2017 MCG Awards of Excellence Gala Night
Melbourne’s iconic MCG was alight on Saturday night as winners of the 2017 SPASA Awards of Excellence were announced.
With more than 430 industry stakeholders in attendance, the SPASA Awards of Excellence Gala night is the most anticipated event on the Victorian calendar.
A total of 40 Awards of Excellence categories made up the SPASA Awards of Excellence program, including major awards Product of the Year and Remco Pool of the Year.
Life Membership was awarded to Gary Kilworth of Out From The Blue. Here's what he had to say:
"What a great Gala night! Receiving life membership gives me a real sense of pride in what I have achieved personally and is reflective of the culture we have at OFTB. It’s a team effort given the work we have all put in to helping others in the industry over the journey. It was great to see all the winners and the fresh names. The industry and the Association is in good shape and heading in a direction I feel very comfortable with. Thank you - I love you all." Gary Kilworth
The 2017 Remco Pool of the Year was awarded to Apex Pools & Spas
while the 2017 Product of the Year went to Sunbather for their Commercial DownUnder + Superslave Cover System
Hosted by popular entertainers Rusty Berther and Mike McLeish, guests were treated to songs and comedy by the duo ‘Rusty and Another Guy’. A total of 71 Gold and Highly Commended awards were presented to well deserving SPASA members.
SPASA President John D'Arcy congratulated all winners and stated, “This year’s entrants demonstrate excellence across the board and prove that SPASA members truly are leaders within the Australian industry. The calibre of entries just gets better year after year".
Melanie Courtney, CEO of Kidsafe Victoria, spoke about SPASA's sponsorship of Kidsafe's 'Closing the Gate on Backyard Drownings' campaign and congratulated SPASA on the advocacy work done on our Mandatory Barrier Inspections campaign over recent years.
With sumptuous food prepared by renowned caterer Epicure and images of all award entries prominently displayed up in lights on the MCG scoreboards, a fabulous night was enjoyed by all. Many thanks to our sponsors and members for their wonderful involvement in the 2017 Awards of Excellence.
Thank you to all who atended our Awards of Excellence Gala Night at the MCG. We'd love to know what you thought of our event.
Please let us know by filling in a short survey to let us know how we can do it even better next time.
Take the 2017 Awards of Excellence Gala Night Survey HERE
Plus, you'll go into the draw to win a $200 SPASA credit note if you respond before 5pm on Monday 7th August.
We value your feedback. Please respond now. Thank you for participating!
A full list of award winners can be found HERE
2017 SPASA Spa & Pool Show
It's on this weekend! August Sat 12th - Sun 13th at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre.
For last minute stand bookings contact Conrad on 9596 9205 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. now.
Any members wanting 2 x free tickets can contact Marita on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
We'll see you there!
Thinking of Becoming an Owner Builder, or Working for One? – Think Again!
Public Owner-Builder Register Now Active.Did you know that since 1 September 2016, the VBA has maintained an Owner-Builder Register on their website? This Public Register lists each and every project including construction of swimming pools, spas and the respective safety barriers, post 1 September 2016, where an Owner-Builder has successfully completed an online "e-learning assessment" and been granted a Certificate of Consent. This allows potential purchasers to establish whether a property was the subject of an Owner-Builder project post September 2016. This information could be useful for Pool Builder Members who may be approached to undertake further work on the property.
Considering working for an Owner-Builder?
SPASA Pool Builder Members are reminded of SPASA Victoria's policy announcement of October 2015 regarding Owner-Builder work. In short, "SPASA Victoria Pool Builder Members cannot install Owner-Builder pools unless it can be proven that such works are for the intended legitimate purpose (i.e. their own pool)". This policy ensures that consumers will achieve the best possible outcome when seeking a constructed or installed pool or spa, and will be more likely to utilise the services of a SPASA Victoria Pool Builder Member.
In light of changes to Building Act 1993 which came into effect on 1 July 2017, it is now an offence for an Owner-Builder to engage a builder to complete domestic building work unless the builder holds the appropriate building registration to undertake the work.
Strategic Financial Planning for Your Business with AB Phillips
If you missed our Strategic Financial Planning session with Rowena Thiele from AB Phillips last week, have a look through the presentation slides to discover a number of strategies you can implement to unlock the value in your business operations to create personal wealth.
AB Phillips showed attendees how it's possible to contribute an additional $1.415 million to superannuation without affecting your non-concessional and concessional super contribution caps.
If you’re uncertain whether your current insurance is adequate, want to compare rates or package all policies into a common anniversary, contact Sarah Gardiner-Smith or Mark Van Der Haar on 1300 242 136 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. You can also visit abphillips.com.au
Strategic Financial Planning for Your Business with AB Phillips
Significant 1 July Changes That May Affect Your Business
As a result of two elections (federal and state) and a federal Budget within the last twelve months, small business owners now have a raft of new legislation and Budget initiatives – all taking effect from 1 July 2017.
Check out the changes, see what applies to you and how to take advantage of it:
FREE SPASA Contract Training - 9th August 11.30am - 1pm
Come along to the SPASA office to find out all you need to know about SPASA Domestic Building Contracts.
Ask any questions, gain a better understanding of your rights & obligations, and limit your liability where possible.
When: Wednesday 9th August, 11.30am - 1pm
Where: SPASA Office, Building 10, Level 1, 270 Ferntree Gully Rd, Notting Hill
Hurry! As places are limited.
Important Domestic Building Construction Contracts Advice
The Victorian Court of Appeal in early July handed down a judgment confirming that builder practitioners must strictly follow the correct process in the progress payment schedule. The builder in this matter was unable to enforce their progress payments. An attempt by the builder to terminate the contract due to unpaid progress claims was found to be invalid by the Court. The owner had failed to sign in acknowledgement for payments. The builder had argued that initials at the bottom of the page was sufficient to show that the owner agreed to the progress payments, but this argument was not accepted by the Court.
Pool Builder and Restricted Members are reminded to have consumers initial all of the clauses referred to in 7 places on page 9 of the SPASA Victoria contracts in the Section marked “WARNING: CHANGES TO PRICE”.
For general contract questions, please call Jeremy Johnson on 9938 1228. SPASA Victoria members are entitled to one free hour of advice from Jeremy.
Members are also welcome to have an initial conversation with Marita Callanan on any matters relating to SPASA Contracts on 9501 2040.
Faulty Glass a Danger to the Australian Public
On July 2, pedestrians on a street in the inner northern Melbourne suburb of Carlton were shocked when glass shattered and fell only metres from them after an apartment balcony exploded without warning – the second such collapse which had happened at the complex in a matter of weeks.
A similar event happened in Brunswick last year.
Whilst cladding has taken most of the attention following the Grenfell tragedy, issues associated with other products such as glass which fail to meet standards required under the National Construction Code pose a serious threat to public safety.
Unfortunate Backlog at DBDRV
Since its inception in April 2017, the independent government agency designed to settle building disputes the DBDRV – has experienced unprecedented demand for its free services from both consumers and registered builders. This has caused a backlog in the assessment of matters to be resolved.
Many of the applications are made by consumers who believe that the builder is not responding in a timely enough fashion to their concerns. It’s recommended that members continue to be responsive to matters brought to their attention by consumers in the interest of quickly resolving them and therefore avoiding the need for conciliation and DBDRV involvement.
If members feel that a delay in conciliation – due to the backlog of DBDRV matters to be assessed - may escalate a dispute and invite the possibility of the termination of a contract then when making an online application, an applicant can include a comment in the “Further Comments” section of the DBDRV application.
For more information and advice, members can call the Building Information Line on 1300 55 75 59 between 9.00am – 5.00pm Monday to Friday.
SPASA is interested in members experiences with the DBDRV, all reports are not positive at this stage, please contact Marita on 9501 2040 to feed back your experience.
Insolvency in the Australian Construction Industry
The construction industry is a large and dynamic field, accounting for 5.7 per cent of Australia’s GDP, according to the HIA Window into Housing.
The industry, however, is also ranked second for insolvencies, according to March 2017 ASIC insolvency statistics, and represents 16.72 per cent of Australian business insolvencies.
Causes of insolvencies are varied. A 2015 report by the Senate Economics References Committee noted that “Inadequate cash flow or high cash use, poor strategic management of the business and poor financial control, including a lack of record-keeping, accounted for the highest number of business failures.”
No Time For Time Management Training?
If you missed our 'Practical Time Management' session with Katherine Grace on Tuesday 25th July, slides of her presentation are now available below:
Practical Time Management by Katherine Grace of Elemental Solutions
- real life examples from the pool & spa industry on how to manage your time
- simple ways to win back time that you can use easily in everyday work
- when and how to delegate
- how to make sure you are in control and not your client
- making time for family
For more of SPASA's Industry Training and Learning sessions visit HERE
Sourcable Opinion Piece: Why the VBA Can't Cure the Building Industry
Wouldn’t it be nice if the VBA, the top building authority in Victoria (or their equivalent top authority in any state of Australia for that matter), got off their backsides and got down to basics to actually cure some of the enormous problems faced by the residential building industry today?
In an article in The Age on February 17, 2016, the director of the VBA Prue Digby was reported as saying that she “did not believe the high rate of cladding non-compliance proved that the regulator had failed.”
Well somebody has failed, and the serious problems faced in Victoria seem to be experienced in the other states too.
So it must be the federal government that is to blame. After all, they are responsible for our standard building codes including the National Construction Code.
But each state could have cured many of its serious problems individually, so they need to cop the blame too.
Ban On Excessive Payment Surcharges
Do you charge your customers to pay by card?
Soon there will be a limit on the amount you can charge your customers for paying with their card. To make sure you’re prepared you should start reviewing your surcharges now to ensure they aren’t excessive
There’s already a ban on excessive payment surcharges for big businesses. From 1 September 2017, the ban will be extended to all businesses.
This means that from September this year, it will be illegal to impose payment surcharges on your customers that are higher than your ‘cost of acceptance’. Your cost of acceptance is what it costs you to process a payment such as bank fees and terminal costs. But it doesn’t include your own costs like wages and utilities.
For example, if your cost of acceptance for Visa credit is 1 per cent you can’t surcharge more than 1 per cent on Visa credit card payments onto your customers. Of course, you’re not required to impose payment surcharges – that’s your decision. If you do not impose surcharges the new law won’t affect you. You can find out more in the media release we issued today. Our website also has guidance to help you understand the changes.
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC)
Don't Let Scammers Hold Your Data Hostage
When did you last update your computer security?
The ACCC is warning businesses to remain vigilant against scammers following another global ransomware attack.
Ransomware scams trick you into downloading a virus that infects your computer system and prevents you from accessing your data until you pay the scammer.
The new ‘Petya’ ransomware appears to operate in a similar way to last month’s ‘WannaCry’ attack and is being distributed via email, with a malicious attachment or link. Practical steps you can take now to protect yourself include:
- Update your computer’s operating system with the latest security patches – visit the Stay Smart Online website to find out how
- Don’t open emails or attachments from people you don’t know
- Make sure your computer’s firewall is on and your anti-virus and anti-spyware software is up-to-date
- Change passwords and backup your data regularly – store your backups offsite and offline.
You can keep up-to-date with the latest scams targeting small businesses by following @Scamwatch_gov on Twitter or visiting the SCAMwatch website.
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC)
Master Pools by MBUILD New Display Centre
Matthew Milnes and his staff at Master Pools by MBUILD are proud to reveal their stunning new display centre in Cranbourne West!
This project has been two years in the making and has already been fantastic for prospective customers to see the many options on offer through Master Pools.
Master Pools by MBUILD design and construct fibreglass swimming pools throughout Melbourne, particularly in Berwick, Beaconsfield, Emerald, Waverley, Rowville, Ferntree Gully and Bayside areas including Brighton, Sandringham, Hampton, Mentone, Parkdale and Bentleigh. Congratulations to Matt and his team!
Their new display centre is located 12 Latchford Street, Cranbourne West.
Consumers often call the SPASA office seeking pool displays / showrooms - if you have one and want to be added to our list - call Rose on 9501 2040.
Association Classifieds - Supreme Heating, Sales Representative, Victoria
Supreme Heating, Product Manager
An exciting opportunity exists with a market leading company to develop and grow an innovative specialised product in the renewable energy category.
As the Product Manager you will be responsible for development and sourcing, selling, pricing, negotiating, marketing, training to both B2B and B2C. You will need to have a good technical understanding of the product and be able to effectively communicate with people on all levels. You will have the ability and willingness to travel both domestically and internationally.
Your skill set will enable you to:
- Develop and implement product marketing plans
- Develop customer / distributor channels focused on increasing distribution, gaining competitive advantages and channel differentiation
- Develop product launch plans including sales training and communications
- Learn and develop the technical aspects of the product
- Source complimenting product including recognition and certification through the appropriate channels in order to gain government incentives
Your experience will demonstrate:
- A proven track record in sales and relationship management
- Experience as a Product Manager with sourcing, pricing and marketing
- Polished presentation and strong commercial acumen
- Experience working with distributors, manufacturers and end users
- Strong communication skills and the ability to present at all levels
The position is based at head office in Bundoora, Victoria and offers an opportunity to join the leadership group, an attractive salary package and a comfortable, family oriented environment.
Applications including resumes can be forwarded to: director@supremeheating.com.au
Association Classifieds - Supreme Heating, Construction Coordinator, Melbourne
Melbourne based pool heating company Supreme Heating requires the services of a competent, experienced and suitably qualified person to fill the position of Construction Coordinator.
Reporting to the Operations Manager, the position is based in Bundoora, Victoria.
Responsibilities of the role include but are not limited to:
- Schedule and coordinate new and existing work on a daily basis.
- Liaise with Service Department and coordinate work efficiently.
- Manage and provide leadership for installation and service personnel.
- Execute and deliver on construction plans and budgets.
- Develop and maintain product knowledge and keep continuously updated on products, legislative compliance and market developments.
- Oversee stock allocation to staff and contractors.
- Manage Warehousing Department to ensure efficient operations.
- Liaise with Senior Management and Sales Department to ensure superior service is provided.
The successful applicant will be dynamic, results orientated, professional and have:
- Experience in the Construction Industry.
- Strong customer orientation, good interpersonal skills with the ability to create rapport at all levels.
- Negotiation skills with the ability to resolve conflict situations.
- Proactive personality with ambition for success and ability to operate autonomously.
- Strong multi-tasking, organisational and management skills.
- Experience in Pool Industry advantageous.
- Capacity to work extended hours including weekends where necessary.
- Experience in the use of computerised information systems, including MS Office and internet.
- Demonstrated experience in the supervision of staff and an understanding of effective team leadership and management.
- Ability to be flexible and adaptable to changing priorities.
A suitable salary package inclusive of bonus scheme will be provided for the successful applicant.
To apply, please forward your application including resume to construction.vic@supremeheating.com.au
Off The Deep End - Featuring Our Newest SPASA Victoria Members
Joel Kean of Aqua Dreamz
I started in the concrete pool industry at 19 when I moved to QLD pursuing romance where my (now) wife is from. I had a friend who’s brother-in-law had a pool interior company with a position available. My work mainly consisted of full time acid washing, then mixing and troweling, and basic pool renovations. By sheer coincidence, my (now) father in-law was a pool builder and landscaper and my (now) brother-in-law is a steel fixer and shaper. I used to help them out occasionally.
Two years later I moved back to Melbourne and continued with the interior and pool renovations as a sub-contractor. A year later I began working with a builder, Nathan Rogers of Performance Pools, where I learnt a lot in a very short time. His knowledge of quality construction and hydraulics specifically was a key foundation to where I am now. Only 12 months was spent there before going back to interiors, which eventually led me starting up Aqua Dreamz in 2008. We are proud to say we acquired a 100% referral base after only 3 years in business.
In 2011 my parents sold their business and joined me, which enabled a true family business to evolve. We obtained our builders licence as soon as we discovered the limitations incurred without one, and this led to us slowly building a referral base of high quality pool construction division.
Our main focus points are on communication, with a strong emphasis on quality, honesty & professionalism. We currently cater for both new concrete pool construction and concrete pool renovations. Our new pools are generally highly functional, automated, self cleaning boutique pools with only 15 or so a year produced. Our renovations can accomodate for simple cosmetic works to major structural alterations and improvements.
Our point of difference, is our very personal approach with a great deal of pride in our work and a lot of client and contractor interaction. The salesman (myself) is Company Director and the key contact throughout the project. We are very approachable, pleasant on-site, punctual, presentable, clean and considerate, with OHS systems enforced. I personally enjoy developing a relationship with the new pool owners. It is a thrill to help them achieve their dream result.
We are based in Carrum Downs and service the CBD, Bayside, South East &Yarra Valley with emphasis on the Mornington Peninsula. We currently work with some of Melbourne's best landscape designers, landscapers, builders, contractors and suppliers.
We have an office at 5/32 Silkwood Rise, Carrum Downs.
https://www.instagram.com/aquadreamzpl/
https://www.aquadreamz.com.au/
SPASA Victoria New Members
We warmly welcome the following new members to SPASA Victoria:
Trading Name: PoolSafe Inspections Victoria
Principals or Directors: Brett Fitzmaurice
Membership Category:Professional
poolsafeinspectionsvictoria.com.au
Trading Name: EnGage Building Inspections
Principals or Directors: Jeanette Gage
Membership Category: Professional
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Trading name: W J Waller
Principal or Director: Bill Waller
Category: Pool Service
Trading name: Aqua Dreamz
Directors: Joel & Renee Kean, Claire & David Kean
Category: Pool Builder
Website: aquadreamz.com.au
Exclusive Benefits to SPASA Victoria Members
Member Benefits - Available to all Victorian Members in 2017
- AB Phillips - SPASA’s Risk Management, Insurance & Financial Services Provider
- Jeremy Johnson & Associates - Free Expert Legal Advice
- Expert OHS Advice - Jim Pashalidis, Australian OHS
- Career Dressing – Preferred Workwear & Corporate Clothing Supplier
- HR Central – Your People Management Professionals
- Online White Card Training with Aveling
- Houzz and SPASA – Free Profile-Building Website
See the full details of your Member Benefits here
2017 SPASA Calendar of Events
Board Meeting – Wednesday 9 August
SPASA Industry Training - Contract Training – Wednesday 9 August
SPASA Industry Training - Hydraulics - Thursday 10 & Friday 11 August
Spa & Pool Show at MCEC (Winter Show) – Saturday 12 & Sunday 13 August
SPASA Industry Learning - OH&S Materials Made Easy - Thursday 7 September
SPASA 2018 Advertising Offer Launch – Monday 7 September
Board Meeting – Wednesday 13 September
SPASA Board Nominations – Wednesday 13 September - Friday 29 September
SPASA Industry Training - Basic Chemistry - Monday 18 September
SPASA Industry Training - Advanced Chemistry - Wednesday 20 & Thursday 21 September
SPASA Board Ballot – Friday 6 October - Friday 3 November
Board Meeting – Wednesday 11 October
SPASA 2018 Advertising Offer Close – Friday 27 October
2017 AGM – Wednesday 8 November
Board Meeting – Wednesday 8 November
SPASA Board Nominations - Monday 13th November
Board Meeting – Wednesday 13 December
2018
Pool & Spa Show at MCEC (Summer Show) – Friday 2 - Sunday 4 February
Spa & Pool Show at MCEC (Winter Show) – Saturday 11 & Sunday 12 August