Two team members at the City’s award-winning Cockburn ARC aquatic and recreation centre were recognised at the 2022 WA Aquatic Recreation Industry Awards.
Lifeguard Natalie Chua was named Pool Lifeguard of the Year for 2022 and Operations Supervisor Jordan Jupp was Highly Commended in the Emerging Leader of the Year category.
Cockburn ARC Infrastructure and Operations Coordinator Sarahjayne Westberg said the role of a lifeguard at the busy centre involved much more than pool duty.
“Natalie gives to the community and to her team by stepping up to go above and beyond her position description, and she does it with joy and dedication, something she has been doing since she began here as a casual in 2019,” Mrs Westberg said.
“She is one of our lifeguard trainers and her 360-degree feedback has revealed her ability to empower others and instil confidence in the team which is no stranger to the busyness of this professional role, including regular emergency response actions at a centre which hosts more than a million visitors annually.
“Natalie does simple things that mean a lot, like establishing a daily care box of homemade treats for her teammates, but she also fosters excellence and attention to detail in the vital role our lifeguards fulfill at our centre’s eight water bodies and three waterslides.
“Not only has she quickly identified and helped rescue a struggling patron in a busy pool, she repeatedly steps up when staff members are unwell or when team are short staffed, and takes our practical students under her wing.
“She’s a real asset to Cockburn and to the aquatic recreation industry, where she is a role model to aspire to – one of our culture champions.”
Mrs Westberg said the team was fortunate to also have the talent and dedication of Jordan, who began at the centre when it opened in 2017, working as a Lifeguard and casual Operations Manager.
“Jordan has combined his work at Cockburn ARC with his university studies, acting in a fulltime role on various occasions and providing critical backup to lifeguard and operations teammates,” Mrs Westberg said.
“He is also responsible for providing positive team morale, creating the monthly Most Valuable Player award to recognise and reward our hardworking staff.
“Since becoming fulltime in April, he has undertaken rostering responsibility for our team of 60 lifeguards, designing a robust performance management matrix to track staff shifts to allow for further staff development and support.
“He voluntarily leads team meetings and training sessions and demonstrates care and warmth for everyone he meets. He is undoubtedly one of the most hardest working operations supervisors I’ve come across in 15 years in the industry.”
The Western Australia Aquatic Recreation Industry Awards were held on 30 June at Rendezvous Hotel Scarborough through Leisure Institute of Western Australia Aquatics and supported by Royal Life Saving WA, the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries and the Water Corporation.
Caption: Cockburn ARC Lifeguard Natalie Chua and Operations Supervisor Jordan Jupp have been recognised at the 2022 WA Aquatic Recreation Industry Awards.