Hurry - don't miss out on being part of SPASA Victoria's huge Awards of Excellence program in 2018.

If you'd like to increase your chances of winning, enter the categories that receive fewer entries! Email Rose to find out which categories they are This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

If you haven't sent in your entry forms yet, what are you waiting for? We've got less time this year so get your entries in quick!

Categories & Conditions Booklet
Awards Category Entry Forms HERE

Did you know that the MC at our MCG Gala night this year will be Winter Olympic gold medallist Steven Bradbury? He's not to be missed. You just have to be at our Awards night this year!

All entries must be received by 5pm Thursday 29th March. Hurry - don't miss out! Only 4 weeks to go! Got a question? Call Rose on 9501 2040.

VBA Consults SPASA Victoria on Temporary Fencing After Toddler Fatality

SPASA CEO, Brendan Watkins will be meeting with DELWP & the VBA to provide advice regarding the safety and compliance of temporary pool fencing after the tragic death of a toddler in NSW.

This meeting, to be held on 13th March, is in response to a Coronial inquest into the death of Gosford toddler, Jake Rhodes, who died in hospital on 17 January 2014, a day after he was found face down in an unfinished fibreglass pool in Pimlico south of Ballina. The inquest has brought to light the ongoing issue of non-compliant temporary pool fencing - during the construction of fibreglass pools - and feedback collated by the ongoing Victorian joint-regulator ‘Build Aware’ site visit program.

SPASA has been invited by the VBA to collaborate on the drafting of a Practice Note that will provide some practical  ‘common sense’ guidelines for builders who find the current rules - compelling builders to have their temporary barrier to comply to AS1926 - unworkable.

Read the article in full HERE See also related articles HERE, HERE and HERE

Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS)

Builder members should also be aware the current RIS includes an intent by the Planning Minister to introduce two additional inspections to all Victorian constructions, not just pool builds.

With less than 300 registered Victorian building surveyors, and with that number decreasing each month, building industry stakeholders are dismayed at the ability of surveyors to meet new regulatory demand, not to mention the increased cost burden to consumers.

An announcement on the current RIS is expected shortly, by Minister Wynne. This will finalise the position of government with relation to the controversial ‘retrospective barrier legislation’ vs the key industry stakeholders position advocating for a Mandatory Barrier Inspection program. 

See the full SPASA Pool & Spa Advocacy Campaign HERE

The only thing that's for certain today is that 2018 will see an unprecedented reformation of pool builder regulation that will impact both Victorian pool builders and pool owners alike.

Members with concerns relating to these issues are invited to contact Marita or Brendan on 9501 2040. 

Our 2018 Training sessions are booking up fast! We recommend you book in now to avoid disappointment.

Here's what's coming up:

• FREE Houzz Webinar - Online Marketing: A Masterclass - Tuesday 6th March 10am - 11am RSVP HERE
• FREE SPASA Builder Contract Training (Restricted & Builder Members only) - Wednesday 7th March 11.30am - 1pm This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
• FREE Houzz Webinar - Build Your Professional Profile with Houzz - Tuesday 13th March 10am - 11am RSVP HERE
• FREE ProTrade United Business Success Webinar - How to Hire Quality Staff in a Shrinking Talent Pool - Tuesday 13th March 6.30pm - 7.30pm RSVP HERE
• SPASA Industry Training - Portable Spa Technician - Thursday 15th March 9am - 4pm This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
• FREE SPASA Industry Learning with Rowena Thiele of AB Phillips - A Business Health Check Luncheon (ACC) - Wednesday 21st March 12:30pm - 2pm Lunch included! This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
• FREE SPASA Industry Learning - Succession Planning with Greg Johnson of Ascend Business Partners - Wednesday 28th March 9.30am – 12.30pm This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
• SPASA Industry Training - Hydraulics - Thursday 5th AND Friday 6th April 9am - 4pm This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

For further details, please see our 2018 Training Program

Plus, SPASA Members can still enjoy a 20% discount on all AVELING online courses. Contact Marita Callanan at marita@spasavic.com.au to obtain the SPASA Member discount code, then login to your discounted course. You can find the AVELING online course brochure HERE

With a mix of face-to-face, on-line and webinar learning, we've got all bases covered. Book in early so you don't miss out. Lock your training dates in now!  For more information visit our Industry Training Program page HERE  Got a question? Call Kathryn on 9501 2040 or email kathryn@spasavic.com.au

Dick Hearn of Flowtech Leak Detection Services using his newly won iPadOur 2018 Member Survey results are in. We are happy to report that we have a 92% member satisfaction rate!

Here are just some of the things our members had to say about SPASA Victoria:

"It's the best run association in the country. They always keep you up to date with all the latest industry news, regulatory changes and trends"
"SPASA Vic provides us with ongoing training and the ability to meet and advertise to potential clients"
"Great information and articles"
"Contracts are easy and the exposure is very useful"
"Great for industry information, advice and representation"
"SPASA does a good job of improving and supporting the industry"

We note that issues on regulation changes and training certification continue to be topics of great interest amongst members. We will endeavour to address these issues over the coming year and we look forward to reporting back on our progress along the way.

Congratulations to Dick Hearn of Flowtec Leak Detection Services for winning the iPad for his participation! Did you know that Dick is actually a double winner? He is currently a reigning champion, having taken out the Gold award for SPASA Training High Achiever of the Year in 2017.

Well done Dick. Keep up the good work and continue enjoying the member benefits that SPASA Victoria has to offer!

SPASA Victoria's annual Chris Dorrity Memorial Golf Day has remained a favourite event amongst our Members. 

Whether you're an amateur or a serious golfer, this is a great day out! Everyone has fun, and most importantly, you'll have the opportunity to socialise and network with others in the industry. We're even offering Ladies-only teams this year!

Our annual Golf Day will be held on Friday 20th April, and once again at the magnificent Southern Golf Club Keysborough situated in the heart of the sand belt region of Melbourne’s South-East.

Southern Golf Club - Lower Dandenong Rd, Keysborough​

This year - with thanks to SPASA's Platinum Partner AB Phillips - we will again offer a $600 prize to the team winning the 'Nearest the Pin' on hole 16!​

7am - Registrations with Egg & Bacon Breakfast
8am - Tee Off - Shotgun Start
12.45pm - Lunch & Presentations
2:00pm - Finish (approx)

For more information, see our 2018 Chris Dorrity Memorial Golf Day flyer with Entry Form HERE

You've gotta be in it to win it. Send your team registration form in to marita@spasavic.com.au. We'll see you on the green!

The value and number of building permits reported to the Victoria Building Authority (VBA) in 2017 was at record levels, with a total of 112,882 permits issued for work valued at $35.8 billion.

At $35.8 billion, the value of building permits was 11.7 per cent or $3.8 billion above last year’s record total of $32.0 billion. It means that in the past decade, the value of building permits in Victoria has doubled from $18 billion reported in 2007. The previous highest number of building permits issued in Victoria was 112,420 in 2010. The 2017 total is 2.9 per cent higher than the number for 2016.

Read more in the VBA Media Release HERE

When you reform an Act of Parliament, it is important to get it right and avoid 'tossing the baby out with the bath water.'

As in a game of chess, every move must be thought through with due consideration given to likely consequences. This is not entirely unlike the process of drafting a contract for a large commercial building project.

Seasoned law reformers, who must have a strong track record, be independent and able to engage with policy makers in a candid manner, need to be engaged.

So too should key stakeholders, who should ideally have a degree of ownership in the process. A case in point was the Building Act introduced in the mid-1990s. Despite these changes having been the most radical in history, industry, consumers, insurers and local government were all “on board” and the legislation passed in a seamless manner.

Read this article in full HERE

According to a recent research study conducted within the nation of Australia, swimming is identified as the continent’s most popular sport.

Aligned with the upcoming Commonwealth Games slated for the Gold Coast in April, researchers gathered data on participation levels across all Commonwealth Games sports, with more than 9.3 million Australians regularly or occasionally participating in at least one sport.

Independent research outfit ‘Roy Morgan Research’  found more Australians participate in swimming more than any other sport. In all, over 6 million Australians have swum either regularly or occasionally over the last 3 months. For perspective, basketball participation was measured at one million, golf at 1.5 million Australians, and tennis at 1.4 million participants. Of the 6 million swimmers, 3.45 million were women and 2.58 million were men.

Read this article in full HERE

In association with SPASA Victoria, AB Phillips would like to invite you to a Business Health Check luncheon.

AB Phillips expert accountant Rowena Thiele will show you how to conduct a financial health check of your business and take steps to foster its success.

12.30pm - 2pm Wednesday 21st March 2018

SPASA Training Centre
OMNICO Business Centre
Level 1, Building 10
270 Ferntree Gully Road, Notting Hill

Places are limited. To secure your place please RSVP to Koula This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by 14th March.

AB Phillips exclusive Business Health Check luncheon invitation

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.What happens in the event that my tools and/or equipment are stolen from site or office/factory carpark or the driveway of my personal property?

A tools of trade policy will provide you with cover if your portable tools are stolen from a vehicle or locked worksite. This policy requires that any vehicle used to carry the goods or worksite used to store the goods be securely locked when unattended. This policy can be extended to cover electronic items such as laptops, tablets and mobile phones and can also be upgraded to settle claims on replacement value rather than indemnity value.

It's important that you understand the ‘fine print’ of each policy that you have. I will take my time and explain what everything means, so that you can be confident you have the right coverage and understand the requirements behind it.

Feel free to give Sarah Gardiner-Smith a call to discuss any of your insurance needs.

SPASA Victoria is also very excited to announce that we have struck a long term sponsorship agreement with AB Phillips! They will continue to be SPASA Platinum Partners into the future and we look forward to working with them on all insurance-related matters for the benefit of our members.

Sarah Gardiner-Smith  |  Manager, Construction & Trade Department
Dip Fin Serv (Insurance Broking); QPIB
p: 03 8586 9333  d: 03 8586 9363  m: 0424 781 856  
e: sarahg@abphillips.com.au   w: www.abphillips.com.au 

Maroondah City Council recently advertised their new reporting facility for anyone who has become aware of an inadequately fenced pool or spa.

This new 'Request Service' page can be accessed HERE

SPASA Victoria also has a lawyer-drafted template for members to report potential safety breaches to consumers / pool & spa owners, stored in the Members area of our website:

Site Visit Safety Notice

The association recommends this text be copied onto your own letterhead and site visit dockets. We strongly suggest you obtain the pool/spa owners signature as evidence of receipt. 

SPASA cautions members that this template may not be exhaustive. Members should always seek independent legal advice relating to their specific situation. We all have a duty of care to report unsafe situations so please make use of all reporting facilities available.

Taking a plunge in cold water paid off for a 28-year-old man with chronic nerve pain.

A case study published in The BMJ tells the plight of a man who was debilitated by chronic pain 10 weeks after a successful surgery to curtail chronic facial flushing. This procedure involves cutting the nerves responsible for blushing, which are found in the chest.

Drugs weren’t working, the researchers write, and exercise seemed to make things worse, rendering his prescribed physical therapy program all but impossible.

Desperate for relief, the man - who had been a triathlete before his surgery - decided to go for an open-water swim. If nothing else, he thought, it would get his mind off the nerve pain for a little while. But after plunging into 51-degree water and swimming for just one minute, his pain vanished and didn’t come back.

Read this article in full HERE

What is it that makes you a nightmare to compete against? What is it about your swimming skill set that makes the biggest difference in your performance? What would it look and feel like if you strategized ways in which you could identify and utilize your unique super-strength in your upcoming championship meets? Imagine the ways in which this would give you a competitive advantage!

Known in the sport psychology and performance coaching field as a “super-strength” (Ludlam, 2016) this individualized and unique approach to competition has been shown to increase one’s overall confidence, drive, focus, and athletic performance (Linley, 2009; Biswas-Deiner, 2011; and Ludlam, 2017).  As an added plus, this awareness also makes your perceived weaknesses feel far less important. How does focusing on what’s wrong help anyway?

So, how do we go about identifying, building, and applying our “super-strength? Well, as always, I believe that your answers are already inside of you! Let’s discuss ways to shine some light on them.

Read this article in full HERE

The number of owner-builders in Victoria has reduced by 39%

This achievement is the result of new government enforcement - along with vocal industry bodies such as SPASA Victoria - who have campaigned against owner-builder activity for many years.

This reductive impact since 2016 can also be attributed to:

• the VBA's new policy restriction of one owner-builder project every five years
• a compulsory online assessment
• a requirement that owner-builders must use registered trades people to perform the work

The number of owner-builder certificates of consent issued over the previous three financial years is:

2016/17 – 5464
2015/16 – 8944
2014/15 – 8310

Between July and December last year, only 2973 were issued.

This is a great win for our industry and demonstrates the effectiveness of lobbying government by informed and ethical industry bodies.

The Federal Government is planning a crackdown on businesses that don’t pay their employees’ superannuation, with penalties ranging from hefty fines to 12 months imprisonment.

Under new laws proposed to come into force in July 2019, the new Single Touch Payroll program will apply to all employers requiring them to provide information on payments of employee entitlements.

This will allow the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) better access to real time information on an employer’s superannuation obligation, leading to earlier detection of non-payments.

The Government is also looking to introduce a Director Identification Number to help track directors who are not paying their employee superannuation obligations.

The draft legislation and supporting materials are now available for public comment.

You can read more HERE

Hot on the heels of being awarded 'Best Stand' at SPASA Vic's recent 2018 Pool & Spa + Outdoor Living Expo, The Pool Tile Company (TPTC) is now open for business in Victoria, with stock being held at Braeside and a full time territory manager on the road helping builders and their clients with tile selections.

Managing Director, Robert James says the company is delighted with the support received from the Victorian market since the middle of 2017.

“We decided to gauge the interest of Victorian pool builders by absorbing the freight cost from Brisbane to Melbourne from August 2017. This resulted in us having our best ever sales results outside of our home state of Queensland. Buoyed by this result, The Pool Tile Company joined SPASA Victoria and booked a stand at the show and gave out hundreds of samples at the Expo,” Mr James said. “Builders here have really taken to our vast range of ceramic and glass mosaics.”

The Pool Tile Company was started in 2003 as a one stop shop for pool builders. They source mosaics, pool coping and pavers, commercial pool tiles and walling from around the globe. Headquartered in Brisbane, the company currently employs 54 people.

The Pool Tile Company can be contacted on 07 3854 0462.

Do you ever feel like you’ve got too much to do and not enough time to do it?

As a small-business owner, your time is probably divided by managing all aspects of your firm, and you might feel that you’re simply stretched too thin.

Take a look at these tips to help you effectively hone your time management skills and increase your productivity.

Read this article in full HERE

Have you been getting missed calls from overseas numbers or people pretending to be from the Australian Taxation Office?

If yes, you're not alone.

Almost 40 per cent of scams in Australia are committed over the phone.

You should never trust a call from an unknown number. The consumer watchdog has some advice for people being caught out.

Read the full story HERE

SPLASH! Magazine have given our Summer Pool & Spa Expo a rave review.

Editor Chris Maher writes, 'SPASA Victoria has hailed their Melbourne summer consumer show as the second-highest grossing pool and spa consumer show ever held. Revenue raised was in excess of $920,000, just behind the highest revenue raiser – the 2013 Melbourne consumer expo at $932,000.'

Read this SPLASH! article in full HERE

As the calendar year comes to a close, many businesses are looking to just survive the Christmas crush and get through to the downtime usually associated with the holiday period. World class businesses not only manage their time and energy through to the break effectively, they also use it as a time to reflect on how their business performed through the year.

How do you know if your business won or lost during the year? You see, if you treat business as a game, and have a number of measurements (score) in place to determine whether your business was on or off track throughout the year it will be quite simple to tell. This could be any of the following:

• Number of completed jobs at a certain value
• Meeting gross profit targets
• Customer satisfaction score
• Overall net profitability for the business
• Employee retention
• Cash in bank after meeting current expenses
• Improvement in balance sheet ratio

These are simple scores that solid businesses keep track of regularly. On top of this, a quick review process should be completed so that you can finalise in your mind how the business performed and look at setting up the following calendar year for success.

Below is a simple process that you can follow:

Triple R (Review, Reflect, Respond)

Review - Ask the following three questions:

What worked/ what wins did we have? - Look at all the areas of the business where you made progress, achieved certain outcomes or succeeded in fulfilling initial goals.

What was missing/did not work? - Have a look at all the areas that caused you challenges, frustrations, or major inconveniences and, what was missing, that if it was present, would have made a difference.

If you could rewind the year, knowing what you now know, what would you do differently? - Hindsight is a wonderful thing and if you take on your learning throughout the year, mentally apply it to your business, it has you positioned to take advantage of your future situation.

Reflection

How did you perform as a business owner? How was your leadership? In all the roles that you play, how would you rate your performance? What opportunities do you have for improvement moving forward?

Respond

Looking forward into the new year, how will you apply your learnings to take a new or different action and ensure that your business is in an even better position in 12 months’ time.

Applying the above is the difference between running a business by default or running it by design. Default is where you have a break at Christmas, kick-off into the new year and simply replay the same year you have just had. Design is whereby you learn from the year and apply your learnings and increased awareness to the future and design an even better outcome.

For more tools and information on how to design an even better business, contact the team at PROTRADE United at 1300 767 774 or PROTRADEUnited.com.au

You may remember social media guru, Katherine Grace, who over the last 12 months has helped educate our members not only about social media, but also about digital marketing and time management?

Sadly for Katherine, her son Ryder was diagnosed with stage 4 high risk Nueroblastoma last year and has since been in intensive treatment to fight the disease.

Katherine's wish is to access a trial at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre in New York, a hospital known worldwide as the specialists in treatment neuroblastoma. The trial is to test a vaccine given over 12 months that aims to help the body recognise and fight potential developments of more cancer.

Katherine has set up a fundraising page called Ryder's Journey to raise money to allow Ryder to participate in this trial. You can read all about it HERE. 

Please feel free to support this worthy cause and drop Katherine a line of encouragement.

Member Benefits - Available to all Members in 2018

• AB Phillips - SPASA’s Risk Management, Insurance & Financial Services Provider
• Jeremy Johnson & Associates - Free Expert Legal Advice
• Expert OHS Advice - Paul House, ISSC
• 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

2018

SPASA Industry Learning - Houzz Webinar - Online Marketing: A Masterclass - Tuesday 6th March

SPASA Industry Training - Builder Contract Training - Wednesday 7 March

SPASA Industry Learning - Houzz Webinar - Build Your Professional Profile With Houzz - Tuesday 13 March

Board Meeting - Wednesday 14 March

SPASA Industry Training - Portable Spa Technician - Wednesday 15 March

SPASA Industry Learning - A Business Health Check (ACC) - Wednesday 21 March

SPASA Industry Learning - Succession Planning Workshop - Wednesday 28 March

Awards of Excellence Entries Close - Thursday 29 March

SPASA Industry Learning - Houzz Webinar - Houzz & Home Study - Tuesday 3 April

2018 Awards of Excellence Gala Dinner Bookings Open – Thursday 5 April

SPASA Industry Training - Hydraulics - Thursday 5 & Friday 6 April

Board Meeting – Wednesday 11 April

SPASA Industry Training - Pool Construction Essentials - Thursday 19 April

Chris Dorrity Memorial Golf Day - Southern Golf Club Keysborough - Friday 20 April

SPASA Industry Learning - Houzz Webinar - Houzz Profile Masterclass - Thursday 26 April

2018 Awards of Excellence Gala Dinner Bookings Open – Monday 30 April

SPASA Industry Learning - ProTrade United Business Success Webinar - Tuesday 1 May

SPASA Industry Training - Basic Chemistry - Tuesday 8 May

Board Meeting – Wednesday 9 May

ProTrade United Breaking the Mould Breakfast Workshop - Wednesday 10 May

SPASA Industry Training - Advanced Chemistry - Thursday 10 & Friday 11 May

SPASA Industry Learning - Employee or Independent Contractor - Wednesday 16 May

2018 Awards of Excellence Member Viewing - Tuesday 22 May

SPASA Industry Training – Pool Shop & Service – What Makes the Great Retailers Great – Wednesday 30 May

SPASA Industry Learning - OH&S Materials Made Easy - Thursday 7 June

Board Meeting – Wednesday 13 June

SPASA Industry Learning - ProTrade United Business Success Webinar - Tuesday 19 June

2018 Awards of Excellence Gala Night Dinner - Saturday 7 July

Board Meeting – Wednesday 11 July

SPASA Industry Learning - Houzz Webinar - Build Your Professional Profile With Houzz - Thursday 19 July

Country Chapter Visits (North and West Victoria)  - Monday 23 to Friday 27 July - Call Marita on 9501 2040 to book a visit

SPASA Industry Learning - Strategic Financial Planning for Your Business – Tuesday 31 July

SPASA Industry Training - Pool Construction Essentials - Thursday 2 August

SPASA Industry Training – Builder Contract Training – Wednesday 8 August

Board Meeting – Wednesday 8 August

Spa & Pool Show at MCEC (Winter Show) – Saturday 11 & Sunday 12 August

ProTrade United Breaking the Mould Breakfast Workshop - Wednesday 16 August

SPASA Industry Training - Hydraulics - Thursday 16 & Friday 17 August

SPASA Industry Learning - Ownership Thinking - Tuesday 4 September

SPASA Industry Learning - ProTrade United Business Success Webinar - Tuesday 4 September

SPASA Industry Learning - OH&S Materials Made Easy - Thursday 6 September

Board Meeting – Wednesday 12 September

Board Nominations Open – Friday 14 September

SPASA Industry Training - Basic Chemistry - Monday 17 September

SPASA Industry Training - Advanced Chemistry - Wednesday 19 & Thursday 20 September

Country Chapter Visits (North and East Victoria) - Monday 24 to Friday 28 September - Call Marita on 9501 2040 to book a visit

SPASA Industry Learning - Employee or Independent Contractor - Tuesday 25 September

Board Ballot Commences – Monday 8 October

Board Meeting – Wednesday 10 October

Board Meeting – Wednesday 14 November

2018 AGM – Wednesday 14 November

ProTrade United Breaking the Mould Breakfast Workshop - Wednesday 23 November

SPASA Industry Learning - ProTrade United Business Success Webinar - Tuesday 4 December

Board Meeting – Wednesday 12 December

2019

Pool & Spa Expo + Outdoor living - Friday 1 - Sunday 3 February

Spa & Pool Show at MCEC (Winter Show) - Saturday 10 & Sunday 11 August