North-West aquatics industry gathers for annual LIWA Seminar

22 May 2018

Last week Royal Life Saving WA joined with the Leisure Institute of WA, the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries and the Shire of Exmouth, to present the 22nd Annual North West Pool Managers Aquatics Seminar at the Paltridge Memorial Swimming Pool in Exmouth.Delegates at the LIWA North-West seminar sitting listening to a presentation

The event is held to provide professional development opportunities for those working in the aquatics industry in WA’s north-west, highlighting issues relevant to aquatic centres in the region. Each year it also provides a great opportunity to share the knowledge and information that exists throughout the regions and the aquatic industry as a whole.

Remote Pool Managers gathered by the Pool at ExmouthThe aim is to ensure that aquatic facilities in regional WA remain the focal point of the community, and are run in a safe and professional manner.

Last week’s seminar included a professional development day specifically for the managers from Royal Life Saving WA’s six remote aboriginal swimming pools. Trevor & Adele from Fitzroy Crossing, Mel from Burringurrah, Dave from Jigalong, Jamie from Warmun, Bernie from Bidyadanga and Sandy from Yandeyarra came together on the Thursday for their annual workshop.Remote Pool Managers completing their Pool Lifeguard requalification doing rescue drills in the pool at Exmouth

The managers completed their Pool Lifeguard requalification, and also took part in a professional development session on working in confined spaces. This type of training is vital in assisting the managers as they complete the technical aspects of maintaining the pools in their remote communities.

The following day saw Pool Managers and other staff from right across the North-West aquatic industry gather for a full-day seminar, where experts presented information on a range of relevant topics.
Some of the highlights of the days included a presentation by Paul Astachiw from Ixom, who conducted a workshop discussing safe handling of Chlorine Gas and other chemicals in an aquatic environment, while Royal Life Saving WA CEO Peter Leaversuch presented on facility evacuation.

Four men gathering in a pool pump house, looking at equipmentMr Leaversuch also conducted a session discussing the latest trends and developments from industry research that has been conducted by Royal Life Saving WA on behalf of LIWA Aquatics, while Royal Life Saving WA Research Project Officer Ashley Ridge gave attendees an insight into the successes of the Swim for Fruit program, which is conducted at a range of regional and remote swimming pools across WA, to encourage healthy eating and swimming education.

We’d like to thank all those who attended the event, and we look forward to seeing the continued development of the aquatics industry across regional areas of WA in the coming year.