In this issue we report back on the formalities at our recent Annual General Meeting and introduce the 2013/14 SPASA Board.

As summer fast approaches and our industry is more in demand we draw your attention to the recently released 'Repair, Replace, Refund' campaign by the ACCC to protect business owners and consumers, and the association provides you with a uniform offer you don't want to miss. 

The Summer Pool & Spa Expo is just around the corner and with 95% of floorspace sold, the show is looking bigger and better than ever. If exhibiting is on your radar, make sure you call Vee at AEE now on 9676 2133.

Please also be advised that the SPASA office is closed from Tuesday 24th December - Wednesday 1st January (inclusive). Members are urged to ensure they’ve got ample supply of Contracts & Handover Books.  

We hope you enjoy this edition. Happy reading.  

SPASA Victoria has an online presence - join the conversation by following us on Facebook and Linkedin.

The SPASA AGM was held on Wednesday, 13th November at the association offices. Members received a copy of the 2013 Annual Report and detailed briefings on current activities.

In addition to the AGM formalities, Peter Zagorski from the VBA joined us to discuss the recent reform within the VBA and the imminent changes to the Practice Note 2013-05 Swimming Pool, Spas & Safety Barriers. David Saunders from Insurance House also attended the evening and discussed the changes surrounding Builders Warranty Insurance.

The following 2013/14 Executive and Board portfolio appointments were also announced:
President - Rob Kruber
Vice President - Colin Sloggett
Treasurer - Lindsay Hartshorne

We take this opportunity to pass on our sincerest congratulations to outgoing President Gary Kilworth. Gary has been President of the Association for the past 3 years and during this time has represented several portfolios including Pool Builder and Promotions, Standards, Regulation & Government Relations. We thank him for the tremendous work he has done in contributing to the success of SPASA. Gary will remain on the board and work with the portfolio of Pool Builder: Standards, Regulation & Government Relations. 

Left to right: Outgoing President Gary Kilworth congratulates Rob Kruber, Rob Kruber with Vice-President Colin Sloggett & Gary Kilworth, Peter Zagorski of the VBA

If you have ideas you would like your membership sector to pursue, or would like to discuss issues that affect your everyday business, members are encouraged to contact your above portfolio heads.

Members wishing to obtain a copy of the minutes, Annual Report and Peter Zagorski's VBA presentation can download these from the Member Area of our website.

Time is running out to reach thousands of potential customers by exhibiting at the SPASA Pool & Spa Expo + Outdoor Living - floorspace is already 95% sold - act now or risk missing out!

The SPASA Summer Show 31 January - 2 February 2014 will deliver exactly what buyers are looking for and you’ll want to be a part of it. It’s the best bang-for-your-buck industry event going around.

Take a look at the visitor statistics from the recent Winter Show to see why you need to be a part of Australia's largest consumer showcase:

• 40% of attendees were interested in seeing concrete swimming pool builders.
• 43% of attendees were interested in seeing fibreglass swimming pool builders.
• 41% of attendees were interested in seeing pool fencing.
• 73% of attendees are looking to purchase within the next 6 months.
• 27% of attendees intend to spend more than $50k on their project.  

Exhibiting at the Summer Show gives your company the opportunity to:

• Showcase your products to thousands of purchase ready consumers.
• Obtain more leads in two days than you could hope for in many months.
• Meet face-to-face and develop personal and direct relationships with potential customers.
• Catch up with existing clients and re-establish relationships with industry suppliers.
  
• Provide hands-on exposure to products and live demonstrations.
• Launch new products and generate media interest.

The summer event will once again have a considerable presence on TV, radio, online and print media. The new format television commercial will again feature, check it out here.

Members interested in contributing to the success of the event by participating in the Seminar Series are invited to contact Vee on 9676 2133.



Visit www.spasashow.com.au

The summer show is going to be huge!

The ACCC recently launched a campaign titled 'Repair, Replace, Refund' to ensure business owners are aware of their obligations under the Australia Consumer Law (ACL).

As a business owner, did you know you must, by law, guarantee the products or services you sell?  And that your customers have the right to ask for a repair, replacement or refund if the products you sell are faulty, unsafe or don’t work as intended?

Australian businesses experience significant costs every year to deal with problems where they are legally obliged to provide a remedy for consumers. The spin-off effects can include declining sales, a drop in return business and damage to your company’s reputation.  So it’s in your interests to understand and comply with the provisions, and to have in place a reliable system to manage complaints about faulty or unsatisfactory goods.

The ACCC has produced an online education module for businesses to help them understand consumer guarantees and train their staff.

Visit the ACCC's website to view the module.  

Would you like to stand out from the crowd and create a professional impression for your company? Do you need some new threads and appreciate a 20% SPASA Member discount?

The Association continues to work closely with Career Dressing to provide high quality and cost effective garments with the added option of co-branding with company, supplier and SPASA Member logos.

Career Dressing has recently joined forces with the Hip Pocket Workwear group, giving them additional buying power and access to an even wider range of garments and work wear.

To celebrate this new partnership, Career Dressing is offering 20% off all full priced garments in any order over $100 (embroidery separate).

To take advantage of this exclusive SPASA Member offer, be sure to place your order before Christmas ie. before 20th December!

Ian White and the experienced team at Career Dressing will work to accommodate any request from a SPASA Member.

Career Dressing can be contacted on 1300 949 895 or uniforms@careerdressing.com.au

The percentage of small business failures is on the rise, as Australian Securities and Investments Commission figures reveal large numbers businesses are under pressure from inadequate cash flow.

Figures released from ASIC reveal 81% of businesses which became insolvent in 2012/2013 were small businesses with less than 20 employees.

The construction sector was the worst affected, with 24% of the insolvent companies in that sector, matched by the “other” category which is mainly composed of business and personal services firms.

Rodgers Reidy director Brent Morgan told SmartCompany when larger firms collapse, many small businesses end up being impacted.“We’re finding firms which deal with small to medium enterprises (SME's) are getting busier, while the big insolvency businesses have quietened down,” he says.

“There have been a number of large corporate insolvencies over the past few years and now it’s filtering down to the SMEs. It happened to the multi-chain retailers and now it’s happening to the smaller businesses.”

Morgan says it’s not a surprise many businesses in the construction sector are feeling the pressure.“In construction we’re seeing that trend and those statistics are no surprise. Anything relating to the sector is struggling. Building, excavation and even transport businesses,” he says. “They’re toppling over and there are tighter margins in all industries involved in the sector.”

In January SmartCompany reported a major Victorian trucking business, Wettenhalls, collapsed putting 500 jobs at risk. In June, the fallout from the Reed Construction collapse in mid-2012 became evident as Advance AirCon, a Sydney-based air conditioning installation and servicing company went under.

The business had encountered cash flow problems when Reed Construction collapsed. Another 500 small businesses were estimated at the time to have been impacted. According to ASIC the primary cause for company failure was poor strategic management of the business, as 42% of businesses reported this as a cause. Forty-one per cent also said inadequate cash flow or high cash use was a driving factor and 32% were trading at a loss. Morgan says the Australian Taxation Office has also been more vigilant in chasing debts recently.

ASIC’s top three concerns for possible misconduct in the collapsed businesses were trading while insolvent, obligation to keep financial records and care and diligence of the directors and officers.

For further information visit the ASIC website. 

Attn: Glass Fencing practitioners

WorkSafe have developed a new Guidance Note about the safe handling of glass panels following a workplace accident in which a glass panel shattered into shards on a construction site.

The heat-strengthened glass in the panel met the Building Code of Australia (BCA) requirements for typical service loads of the finished building. However, the BCA does not take into account the loads subjected to the glass panels (eg impacts, vibration) during transport, handling, storage or placement.

Companies and employees involved in the lifting and placement of glass panels should consider the possibility of further loads that could be placed on the panels and ensure they’re handled in a manner that minimises, so far as is reasonably practicable, the risk of glass shattering during installation.

When developing systems of work ensure:
• the risks from the type of glass used in the panel are taken into account
• the effects of adverse weather conditions on the handling process are considered
• all employees involved in the works are taken into account and made aware
• all relevant health and safety representatives and information are consulted.

If glass panel handling or placement involves high risk construction work, a specific safe work method statement must be developed and followed.

Members who handle glass panels are strongly encouraged to view the new guidance note on the WorkSafe website for further information.

A total of 755 entries were received in the recent community competition to name Frankston’s new aquatic centre. Frankston City Council has selected the Peninsula Aquatic Recreation Centre as its preferred name and has submitted an application to the Office of Geographic Naming to formally approve and gazette the name.

The Peninsula Aquatic Recreation Centre is funded in partnership with the Australian Government, Victorian Government and Frankston City Council.

The Peninsula Aquatic Recreation Centre will be a recreational landmark for the community of Frankston and broader region, which has a lack of indoor aquatic and recreation facilities.

Providing a focal point for aquatic and fitness related activities, the centre will provide many features including a spacious gym, multi-use studios, multiple pools, two waterslides, spa/steam/sauna, a creche, meeting room and a café combined with a retail shop.  

Construction Progress

The construction project is approximately 33% complete with steel structural works well underway, the 50m pool and the program pool concrete works have been completed and construction of the slide tower is progressing. 

View the latest 2013 fly-through video featuring both the world-first Aquasphere Family Raft Ride and the Constrictor Slide.

Construction activities remain on track for a mid-2014 opening.  Some of the key tasks to be undertaken in October include:

Source: Aquatics & Recreation Victoria

Featuring profiles on new members to the association. 

Justine Carlile Landscape Design principal Justine Carlile specializes in creating contemporary garden designs
that are enhanced by beautiful swimming pools and outdoor living areas.

The business has been operating in Melbourne's Bayside and surrounding suburbs for over 10 years.  Their speciality is the use of the garden space to incorporate the clients brief and provide a professional concept design package that will be utilized and enjoyed by the owners. Their boutique landscape design business is very personalized and tailored to every client's individuality and expectations.  Within the business they have a deep horticultural ability and experience that provides them with the ability to really enhance landscapes.  We catch up with Justine to learn more about her business and what drives her passion. 

What does your business offer?
Our specialty is to listen to our clients requirements and then transform their ideas into a complete landscape that exceeds their expectations is both my ultimate challenge and a very exciting reward for us and our clients. Our business is specializes in garden designs, 3D design service to enhance the property. We assist with colour selection of materials, accessories and furniture selections to create beautiful useable spaces.

What are the most exciting & challenging parts of your business?
To continue to create beautiful gardens that are sustainable, enjoyable and are unique. Integrating the internal living spaces with the external spaces to provide maximum usage of the client's property.

What’s a typical day in your world?
My day starts early whilst it is quiet so that I can get some uninterrupted thinking time to create my landscape designs. Once the business world awakens, it is a continuous process of engagement with clients and key stakeholders with plenty of travel to client's homes to keep them well informed on the design process and later observe the evolution of their new wonderful landscapes.

What’s something you’ve always wanted to do?
Having had other un-related careers and having raised two highly motivated children has been tremendously satisfying, now turning my long standing passion for design and landscaping into a business where I can continuously create beautiful Landscape Designs is really a dream come true. Continuing on that theme, when I get the chance, I am really keen to do some trekking in the South of France - between the wineries and restaurants whilst enjoying the magnificent landscapes adjoining the Mediterranean.

Who has been your greatest inspiration?
Philippe Stark architecture. A famous French architect that has a unique gift that can only be admired for his creative skills to capture the ambience of his projects.

Justine Carlile Landscape Design's website is currently under construction however be sure to visit page in future to view samples of her amazing work, such as work displayed in the image which appeared in Poolside magazine. Justine created the concept & design for and the pool, which was constructed by fellow SPASA Member, Brighton Pools.

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

Association Classifieds :: Members listing fee: $200 :: Non-Members listing fee $300 - Adverts will be run for 2 editions.
Interested parties should email their text (logos also welcome) - not more than 200 words - to rowena@spasavic.com.au

Poolside Magazine’s latest Facebook campaign, “Pool’s Out For Summer”, is now in full swing and causing quite a stir!

The campaign centres on the theme that all hard-working Australians deserve a pool to come home to at the end of the day. The Poolside team has created a “Reasons Why You Need a Pool” list, which includes health, investment and wellbeing as reasons why pools are important — with tongue-in-cheek suggestions. These regular posts have been engaging and inspiring their audience and the likes, shares and comments received are testament to their success.

“Pools Out For Summer” campaign highlights
“Reasons Why You Need a Pool” … Facebook posts campaign so far: 

• Teach the kids to swim! Get them diving into the pool and not for the TV remote!
• Tired of having to mow the lawn? Put a pool in your yard instead!
• Improve your health! You can burn up to 915 calories going for a dip — which definitely earns you a treat!
• You can wear what you like in your own backyard and there’s no one around to judge you.
• Need some eye candy? Hire a pool boy! But first, you need a pool.

About Universal Magazines
This campaign is produced by Universal Magazines’ Outdoor group, which includes Poolside, Poolside Showcase, Outdoor Design & Living, Outdoor Rooms, Backyard & Garden Design Ideas, Outdoor Design Source plus numerous bookazines and custom publishing projects.

For further information about getting involved, contact John Oliver on 0417 316 820.

SPASA Office Closure: 24 December 2013 - 1 January (inclusive)
Members are urged to ensure they’ve got ample supply of Contracts & Handover Books.

Pool & Spa Expo 2014 - Friday 31 January – Sunday 2 February, Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre, For bookings contact Vee at AEE on 9676 2133

Annual Golf Day - Friday 14 March 2014, Kingston Links Golf Course.

SPASA Australia Awards of Excellence - Thursday 17 July 2014. The venue will be advised shortly.

Spa & Pool Show at MCEC (Winter Show) 2014 - Saturday 9 & Sunday 10 August, Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre, For bookings contact Vee at AEE on 9676 2133

Awards of Excellence Gala Dinner - Saturday 30 August 2014. Our Gala Dinner is being relocated, we've outgrown the NGV. Our new venue will be announced soon. You'll love it.  

Partner Association Events

Queensland – Golf Day & Awards of Excellence Dinner ~ 21-23 August 

Western Australia – Pool, Spa & Outdoor Living Expo ~ 8-9 March, Golf Day ~ 25 March, Awards Night ~ 26 July, Get Ready for Summer Show ~ 13-14 September