Mt Barker pool is Watch Around Water regional facility of the year at WA Aquatic & Recreation Industry Awards

The Mt Barker Memorial Swimming Pool has picked up a top safety gong at the WA Aquatic and Recreation Industry Awards, held in Perth on August 27.

It won the Watch Around Water regional facility of the year award which recognises the way supervision standards have been improved at public pools.

The Watch Around Water program has been part and parcel of pool safety since 2004 and this is the second time the Mt Barker facility has been the best regional offering in the State, having also triumphed in 2017.

Watch Around Water encourages parents, guardians and pool staff to actively supervise children, especially those under 10 years old, to help reduce risks of injury or drowning.

The awards also recognised those who have served the industry over long periods of time, with Shire of Plantagenet recreation services co-ordinator Mark Bird acknowledged for his 20 years at the helm.

Mr Bird said implementing pool safety procedures had been a major part of the facility’s success, with an annual event before the school holidays over Christmas promoting the safety message.

“The Watch Around Water program demands that we ensure we supervise and also monitor parents’ supervision,” he said.

“It can lead to a lot of awkward conversations because parents don’t like to be told they might not be supervising properly.

“But our annual Watch Around Water fun day, which parents and children can attend, is a great way to hammer home the message.”

This year’s fun day will be on Friday, December 18, with a barbecue and giveaways on the cards.

Mr Bird was delighted to be recognised for his long service and said he was not planning to quit anytime soon.

“I still love my job,” he said.

“Plus, I love the community and my customers.”