Broome hosts annual LIWA regional seminar

Last weekend, Royal Life Saving WA partnered with LIWA Aquatics to deliver the annual regional LIWA Seminar in Broome. The event brought together 38 aquatic industry attendees from across the North West for a day of professional development, training and networking. 

The event offered a rare opportunity for professionals to step away from the day-to-day and engage with broader industry trends. 

Among those present were representatives from 11 remote Aboriginal communities. Speakers from Garnduwa, Broome Recreation & Aquatic Centre (BRAC), and the Department of Education WA joined in for workshops and panel discussions focused on recent updates in safety standards, community engagement strategies, and practical tools for facility management. 

Pool managers were also given the opportunity to put forward highlights from their own pool season in the “Around the Grounds” session, sparking conversations that aimed to share local knowledge, build skills, and strengthen operations across remote aquatic facilities. 

“This time was invaluable to update skills and share experiences with like-minded colleagues of the challenges and successes of working in the remote Aboriginal swimming pool program,” said Greg Tate, General Manager of Community Development. 

The event also honoured long-standing contributors to the sector: 

• Mark Hubbard, Operations Supervisor from BRAC was recognised for 10 years of dedicated service.
• Ian Chester, also an Operations Supervisor at BRAC was acknowledged for an incredible 20 years of service to the community and the aquatics industry. 

The Broome LIWA Seminar supports ongoing learning and connection for aquatic professionals working across North West WA. 

Thank you to our partners, event sponsors including the Shire of Broome and the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries, and all who attended and made this event such a success.