Dear LIWA Aquatics member,
Re: Coronavirus (COVID-19)
As you have heard many times before, these are unprecedented times. The order from Government to close all swimming pools was an enormous one for our industry, not just financially but social wellbeing for members, staff and patrons. Whilst it was a hard decision to make, it was one that was necessary to protect all Australians and reduce the spread and lower the curve.
LIWA understands the impact on members and staff during this challenging time of uncertainty.
To help assist members through this period, any membership that expires between 23rd March to August 2020, LIWA will be extending your membership to the 31st August 2020. (We will review this over the coming months to see if further extensions are required).
As businesses are closing and the ability to attend Professional Development are reduced, LIWA is following the recommendations of the National Aquatic Industry Safety Committee (NAISC) in which LIWA is a part of and allowing extensions on a range of qualifications including Pool Lifeguard. If your Pool Lifeguard or LIWA Accreditation expires between the period 23rd March and 30th June 2020, you will now be extended through to 1st July 2020. The NAISC will be meeting again in May (if not sooner) and review extension dates if required.
Due to the constant and fluid movement of decisions that will impact our industry over the coming months, LIWA will constantly be reviewing these decisions and make adjustments as necessary.
The following events that have already impacted LIWA and its members has been;
- Cancelling of the North West Seminar, Pool Lifeguard Requal & SCBA Refresher course in Broome.
The Annual State Conference is at this stage still scheduled for August 2020 and will be reviewed by the LIWA Board as information is received by WA Government.
LIWA Aquatics is investigating online networking options to maintain the network within our industry. With the possibilities of no face to face conference or seminars this year, we are looking into the online environment. This is new territory for LIWA and no doubt a lot of our members also.
We encourage all members to keep in contact with other centres to constantly “Maintain the Network” whilst LIWA reviews our options to keep everyone informed and networking. An Online Forum has been setup for this purpose, and we encourage you all to use it.
These are difficult times which has an impact on every single person globally not just within our local industry. We encourage you all to continually work with and support our aquatic industry traders who support us, where you can. Pools will still need to be maintained to some degree; we just may not have people in them.
LIWA will do its best to keep the communication lines open and to provide you with ongoing support and professional development through our Website, The Aquatic Recreation Industry Forum, Facebook and Twitter feeds.
Our objective is to share information and support the Aquatic industry through this period of uncertainty.
Your feedback is gratefully received through the LIWA Aquatics Executive Officer, Steve Good.
Nick Wilkinson
President LIWA Aquatics
