883 attendees acknowledge 27 winners at ARV industry awards

Aquatics and Recreation Victoria’s 2023 Industry Awards event has proved to be a major success in its celebration of the outstanding achievements of individuals and organisations in the industry through 2022.

A pinnacle event in the industry’s event calendar and has been for 24 years, the ARV 2023 Industry Gala Awards were presented at Centrepiece, Melbourne Park on 23rd June, attended 883 industry executives and team members.

Attendees saw 27 award winners drawn from 236 nominations for achievements in the qualifying period: 1st January to 31st December 2022.

In a statement, ARV advised “we extend our thanks to the 85 judges across each category, who assessed an ARV-record of 236 nominations, and ARV sponsors for their continued support.”

ARV added “this effort to acknowledge and celebrate a wide range of organisations and individuals and their achievements is what makes the ARV Awards such a special event.”

2023 Winners

Customer Service Award
Debra Evans, Casey ARC - The Y

Duty Manager Award    
Zachary Macciocca, Eltham Leisure Centre - Aligned Leisure

Pool Lifeguard Award    
Beth Valles, Glen Eira Sports and Aquatic Centre

Membership Sales Award     
Winner: Yvonne Widjaja, Brimbank Aquatic and Wellness Centre - Brimbank Leisure
Highly Commended:
Gia Harris, Hawthorn Aquatic and Leisure Centre - The Y
Jack Hunter - Active Monash - Monash Aquatic & Recreation Centre

Most Valuable Employee Award
Name redacted, Thomastown Recreation and Aquatic Centre - Belgravia Leisure

Group Exercise Instructor Award
Sue Terrell, Kingston Active - Waves Leisure Centre

Personal Trainer/Gym Instructor Award
Dylan Henderson, Eltham Leisure Centre - Aligned Leisure

Swim Teacher Award    
Winner: Wanda Grime, Portland Leisure and Aquatic Centre - Belgravia Leisure
Highly Commended: Shannon Gardner - Peninsula Aquatic Recreation Centre - Peninsula Leisure

Swim Teacher of Babies, Infants and Preschool Award
Imelda Killeen, Monash Aquatic & Recreation Centre - Active Monash

Swim Teacher of Persons with a Disability Award    
Winner: Marie Noonan, Kyneton Toyota Sports and Aquatic Centre - Macedon Ranges Shire Council
Highly Commended: Christine Meek - Splash Aqua Park and Leisure Centre - Hume City Council

ARV Life Membership
Alexia Morgan (pictured above), Belgravia Leisure

Course Trainer / Presenter Award
Sasho Ilievski, Brimbank Leisure

Sustainability Award
Brimbank Aquatic and Wellness Centre - Brimbank Leisure

Emerging Leader Award
Haren Weerasiri, Brimbank Aquatic and Wellness Centre - Brimbank Leisure

Marketing & Communication
Marketing and Communications, Yawa Aquatic Centre - Belgravia Leisure

Health Club Award
Mill Park Leisure - Belgravia Leisure

Community Impact Award
Exercise and Cancer Pilot Project - Latrobe City Council

Innovative Program Award    
Winner: No Boundaries All-Abilities Golf Program - Centenary Park Golf Course – Clublinks
Highly Commended:
Qfit - Brunswick Baths - The Y

Outstanding Contribution to the Aquatics and Recreation Industry Award
Philip Saikaly, Sport and Recreation Victoria 

Watch around Water Award
Aquapulse - Western Leisure Services

Swim School Award    
Winner: Splash Aqua Park and Leisure Centre - Hume City Council
Highly Commended: The Little Swim School

Nutrition and Healthy Choices Award
Elements Eatery, Yawa Aquatic Centre - Belgravia Leisure

Industry Supplier Award
NovoFit

Facility Management Award - Seasonal
Golden Square Pool

Facility Management Award - All Year Small
Caulfield Grammar School - Aligned Leisure

Facility Management Award - All Year Medium    
Pelican Park Recreation Centre - Belgravia Leisure
Wodonga Sports and Leisure Centre - Aligned Leisure

Facility Management Award - All Year Large
Hawthorn Aquatic and Leisure Centre - The Y

The event opened with a spectacular Disco Skaters performance, bringing Disco to life and wrapped with a performance by Unlimited, who performed popular disco hits.

Article amended 15th August 2025 with a name redaction.

Images: The ARV 2023 Industry Gala Awards at Melbourne Park's Centrepiece (top) and Alexia Morgan recieves her ARV Life Membership award (below).