Champions of Queensland’s leisure and aquatics industry were recognised for standout achievements and their commitment to excellence at the first Australian Leisure Facilities Association Queensland (ALFAQ) Awards held recently.

The inaugural Jonas Leisure Facility of the Year Award went to Milne Bay Aquatic and Fitness Centre in Toowoomba for its outstanding water safety programme and commitment to their community and staff.

Other award finalists included:

  • Kawana Aquatic Centre (Sunshine Coast) for its versatility and strong elite sports program
  • Yeronga Park Pool (Brisbane) for its outstanding community programs
  • Newmarket Olympic Pool (Brisbane) for its technological and design improvements which led to a large increase in visitor numbers over the year.

Jonas Leisure sponsored the inaugural awards which were introduced by ALFAQ to recognise the hard-working people and organisations behind Queensland’s leisure and aquatic facilities and for the opportunities they provide for people to get active and enjoy themselves.

Unlike other states, Queensland previously lacked industry recognition for these facilities and individuals and the Board of ALFAQ has introduced the awards to address this.

The first Orimatech Award for Excellence was also awarded at the event, to recognise outstanding levels of individual career achievement. The award went to Shelley Douyere, currently responsible for several of Queensland’s pools as Managing Director of Multi-Level Sports.

Shelley’s longstanding work with local communities to encourage greater participation and develop aquatics programs for everyone from beginners to elite athletes, was recognised in this award.

Over a 40-year career, Shelley has developed learn to swim programs and instigated a number of targeted programs to include and build swimming confidence in mature-aged people, refugees and parents of under six-month old babies.

Heath Rackley of City Venue Management on the Gold Coast was the other finalist for this award.

Congratulations to all 2017 award winners.

Maytronics Media & Communications

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