|
Special
Awards Edition 2008
newsSPLASH
Keeping the Aquatic and Recreation Industry Informed
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2008 Victorian Aquatic & Recreation
|
 |
|
Awards Presentation Dinner
|
Fast becoming
the industry's night of
nights, the 2008 Victorian Aquatic and Recreation Awards
were presented at the Lincoln of Toorak, Melbourne on
Friday 1 June. Now in its eighth year, these
awards recognise the achievement and contribution of outstanding
individuals, programs and facilities in our industry.
Support
for the night is growing every year with a record of 340
attendees at the dinner, and the venue reaching full
capacity. But this night is not only about recognising the nominees and recipients, it also allows
organisations to recognise their staff and the hard work
they put in throughout the year.
Thank you to the major sponsor,
Link Modular Solutions, for their contribution to these
Awards. Thanks also to our Award
sponsors:
|
|
|
-
Swim
School Owners Association
|
|
|
|
|
-
Play it
Safe by the Water
|
|
|
|
|
There are undoubtedly
many more individuals and organisations who do an
outstanding job for the aquatic and recreation industry
and I would like to encourage you to nominate them in
2009! Below are all the recipients of the 2008
Victorian Aquatic and Recreation Awards.
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
The Sir Frank Beaurepaire
Award for Outstanding Contribution
|
 |
|
by an Individual
to the Aquatic and Recreation Industry
|
Recipient:
John Lippman
John Lippmann OAM has been involved in
the aquatic and recreation industry for over 30 years
and is a mentor in both the scuba diving and aquatics
industries. He shares his wealth of knowledge and
experience by training trainers, conducting seminars and
providing advice. John is the founder, executive
director and chairman of the Divers Alert Network Asia-
Pacific. This is a not-for–profit association
dedicated to the promotion and advancement of diving
safety.
John's contribution to increasing the
level of awareness of scuba diving and water safety
issues is undertaken by the following: education
activities; developing and implementing oxygen and first
aid training programs; and writing and publishing
several research papers and books so people involved in
water activities are better prepared should an accident
occur.
In being the founder of the Australian
based regional Divers Alert Network, he has created a
safety and response organisation that has ensured that
many divers have received life saving and injury
minimizing first aid and emergency transport, whilst his
publications and training activities have prevented many
accidents. He has demonstrated a commitment to the
public in the fields of diver and water safety, and
resuscitation in general, that has gained international
as well as local recognition.
|
Picture: John Lippmann (left) with John
Beaurepaire |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Pool Lifeguard of the Year
Award
|
|
Recipient:
Michael Zeman (Dandenong
Oasis YMCA & Noble Park)
Michael has been a lifeguard for the last
eight years, and as a senior lifeguard and duty manager at
Dandenong Oasis, Michael leads by example and shows great
initiative. Michael continually shows tremendous
commitment to the centre, its patrons and his colleagues.
He has volunteered and taken on extra mentoring, assisting
with the juvenile justice system work placement scheme
'bridge' project and is always looking for courses to
further his skills and abilities. As a casual staff
member, his willingness to show such responsibility and
commitment is admirable.
Picture: Micheal Zeman with Life Saving
Victoria's Jane Fischer
|
|
|
|
|
The WETS Aqua Exercise Leader
of the Year Award
|
 |
|
|
|
Recipient:
Daniel Fabien (Dandenong
Oasis YMCA)
Daniel has worked at Dandenong Oasis for 13
years. He brings commitment, enthusiasm and dynamics
to the aquatic industry. His variety in class format
and modifications to suit all allow him to be both cutting
edge and innovative. Daniel’s ability to communicate
effectively with all of his participants encourages them to
return each week, which in turn keeps them both healthy and
involved in aquatics. Daniel has been invited to
present at a number of workshops and conferences including
AquaRec and AquaSummit, while also delivering his own
professional development sessions. Daniel thrives on a
challenge and his versatility shows through as he teaches
people of all ages and abilities in and out of the
water.
Picture: Daniel Fabien with Jennifer Schembri-Portelli
from WETS
|
|
|
|
The YMCA Most Valuable
Employee of the Year Award
|
 |
|
|
Recipient:
Jeni Delaney (Leisure Co)
Jeni’s role sees her manage the daily
operations of the Nathalia Community Sports Centre, owned by
the Moira Shire Council, and managed by Leisure Co.
She has been in this position for the past six years,
working alongside Leisure Co for the past 18 months.
Her attitude towards her work is infectious, and her
attention to detail and perfection in whatever the task
is second to none.
Everything Jeni does she does for the
betterment of the community. Jeni is unique and
has implemented several programs and activities which
have increased the attendance figures at the community
centre. Increased numbers and revenue have only
been achieved by her hard work and dedication to both
her work and community.
Picture: Jeni Delaney with YMCA Victoria's Greg
Jennings
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Group Exercise Instructor of
the Year Award
|
|
Recipient:
Wendy Brammer (Healthways
Recreation Centre)
Wendy’s warmth and inclusive personality is
apparent upon initial meeting, which is why she is often
appointed to mentor new staff and to welcome new clients to
the centre. Wendy provides classes for the wider
community - outside of the 'normal' group fitness classes -
welcoming seniors, teens and special needs, and integrating
them into regular classes. Wendy doesn’t just deliver
a class, she goes above and beyond. Wendy’s commitment
and service to the fitness industry is unique. She is
not limited by what her job description indicates, as she
also helps with delivery, promotion and organisation of
classes, along with concept and staff development. Her
influence in the industry spreads across so many aspects of
health and fitness. Wendy goes that extra mile.
Picture: Wendy Brammer with Victoria
University's Terry Roberts
|
|
|
|
The Victorian AUSTSWIM
Teacher of Swimming and
|
 |
|
Water Safety Award - General
|
Recipient:
Gary Rosenberg (Aquastar Swim
School)
Gary's dedication and passion for
swimming and water safety is evident in every lesson he
teaches. At Aquastar, Gary teaches infant classes
all the way through to squads and adults. Gary’s
classes are always delivered with notable experience,
knowledge, professionalism, attention to detail and
enthusiasm. His passion, commitment and initiative
to continuously improve himself assists in developing
this all important life skill in as many people as he
can. The enjoyment he receives from this is
obvious to all.
Picture: Gary Rosenberg with Gordon Mallett from
AUSTSWIM
|
|
The Victorian AUSTSWIM
Teacher of Swimming and
|
|
|
Water Safety Award - Teacher
of Infant Aquatics
|
Recipient:
Carol Hall (YMCA
Victoria)
Carol’s attitude to teaching is outstanding. She
loves teaching and her bubbly personality and
never-ending enthusiasm shines through in each and every
lesson. Carol teaches to all ability levels from
6-month old babies to school aged children. She
uses a range of teaching techniques and strategies to
cater for her large array of classes, and is able to
modify her planned lessons to suit every child, to help
develop their individual and group skills. Carol
is seen by many of the younger staff as a true role
model and mentor, for her brilliant teaching, dedication
and co-ordination of the AquaSafe holiday program.
She is one aquatic educator you can always count on.
Picture: Carol Hall with AUSTSWIM's Gordon Mallett
|
|
The Victorian AUSTSWIM
Teacher of Swimming and
|
|
|
Water Safety Award - Teacher
of People with a Disability
|
Recipient:
Sheryl Everett (Mt Evelyn
Special Development School)
Sheryl’s enthusiasm is unwavering. Every little
success with her students is celebrated, every milestone
is applauded and she can’t wait to share the news with
other staff members. Her calm, friendly and
patient approach soon gains the trust of her most
frightened and timid students, while her consistent
enforcement of 'pool rules' and her firm discipline,
gains the respect of our over-confident and 'fearless'
students. Swim teaching is her passion and it
shows.
Sheryl uses a variety of pool equipment
in creative ways and each lesson is fun. Sheryl is
continually on the lookout for new ideas and has visited other special developmental schools to swap
lesson ideas, equipment and other useful teaching
strategies. Just as important is her flexibility
to improvise when the students don’t wish to engage in
the set lesson plan. Sheryl is also adept at using Auslan signing and the picture exchange communication
system which are important communication tools for her
non-verbal students.
Picture: Sheryl Everett with Gordon Mallett from
AUSTSWIM
|
|
|
|
|
VICSWIM Recognition of
Service Awards
|
 |
|
|
Recipients:
Jill Mazzini
Howard Clarke
Jennifer Ashmore
Janice Goudie
Debbie Morgan
Picture:
(back, from left) Kate Lynch - VICSWIM Coordinator,
Jennifer Ashmore, Jill Mazzini, Brooke Hanson - VICSWIM
Ambassador (front) Janice Goudie
|
 |
|
|
|
|
The Play it Safe by the
Water Award for Water Safety Week
|
 |
|
|
Recipient:
Reeling in Summer Fun (UniSports,
University of Ballarat)
'Reeling in Summer Fun' saw the UniSports
pool transformed into a summer open water and inland
waterway environment. This exposed participants to
water experiences they may not have experienced before
or may experience over the coming summer.
UniSports staff and the local primary school
concentrated on educating participants about the hazards
and risks associated with each different environment.
'Reeling in Summer Fun' was linked to the Victorian
Essential Learning Standards (VELS) and was supported
with dry school based lessons. The program saw
swim teachers take leading roles and becoming water
safety ambassadors, explaining the relevance of the
activity to the swimmers before they participated.
Picture: (from left) Aaron Tabone, Melinda
Beasant-Commerford, Matt Cody from UniSports Ballarat with Play it
Safe by the Water' Carina De Silva
|
|
|
|
The Resusci Anne Outstanding Aquatic
Programming Award
|
 |
|
|
Recipient:
Aquabuddies (Ringwood Aquatic Centre)
'Aquabuddies'
is designed for people with physical and intellectual
disability. Ringwood Aquatic Centre offers an 'All
Abilities Access' program, which enables people from 6
months to 70 years, with differing abilities, the
opportunity to participate in fun activities - for their
fitness and social skills - in a relaxed friendly
environment with qualified, enthusiastic and reliable
staff. The joy, excitement and sense of
independence this program gives the participants are
clearly evident. It has changed the lives and
boosted the confidence of many people with special
needs.
Picture: (from left) Jessica Klinge, Maria Burn,
Simone Knott and Jennifer Ashmore from Ringwood Aquatic
Centre with Laerdal's Tom Guthormsen
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding Community
Recreation Programming Award
|
|
Recipient:
Creating a
Sporting Chance
(Bundoora Netball and Sports
Centre, with RMIT University, the Shire of Nillumbik,
Banyule City Council and City of Whittlesea Council)
The 'Creating a Sporting Chance' program has
provided new opportunities for people with an intellectual
disability to engage in regular community based physical
activity, sport and recreation programs. The program
has bridged the gap between community based and university
undergraduate degree programs, providing a unique
opportunity for on-the-job training for the next generation
of workers in a positive and successful environment.
The inclusion of various community groups
across sport, recreation, health, disability, government and
university sectors has been outstanding. This
innovative program is a model for a successful community
partnership in recreation programming.
Picture: (from left)
Victoria
University's
Terry Roberts with
Simone Leslie, Merrilyn Gamble and Jeff
Walkley
|
|
|
|
The Life Saving
Victoria Award for
|
|
|
Excellence
in the provision of
Water Safety
|
Recipient:
Active Supervision (Moonee
Valley City Council)
'Active Supervision' is a unique program
that raises awareness of the roles parents and
supervisors need to play in the active supervision of
their children. 'Active Supervision' educates the
community as a whole, and has been rolled out at all
three leisure centres within the council. The promotion
is ongoing with regular campaigns at peak times, such as
school holidays, and is included in aquatic education
classes, where parents are encouraged to get involved in
their children’s swimming and aquatic programs.
Picture: Serena D'Alessandro (far left) and Kirsty
Baxter (far right) from Moonee Valley City Council
with Jane Fischer from Life Saving Victoria
|
|
|
|
The Swim School Owners
Association of Australia
|
 |
|
'Swim School of the Year'
Award
|
|
|
Recipient:
Yarra Leisure Swim School
Yarra Leisure Swim School’s philosophy is
to provide quality aquatic education programs and
outstanding customer service to the local community.
Programs are progressive, and vary to suit the needs of
all community members including infants, adults,
disability, special needs and those from different
cultural backgrounds. Yarra Leisure is dedicated
to developing each of their swim teachers so they are
capable of helping every student reach their full
potential.
Picture: Yarra Leisure's Liam Dempsey with Theresa Simcocks from the Swim School Owners
Association
|
|
|
|
The Roejen Services Facility
Management Award
|
|
|
- All Year Facility
|
Recipient:
Collingwood Leisure Centre
Collingwood Leisure Centre forms part of the Yarra
Leisure branch and is almost at full capacity with
regard to its dry and wet program space.
Collingwood Leisure Centre is a founding member of the
'Platinum Pool Safe Program' and is an important part of
the Yarra community, providing a number of key programs
with community group users including schools, health
care providers, senior citizen centres and neighborhood
houses. The diverse range of programs offered at
Collingwood Leisure Centre includes 'Women Making
Waves', 'Mind.Exercise.Nutrition', 'Healthy Ageing' and
'Accessible Leisure' programs just to name a few.
The customer service is of high priority with a number
of initiatives currently being undertaken.
Picture: Mark Collins
(second from left) from Collingwood Leisure Centre
with Roejen Services' John Coppock (far left), Joe
Calello & Mal Lees (far right).
|
|
|
|
Aquatics & Recreation
Victoria
|
|
|
Recognition of
Outstanding Contribution
|
Recipient:
Stephen Cheney
(Architect)
Stephen has been an architect that has specialised in
the design of aquatic and recreation facilities.
Stephen has gained specialised understanding of the
operational issues facing facility managers and has
utilised this in creating functional buildings whilst
incorporating current and innovative design.
Although Stephen has designed many facilities mainly in
Victoria but also on a national level, he has also
contributed to the industry on a wider basis. He
has spoken at the AquaRec Conference and has been
involved in planning the AquaRec program. His
facilities include Boroondara Sports Complex,
Maribyrnong Aquatic Centre and Cardinia Aquatic Centre
in Victoria and Cabravale Leisure Centre in NSW.
Picture: Stephen Cheney with Aquatics & Recreation
Victoria's Andrew Hocking
|
|
|
|
Recipient:
Michael King (Facility
Planning)
Michael King is a founding director of SGL Consulting
Group, which has undertaken an extensive range of
projects in Australia, New Zealand, China and United
Arab Emirates. Although Michael has been involved
in all areas of sport, recreation and leisure planning
he has specialised in leisure facility development,
design, management and viability.
This has led to Michael’s involvement in the early
stages of many of the major developments in Victoria,
for example, Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre (Stages
1, 2 & 3), the 2006 Commonwealth Games pool and many
local government feasibility studies. Expertise
that has been built up in Victoria has now translated
into an international operation, highlighting the
professionalism of the local industry.
Picture: Michael King with Andrew Hocking from
Aquatics & Recreation Victoria
|
|
|
|
Recipient:
Roejen Services (Engineering
and Maintenance)
Roejen Services is the main supplier of maintenance
services to the aquatic industry. They have
developed computerised monitoring systems for pool
operations and also conduct operational audits.
However the senior management at Roejen Services have
also been extremely generous in giving their time and
expertise to the industry.
Joe Calello, Paul Stafford and John
Coppock have been involved in a range of projects or
attended committee meetings over the years. Their
involvement includes:
-
Contributing to the development of the Pool
Operators Handbook
-
Regular attendance at and contribution to Aquatics &
Recreation Victoria's Facility Management Standing
Committee
-
Involvement with the 'Water Saving Taskforce'
-
Developing and conducting Pool Operations workshops
on behalf of Aquatics & Recreation Victoria.
-
Active involvement in preparing submissions to the
Smart Water Fund
|
Picture: (from left) Aquatics & Recreation Victoria's
Andrew Hocking with Roejen Services' Joe Calello, John Coppock, Paul Stafford & Mal Lees.
|
|
|
For newsSPLASH
enquiries, comments and submissions should be directed to the
Editor on 03 8843 2000 or email
info@aquarecvic.org.au
|
