L-R: Royal Life Saving's Trent Hotchkin, Greg Tate and Peter Leaversuch, Jeff Fondacaro, Royal Life Saving WA President Ross Peters, Beatty Park Manager Dale Morrissy, Royal Life Saving's Angela Carey and LIWA Executive Officer Tony Head

Royal Life Saving Society WA Board Member receives industry honour

Royal Life Saving Society WA Board Member Jeff Fondacaro was honoured this week, at the WA Sport and Recreation Industry Awards.

Jeff has worked in the aquatics industry since 1976; moving to WA in 1988, and has worked at numerous aquatic centres during this time. He is currently employed at the Beatty Park Leisure Centre as the Assistant Manager Aquatics and Operation Services, and is the President of the Leisure Institute of WA. He’s served on the Royal Life Saving Society WA Board since 2006 and is a valued member of our lifesaving community.

The WA Sport and Recreation Industry Awards honour the best of the best in our state’s sport and recreation community, and this year’s awards ceremony was held at the State Reception Centre in Kings Park.

The awards are handed out across 10 categories; including participation, volunteer support, community and professional events, and infrastructure planning and design.

Jeff Fondacaro was one of two people to receive one of the most prestigious awards at the event, the John Graham Award, named after a man who shaped the direction of sport and recreation in our state in the 1970s and 80s as the leader of the Department of Sport and Recreation.

The award is presented to a person who has contributed exceptional service to the sport and recreation industry over a long period of time, and Jeff was a worthy winner alongside Mike Allenby, former chairman of the WA Sports Federation.

Minister for Sport and Recreation Mia Davies said; "The deep passion these men have for sport and recreation contributes to keeping the industry vibrant and active. Both winners have each contributed extensively to the sport and recreation community for more than 40 years, both professionally and personally.”

Royal Life Saving Society WA President Ross Peters has honoured Jeff by saying; “You deserve to be very proud of this achievement and Royal Life Saving Society WA is very fortunate to be able to have you give of your valuable time to serve on our board, congratulations.”

We thank Jeff for his valued service to our organization over the past 10 years, and his service to the WA Aquatics Industry for almost 30 years.