E-News May 2020

Due to the effects of COVID-19 and the difficulty some members have experienced accessing their customer's backyards, we have extended the deadline for all Awards of Excellence entries to Friday 22 May.

You've now got another two extra weeks to get those beautiful photos taken and entered into our Awards of Excellence program!

The SPASAVIC Awards of Excellence program attracts the largest and most innovative projects from within our industry across Australia and NZ.

By holding our awards night in late October, it will give both sponsors and industry members the edge over other online alternatives. Our industry’s night of nights guarantees to enhance the profile of every entrant.

Winning a SPASAVIC Award of Excellence is a fantastic marketing strategy that will build your reputation within the industry, provide your business with fabulous exposure and validate your expertise and capability. Simply entering SPASAVIC's Awards of Excellence program guarantees that your entry photo features in the 2020 edition of our Awards of Excellence Showcase & Directory of Members magazine that will be launched at our Gala night on Saturday 24th October this year.

This magazine will be seen by hundreds of people at our Awards of Excellence Gala night and by thousands more at our Consumer Expos over the next 12 months!

Simply by entering SPASAVIC's Awards of Excellence program, you'll receive 12 months exposure of your entry photo both in print and online. Our Awards of Excellence Showcase & Directory of Members magazine is handed to 15,000 purchase-ready consumers at SPASAVIC’s consumer expos and is downloaded nearly 10,000 times from the SPASAVIC website. Everyone benefits from entering our Awards of Excellence program!

Didn’t pay for SPASAVIC Advertising??? Don’t let this be you!

Starting at $1,350 (incl GST) this exclusive member advertising offer is an all-inclusive package of digital, print, website and social media advertising. 

The 2020 edition of our Awards of Excellence Showcase & Directory of Members magazine will be launched at our Gala night on Saturday 24th October this year. By advertising in this magazine, you'll be seen by hundreds of people at our Gala night and by thousands more at our Expos over the next 12 months!

Despite COVID-19, you'll receive the same fantastic benefits as always: 12 months exposure of your ad across all SPASAVIC platforms plus the benefit of two consumer shows AND our industry's night of nights - our Awards of Excellence gala dinner!

Whether you're growing your business - or protecting the reputation you've worked so hard to build - SPASAVIC advertising is for every member. Sit back, relax and let us find your customers for you!

Find out more HERE

Hurry! This exclusive member offer ends on Friday 15 May 2020! 

Subject to Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews' announcement regarding the lifting of social distancing restrictions from 11 May 2020, we hope to re-commence our 2020 Industry Training program!

We have tentatively re-scheduled three training days during the week of Monday 15th - Friday 19th June.

We hope to be able to offer Basic Chemistry, Hydraulics and Portable Spa Technician training during this week.

We very much look forward to again be able to offer members our popular industry training courses, so please read your daily SPASAVIC emails for more information on training days as we firm up dates over the next few weeks.

We were grateful last month to have Adam Clark from myhronline talk members through a webinar on HR-related issues that have arisen for business owners since the emergence of COVID-19.

Options such as utilising staff, utilising leave, reducing hours, stand downs, redundancy, job keeper payments - including examples of how some companies are structuring employment around this scheme - were all discussed, with a member Q & A at the end.

If you were unable to attend this webinar, you can watch the recording HERE

'Coping With COVID-19' presentation slides from this webinar can be viewed HERE

We welcomed some positive feedback from this webinar and encourage all members to take advantage of the many FREE offerings that SPASAVIC make available to members throughout the year.

"Thanks for today’s webinar. It was quite helpful to get a quick summary of the evolving situation rather than trying to trawl through government websites looking for the rules and regulations." Justin, Cooke Industries

"Thank you very much Heather. The session was very informative and great to be able to be involved." Sue, Donehues Leisure.

Adam has also provided members with another valuable FREE resource:

 JobKeeper Scheme - Common Questions & Answers

Other HR-related resources can be found in the Member's area of our website HERE

myhronline.com.au is your one-stop-shop for Human Resources advice and support. Email Adam on aclark@myhronline.com.au or visit myhronline or call myhronline on 1300 123 081

If you missed our very special webinar 'SWMS for the Pool & Spa Industry' last week, presented by Mary Kikas from Action OHS Consulting, a recording is now available on-demand HERE exclusively for SPASAVIC Members.

This webinar focussed on the legal requirement to prepare a SWMS and detailed what classifies as high risk construction work.

Mary also outlined the steps required when preparing a SWMS, and explained the difference between a SWMS and JSA. 

This recording contains essential information for all in the swimming pool and spa construction industry.

Our CEO, Chris Samartzis, recently joined Sue Langeder, Co-Host and Producer of Real Estate Right Melbourne, to talk about Victoria's new pool barrier laws.

Real Estate Right Melbourne is a weekly podcast where top experts talk about how to buy, sell, rent and invest in the real Estate market.

You can listen to this Real Estate Right Melbourne podcast HERE

The Victorian Government is ensuring the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) can hear important planning and other matters remotely, ensuring billions of dollars’ worth of projects can continue and Victorians can still access the justice they deserve during coronavirus.

Work has already started on the $5.2 million upgrades required for the change, which will be rolled out over the next 12 weeks.

The upgrades will include project management software, software programmers, software licenses, information technology hardware and digitisation and scanning of paper files. VCAT will also consider how these upgrades can also help ensure others matters can be heard digitally.

Only injunctions and other urgent matters have been scheduled since late March because of the coronavirus. This has meant that current and pending matters, especially Planning and Environment List issues were on hold.

Read this Victorian Government Media Release in full HERE

The insurance industry is playing a crucial role in Australia’s response to COVID-19. On 11 March 2020, the World Health Organisation declared the coronavirus outbreak a global pandemic. This triggered many responses from government and business, and insurers are no different.

In line with APRA Prudential Practice Guide CPG 233, all Australian authorised insurers have pandemic plans in place as part of their risk-management strategies. These plans will assist with the ongoing maintenance of critical business functions such as claim processing and payments.

Importantly, general insurance has been deemed an ‘essential service’ during the pandemic. The categorisation is important, as it means insurers can continue to operate and support their customers. Insurance operations and urgent services should remain available even if shutdown restrictions continue (or are increased).

For example, emergency building repairs (to make a structure safe) and motor vehicle claims and repairs should be able to continue.

Read this article in full HERE

For many, remote working is a new reality and one that takes some getting used to.

Houzz has put together a few tips to make the most of working remotely and to keep yourself accountable, collaborative, and productive as you work from home.

Read tips for Working From Home from Houzz HERE

Houzz have also produced a video showing professionals sharing their top tips for working remotely. This 10 minute video covers:

• Communicating with clients
• How to stay focused while working from home
• Keeping the professional pipeline full

Watch this Houzz video HERE

Houzz have also created a new dedicated portal designed exclusively for their professional community. It's called 'Houzz Pro' and is an all-in-one business management solution designed just for you!

Watch the Houzz Pro Portal demo HERE to see how it could help your business.

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.

Got questions? 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.

The King’s name is synonymous with outdoor spaces throughout Geelong that are stylish, timeless and lifestyle-driven.

After designing and constructing dream gardens for nearly 15 years, we are thrilled to start building concrete pools and spas for families along the Surf Coast, Bellarine Peninsula and rural townships beyond the city.

King’s Pools and Spas was a natural step forward for co-Directors, Jason King and Tom Franklin-Jones. The friends worked together in various roles dating back more than a decade, with Tom heading up the construction team for King’s Landscaping over many years. The pair know the local region inside and out, and with 50 pools a month going in the ground in the area, they knew what people wanted: a sophisticated design, spectacular pool and beautiful garden – all executed by the one team. So together they got motivated, licensed and got on with adding pool construction to the Kings’ repertoire. The locals responded eagerly, with a handful of families splashing in their pools within months.

Being part of a tight-knit industry in our region has certainly helped the evolution of King’s Pools & Spas. We are grateful for the supportive relationships we share with other pool companies and landscapers throughout Geelong. We love playing our part in the bigger picture of connecting Victorians to the great outdoors.

Our clients love the simplicity of working with our team who personally manage every step of their project. We design their outdoor space, construct their new landscape and build their swimming pool. We are the only one-stop-shop in the Geelong region.

It’s an easy decision for people who are investing a huge amount of time, money and emotion into their dream backyard. We have seen the frustrations of engaging two or three (or more!) different companies to design and build an outdoor space. It can lead to duplication of effort, loss of time, forgotten detail and dwindling motivation. Instead, clients engage us knowing that everything is taken care of by the same faces that they grow to trust over months or years.

Behind every great pool and garden is a detailed and well-considered design. After a site consultation and thorough briefing process, we work with clients to develop a design that becomes the backbone of the project. We offer simple 2D plans or in-depth 3D designs depending on the scope of work. We also welcome existing plans from individuals or design agencies and can jump straight into the quoting process.

We arrange all the paperwork to prepare for the project – quotes, insurance, permits, engineering and contracts. It’s all explained clearly so there are no surprises.

Then the action begins! The pool goes in first, followed by the pool surrounds including paving, decking, garden, outdoor kitchens and pool house. Check out our projects on Instagram: @kings_landscaping__geelong or @kings_pools_and_spas

www.kingslandscaping.com.au

Member Benefits - Available to all Members in 2020

• AB Phillips - SPASA’s Risk Management, Insurance & Financial Services Provider
• Houzz – Free Profile-Building Website
• Action OHS Consulting – SPASA Victoria’s Occupational Health and Safety Consulting Partner
• myhronline - HR Advice and resources, discounted for SPASA members
• FCA - Offering exceptional value and wide-ranging vehicle choice
• Jeremy Johnson & Associates - One Hour of Free Expert Legal Advice

See the full details of your Member Benefits here

2020

Member Advertising Offer Closes - Friday 15 May BOOK HERE

Awards of Excellence Entries Close - Wednesday 22 May ENTER HERE

OH&S Materials Made Easy - Friday 12 June 9.30am - 12.30pm BOOK HERE

HR Essentials - Thursday 25 June 10am – 12pm BOOK HERE

Awards of Excellence Gala Night Tickets Open For Bookings - Monday 3 August

Pool Construction Essentials Training - Tuesday 4 August 8.30am - 4.30pm BOOK HERE

Domestic Builder Contract Training (For Restricted & Builder members only) - Wednesday 19 August 11.30am - 1pm BOOK HERE

Hydraulics Training - Wednesday 26 AND Thursday 27 August 9am - 4pm BOOK HERE

Basic Chemistry Training - Tuesday 15 September 9am - 4pm BOOK HERE

Advanced Chemistry Training -Thursday 17 AND Friday 18 September 9am - 4pm BOOK HERE

Awards of Excellence Gala Night Ticket Bookings Close - Wednesday 14 October

Awards of Excellence Gala Night - Saturday 24 October

Chris Dorrity Memorial Member Golf Day Registrations Close - Wednesday 28 October BOOK HERE

Chris Dorrity Memorial Member Golf Day - Friday 6 November BOOK HERE

SPASA Victoria AGM - Wednesday 11 November

2021

Pool & Spa Expo + Outdoor Living (Summer Show) - Friday 5 February - Sunday 7 February

Spa & Pool Show (Winter Show) Co-located with the Backyard & Garden Show - Saturday 17 - Sunday 18 July