Industry - March 2010

Victorian Standard Chart of Accounts

The Victorian Standard Chart of Accounts (SCOA) is a Victorian Government initiative that provides a common approach for not-for-profit (NFP) organisations when collecting and recording financial information, and will form the basis of all new funding programs with NFP organisations from 1 July 2010.

MARC-abilities Initiative

Monash Aquatic & Recreation Centre has successfully implemented an inclusive practices program ensuring people with disabilities have the opportunity to fully utilise its facilities and associated programs.

Injuries in Public Swimming Pools

Article by Dr Bernadette Matthews, Manager - Research & Injury Prevention, Life Saving Victoria

Previous research has assessed drowning fatalities in public and residential swimming pools and the potential factors involved. However, there is very little evidence to describe injuries that occur in public swimming pools.

Disability (Access to Premises - Buildings) Standards

In line with the adoption of the Building Code of Australia in each state and territory, the timing of the new Federal Disability (Access to Premises - Buildings) Standard will commence operation on 1 May 2011 and is intended to progressively ensure that people living with disabilities and the ageing population have better access to a wide range of public buildings, allowing greater opportunities to access employment and services and to connect with family, friends and the community.

New Australian Consumer Protection Laws Update

The Australian Senate has passed an amended version of the Trade Practices Amendment Bill and introduced the second stage of consumer law reform, Bill No. 2. All organisations should familiarise themselves with these changes to ensure they comply with the legislation so that their business operations and contracts are not affected.

Second Stage of Associations Incorporation Act Reform

The second stage of reforming the Associations Incorporation Act is part of the Victorian Government's Action Plan: Strengthening Community Organisations, and will commence in 2011.

Operational Management Benchmarks for Aquatic Centres

A record 110 public aquatic centres from throughout Australia contributed data for the 2008-09 CERM PI® Operational Management benchmarks. A quarter of the aquatic centres also supplied data for the CERM PI® Customer Service Quality (CSQ) benchmarks.

New Aquatic Education Kit Now Available

A classroom based Victorian AquatEd Kit designed to support the Victorian Premiers Water Safety Certificate theory component is now available from the Victorian Government's Department of Education and Early Childhood Development FUSE website. An initiative of Aquatics & Recreation Victoria, Life Saving Victoria and with assistance of Victoria University, it contains classroom based water safety lesson plans and activities that are linked to Level 4 of the VELS (Victorian Essential Learning Standards). The lessons are designed to be delivered as a package or as individual lessons.