We hope you enjoy reading the first SPASA Bulletin in it's new form.

We are always looking to improve member communications and like to bring you the latest and most relevant industry information.  In this first edition of our new look bulletin, you can click on the 'read more' button at the bottom of the first article and you will be taken to the member section of our website where you can then navigate through all bulletin articles for the current month.

We want to ensure you are enjoying the bulletins so would appreciate feedback and suggestions at any time.  Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with your comments.

Happy reading!

The Annual SPASA Golf Day, held at Kingston Links Golf Course on Friday 15 March was another tee-rific event!  A huge thanks to our sponsor Universal Media, publishers of Pool & Spa and Poolside magazines for their ongoing support...

The scene was set for some fierce competition, with perfect weather, a light breeze, stacks of sunshine and the roar of golf buggy engines.  The day culminated in Alistair Robinson and Wayne Salomon taking out awards for Nearest to Pin and Shaun Riordan and Dave Clifton receiving awards for Longest Drive.  Coming in a respectible third place and receiving a fine set of golf gloves and caps was team Narellan, captained by Cary Rowbotham.  Second place was taken out by team Lincoln, with Chris Price in the pilot seat and the champions of the 2013 SPASA Golf Day, enjoying the glory of 1st place was team Supreme Heating, led by Colin Mauger.

Congratulations to everyone who participated in the 2013 SPASA Golf Day, it was a cracking success and we look forward to seeing you all again in 2014.

Save the following date into your calendars...
Builder Meeting – 17^th April @ 6pm

Please join us on the evening of Wednesday 17^th April at 6pm for light refreshments followed by industry updates including:

• Fencing regulations have changed AGAIN, find out more about the recently published AS1926.1 - 2012
• Lobbying the Building Commission of Victoria – hear about SPASA’s reform agenda
• Staining: it’s back, help by sharing your recent experiences
• Short special presentation from WorkSafe Victoria: Keep Ahead of WorkSafe
• Awards of Excellence – entries close two days after the meeting - drop off your entries whilst at the office!

Please RSVP to rose@spasavic.com.au

Mr Greg Hyams has been appointed as the new Building and Plumbing Industry Commissioner by the State Government, after the previous Commissioner, Mr Michael Kefford, completed his 12-month contract on Sunday, 10 February.

Mr Hyams said the Commission continues to operate business as usual while the Government goes through the processes of creating the proposed Victorian Building Authority.

Members recently going through the warranty insurance renewal process will have been faced with the prospect of premium increases.

The regrettable increases result from a greater number of builder insolvencies and growing claims in the wider building sector. The unfortunate fact is that these claims have little relation to the pool industry yet swimming pool builders are affected by default.

We’re working hard with SPASA's preferred broker IH Group to deal with the issue of premium increases and changing underwriting criteria. IH Group are committed to offering SPASA members the most competitive rates in the marketplace – a unique SPASA member benefit.

Any Builder Member who would like assistance with their BWI or public liability insurance are invited to contact Adam Bretherton at IH Group on 03 9235 5222 or Adam.Bretherton@IHGroup.com.au

Our annual Country Chapter training and meeting has now been confirmed for Tuesday 28 & Wednesday 29 May and will be held at Rich River Golf Club, 24 Lane, Moama, NSW.

Contact Rose at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to register your attendance.  Accommodation bookings can be made directly with Rich River Golf Club on 03 5481 3333.

Industry training also occurs on Thursday 18 April and Monday 22 April. The training covers Chemistry, basic and advanced and students must attend both days.  Country members book your staff into country training now!

Mandatory reporting of product-related death, injury & illness under the Australian Consumer Law...

How to do it, why you should & what happens if you don’t?

Do you provide a product-related service such as delivery, installation, assembly, maintenance, repair or cleaning of a consumer good?

Under the Australian Consumer Law (ACL), if you become aware of a death, serious injury or illness associated with a product you supply or product-related service you provide, you must report it to the ACCC. This requirement is known as ‘mandatory reporting'.

Registrations are now open for the ACCC’s free interactive webinar on mandatory reporting and the invitation with a link to register is below.

For more information go to the ACCC website.

The SPASA Awards of Excellence nominations are open!

With 3 weeks, 2 days, 1 hour to go, there's no time to waste.  

Entry forms can be found at http://spasavic.com.au/award-entry-forms and entries close at 5pm Friday April 19th.

With our new 2013 Industry Training Program confirmed... GET SMART AND INVEST IN YOUR BUSINESS NOW!

To download course details and the booking form go to spasa-industry-training

The Board of SPASA warmly welcomes new members to the Association...

Featuring profiles on new members to the association. 

Sarah Long has been making images for well over a decade and is adept at pool and spa location photography.  Her love of photography was sparked by trawling through years of National Geographic magazines on her parents bed, later becoming hooked watching images develop in the darkroom.  Her love of landscape and people has taken her to many places in Australia and overseas.  Predominantly her work is on location.  Sarah enjoys how her passion allows her the opportunity to meet new people and explore new places... most importantly, she just loves taking photographs! Sarah is located in Adelaide is always happy to hop on a plane for a pool shoot...

In this edition we caught up with Sarah to learn about her business, her dreams and her reaction to the age old boardies vs budgies debate.

1. What does your business offer?

I offer professional photographic services for advertising and promotional material. 

2. What are the most exciting & challenging parts of your business?

Most exciting part of my job is that its completely different everyday.  I travel to different locations, see amazing properties and designs. I meet a lot of incredible people from all walks of life.  Its complete variety.  Challenges are handling all of this and producing excellent results for my clients even when the project might not be completely finished.  Or the conditions are not idyllic. I love Photoshop!

3. What’s a typical day in your world?

Typical day is meeting clients, photographing on location or in the studio, editing the work and Photoshopping the images so they are the very best they can be.  As well as answering emails, taking phone calls and dealing with the accounts and cleaning all my gear!

4. What’s something you’ve always wanted to do?

Work wise I have always wanted to shoot large resorts in exotic locations. I love travelling, and shooting for myself.  Keen to go to the Middle East and Cuba next.

5. Who’s been your greatest inspiration?

Julius Shulman, his photography is amazing.

Bonus question… Boardies or Budgies??

Well I’m a Bikini Girl but on guys… Boardies

A timely reminder for all members to be vigilant about pool fencing.

A toddler has drowned in a backyard pool in Sydney's west.  A one-year-old boy has died after being pulled unconscious from a backyard pool in Sydney's west.  Police and paramedics were called to a house on The Northern Road at Luddenham after the one-year-old boy was pulled unconscious from a backyard pool on Saturday afternoon.

read the full article at Herald Sun

You know what's fun? Hitting your drive in the middle of the fairway. You know what isn't fun? Getting penalised for it. Most of the time that means your ball finds a divot, but one Illinois golfer found plenty more trouble out in the middle of a Waterloo golf course fairway. Mark Mihal, from Creve Coeur, Mo., was playing Annbriar Golf Course, a place he frequents, when ground gave way to the 43-year-old, dropping him 18 feet into the middle of a dirt abyss...

"I was standing in the middle of the fairway,” Mihal told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch on Monday. “Then, all of a sudden, before I knew it, I was underground." read the full article at Yahoo

A new proactive plan for the Swimming Pool & Spa Association of Australia has been developed. Initially the national association was formed to represent the industry on national issues if and when they arose. The platform has changed and the renewed association is focussed on delivering improved member benefits.

 "A fantastic spirit of collaboration exists. All four states have worked tirelessly, holding meetings both in person, and now weekly national phone hook-ups of directors and management. So many exciting initiatives are in play. Every member state has made a financial commitment to an array of exciting proactive initiatives." said national spokesperson, Adrian Hart (and CEO of SPASA Qld).

Governance advisors are finalising the revision to what is a transparent and inclusive Constitution and Policy code. Importantly, majority vote of the four member states will be enshrined in the revised Constitution. SPASA Australia is committed to a fully proactive national association that directly benefits the members of: SPASA Queensland, South Australia, Victoria and Western Australia.

New South Wales industry participants will also be given the opportunity to participate. SPASA NSW, trading as the Swimming Pool & Spa Alliance, is no longer a member of SPASA Australia.

"All long-standing National Members have jumped back on board financially for 2013 - and we've heard their message - which is, we want one national body representing the members of all states"

"Importantly we’ve identified several economies of scale that are available to the four state associations - working closer together will save our members dollars"

Actions currently in the pipeline for the national body include;

• Completion of a new SPASA Australia website,
• The search for an independent National Manager,
• The reconfirmation of representational appointments with: Standards Australia, the ACCC, Australian Building Codes Board, CPSISC, Federal Government energy & training stakeholders, etc.
• A professional Chair & Company Secretary has also been appointed and is overseeing weekly Board meetings and governance.

"Make no mistake, the SPASA brand and our 600+ members across Australia will continue to receive unparalleled member benefits. National Members will continue to have representation that – very importantly - incorporates the interests of the active national industry. A great deal is happening - watch this space" added Hart.

SPOKESPERSON

Adrian Hart
SPASA Australia Ltd
Phone: 07 3252 6777
Fax: 07 3252 6700
Email : adrian@spasa.com.au