Once the delegates and guests were welcomed, the Vice President of Broome Shire Chris Mitchell officially opened the seminar and emphasised how important it was for the delegates to seize this opportunity to network and open some dialogue amongst each as they all shared the similar issues and problems.

Deb Mills and the team from BRAC then split the group and gave a run down and a tour of the Broome facility. There were many questions asked of the Broome staff and even though quite a few delegates had visited the facility before it is always great to have a look around another pool.

Rohan Gunton from the YMCA led us into our second presentation “Recruiting and Retaining Staff.” Staffing is a big issue for all of the industry but even more so for the North Westers due to distance and limited resources. Rohan had some excellent ideas and suggestions with his presentation which you can find along with the rest of the presentations on the new LIWA Aquatics web site.

Ash Crimmins and Chris Retallack from YMCA in Port Headland then presented an update on the very successful “Swim Through Life Program” they ran to encourage more lifeguards especially indigenous youth to get involved in the industry. Rob Munce the Manager of Training for Royal Life Saving then provided information on employment opportunities through traineeships and reviewed the Pool Operations and Pool Lifeguard Training Programs.

The group then broke into three for the workshop session, with each group spending fifteen minutes on each topic. Karin Kelly’s topic was on reading and understanding the Path Lab Water Test results. John East’s topic was a discussion regarding the change in the Health Department’s recommendation on managing faecal contamination. The final topic was discussing chemical handling and spill procedures and spill kits.

Following a great lunch which was sponsored by West Coast Shades, John East led us through a very informative power point on “How to Manage a Project.” John’s dot points are available on the LIWA web and would be very useful to all managers wether they are taking on a small or large project.

The next session was a walk through the LIWA Directory and how the directory can be used to access information on all the facilities through out Western Australia. There is access for the public to get the latest on your prices, hours

and activities then using your LIWA password you can delve deeper into the facilities information on the pool, plant and equipment. The second part of this presentation was to introduce the new Operation Manual that is being prepared in a generic format to cover all the latest requirements in the Code of Practice. It is envisaged that all LIWA members will have access to this manual and will be able to use it to form the basis for their own manual.

Karin Kelly then bought every one up to speed with what’s been happening with the Code of Practice Working group in particular review of Single Operated Pools and Contents of First Aid rooms. If you haven’t reviewed what required in your first aid room you should visit the LIWA web and have look at what Karin has listed we should have.

The latest information on “Watch Around Water” was presented by Lauren Nimmo from RLSS. Lauren does an amazing job with the program and we now have 75 pools across Australia using “Watch Around Water”. It is forging ahead and will one day lead to a national supervision program across Australia and give our industry a national focus and standard.

There was then a brief presentation to Josh Koontz (Exmouth) from LIWA Aquatics for his great support of the industry and the North West conferences. It was an excellent mini lap top which Josh was surprised and elated to receive.

The delegates were thanked for their participation in an enlightening seminar and thanks were also extended to the sponsors who generosity allows these seminars to happen. Thanks need to be expressed to the Shire of Broome and Deb Mills and her team at the Broome Aquatic and Recreation Centre who helped make the day run very successfully. The seminar was again jointly supported by The Department of Sport and Recreation the Royal Life Saving Society, the YMCA, Sigma Chemicals, West Coast Shade, Orica and Chadson Engineering.

The delegates were then invited to attend the LIWA Aquatics Seminar Dinner that was sponsored by both LIWA Aquatics and Sigma Chemicals. The dinner provided the over 40 guests a further opportunity catch up in a more social atmosphere and to have a few drinks.

The response regarding the seminar from all the delegates was very positive with some great feedback and suggestions for next year topics and venue. LIWA Aquatics is again here to help those in the Aquatics Industry wether in the city or regional centres to achieve a way of “Maintaining the Network”.

If you are not a member join now by going to Memebrship Section of the web site.

Chris Blankley

Vice President LIWA Aquatics