Dr. Anne Binkley has more than 50 years of experience in the field of parks and recreation including experience in academic, therapeutic, military, public, commercial and voluntary settings in Australia, the United States and Korea. She started her career as a Service Club Director for Army Special Services in Korea and ended as the Coordinator of Graduate Programs in Ageing, Disability and Recreation Management and Co-Manager of International Programs for the School of Human Movement, Recreation and Performance at Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia.

Dr. Anne L. Binkley

Doctorate in Recreation, Indiana University, 1980

Master of Science, Leisure Services and Studies, Florida State University, 1976

Recipient of the William J. Tait Award for Outstanding Graduate Student

Bachelor of Arts, Government, Indiana University, 1966 – Graduation with Distinction

 

Anne has written numerous articles and been a frequent presenter at local, state, national and international conferences. Her research interests have included cross-cultural studies of ageing and leisure in which she has done fieldwork in the Caribbean, Egypt and China. In later years, her major focus has been on Ageing Well which led to her position as Principal Officer for the Australian arm of the 16-country International Research Project on Ageing Well. She has also served as an Associate Editor of Leisure Sciences and the Therapeutic Recreation Journal and Co-Editor for the refereed section of the International Federation of Park and Recreation’s IFPRA World. As a member of the Editorial Committee for Australian Parks & Leisure, she was involved in the process of finalising a refereed section. In addition, she has served as the Research Update Editor for the American publication Parks & Recreation and Research Review Editor for both Australian Parks & Leisure and Australian Parks & Recreation – a feature she established in both Australian publications.

 

Dr. Binkley’s presentation highlights include speaking at the World Congresses of the International Federation of Park and Recreation Administration (IFPRA), the International Therapeutic Recreation Symposium, the International Alzheimer’s Conference and the Australian Gerontological Association. In addition she was selected to give the inaugural “Dr. Janet R. MacLean Seminar on Ageing and Leisure” and the keynote addresses at the Horticulture Therapy State Conference and the Improving Physical and Sport Education for Students with Disabilities State Conference. She also served as a convenor at the First International Urban Parks and Waterways Best Practice Conference and as Program Chair of the Joint Inaugural Parks and Leisure Australia Conference/18th IFPRA World Conference.

 

A strong commitment to the growth and enhancement of the recreation and parks profession has always been a hallmark of Anne’s career as demonstrated by her extensive involvement in professional associations at the local, state, national and international levels. Highlights of this involvement include serving as a World Commissioner for the IFPRA, National Councillor and President of the Victorian Region of the Royal Australian Institute of Parks and Recreation, Member of the Board of Directors of the Society of Park and Recreation Educators and President of the Arizona Parks and Recreation Association.

 

In addition to her professional work, she has been very involved in women’s issues and associations.  She has served as the President of the Victoria Region of Soroptimist International and as President of the Melbourne Club of Soroptimist International.  She also served as Chair of the UNAA Victoria Committee for the Status of Women.

 

In recognition of her professional achievements and contributions, Parks and Leisure Australia bestowed on her its highest honour, the Frank Stewart Award, along with the title of Fellow, and Indiana University has selected her as the recipient of both the Garrett G. Epply and Dean W.W. Patty Distinguished Alumni Awards.

 

Anne Binkley was appointed a Trustee of the AIPR Trust Fund – Education in 1999 and retired on 31 December 2022, having supported the birth and evolution of PaRC from its inception. PaRC salutes her!

 

Publications

Dr Binkley has supplied a list of publications and conference presentations. It runs to 12 pages!