Peninsula Leisure honoured at Aquatics and Recreation Victoria Awards

The Peninsula Aquatic Recreation Centre reputation as one of Victoria’s premier aquatic and fitness facilities has been recognised with it securing two major awards at the 2021 Aquatics and Recreation Victoria (ARV) Awards.

The Peninsula Aquatic Recreation Centre (PARC) won top honours with the Health Club of the Year while Peninsula Leisure employee, Pru Drago, was recognised for her stellar work as the Personal Trainer of the Year.

Advising that the recognition is great reward for the hard-working Peninsula Leisure staff, Frankston City Council and the local community, who warmly embrace the facility, Peninsula Leisure Chief Executive, Kath Thom stated “we are so honoured and excited to be recognised as the state’s best health club here at PARC. This award is testament to the tireless hours put in by our staff and I would like to thank the entire Peninsula Leisure team for their stewardship of this amazing facility. You have demonstrated a consistent and unwavering focus from our goal to keep the community moving and active. Well done.”

PARC also won the Health Club of the Year award in 2019 and has adapted and improved its offering by including more opportunities to stay active during COVID, including PARC Your Way - a digital exercise platform which the community can access for free and online and outdoor personal training.

PARC’s Acting Health and Fitness Manager, Christine Rich, said that despite ongoing lockdowns, the hard work of the team continued to see high member satisfaction results, adding “we are so excited to be awarded the best health club, but we’re not a group to rest on our laurels. Work is already underway to improve our PARC Your Way offering and we are finding new ways to tailor our group exercise timetable and fitness appointments to ensure our visitors have the best experience as we help them on their personalised health journeys.”

Peninsula Leisure’s Drago was delighted to win the Personal Trainer of the Year Award.

Drago has been a member of the PARC staff team since August 2014, working across several departments, using her skills as a caring, knowledgeable and welcoming fitness professional.

A key driver of PARC’s ever-popular 8 Week Challenge and Small Group Personal Training membership, she pivoted during COVID to offer her excellent personal training programs online, in the centre and outdoors.

Commenting on receiving her Award, Drago stated “I really can’t believe it … what an honour.

“In what was a really challenging year for us all to be recognised and take out these awards is so incredible.

“I feel extremely lucky to be a part of our incredible team at Peninsula Leisure.”

Peninsula Leisure will celebrate with the community at a complimentary Year of Health event in March.

Peninsula Leisure is a subsidiary company wholly owned by Frankston City Council and is charged with the management of Council’s two aquatic facilities, Peninsula Aquatic Recreation Centre and Pines Forest Aquatic Centre.

Presented last weekend, the ARV Industry Gala Awards recognise and reward outstanding achievement and commitment to Victoria’s aquatic and recreation industry.

The full list of winners of the 2021 ARV Awards:

Customer Service Award presented by Master Pool Builders Association Australia
Rhiannon Galea -  Aquapulse (Western Leisure Services)
 
Membership Sales Award presented by Myzone
Olivia Carter - Active Monash
 
Duty Manager Award presented by Bluefit
Alexie Barlow - Aquapulse, Western Leisure Services
 
Most Valuable Employee Award presented by Commercial Aquatics Australia
Lisa Ridgewell - Echuca War Memorial Aquatic Centre
 
Pool Lifeguard Award presented by Life Saving Victoria
Marcus Colla - Aquapulse, Western Leisure Services
 
Swim Teacher Award presented by AUSTSWIM
Di Henriksen - Camberwell Grammar School
 
Swim Teacher for Infants, Babies and Preschool Award presented by Autocoach
Robyn Gosbell - Yarra Leisure
 
Swim Teacher for People with a Disability presented by Belgravia Foundation
Louise Tilley - Knox Leisureworks - Belgravia Leisure
 
Course Presenter Award presented by Aquatics and Recreation Victoria
Claudia Stewart - Glen Eira Sports and Aquatic Centre
 
Swim School Award presented by Perfect Gym
Sunshine Leisure Centre
 
Watch Around Water Award presented by Life Saving Victoria
AquaPulse - Western Leisure Services
 
Emerging Leader Award presented by Otium
Emma Lowe, Belgravia Leisure

Outstanding Contribution to the Industry presented by the Beaurepaire Family
Martin Sheppard - Smart Connections Consultancy
 
Innovative Program Award presented by Aligned Leisure
Virtual Y - the Y
 
Marketing and Communications Award presented by Gradient Advanced Technologies
Brimbank Leisure Centres Digital Transformation - Brimbank Leisure
 
Sustainability Award presented by Sunbather
Brimbank Leisure Centres
 
Group Exercise Instructor Award presented by Novofit
Yaleika Ariza - Active Monash
 
Personal Trainer Award presented Life Fitness
Pru Drago - Peninsula Leisure
 
Health Club of the Year Award presented by Technogym
Peninsula Leisure

Community Impact Award presented by the Y
Keenager’s Table Tennis - Yarra Centre
 
Facility Management of the Year - Seasonal presented by UPR Plumbing
Colignan Swimming Pool - Aligned Leisure
 
Facility Management of the Year - Small presented by UPR Plumbing
Lakes Entrance Aquadome
 
Facility Management of the Year - Medium presented by Roejen Services
Mildura Waves Aquatic and Leisure Centre - Aligned Leisure

Facility Management of the Year - Large presented by Roejen Services
Highly Commended - Monash Sport - Monash University
Winner - Glen Eira Sports and Aquatic Centre

Images: The Peninsula Aquatic Recreation Centre (top), Peninsula Leisure Chief Executive Kath Thom (middle) and ARV Personal Trainer of the Year Pru Drago (below).