AusLeisure

Glen Eira Sports and Aquatic Centre was the big winner at the recent 2018 Aquatics and Recreation Victoria (ARV) Awards Night, securing three awards: the Facility Management Award for a year round (non-seasonal pool) while Libby Dewar won the Group Exercise Instructor Award with Rachel Engelhardt winning the Most Valuable Employee Award.

Held at Melbourne’s Peninsula Docklands venue, the 18th edition of the ARV Awards was a record-breaking instalment of the gala event, attended by over 750 guests representing over 65 industry organisations and councils, the most ever assembled for the event.

The black-tie ‘safari-themed’ event saw the presentation of 20 awards with the highlights including the 2018 Outstanding Contribution Award and the induction of Aquatics and Recreation Victoria’s two newest Life Members.

Hosted by Tony Jones from Channel 9, the evening acknowledged and celebrated outstanding achievements of individuals, programs and facilities within the Victorian aquatic and recreation industry over the previous 12 months.

Melbourne’s Peninsula Docklands ready for the 18th edition of the ARV Awards

Advising that the Award attracted 156 nominations, ARV Chief Executive Grant Connors said the response from the industry to support the awards was overwhelming, advising “this year’s event was simply a celebration of the incredible hard-working individuals that make our industry so great and the wonderful organisations that provide leading programs and facilities to Victorian’s of all ages and abilities.

“The number and level of nominations and the subsequent winners was of the highest calibre and the task of judging the winners by our panel of independent judges was a difficult one and I congratulate them all on a successful year and thank them for their contributions.

New ARV Life Members Tony Tranter and Karen Franceschini, centre, flanked by Andrew Hocking and Grant Connors.

ARV Chairman, Andrew Hocking, made the announcement of the Outstanding Contribution award and the induction of two Life Members, all who have made a significant impact on the industry over a long period of time.

Connors added “the Outstanding Contribution Award and Life Member induction is a highlight of the evening each year and on behalf of the Board, I extend my congratulations to Bruce Mackay form Western Leisure Services for his passionate and valuable contribution and to Tony Tranter and Karen Franceschini for their entry to Life Membership of the industry.”

Glen Eira Sports and Aquatic Centre (GESAC) took home the keenly contested and coveted award for the ‘Facility Management Award - Year Round Facility’ laying claim to being Victoria’s premium aquatic centre for the second time.

Acknowledging the significance of the Award, GESAC Centre Manager Paige Buse commented “winning the ARV Facility of the Year is so special for the GESAC team as it recognises all of the hard work and dedication that they have put in for the past year.

“It's so meaningful for the team to be recognised by their peers and established leaders in the industry. This award also demonstrates to our community that GESAC are committed to delivering a high standard of community first outcomes.”

2018 award winners:

2018 Outstanding Contribution Award - Bruce Mackay, Western Leisure Services (pictured below)

Duty Manager Award, sponsored by Sunbather - Gavin Skurrie, Leisurelink - City of Greater Geelong
Membership Sales Award, sponsored by Jonas Leisure - Luke Duray, WaterMarc – Belgravia Leisure
Pool Lifeguard Award, sponsored by Life Saving Victoria - Simon Rohan-Jones, Yarra Leisure
Customer Service Award, sponsored by CERM Performance Indicators (University of SA) - Anita Wilson, Kyneton Toyota Sports and Aquatic Centre
Swim Teacher Award, sponsored by ASCTA - Tabitha Cauchy, Peninsula Aquatic and Recreation Centre
Swim Teacher for Infants, Toddlers and Preschool Award, sponsored by Commercial Aquatics Australia - Karina Palmer, Ballarat Aquatic and Lifestyle Centre
Swim Teacher for Persons with a Disability Award, sponsored by Supreme Heating - Elaine Phillips, City of Kingston Leisure Centres
Swim School Award, sponsored by Peninsula Leisure - Melbourne City Baths
Watch Around Water Award, sponsored by Life Saving Victoria - AquaPulse, Western Leisure Services
Most Valuable Employee Award, sponsored by YMCA - Rachel Engelhardt, Glen Eira Sports and Aquatic Centre
Marketing and Communications Award, sponsored by Myzone - Splash Aqua Park and Leisure Centre
Innovative Program Award, sponsored by Belgravia Leisure - Y Streetball, North Melbourne Community Centre
Sustainability Award, sponsored by Roejen - Leisurelink Aquatic and Recreation Centre
Group Exercise Instructor Award, sponsored by YMCA - Libby Dewar, Glen Eira Sports and Aquatic Centre
Personal Trainer Award, sponsored by Technogym - Catherine Corbett, WaterMarc – Belgravia Leisure
Health Club Award, sponsored by Precor - Knox Leisureworks
Business Excellence Award, sponsored by Aligned Leisure - Sunbather Pty Ltd
Facility Management Award - Seasonal, sponsored by Roejen - Pines Forest Aquatic Centre
Facility Management Award - All Year 2018, sponsored by Roejen - Glen Eira Sports and Aquatic Centre
Course Presenter Award, sponsored by SPASA - Neroli Nixon

ARV's 2018 Industry Conference is being held in Melbourne on Thursday 20th and Friday 21st September.

Click here to view event details in the Australasian Leisure Management industry Calendar.

Top image shows the GESAC team at the 2018 ARV Awards.

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