Resilience the key to WynActive’s ARV award success

WynActive Chief Executive Alison Dixon has praised the organisation’s resilience and industry leadership after winning four Aquatics and Recreation Victoria (ARV) 2021 awards on Friday 28th January.

The haul was crowned by a record fifth consecutive Watch Around Water award at the AquaPulse facility with Dixon saying it was great recognition for both the dedication of staff and the significant financial investment made to ensure effective water safety messaging.

She advised “I could not be any prouder of the resilience and dedication demonstrated by staff, management and the entire WynActive organisation over a hugely challenging year. The award success in multiple categories is an extraordinary achievement in such circumstances. It underlines the initiative and leadership we strive to maintain,” she said.

WynActive, which manages three Wyndham Council recreation facilities, has invested more than $14,000 in Watch Around Water initiatives through the application of human resources and promotional programs since 2020.

Dixon noted “we first nominated for this award in 2017 and have held it ever since. It’s a remarkable achievement and testimony to our ongoing commitment to aquatic safety across the community.”

Three individual ARV awards were presented to WynActive team members in the Customer Service, Duty Manager and Pool Lifeguard categories.

Rhiannon Galea’s ability to understand and relate to the local community, together with sharp attention to detail, saw her named as the Customer Service Award winner. Her colleague, Alexie Barlow, who has been with WynActive since 2016 and is renowned as a problem solver, won the award for Duty Manager.

The final award, Pool Lifeguard of the Year, was taken out by Marcus Colla who joined the organisation in June 2015 and worked across several departments as a Swim Teacher, Services Team member and Lifeguard before moving into the position of Leading Lifeguard and Centre Care Manager.

WynActive General Manager Aquatic Facilities, Barry Harrison, said that the ARV awards acknowledged the effort and commitment demonstrated by, not only the winners, but the entire WynActive staff team.

Harrison stated “everyone involved in the recreation and leisure industry knows just how hard it has been over the past two years and being able to celebrate the efforts of our often unsung heroes - our staff - is tremendous.

“I congratulate all those nominated for awards and really want them to know that, without their unwavering dedication, we would not be able to support the Wyndham community the way we now can.”

All WynActive centres are open under COVID-safe guidelines.

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Images: AquaPulse won the Watch Around Water award for the fifth consecutive year (top) and ARV Duty Manager of the Year, Alexie Barlow (below). Credit: WynActive.