Aquatics & Recreation Victoria

Outstanding Contribution to the Aquatic & Recreation Industry

Recipient: Norm Farmer

^{Photo: Norm Farmer (right) with Andrew Hocking from Aquatics & Recreation Victoria}

Norm Farmer has contributed to the aquatic industry through his involvement in water safety and lifesaving from a local to international level for more than three decades. His contribution spans voluntary service on the beaches of Port Philip to officiating at international lifesaving competition championships and presenting at lifesaving and water safety conferences around the globe.

The legacy of his contribution is long lasting by virtue of his authorship of handbooks, manuals and guidelines on topics ranging from international lifesaving competition, water safety in urban water developments, coastal public safety and through the development of courses and programs including lifesaving competition officials’ and referees’ training courses, including the certificate of aquatic leadership education and practice – a collaboration between RMIT & RLSSAV.

Norm has advanced the standard of management and administration of lifesaving and lifesaving competition through his voluntary involvement at the international level with the ILS Rescue and Education Commission and the ILS Sport Commission, at a national level as an RLSSA Director in areas of public education, marketing, vocational education and training and aquatic industry services and at the local level as secretary of RLSSAV for a number of years.

Norm’s most significant recent contribution to the aquatic industry was his involvement in the formation of Life Saving Victoria through the merging of RLSSAV and SLSV. This achievement is envied by lifesaving organisations interstate and internationally and has positioned Life Saving Victoria as the leading lifesaving organisation in Australia and is a model for other sport and emergency service organisations.

The Victorian aquatic industry is not the first to recognise Norman’s contribution. He has already been recognised by the International Lifesaving Federation as Grand Knight in the Order of Lifesaving, by RLSS as a Commonwealth Life Member and in Australia as a recipient of the Emergency Services Medal.

Norm has clearly made as outstanding contribution to the aquatic industry and is a most worthy recipient of the Beaurepaire Award for 2009.

Facilitiy Management Award

Recipients:

All Year Facility - Pelican Park Recreation Centre
Seasonal Facility - Kardinia Aquatic Centre

Lucky Weerakoddy (second left) from Kardinia Aquatic Centre with (from left) John Coppock, Paul Stafford and Joe Callelo from Roejen Services

^{Photo: Lucky Weerakkody (second left) from Kardinia Aquatic Centre with (from left) John Coppock, Paul Stafford and Joe Callelo from Roejen Services}

Kardinia Aquatic Centre has shown excellent community involvement and focus through community based fund raising activities and hosting the 1st Annual Kardinia Classic, which gave the local swimming community a chance to participate in these competition style events. With its community focus, Kardinia Aquatic has created strong partnerships which has lead to consistent use of the facility by various community groups, continued growth in attendance and participation levels. Kardinia Aquatic Centre has a strong health and safety focus, has implemented ongoing management and operational improvements and demonstrated commitment to environmental and energy savings procedures through the implementation of its water recycling strategy. KAC is a worthy recipient of the Seasonal Facility Management award for 2009.

^{Photo: Michelle Barnes from Pelican Park Recreation Centre with (from left) Paul Stafford, Joe Callelo and John Coppock from Roejen Services}

The annual goals of Pelican Park Recreation Centre are structured around Mornington Peninsula Shire's Community Plan and underlying principles, with a strong focus on supporting and strengthening the wellbeing of the local community. In an effort to achieve its goals Pelican Park Recreation Centre has produced an excellent customer service philosophy and innovative programs that encompass local community needs and reflect market research in the Hastings area. This strong commitment to the local community is reflected through its involvement in community events and significant increases in attendance and participation. Pelican Park's commitment is also reflected in its strong CERM Performance Indicators showing an outstanding 39% higher visits per square metre compared to other similar facilities and its strong financial and management performance. A strong commitment to environmental issues has also been demonstrated through the installation of rain water tanks in collaboration with the Mornington Peninsula Shire. Additionally, LSV’s annual Aquatic Facility Safety Assessments of Pelican Park Recreation Centre has earned it the title of platinum pool, demonstrating ongoing improvements in safety standards and industry best practice.

Swim School Award

Recipient:

Don Tatnell Swim School

^{Photo: Amanda Maher (right) from Don Tatnell Swim School with Theresa Stewart from Swim School Owners Association}

The Don Tatnell Swim School has shown strong commitment to the industry and its clientele through recent significant improvements in management, systems and processes, including benchmarking, mystery shopping and upgrade of marketing materials. New marketing materials incorporate the swim school vision of the Don Tatnell Swim School which is "committed to providing an aquatic program that is educational in all aspects of safety and techniques and strives to promote an enjoyable and safe learning environment for all participants". The quality of the swim school can also be attributed to ongoing staff training and career development plans, significant support and engagement within the community, and the instrumental role in developing and supporting Scope Young Ambassadors Swim Links Project. The Don Tatnell Swim School is a worthy recipient of the Swim School of the Year for 2009.

Aquatic Programming Award

Recipient:

Attendant Support Initiative -

Monash Aquatic & Recreation Centre

^{Andrew Jeffrey and Kristina Mitsikas (right) From Monash Aquatic & Recreation Centre with Lisa Curtis from Laerdal.}

The Attendant Supportive Initiative was driven and facilitated by the team at Monash ARC. Program development was based on evidence collected through the Council’s Disability Consultative Committee and MARC service users identifying a gap in service provision. As a result, the City of Monash and MARC implemented a successful program that provides attendant care and support for people with a disability, increasing access opportunities to aquatic facilities. The success and growth of the program has rested on creating and building lasting partnerships with Industry bodies and local service providers. Some of the immediate community outcomes have been improved community connectedness, increased community capacity building, a breaking down of social isolation and improved health and wellness outcomes. This program has raised the bar in service expectations, can be implemented in other facilities to improve Access for All Abilities and is a worthy winner of the Outstanding Aquatic Programming Award for 2009.

Water Safety Week Award

Recipient:

Water Safety Week 2008 -

Big Fish Little Fish Swim School

^{Photo: Max Wells (Surfing Victoria) accepting the award on behalf of Big Fish Little Fish Swim School}

Water Safety Week 2008 at the Big Fish Little Fish Swim School had a strong focus not only on water safety but highlighting safe practices at the beach. Big Fish Little Fish Swim School provided students with unique opportunities to experience simulated open water scenarios in a safe and fun way, incorporating displays to familiarize students with beach environments such as lifesavers and the importance of red and yellow flags. Big Fish Little Fish Swim School maintains the emphasis of water safety messages beyond the Water Safety Week by involving parents and other patrons at the Swim School and the local community. Big Fish Little Fish Swim School displayed initiative and commitment to the Play it Safe by the Water key messages toward increasing awareness of water safety issues making it a worthy winner of the PISBTW Water Safety Week Award for 2009.

Excellence in the Provision of Water Safety Education Award

Recipient:

Surf Life Saving Program at Frankston High School -

Frankston High School

^{Photo: Jane Flowers (Life Saving Victoria) accepting the award on behalf of Frankston High School}

The Surf Life Saving Program at Frankston High School enables students to gain knowledge and develop skills in water safety and survival. This program is seen as an extraordinary learning experience moving beyond the four walls of a traditional classroom, whereby, students are able to transfer skills into the real world by being involved is such activities as volunteer local beach patrol at local lifesaving clubs. The judges believed that it was a very admirable effort to develop, implement and sustain a program like this within a high school environment. The program’s community links to such a broad range of groups, and the ‘open for all’ mentality in providing for excellence and participation. All of the above have lead to the ongoing provision of water safety through a sustainable program that encourages past students to return to the program to pass on their knowledge to new students. Special mention should be made to Rowan Cameron who was responsible for introducing lifesaving at Frankston High School and making the program a success and a worthy recipient of the Excellence in Provision of Water Safety Education Award for 2009.

Pool Lifeguard Award

Recipient:

Tennille Nash - Aqualink Nunawading

^{Photo: Tennille Nash with Roger Abel (Life Saving Victoria)}

In her role as a lifeguard Tennille has demonstrated many desirable professional traits worthy of industry acknowledgement. Tennille has demonstrated strong leadership skills and as a result is regularly given the responsibility of inducting and training new staff members. Whether dealing with patrons or staff alike, Tennille consistently displays the ability to relate to people of all ages and backgrounds in a calm, polite, helpful, informative and professional manner. Tennille is passionate and consistent in delivering a professional and confident lifeguard image and is a worthy recipient of the LSV Pool Lifeguard award for 2009.

Teacher of Swimming and Water Safety Award

General Teacher of Swimming and Water Safety

Recipient:

Robbie Rae - Violet Town Seasonal Pool

Teacher of Infant and Preschool Aquatics

Recipient:

Josephine Landau - Knox Leisure Works

^{Photo: Robbie Rae with Kirk Marks (AUSTSWIM National)}

Robbie has great influence within this rural community in her position as a swimming teacher having taught local children to swim over the past two decades and working with parents, students and teachers to ensure a real awareness of the importance of water safety in and around the rural community. This has included highlighting the need for farm children to learn to swim so that they can cope with safety issues around local dams, rivers and creeks near or on their properties. She has also formed a squad for children and adults to improve their fitness levels and encouraged local children who have been successful at regional swimming sports events. Always one to take hold of new opportunities, Robbie has undertaken additional training such as 'People with a Disability' to meet market demands for children with disabilities ensuring their needs are also met. She is also a founding member of the Violet Town friends of the Pool, seeks grants and funds to buy equipment, encourages families to enjoy the pool by instigating Family Fun nights each week and uses swimming to maintain the social fabric of her local community. Robbie is seen as a worthy recipient of this Victorian AUSTSWIM Teacher of Swimming and Water Safety Award for 2009.

^{Photo: Josephine Landau with Kirk Marks (AUSTSWIM National)}

Jo has had 21 years experience within the industry with the last 10 years at Knox Leisure Works. Jo is a role model and mentor to other team members; her commitment to team excellence through helping and supporting new and less experienced team members is exceptional. Jo has also made a splash internationally creating links with the Malaysian YMCA who recommended that their staff should work with Jo so that they could return equipped to train their Malaysian teachers. Group teaching strategies with exemplary communication keep her classes interesting, dynamic and yield outstanding results. Jo’s philosophy is active kids are happy kids. Her commitment is to teaching in a child focused manner while providing safety knowledge and education to parents. Jo is a worthy recipient of the Victorian AUSTSWIM Teacher of Swimming and Water Safety Award for Infant and Preschool Aquatics for 2009.

Aqua Instructor Award

Recipient:

Bill Stevens - Kew Recreation Centre

^{Photo: Bill Stevens with Jennifer Schembri-Portelli (WETS)}

Bill has worked in the industry for 11 years conducting up to 20 aqua aerobic classes per week in various facilities throughout Victoria. Bill is commended for his ability to work with a diverse range of clientele, from older adults, those with various disabilities and also clients with psychiatric conditions. Bill is considered to be gifted with his ability to communicate, instruct and provide feedback to clients in a calm and positive manner. Through ongoing and professional development, mentoring of aquatic instructors and a commitment to the community and industry development, Bill is seen as a worthy recipient of the title of WETS Aqua Instructor 2009.

Most Valuable

Industry Employee Award

Recipient:

Michael Eddington - Waves Leisure Centre

^{Photo: Michael Eddington with Meredith King (YMCA Victoria)}

Michael’s commitment to the industry is illustrated by his career development at the Waves Leisure Centre from Life Guard to Centre Supervisor. Michael has been acknowledged by management and peers as a very dedicated and hard working professional with an obvious passion for the aquatic and recreation industry. His willingness to research, implement improvements to maintenance & plant procedures, and his contribution to risk management mark him as a valuable contributor. Michael is also recognised for his customer service and level headed approach to dealing with clients and willingness to assist and support other staff in their development within the industry. Michael’s composure was also recently on display in dealing confidently and professionally with two major incidents at the centre. Michael is seen as a worthy recipient of the YMCA Most Valuable Employee Award for 2009.

Group Exercise Instructor Award

Recipient:

Carol Syer - Monash Aquatic & Recreation Centre

^{Photo: Carol Syer with Ian Kett (Kinect Australia)}

Carol has worked in the fitness industry for 21 years teaching up to18 classes per week that vary from freestyle aerobics to the Les Mills programs, Body Pump and Body Combat, rounding everything off with Group Cycle classes. Carol caters for children, older adults, those with disabilities and general health club members. She demonstrates an ability to adjust class structure and exercises at a moment’s notice when she feels the participants’ needs are not being met. As a leader and mentor Carol is always looking for ways to assist and teach new instructors so as they are able to deliver stronger, safer and more effective classes. Carol also delivers Group Ex Workshops to Customer Service and Gymnasium staff to provide them with a better understanding of the classes so that they then promote these confidently to members. Carol’s commitment to her participants is of the highest priority and she is often the first to suggest a coffee and a chat after class, and is a worthy recipient of the Kinect Australia Group Exercise Instructor Award for 2009.

Community Recreation Programming Award

Recipient:

Adapted Programs @ VU -

School of Sport and Exercise Science, Victoria University

^{Photo: Dennis Hemphill (left) and Loretta Konjarski from Victoria University, with Ian Kett from Kinect Australia}

Adapted Programs @ VU was developed to cater for student interests, local community requirements and to utilise the available local facilities. Adapted Programs @ VU offers students the option of learning how to interact with populations with a physical and intellectual disability within the area of coaching and aquatics. The program has demonstrated huge success between 2005 and 2008 with significant reach across the community and growth over a short time. The program’s success is in part due to extensive community consultation, creation of partnerships and diverse input to creation and delivery, achieving increased participation of targeted groups in need of physical activity for health and social benefits. Future evaluations of the program will lead to continual improvements that will contribute to a body of knowledge and understanding of adaptive sport’s beneficial for all. Adapted Programs @ VU is a worthy recipient of the Community Recreation Programming Award for 2009

Recognition of Outstanding Contribution Award

Recipient:

Jan Sharp

^{Photo: Jan Sharp with Andrew Hocking (ARV Chairman)}

Recognition of Service Award

Recipient:

Steven Cooper

^{Photo: Steven Cooper (right) with Andrew Hocking from Aquatics & Recreation Victoria}