New Look Newsletter

Welcome to our new look bi-monthly Newsletter! We hope the new format will make catching up on all the Aquamoves news an easier and more pleasurable experience.

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Staff News

Nat Fuller has joined the Aquamoves team

After three years at Aquamoves, Operations Team Leader Rohan Watson has secured a position in the Australian Defence Force. Rohan, who also undertook Life Guarding and Group Fitness Instructor duties during his time with us, finished up in June to relocate to Kapooka (Wagga Wagga) and commence his army basic training. We wish Rohan and his family all the best.

We welcome on board Nat Fuller who fills the position of Duty Supervisor with an Operations portfolio. Nat is Queensland born and bred and lived in Mooloolaba on the Sunshine Coast before relocating to Melbourne last year. Nat has completed his bachelor in Sport Tourism Management- majoring in Sport and Recreation Facility Management. We look forward to having Nat as a part of the Aquamoves Team.

Customer service Team Leader Vanessa Loverso has just commenced a years' maternity leave. Vanessa gave birth to Ella Caitlin at 2am on 27 August, weighing 8lb 6oz. Ella is the third child for Vanessa and Greg who have two daughters, Sarah and Olivia.

Congratulations to Kate I'anson on her appointment of the following roles: permanent Customer Service Officer and Administration Officer. Kate will oversee Vanessa's daily tasks in her absence. It is a pleasure to have her as part of the team.

We also welcome Melissa Stansfield, Nikki Brown-Shepherd and Ashleigh White who are our new junior customer service staff. Please introduce yourself when you see them at reception.

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RPM Bike Maintenance

Recently a significant amount of maintenance has been carried out on the RPM bikes to ensure any faults and unsatisfactory functioning has been rectified.

Staff from Don Ash Bike Hub have serviced chains, sprockets and crank sets on all bikes. Fly wheel bearings have been replaced, whilst brake pads and resistance dials were checked and lubed.

All bikes have benefited from a sand back and a fresh coat of paint. Handle bar plugs are currently on order and these will eliminate movement in the grips.

We trust that you have noticed an improvement in the way the bikes have been performing and we welcome your feedback on their current condition. We would like to thank the staff at Don Ash Bike Hub for their support.

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Tour De Aquamoves

Shelley Heggart worked hard to win the tour

Now in its second year, the Tour De Aquamoves was again a great success. Running from Saturday 4 July to Sat 25 July, participants were set the task of riding 360km, with each RPM class being the equivalent of riding 20km and an Xpress class 10km. The competition was a tough one, with some participants completing up to three classes in one day in an attempt to reach first place.

Shelley Heggart completed the ‘Tour' in record time and received a $100 Lemon Tree Café voucher. Great work Shelley! Congratulations also to Fiona Sawyer (2nd) and Annie Manning (3rd) who both received vouchers from the Lemon Tree.

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Recruiting All Lifeguards

Lifeguard Debbie Stanton works at Tatura Swimming Pool during the summer season

Aquamoves, Mooroopna, Tatura and Merrigum pools are now recruiting lifeguards!

All you need is a current Level 2 First Aid, Pool Lifeguard qualification and to be at least 16 years of age. You will need to have a police check and working with children check completed before commencement of employment.

For information on when first aid and pool lifeguard course are running please contact Michael on 5832 9404 or check out the following website www.lifesavingvictoria.com.au

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Customer Comments

The customer comments box provides a valuable communication resource and we continue to receive comments and feedback regarding our service on a daily basis.  

The comments box is checked daily and each comment provided is met with an outcome. Please be assured that all comments are treated with discretion and strict confidentiality.

New to Aquamoves is the customer comments response folder. In this folder you will find each customer comment and the response provided by Aquamoves. The comments are updated on a monthly basis- so make sure you check out the folder out for a greater insight into what is happening in your center. Before placing a comment, have a flip through as your question just may have been already answered!

Below is a standout comment from the previous month.

"I travel extensively with my job and visit many fitness centres all over Victoria. This is one of the best facilities- great timetable, friendly staff and excellent instructors. Almost makes me want to live here! Thanks."

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Key System

Customer Service Officer Jenny Serra with the new key system

We have recently introduced a new system that allows members and guests to leave their keys at reception- eliminating the worry of having them stolen whilst you work out.

Customer service will place your keys in a tray at reception and provide you will a tiny numbered tag. Simply present this tag at reception after your work out to reclaim your keys.

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Spring Splash school holiday program

Swimming instructor Megan Birks and Jacob Dedman explore water familiartiy Megan and Jacob swim after a toy in the leisure pool at Aquamoves

If you are looking for a fun activity these school holidays then Spring Splash is the perfect solution.

Choose between a one or two week program offering an intensive 30 minute swim lesson each day. This is a great opportunity to improve your child's swimming ability.

Program One: Monday 21 September - Friday 25 September (five days) cost $52.50

Program Two: Monday 28 September - Friday 2 October (five days) cost $52.50

Program Three: Monday 21 September - Friday 2 October (10 days) cost $105.00

Enrolment forms are available from Customer Service. Places are limited so to avoid disappointment please return your enrolment form as soon as possible. Your enrolment will be confirmed by phone.

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Winner of the Wii

Brandon with his mum Dorothy and sister Tiffany

Well done Brandon Groves for winning the Nintendo Wii. Brandon's parents paid for his Learn to Swim fees in full before the 30 June and were the lucky ones to be drawn out of the hat.

Thank you to all families who paid in full to enter the competition - we had a fantastic response!

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Construction update

Over the past few weeks our new outdoor aquatic facility has really begun to take shape.  

The concrete pool base has been poured and the floor of the splash park will be poured within a week. Major ground works have been completed in readiness for the construction of a sand beach and volleyball course. Plus as you can no doubt see on approaching Aquamoves, a new central shade structure is taking formation.

Although the project has been delayed due to the recent rain, it is still on course to be completed and opened in December.

The splash park will showcase an interactive water playground for young children and will be surrounded by shaded seating areas.

A central pontoon separates the splash park from the beach, which leads to the new outdoor leisure pool.

On the northern side of the leisure pool will be barbecue areas and beach volleyball courts.

Landscaping will raise the level of the grassed areas to the existing Aquamoves building.

The $3 million project is now in full swing with all contractors on site.

With two new wet areas and extensive outdoor areas to enjoy over summer, we will investigate extending our opening hours for families to enjoy warm summer evenings.

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Spring Launches

Suz shows particpants how it's done during Pump's spring launch Mel takes charge during the launch

This week brings the much anticipated spring launches. If you have never been to a launch class before then please take the opportunity to attend and be a part of the great atmosphere.

Every three months a whole new group fitness class/release is pre choreographed by Les Mills. Aquamoves group fitness instructors attend workshops in Melbourne, hosted by the Les Mills instructors who teach the new routines. Our instructors then work hard to learn and memorise the whole new class/release.  

About 2-3 weeks after the Melbourne workshop the new class/release is launched. During the Launch classes, 2-4 instructors teach the class and the atmosphere is fantastic!

This Spring launch will also include a Thump launch, which will be a Thump class with 4 instructors and new combinations.

For more information on the different programs that we offer visit www.lesmills.com or click on the classes section on our website: www.aquamoves.com.au

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Wrist bands and towels

John Stephens sets a good example by wearing a wrist band and using a towel in the sauna

As a courtesy to members, guests and staff, please ensure you are adhering to the center rules by always using a towel in the sauna, and wearing wristbands when using the sauna, spas or hydrotherapy pool.

Even if you are a long-term member who has been using the facilities for many years, we ask that you set the example.

It is very hard for the Lifeguards to be sure you are entitled to use the facility if you are not wearing a wristband. Just because you have used the facility in the past, does not necessarily mean you are always entitled to- as you may decide to alter your membership over time.

New members and guests will not realize you have paid for the facility and may become frustrated if their space is restricted by someone they rightly assume is not permitted to use it.

If everyone plays his or her part by doing the right thing and being mindful of others, it will go a long way to making our place of leisure more enjoyable for everyone.

We thank you for your anticipated cooperation.

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30 Day Challenge

The challenge is out! Could you do 30 group fitness classes in 30 days?

For the month of September, that's exactly what the participants of the 30 Day Challenge will be aiming to do.

Participants must complete any group fitness class every day for 30 days starting Tuesday 1 September through to Wednesday 30 September.

All participants who complete the 30 Day Challenge will go into the draw to win some great prizes including a FREE night at Quest Apartments (Carlton on Finlay), 3 PT sessions and movie vouchers.

Good luck to all the challengers!

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Car Park Crossing

Darren Hoskin uses the brand new crossing in the Aquamoves car park

Development works have been carried out in the Aquamoves car park to see the creation of a pedestrian crossing. This will increase the safety of the car park for all users, particularly mum's with bubs and the frail and elderly.

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Hydrotherapy Pool Closure: Advance Notice

The hydrotherapy pool will be undergoing maintenance which is expected to commence from 12 noon on 13 September.

The anticipated time of closure is 3 weeks from this date.

Any changes to this time will be displayed via public notices in the centre.

It is recommended that you ring us to confirm that the hydro pool has reopened after the 3 weeks, before you decide to come back in.

We thank you for your patience during this time.

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Traffic Light Group Fitness System Procedure

A new procedure is now in place whereby the popularity of our group fitness classes will be closely monitored and alterations to the group fitness timetable will made based upon attendance data gathered. 

A new timetable will be released each season and prior to this release, each group fitness class will be reviewed.

Classes will then fit into one of the following categories:

Green Light Classes - these classes have an average occupancy of between 60 - 100 percent. These classes are performing extremely well and there is potential to grow this program.

Orange Light Classes - these classes have an average occupancy of between 30 - 60 percent. These classes are performing solidly and have great potential for growth. These classes may be targeted for marketing to help increase the interest and participation. If this class drops in its numbers it may be at risk of moving to a Red Light.

Red Light Classes - these classes have an average occupancy of below 30 percent. The classes are performing below acceptable levels and need to be reassessed. This class will be given a flag on the next seasonal timetable.

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Happy Steps

Happy Steps is an exercise session set to music and is designed to encourage those with disabilities to get active and have fun in a safe environment.

The program is run once a week at Aquamoves and the sessions go for an hour. We have had a fantastic turn out to the program this term, with people from all facets of the community in attendance.

Well done to Toni Leader who continues to create an engaging and enjoyable exercise program.

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Occasional Childcare

Occasional Childcare is available at Aquamoves from Monday - Friday 9.00am to 12.15pm.

If you are interested in using Aquamoves' Childcare please pop in and see Megan, Mel, Michelle and Chris. They will be happy to answer your queries and show you around.

Please ensure that you have booked a place for your child. Places are limited so please do not arrive at the centre on the day with the expectation that there will be childcare available without a prior booking.

Customer service staff do not make confirmed bookings but you are welcome to leave a message with them for childcare staff.

Please also let us know if you need to cancel a booking. For more information phone customer service on 58 329 400.

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Staff Profile

Childcare Coordinator Megan Penman

Name: Megan Penman
Position: Childcare Coordinator
Birthplace: Benalla
What did you do before working at Aquamoves?
In a variety of childcare related roles- home based care, occasional childcare, working with children with special needs and also nannying in the UK.
How long have you worked at Aquamoves and in which roles?
6 years - initially in childcare then also in customer service and as a supervisor.
Most rewarding aspect of your role?
There are too many to mention but I love that the kids want to invite me to their birthday and tell me about things - like that they sleep in a big bed now....... It's stuff that doesn't necessarily mean much to us grownups but is so important to them and I feel privileged that they want to share that with me.
Favourite place in the world?
There are lots - I've really enjoyed all my opportunities for travelling and there are lots of beautiful places I have been to but I do really love Scotland.
Proudest moment?
Hmmmm.....Not sure !!
Who inspires you?
Hmmmm.....Not sure about that one either !!
Tips for working with children?
Good manners are so important and will take you anywhere you wish to go in life so I think it's really important to invest time and effort into teaching children to have good manners. Children are a product of those around them - so what you put into them is what you get out of them.

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