Tamworth Regional Council has been recognised for its professionalism with a national award for assisting aquatic facilities across Australia with preventing and dealing with drowning incidents. Swimming Pools Technical Officer Gary Johnson was awarded the Orimatech Award for Excellence by the Aquatic and Recreation Institute, the peak body for aquatic and recreation industry professionals across Australia.
Tamworth Regional Council Sport Development Manager Simon Haire said Gary Johnson is a most deserving recipient of the award which honours outstanding levels of achievement by individuals.
Simon Haire said Gary has demonstrated a high level of professionalism within the industry over a long period.
“This has included travelling Australia lecturing about the role of the Coroner in relation to the aquatic industry and how to both prevent, and prepare, facilities for a drowning event,” he said.
These have been exceptionally well received by his colleagues.
At the celebratory morning tea, Council’s General Manager Paul Bennett said that Gary should feel honoured to have been recognised by his peers.
Last year, Gary Johnson formed the Northern Inland Regional Aquatic Discussion Group (NIRADG). This brings pool managers of the
13 councils of the region together twice a year to discuss the operation of their 26 aquatic facilities. The group is having a positive impact on the region as an effective forum for distributing procedures, solutions and ideas.
First becoming involved in water safety as a lifesaver on a Sydney beach in 1986, Gary then also became a crewman on an offshore rescue boat in 1993. In 1994 he took on the role of Senior Pool Attendant position with Gunnedah Shire Council.
He moved to Tamworth City Council in 2004 to oversee the operation of the two pools which, as a result of the formation of Tamwoth Regional Council, became six pools.
Gary Johnson was a rescue crewman on the Tamworth based Westpac Rescue Helicopter from 2003 to 2005.
The Aquatic and Recreation Institute is a not for profit professional association of Aquatic and Recreation practitioners, which includes Recreation Facility Managers, Industry Specialists, Community Recreation Providers and Recreation Organisations.
