My career in Aquatic Management started in 1998, the week before Christmas a position of Pool Manager suddenly became available at the pool where I was teaching swimming and lifeguarding.   I had no management experience and didn’t realise the leap of faith the Centre Manager was taking in me.  That week was incredibly hot in Perth so as an accidental Pool Manager I started in the deep end.  

At the time I was studying Sports Administration at Curtin University planning to graduate in the middle of 1999.   City of Canning had commenced building a new Leisure Centre at this time, and I soon I realised I was in the right place at the right time.   

20 years later and I continue to work in Aquatics Management as Manager Leisure Services for the City of Canning.  With the responsibility of two Leisure Centres; Riverton and Cannington Leisureplex. I am also responsible for the management of the maintenance team at Whaleback Golf Course.    When your roles focus is on customers and the people employed to make the facilities the best places to come and play at, it’s amazing how many synergies there are in gyms, golf and pools.

As a Director on the LIWA Aquatics board since 2015 I have enjoyed meeting and learning more about the people who run and improve the safety of community pools across Western Australia.   LIWA Aquatics has over 600 active members working for local councils, private facilities and State Government.

Becoming the new president in 2019 on the 50^th Anniversary of LIWA Aquatics, was an incredible honour.    Regardless of the aquatic centres size or location in Western Australia, the significance to the communities surrounding and the benefits these facilities bring is incredibly important socially and economically.    Not bad for a hole in the ground with water in it.

Our Boards key objectives have recently been shaped with a facilitated think tank at the August conference. 

To continue strengthening our organisation we will do this through:

• • Implementing new ideas generated at the Conference and any future stakeholder feedback through continuous engagement for improvements supporting the current Business Plan.  This includes key projects including the Watch Around Water program, Regional conferences and members training opportunities as high priorities.
  • To continue strengthening our partnerships with key stakeholders across Local and State Government, Not for profits, Industry suppliers and all the Peak Bodies who also enhance the employment and training prospects in the WA Aquatic Industry.
  • Embracing new technologies and best practices to leverage future opportunities for LIWA’s members and the organisations that employee us.
  • To achieve a greater balance with priorities on regional representation, gender and diversity in our future board and industry.

Nick Wilkinson

LIWA Aquatics President