AquaPulse retains status as one of Victoria’s safest public pools

Wyndham City’s AquaPulse has been recognised as one of Victoria’s top facilities for aquatic safety for the third year running, having again been awarded the ‘Watch Around Water Award’ for the third year running at the recent Aquatics and Recreation Victoria (ARV) Industry Awards.

The annual awards provide recognition from within the aquatics and recreation industry for outstanding achievement in a range of categories.

AquaPulse also holds the GOLD endorsement in the Victorian Public Pool Register and Platinum Pool Accreditation, awarded by Life Saving Victoria (LSV) in recognition of commitment to safety.

The City of Wyndham is well-known for enjoying one of the fastest growing culturally and linguistically diverse communities in Victoria, providing the operator of AquaPulse, Western Leisure Services, an opportunity to provide innovative communications and operational strategies which are tailored to the specific needs of the local community.

Measures which have contributed to AquaPulse winning the category for the past three years include multilingual physical and digital signage, the creation of CALD comic-book style characters known as the ‘Safety Squad’ and numerous operational strategies aimed at simplifying water safety guidelines and parental supervision requirements.

Western Leisure Services Operations Manager, Alek Olszewski explains “the key to creating effective aquatic safety practices has been in fostering a partnership between ourselves and our members and guests where we all understand what needs to be done to keep everyone safe when we visit the pool. From the multilingual poolside signage, to the interaction with frontline team members when you enter the facility, to the support our lifeguard team provides in real time, we work hard to ensure that all bases are covered when it comes to water safety.”

Western Leisure Services Chief Executive Alison Dixon also advised “with support from our Board and Wyndham City Council, we have striven to establish an organisational culture which genuinely reflects our core values of safety, service and innovation.

“Our team has also benefited immensely from the consistent support we have received from Royal Life Saving Society Australia and LSV since opening in 2015. We would also like to thank ARV for recognising Western Leisure Services in the annual industry awards.”

Wyndham City Councillor Peter Maynard, portfolio holder for Sports Development, added “it’s fantastic that our facility AquaPulse has again taken out this award for the third year in row. In a growing and diverse community like Wyndham, AquaPulse provides recreation and leisure opportunities for our residents to lead active lifestyles in a safe and inclusive facility. That’s why it was great to celebrate this achievement alongside Western Leisure Services. Well done to all involved for this outstanding achievement.”

Image: Aquapulse's Philippa Taylor, Alek Olszewski and Councillor Peter Maynard at the ARV Awards.