E-News August 2019
2019 Awards of Excellence Gala Dinner - Pure Gold!
On Saturday 13th July, the magnificent Melbourne Room of the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) was alight as winners of the 2019 SPASA Victoria Awards of Excellence were announced.
With over 440 industry stakeholders in attendance, the SPASA Victoria Awards of Excellence Gala night is the largest industry event of its kind in Australia and the most anticipated industry event on the Victorian calendar.
The major awards were: Remco Pool of the Year, Spa of the Year and Product of the Year.
The 2019 Remco Pool of the Year was awarded to Laguna Pools:
The 2019 Spa of the Year Award was awarded to Out From The Blue:
The 2019 Product of the Year was awarded to Sunbather for their COOL PV product:
A total of 45 Gold and Highly Commended awards were presented to well-deserving SPASA Victoria members.
With images of the best pools and spas in Victoria on prominent display around the prestigious Melbourne Room, guests were treated to superb food and entertainment which led to a night enjoyed by all.
A full list of award winners can be viewed HERE
Please read SPASA Victoria's Media Release - 2019 Awards of Excellence Winners Announced
See photos from our 2019 Awards of Excellence Gala night HERE
Complete the 2019 Awards of Excellence Gala Night Survey HERE
A huge thank you to everyone for coming along to support our industry and help recognise the outstanding talent, professionalism and achievements of our members.
SPASA Victoria's 2019 Awards of Excellence were proudly sponsored by:
Our Winter Spa & Pool Show is On This Weekend. Get Your FREE Tickets Today!
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.Members are invited to come along for FREE to our Spa & Pool Show on Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th August at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre.
SPASA Victoria Spa & Pool Show:
Sunday 11 August 10am - 5pm
We've invested $150,000 to promote this event via all available media channels including Victorian metropolitan and regional TV, print & radio, as well as a major digital campaign. We'd love to see all our members exhibiting at our Expos to demonstrate to consumers what the swimming pool and spa industry in Victoria has on offer!
Here's the tvc that will be aired in the lead up to our Show:
Book Your Training for the Second Half of the Year
What's coming up this month...?
On Wednesday 7th August we're running another Domestic Builder Contract Training session @ 11.30am in the SPASA Victoria Office.
If you're unsure how to go about filling in hardcopy Domestic Building Contracts, this session is a must! This practical contracts training is a discussion about quoting and contracts and comes direct from a hands-on Pool Builder. Come along to find out all you need to know about SPASA Victoria contracts. Ask any questions, gain a better understanding of your rights & obligations, and limit your liability where possible. It's FREE!
- SPASA Victoria Domestic Builder Contract Training (for Restricted & Builder members only) - Wednesday 7th August - 11.30am - 1pm This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
When it comes to the pool and spa industry, understanding Hydraulics is vital. SPASA Victoria's Pool & Spa Hydraulics course ensures that students understand the various components found in a typical hydraulic system and how these components function and interact with each other.
- SPASA Victoria Pool & Spa Hydraulics Training - Thursday 22nd AND Friday 23rd August 9am - 4pm This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Don't forget about our FREE OH&S resources available to our members all year round which can be found HERE.
We hope to see you at a SPASA Victoria Training day soon!
Download our 2019 Training Program HERE
Backyard Swimming Pools Just Got a Whole Lot Safer and More Enjoyable in Victoria!
New safety standards for private swimming pools and spas have been released on the long-awaited Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS). Stakeholders, including swimming pool and spa owners, can now provide input on proposed new requirements relating to private pools and spas.From 1st December this year, local councils will register all backyard pools and spas in their area, with property owners being required to submit a current certificate of compliance for their pool or spa safety barrier.
Local councils will take charge of this mandatory registration scheme from December, with all pool owners required to contact their council by April 14 next year and pay the proposed small $37 registration fee.
Inspection certificates for all pools built before 1994 will be required to be lodged by 30 October 2020. For pools built between 1994 and 2010, it is proposed that owners will have until 30 April 2021, with all pools built after 2010 requiring to be certified by 29 October 2021.
It is proposed that councils will charge pool and spa owners a maximum of $20 to lodge their inspection compliance certificates, a process they will be required to undertake just once every three years. Households are also anticipated to have 20 days to bring their pools into compliance if an inspector identifies any safety concerns.
SPASA Victoria is currently preparing a submission on behalf of the swimming pool & spa industry and views these regulations as a positive. The aim is to make backyard pool and spa ownership safer and more enjoyable than ever before!
You can find the new Building Amendment (Swimming Pool and Spa) Regulations 2019 HERE
SPASA Victoria Member Forum - A Must Attend Event For All Members
All SPASA Victoria members are encouraged to attend our important member forum on Friday 6th September from midday at the Mulgrave Country Club.
Come along to hear from Government representatives of the VBA and DELWP about:
- Regulation Changes
- Mandatory Barrier Inspections
- Plus other issues of concern in the industry
Mulgrave Country Club
Corner of Wellington & Jells Roads, Wheelers Hill
Friday 6th September 2019
12pm - 4pm
It's FREE and exclusive to SPASA Victoria Members. Light refreshments will be provided.
Government Rescinds Requirement for Insurance on Combustible Cladding
The Victorian Government has introduced changes to the requirements for Professional Indemnity insurance for building surveyors.
The changes were set out in a new Ministerial Order allowing building surveyors to have Professional Indemnity insurance with specific exclusions relating to external wall cladding products and high risk external wall cladding products as defined in the Building Act 1993. This new Ministerial Order will take effect on 12 August 2019.
Professional indemnity insurance cover for surveyors in the interim period remains as per the current Ministerial Order. Surveyors and inspectors must still be covered by unencumbered insurance until the new Order takes effect. They should confirm this with their insurer and may want to ask for a written endorsement that their policy will cover them fully up until 12 August 2019, the date the Order takes effect.
All building surveyors remain responsible for making sure that the Professional Indemnity insurance they hold complies with their legal obligations.
The Victorian Government has also recently announced a number of measures to address the problems arising from the installation of non-compliant cladding on some multi-storey residential buildings. These measures are designed to help fund the rectification of buildings with high-risk cladding as identified by the auditing undertaken across the Melbourne metropolitan area.
A new authority, Cladding Safety Victoria, will be established to manage the funding of the rectification work and will have some involvement in the management of the rectification process. Information about how this authority will operate is available online HERE.
Q&A With AB Phillips - Will Our WorkCover Policy Take Care of This Claim?
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.One of the subbies fell in a pool shell a few weeks back and has been off work since. Will our WorkCover policy take care of his claim?
Each time you hire a contractor, you need to determine if they're considered a 'worker' by WorkSafe. If so, you become their employer for WorkCover insurance purposes and will have liability for claim/return to work processes.
If the contractor is deemed to be a worker, the employer must also declare the payments made to the contractor in their rateable remuneration. If not deemed a ‘worker’ the contractor would need to be covered under their own policy.
We strongly suggest that whenever engaging subcontractors, you request a copy of their public liability, workers compensation/personal accident insurance.
AB Phillips offer a free review and analysis of your subcontractors insurance certificates to ensure that they are correctly insured, which will mitigate the risk of subcontractor actions falling back on your business.
We can consult either with yourself or directly with your subcontractor if we find any areas that require attention - and also provide them with a comparison quote.
Call Sarah at AB Phillips today on 1300 242 136 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Try this tool to determine if someone is a ‘worker’ by Worksafe
Off The Deep End - Featuring Our Newest SPASA Victoria Members
BayCity Pool Service provides an entire solution for all your domestic pool needs. Whether you maintain your own pool or require regular onsite maintenance, BayCity Pool Service will have the products and the service to ensure that you can enjoy your pool all year round.
At BayCity Pool Service, we believe that the most important thing for our customers is that they love their pool. Our mission is to make sure that we maximise the positive experience that comes with owning a pool.
At Baycity Pool Service, you can come to us or we will come to you. Whether it be for chemical balance or a full system overhaul, we will provide the service that you need, along with great value for money.
We welcome BayCity Pool Service as new members of SPASA Victoria!
Association Classifieds: District Technical Manager - Hayward Pool Products (Australia) Pty Ltd
Hayward Pool Products (Australia) Pty Ltd have an exciting opportunity for an experienced District Technical Manager to join their team.
This challenging and rewarding role forms an integral part of their business.
They are looking for a reliable, proactive and adaptable individual with a positive attitude and flexible approach. Working as part of the team, you will provide 'A GRADE' service, repairs and support for our wide range of products and customers.
Key Responsibilities:
- Providing technical support for our extensive range of pool products
- Processing warranty claims from start to completion
- In-field and in-house repairs
- Technical training on the Hayward product range
- Diagnose technical problems
- Contribute to the development of training materials and programs
Experience:
- Extensive Swimming Pool Industry knowledge
- 5 years minimum related experience in a similar role
Skills:
- Organisation and planning skills
- Ability to develop and maintain customer relationships
- Use initiative and work unsupervised, managing tasks and time effectively
- Strong analytical, mechanical problem solving skills
- Work effectively in a team environment
- Excellent customer service, coordination and negotiation skills
- PC and MS Office skills
- Positive attitude to WHS practices and procedures
Comprehensive on-the-job training will be provided.
To apply, email your resume and cover letter to dean.calvert@hayward-pool.com.au
Jack's Journey - An Opportunity To Show Your Support
Only Five months ago, family friends of one of our members sold up their home in Melbourne and moved thousands of kilometres away from their family and friends to start a new adventure. They started new jobs, bought a home and settled in - life was great! But after 10 days of headaches, 8 year old Jack underwent an MRI that discovered a tumor.
All of a sudden, this family's world was turned upside down. Jack was diagnosed with Stage 4 glioblastoma mutliforme - the most aggressive form of brain cancer that grows quickly and is incredibly invasive. Doctors operated but could only remove 80% of the tumour.
Glioblastoma mutliforme is the rarest of tumors in children, with only 300 cases a year diagnosed in the world. Since his diagnosis, Jack has been treated with 33 doses of radiation, requiring him to go to hospital every day for seven weeks. The family have a long road ahead, but Jack is a tough little guy.
Through his journey, Jack's family and friends would like to raise awareness of brain cancer by raising funds for the Cure Brain Cancer Foundation, or you can contribute directly to Jack's Go Fund Me page, which was established to raise funds to cover the cost of some life experiences for him before his time is up.
Unused funds will be donated back to the Brain Cancer Foundation in the hope they will one day find a cure for this terrible disease. Thank you in advance for your support!
SPASA Victoria's E-News is Proudly Brought to You By Our Sponsors Who Value the Victorian Pool & Spa Industry
Exclusive Benefits to SPASA Victoria Members
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
- Action OHS Consulting – SPASA Victoria’s Occupational Health and Safety Consulting Partner
- 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
- FCA - Offering exceptional value and wide-ranging vehicle choice
See the full details of your Member Benefits here
SPASA Victoria Calendar of Events
2019
Domestic Builder Contract Training - Wednesday 7 August 11.30am -1pm This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Hydraulics Training - Thursday 22 & Friday 23 August 9am - 4pm - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Spa & Pool Show at MCEC (Winter Show) - Saturday 10 & Sunday 11 August - Co-located with the Backyard & Garden Show This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Members Forum - Friday 6 September - BOOK HERE
Basic Chemistry Training - Monday 16 September 9am - 4pm - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Advanced Chemistry Training - Wednesday 18 & Thursday 19 September 9am - 4pm This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
2020
Pool & Spa Expo + Outdoor living - Friday 31 January - Sunday 2 February
Spa & Pool Show at MCEC (Winter Show) - Saturday 8 & Sunday 9 August