E-News February 2019

With the mercury hitting all-time records and a 41 degree day on the Sunday, the SPASA Victoria Pool & Spa + Outdoor Living Expo hit Melbourne with a bang.

Record dollars spent on TV, Radio, Billboards, Digital, Social and Print, ensured that everyone in Victoria knew the event was on.

Consumer engagement was our focus and this expo delivered in spades. Exhibitors were kept busy and consumers lingered longer than usual - enjoying what exhibitors had to offer and happy to be away from the heat outside.

The feature garden, expertly designed and built by MINT Pool + Landscape Design, was a spectacle to behold, with an incredible sculpture as the centerpiece of the garden.

The association is grateful for the contribution that every exhibitor made to our show, and because consumers were able to see innovative new products and speak with industry professionals, the industry continues to grow in the minds of the public.

We were fortunate to have some exceptional stands built by our members and this made the consumer experience much more engaging. It is easy to see the correlation between a beautifully designed and presented exhibitor stand and the number of consumers milling around and engaging with the exhibitor.

It is ultimately consumers who keep our industry thriving, as more pool and spa sales lead to a bigger and better industry.

It is with this objective in mind that your association will now turn its attention to the Spa & Pool Show in August, with the launch of our first Backyard & Garden Show to run alongside it.

These are exciting times for the swimming pool and spa industry in Victoria!

Please see the full gallery of photos from our 2019 Pool & Spa Expo + Outdoor Living HERE

Each year, SPASA Victoria showcases excellence in the swimming pool & spa industry through our exclusive member-only Awards of Excellence program.

These prestigious and highly coveted awards cover a range of categories from finished pool & spa installations to the latest product and equipment innovations. Awards include 'Gold' and 'Highly Commended' in each category.

Our Awards of Excellence program is designed to:

• Promote high achievement in design, construction, innovation & professionalism across the industry
• Encourage a high degree of competency & professionalism by members; and
• Provide a means & opportunity for consumers to quickly & easily identify Award winners

Winning a SPASA Award of Excellence is a fantastic marketing strategy that will build your reputation within the industry, provide your business with fabulous exposure, validate your expertise & capability - and let your customers, competitors and the general public know that you are an award winning professional and industry leader!

This year, we've got new judges on our panel and new award categories. You should have recently received a pack with our ‘Categories & Conditions’ booklet and list of relevant award entry forms. Entry to our prestigious Awards of Excellence is available exclusively to SPASA Members only. 

Plus, entering our Awards program is cheap and so easy! Your first entry is $250, with each additional entry costing $150 (all costs include GST). This year for the first time, entries can be done online with no printing necessary. Get your entries in now! Simply email suzy@spasavic.com.au with your completed entry and payment forms and you will receive a secure link to upload your high resolution files.

For Categories, Conditions & Entry Forms click HERE

All entries must be received by the SPASA office by 5pm Thursday 18th April 2019.

Got a question? Contact Suzy on suzy@spasavic.com.au

Good luck to all entrants – and may the best pool win!

SPASA Victoria's 2019 Member Advertising Offer is now Open!

The 2019 SPASA Victoria Member Advertising Pack is your annual marketing spend in one genuinely fabulous offer. You won't find better value anywhere!

Whether you're growing your business or protecting the reputation you've worked so hard to build, SPASA Victoria's advertising offer is for you. Let SPASA Victoria put you front and centre of your target audience.

This is the ultimate industry advertising package, offering you twelve months coverage across social, online, mobile and print advertising. SPASA Victoria advertising targets consumers and industry members who design, build and maintain high-value lifestyle pools and spas.  Consumers actively seek the credibility of SPASA Victoria members.

Did you know that SPASA Victoria has a 5 Star rating on Google?!

If you wish to advertise in 2019, click on the link below and complete the booking form:

SPASA Victoria Member Advertising Online Booking Form

Starting at $1,350 incl GST this exclusive member benefit includes:

• A premium listing in the 2019 SPASA Victoria Member Directory & Awards of Excellence Showcase publication
• A copy is handed to every visitor at SPASA Victoria Consumer Expos and available to download on SPASA Victoria website
• A premium online listing at spasavic.com.au The SPASA Victoria website now reaches 120,000 unique visitors each year with the most popular section being 'Find a SPASA Victoria Member'
• A premium listing in the SPASA Victoria Web App including image, logo & text
• Integrated social media marketing

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SPASA Victoria offers all those within the pool and spa industry the opportunity to attend our professional and highly regarded training courses through our industry-specific Training Program.

All training is presented by subject matter experts and is heavily subsidised by your association. Courses are designed and delivered in consultation with leading industry experts.

SPASA Victoria Training is recommended as an excellent investment in your business and is utilised by the most successful employers within the pool and spa industry. 

Take advantage of SPASA Victoria's training courses to help improve employee knowledge, efficiency and productivity.

The SPASA Victoria Training Program provides the framework for professional competency within the pool and spa industry and supports an ongoing drive to improve knowledge, skills and best practice. 

With a mix of face-to-face, on-line and webinar learning, we've got all bases covered. 

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

All members are encouraged to participate. Lock your training dates in now.

Download the SPASA Victoria 2019 Training Program with Booking Form HERE

Got a question? Call Kathryn on 9501 2040 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

SPASA Victoria's annual Chris Dorrity Memorial Golf Day remains a favourite event amongst our Members each year. 

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 our industry.

Our annual Golf Day will be held on Friday 5th April 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​

As usual, there wil be loads of prizes and giveaways. But you've got to be in it to win it! Don't miss out - REGISTER NOW!

See our 2019 Chris Dorrity Memorial Golf Day flyer with Entry Form HERE

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

We look forward to seeing you on the green!

All primary school children would have access to swimming lessons under a future Labor government, Bill Shorten has announced in response to a spate of summer drownings.

The opposition leader has committed $46m over the next four years to ensure all Australian children receive school-based swimming lessons.

“Aussies love swimming, but too many young people are growing up without learning sufficient water safety skills to keep them safe,” Shorten said on Sunday.

About one in five Australian children leave primary school unable to swim 50 metres.

Almost 250 people drowned in Australian waterways in the past year and one in five were aged under 25.

Read this article in full HERE

Having a swimming pool installed in your back yard used to be like getting a color television. Everyone wanted to come to your house and look at it.

But Duane Farwell, the owner of Farwell Pools in the Town of Cottage Grove, Wisconsin, said owning a pool has become more mainstream. According to the Association of Spa and Pool Professionals, 10.4 million homes had pools in 2017, and swimming is the most popular form of recreation for children 7-17. This is not to say the cost of a pool is cheap.

Duane said installation of an in-ground pool could run $40,000-60,000 not including annual maintenance costs. The job normally takes at least two weeks, unless the customer wants other amenities such as specialized landscaping and deck work. But the long-term benefits could be financially fruitful with the equity of the home perhaps rising tens of thousands of dollars.

Duane said many customers are people who grew up with swimming pools in their backyards.

Read this article in full HERE

If you make or influence the significant financial or operational decisions of a business, it is likely you are an officer. This means you have specific obligations under work health and safety (WHS) laws.

An officer is someone whose influential role means they can do things to ensure the business has the resources and systems it needs to make work safe and comply with WHS laws. This means an officer can determine the success or failing of WHS measures.

Safe Work Australia has developed videos and information sheets to help small businesses work out who is an officer in their business and guide them through the officers’ duty under WHS laws.

A broader guide for officers of businesses of all sizes is also available.

Access the resources on our dedicated web page for officers.

You can find Safe Work Australia's Officer Duty Guidance HERE

Effective competition in the construction industry provides businesses with a level playing field where they can compete for work on their own merits and are not subject to coercive behaviour or unfair contract terms. 

To address this issue, consumer watchdog the ACCC has established a Commercial Construction Unit (CCU) to investigate allegations of anti-competitive conduct in the commercial construction sector. 

If you or a client have had an encounter with a shonky builder, you can use the ACCC's online reporting tool to provide an anonymous tip-off or complaint.

You can read all about it HERE

From 1 December 2018, modern awards include new rules about requests for flexible work arrangements. 

What are flexible working arrangements?

Examples of flexible working arrangements include changes to:

• hours of work (eg changes to start and finish times)
• patterns of work (eg split shifts or job sharing)
• locations of work (eg working from home)

Who can request flexible working arrangements?

Employees (other than a casual employee) who have worked with the same employer for at least 12 months can request flexible working arrangements if they:

• are the parent, or have responsibility for the care, of a child who is school aged or younger
• are a carer (under the Carer Recognition Act 2010)
• have a disability
• are 55 or older
• are experiencing family or domestic violence, or
• provide care or support to a member of their household or immediate family who requires care and support because of family or domestic violence

New Requirements to Flexible Working Arrangements Rules

This article is also available in the Members area of our website.

New swimming pool pump regulations are expected to be introduced in 2020, following COAG Energy Ministers' agreement to the Decision Regulation Impact Statement (RIS) on 19 December 2018.

The cost to households of running a pool pump is around 18 per cent of energy bills. These costs are unnecessarily high because people continue to buy, install, and use pool pumps that are not the most energy efficient on the market.

The new regulations aim to address barriers and behaviours preventing the pool pump market from moving naturally to more efficient technologies. The regulations will contribute to lowering unnecessarily high externality costs from swimming pool pumps, such as greenhouse gas emissions, peak loads on electricity distribution networks and residential noise pollution.

Read this article in full HERE

The start of a new year always brings with it a sense of optimism. “This is it,” we think. “This will be my year.” This feeling likely is stronger if you’re a business owner. The desire to see your company succeed is as primal as, well, wanting to see your baby grow and thrive. So this is a great time of year to reflect on the changes we can make to realize those dreams. Here are a few suggestions that come to mind:

1. I will be firm on pricing and charge what my services/products are worth. This is true for all of us in the industry, whether you’re a builder or retailer, but especially if you’re a service tech. The urge to compete with other pool companies for the job can come at a terrible price — literally. When we devalue our work this way, it’s, as Rich Gallo of Pure Swim puts it, “a race to the bottom.” No good can come of it. Instead, explain your pricing and the value your customer receives from choosing to do business with you.

2. I will facilitate employee growth and empower them. Your employees are the backbone of your company and, in this drought of skilled labor, it’s more important than ever to support their growth. Find out what their career goals are and help them gain the skills they need to realize those goals. Once they have that capability and confidence, empower them to make decisions. This can be a tough step for many business owners, but ultimately, your employees will feel directly connected to the growth and success of your business.

Read this article in full HERE

SPASA Victoria strongly encourages members to 'fly the SPASA Victoria flag' by displaying your member logo at every opportunity - on your website, social media, magazine features and any print advertisements. But please ensure you use the correct logo! 

All members must use their SPASA Victoria Member category logo (below) and not the SPASA Victoria logo (right). Please note that SPASA Victoria Restricted members do not have access to a logo. They will upgrade to Pool Builder membership after completing the mandatory training and consumer references.

Please also be reminded that if you are a Gold winner in SPASA Victoria's Awards of Excellence, you must only display the specific logo stating the name of the award, as per the Terms & Conditions of entry to our awards: 'Award winners are encouraged to advertise the winning of an award utilising the official SPASA Victoria winner logos. The award-winning category must also be stated on all advertising and promotional materials'.

SPASA Victoria provides the required logo/s in several formats to suit all needs, including zipped high-res versions for professional print advertisements through to low-res and inverse logos for website use. Please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for logos if required.

Please check your marketing material to ensure that you are complying with SPASA Victoria's terms and conditions of correct logo usage. 

Here are the SPASA Victoria member category logos:

Member Benefits - Available to all Members in 2019

• AB Phillips - SPASA’s Risk Management, Insurance & Financial Services Provider
• Jeremy Johnson & Associates - One Hour of Free Expert Legal Advice
• Expert OHS Advice - Paul House, ISSC
• Career Dressing – Preferred Workwear & Corporate Clothing Supplier
• Online White Card Training with Aveling
• Houzz and SPASA – Free Profile-Building Website
• myhronline - HR Advice and resources, discounted for SPASA members

See the full details of your Member Benefits here

2019

Board Meeting – Wednesday 13 February

Awards of Excellence Entries Open - Friday 15 February

Domestic Builder Contract Training - Wednesday 6th March 9:30am -11am This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Board Meeting – Wednesday 13 March

Hydraulics Training - Thursday 4 AND Friday 5 April 9am - 4pm - BOOK HERE

Chris Dorrity Memorial Golf Day - Southern Golf Club Keysborough - Friday 5 April

Board Meeting – Wednesday 10 April

Pool Construction Essentials Training - Thursday 18 April 8.30am - 4.30pm - BOOK HERE

Awards of Excellence Entries Close - Thursday 18 April

Board Meeting – Wednesday 8 May

Basic Chemistry Training - Tuesday 14 May 9am - 4pm - BOOK HERE

Advanced Chemistry Training - Thursday 16 & Friday 17 May 9am - 4pm BOOK HERE

Board Meeting – Wednesday 12 June

OH&S Materials Made Easy - Paul House of ISSC - Wed 19 June 9.30am - 12.30pm BOOK HERE

HR Essentials - Wednesday 3 July 9.30am - 12.30pm BOOK HERE

Board Meeting – Wednesday 10 July

Awards of Excellence Gala Dinner – Saturday 13 July

Planning Your Business Future - Wednesday 24 July 9.30am - 12.30pm BOOK HERE

Pool Construction Essentials Training - Thursday 1 August 8.30am - 4.30pm - BOOK HERE

Domestic Builder Contract Training - Wednesday 7 August 11.30am -1pm BOOK HERE

Hydraulics Training - Thursday 22 & Friday 23 August 9am - 4pm - BOOK HERE

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

Board Meeting – Wednesday 14 August

Board Meeting – Wednesday 11 September

Basic Chemistry Training - Monday 16 September 9am - 4pm - BOOK HERE

Advanced Chemistry Training - Wednesday 18 & Thursday 19 September 9am - 4pm BOOK HERE

Board Meeting – Wednesday 9 October

Board Meeting – Wednesday 13 November

Board Meeting – Wednesday 11 December

2020

Pool & Spa Expo + Outdoor living - Friday 7 - Sunday 9 February

Spa & Pool Show at MCEC (Winter Show) - Saturday 8 & Sunday 9 August