Awards recognise best of Western Australia's aquatic and recreation industry

LIWA Aquatics’ second edition of their WA Aquatic Recreation Industry Awards has seen the Armadale Fitness and Aquatic Centre secure wins in four of the program’s organisational categories.

Presented on Tuesday 27th June at the Hyatt Regency Perth, LIWA Aquatics’ awards program is designed to highlight and award excellence of individuals within the aquatic recreation industry, aquatic facilities, their staff and organisations and recognise their commitment to improving aquatic recreation communities, programs, facility operations, management and safety.

Already a winner across a range of industry programs, Armadale Fitness and Aquatic Centre (AFAC) secured organisational awards:

• Marketing and Communication Award - for their ‘30 for 30’ Initiative.

• Watch Around Water Awards (Sponsored by Royal Life Saving Society WA)

• Sustainability Award

• Aquatic Facility Safety Award (Sponsored by Royal Life Saving Society WA)

The Community Impact Award was claimed by the Town of Port Headland for their Summer Free Entry Program which was implemented across two of the council’s facilities - the South Hedland Aquatic Centre and Gratwick Aquatic Centre.

The final organisation award, the Swim School of the Year award, was presented to the Wanneroo Aquamotion Swim School from the City of Wanneroo for their creation of delivery of a diverse program and accessibility changes made to accommodate all abilities in their program.

Individual Awards (including judges’ comments).
Pool Lifeguard of the Year - John Everitt from HBF Arena
Everiit is well respected by his colleagues, customers, and line of management, all of whom appreciate his attention to detail, his management of the pools he is supervising, and his genuine approach to customer service.

Swim Teacher of the Year Award - Louise Scott from Beatty Park Leisure (Town of Vincent)
Scott is always making her students feel welcome, important, and special. Louise is creative and adaptable to everyone’s needs, while setting realistic goals for students to achieve through encouragement, nurturing and guidance.

Aquatic Technical Operator Awards (Metro and Regional): sponsored by International Quadratics - Stephen Waterman from the Warmun Community Pool

Aquatic Technical Operator Metropolitan Award - Isabel Franzoni from HBF Arena
Franzoni was acknowledged for her mentoring role with new and junior staff instilling a sense of belonging and responsibility. She has been instrumental in developing professional development for lifeguards aligned with requal requirements.

Emerging Leader of the Year Award - Jordan Caffery from the Armadale Fitness and Aquatic Centre
Caffrey’s awards was based on his ability to lead by example, a strong work ethic and a willingness to take on extra responsibilities. Caffery demonstrates a hands on-approach with her team and proactively responds to issues as they arise to provide additional support and leadership.

In addition, High Commendations were awarded to:

• Ally Holdcroft - Swim Teacher of the Year finalist

• Jessica Fennel - Emerging Leader of the Year finalist

• Cockburn ARC (City of Cockburn) - Aquatic Facility Safety Award finalist

• Terry Tyzack (City of Stirling) - Aquatic Facility Safety Award finalist

While the following individuals received their industry services awards:

• Anna Jamieson - 10 Years

• Alexander Parker - 10 Years

• Michael Gosatti - 20 Years

• Joanne Pedley - 40 Years

• David Parish - 45 Years

Smith Robertson Award
The final and most prestigious award to be presented was the Smith Robertson Award, named after two of the founding members of LIWA Aquatics, Fred Smith and John ‘Robbo’ Robertson for their outstanding contributions to the aquatics industry.

While, sadly, Robertson passed away earlier this year, LIWA Aquatics was able to have Smith attend the breakfast awards to support the work of LIWA Aquatics and to share in the excitement of the awards.

This year the Smith Robertson Award was awarded to Leanne Coverley-Brandis who has worked all over Western Australia in a variety of different roles in the aquatics industry over the last 40 years. She has been instrumental in the training of over 10,000 course participants in a variety of courses and remains active in the industry, currently working for Royal Life Saving Society WA.

Other presentations
Other than the WA Aquatic Recreation Industry Awards, LIWA Aquatic were also able to acknowledge and award the following individuals and aquatic centres.

Newly Endorsed Waterwise Aquatic Centre’s by Water Corporation - Gratwick Aquatic Centre & South Hedland Aquatic Centre (Town of Port Hedland)

At the Waterwise awards, held by Water Corporation in June Albany Leisure & Aquatic Centre - City of Albany and Kwinana Recquatic - City of Kwinana were awarded Platinum Waterwise Councils of the Year.

Event Details
The awards commenced with Robyn Collard and her grandson Tryse Rioli performing a Welcome to Country while Western Australian Minister for Culture and the Arts, Sport and Recreations, International Education and Heritage officially opened the event.

LIWA Aquatics also thanked event MC Mick Collis; the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries; Water Corporation; Royal Life Saving Society WA and International Quadratics.

Images (from top): The team from the Armadale Fitness and Aquatic Centre with their multiple awards; Swim Teacher of the Year Award winner Louise Scott; Isabel Franzoni receives her Aquatic Technical Operator award from Pam Robinson of International Quadratics and Leanne Coverley-Brandis, winner of the Smith Robertson Award, with Fred Smith. Images courtesy of LIWA Aquatics.