Industry - August 2009

Dr Keith Suter. CommSec's Craig James, Richard Neville and Gilbert Rochecouste head an impressive list of speakers presenting at this year's ARV Industry Conference, to be held at the new Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre on August 27-28.

Despite the tough economic times, the exhibition hall for the ARV Industry Conference, to be held on August 27-28, is within one space of being booked out in 2009.

Comparative data for Expense Recovery and Total Visits Per Year has been provided from the sample of Victorian aquatic centres who participated in the CERM PI Survey from 2005-2008.  Data provided are the median results from each of the sample of centres.

Local council aquatic and recreation centres may be the key to slowing Australia’s obesity epidemic through the ‘Better Being Exercise Referral Program’. Low cost gym programs are available at selected local council run facilities in Victoria for individuals aged 40-49 years who need to improve their health, not just for summer, but for life!

It's an ever-changing landscape when you work in the aquatics and recreation industry.  This month's 'Industry Shorts' gives you an update on the Children’s Services Regulations Forum, Food Safety Reforms, the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 and amendments to the Associations Incorporation Act.

ARV, with the support of the Smart Water Fund, has undertaken an investigation into water usage in aquatic facilities.  Over the last year ARV has been investigating current water usage, water saving initiatives and their effectiveness, and best practice case studies in Victorian aquatic facilities.

The aquatic and recreation industry has expressed growing concerns regarding the general supervision of children by parents and guardians at public aquatic facilities.  To address this issue the ‘Watch Around Water’ program has been developed to educate the public about adequate supervision and to encourage parents and guardians to take on this responsibility when visiting a public aquatic facility.  We would like to invite all Victorian aquatic and recreation facilities to be part of this new initiative.

ARV, with the support of the Victorian Government is developing a central database of information on aquatic and recreation facilities.  Changes are taking place within the industry at a rapid rate and this survey intends to gather information to measure the size, distribution, financial investment and economic impact of the aquatic and recreation industry. 

It was appropriate that nearly 400 industry representatives came together on Friday 29 May at ZINC at Federation Square for the Victorian Aquatic & Recreation Awards Dinner presented by ARV, for that day was the 53rd anniversary of the passing of the man after whom the premier award of the evening was named.

ARV's annual VICSWIM aquatic education programs will again be held throughout Victoria in January 2010, but with a difference.  It has been re-branded and will be re-launched as ‘VICSWIM Summer Kidz’, which will include a range of media and corporate support designed to boost the profile of aquatic education and water safety.

They called it a lucky draw but the generously donated “Swim with the Sharks” prize from the Melbourne Aquarium did seem like a punishment to some.  Mind you, it was on the 13th day of the month.  After launching the organisation’s new logo and colours at the Aquarium in May, Chairman of Aquatics & Recreation Victoria, Mr Andrew Hocking, invited Brooke Hanson to draw the lucky winner of the "Swim with the Sharks" prize.

ARV is continually developing new associations and working together for a better industry.  Over recent months, ARV has formed a new strategic partnership with Sportspeople in job recruitment, has created new corporate relationships and commenced work with the Southern Grampians Shire Council in its facility review process.