contingent at the recent International Turfgrass Research Conference in Beijing
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Industry benchmark for intensively used winter sportsfields. Contains Mediterranean germplasm.
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January-February 2014
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