In this edition we provide you with details for the Country Chapter Training and Meeting to be held on May 27th & 28th and provide you with must-read industry related news. As the year seems to be slipping by quickly we urge you to take a look at our 2014 SPASA Calendar of Events listed at the end of the Bulletin to ensure you don't miss out on any important dates.

All SPASA members are warmly invited to attend our Country Chapter training, meeting and dinner. The event will be hosted by Country Chapter Portfolio head, Callum Ross and supported by SPASA CEO Brendan Watkins and head of the Complaint & Contracts portfolio, John D'Arcy. 

This event will be held at Rich River Golf Club Resort on May 27th & 28th. We encourage all members, especially those based in regional Victoria to attend.

Country Chapter Training: Chemistry Basic & Advanced
Date: Tuesday 27 May & Wednesday 28 May
Time: 9am - 5pm
Venue: Rich River Golf Club Resort
SPASA trainer: Paul Jacobson
Cost: Members - $270, Non Members - $470
Country Chapter Training must be booked using the registration form.

SPASA Construction Contract Training - for all Builder category members
Date: Wednesday 28th May
Time: 5pm - 6pm
Venue: Rich River Golf Club Resort
Conducted by: John D'Arcy
Please RSVP to rose@spasavic.com.au at your earliest convenience.

Country Chapter Meeting & Dinner
Date: Wednesday 28th May
Time: Meeting commences at 6.00pm followed by dinner at 8pm
Venue: Rich River Golf Club Resort, dinner will be held at the in-house restaurant.

RSVP to rose@spasavic.com.au at your earliest convenience for the Meeting & Dinner on Wednesday 28 May. 

Accommodation at the Rich River Resort is $120 for Deluxe Room which includes continental Breakfast. Book directly by calling 5481 3333

Bunnings has issued a national alert recalling the "700 litre M-Spa Inflatable Silver Cloud Spa" after the company received two reports of people in Victoria receiving "minor electric shocks" when using the spa.

The defect affects spas with the model number B-110 sold between September 2013 and February 2014. More than 730 have been sold across Australia.

Bunnings merchandising and store development director Clive Duncan said the company had made the decision to voluntarily recall the spa as a precautionary safety measure.

Testing by energy safety regulator Energy Safe Victoria and Bunnings revealed ineffective insulation of the internal water heating element and the possibility the electrical current could transfer to the control box, water and wet parts of the product.

For more information view the official recall here or visit www.recalls.gov.au.

All members must ensure they are selling compliant product. For all portable electrical product within Victoria, ensure you have ESV (or intra-state equivalent) certification and the provider must be registered as a Responsible Supplier via EESS.

The Victorian Coalition Government has announced that it will introduce a Domestic Building Consumer Protection Fund to better protect Victorian domestic building consumers.

The establishment of the Fund will further strengthen the role of the Victorian Building Authority in providing a ‘one-stop-shop’ for building regulation and consumer protection under the Government’s Domestic Building Consumer Protection Reform Strategy.

“The Government will phase out the current insurance arrangements by 30 June 2015, meaning there will be a single, integrated, statutory body to which consumers can look for all aspects of protection – from responding to consumer complaints, to providing cover if a builder defaults through to deregistering dodgy builders,” Minister for Finance Robert Clark said.

“For builders, the new Fund will mean a single, integrated process for registration and for coverage of their projects, without their livelihood being dependent on separately satisfying a regulator and an insurance company.

“The new arrangements will provide improved protection for families and individuals who invest large sums to build or renovate their home.”

For further information read the Media Release here.

The VBA has released a new information sheet to provide home owners with easy-to-understand information about swimming pool and spa safety fences, a handy resource for your consumers. 

The information sheet aims to help Victorians make sure their pool fence complies, that they understand the regulations and where to get inspection services.

Download your copy of About swimming pools, spas and their safety barriers.

VBA Chief Commissioner Bill Kusznirczuk has announced that the Chief Executive Officer, Prue Digby, will be appointed for a further three years.  

“I am pleased that Prue will continue her work guiding the VBA through this period of significant change,” Mr Kusznirczuk said. “Since her appointment in November 2013, Prue has overseen the appointment of a new executive leadership team, commenced the restructure of the organisation, and increased regulatory activity. She continues to rebuild relationships with industry and consumers, strengthening the VBA’s role as a regulator.”

Chief Commissioner Kusznirczuk also announced that the Minister for Planning, Matthew Guy, has appointed two new Commissioners to the VBA Board.

“I am delighted to welcome two highly experienced and respected new Board members in Yvonne von Hartel AM and Dr Lynne Williams,” he said.

Read the full Media Release here.

Given that your association has established strong links to VBA CEO Prue Digby and her new team, incorporating quarterly meetings, we see this appointment as very positive news. 

The ACCC has released its revised Advertising and Selling Guide to help educate businesses about their rights and obligations when selling and promoting their products and services.

The primary rule of advertising and selling under the Australian Consumer Law is to ensure that any statement you make about your products or services is true, accurate and able to be substantiated.

This includes any statement you make in television or radio advertisements, in catalogues, on labels, on websites, in contracts (or during contract negotiations), over the telephone, in correspondence (such as letters or emails) or in person.

It is also important to remember:

·         If you use ‘was/now’ or ‘strike through’ pricing, take care not to mislead consumers about the savings they can achieve.

·         The same rules apply to online businesses and bricks and mortar stores.

·         Don't bury any qualifications or disclaimers in the fine print – they need to be prominent and clear to avoid any potential confusion that may be caused by the advertised price.

The revised guide provides examples of conduct likely to breach the law, and practical tips for advertising and selling. It also includes new guidance for businesses on the use of online marketing vehicles such as social media, online reviews and online group buying, and on two-price comparison advertising (‘was/now’ or ‘strike through’ pricing). The ACCC has also produced a short video on using ‘was/now’ pricing.

For more information read the revised 'Advertising and selling guide' here or  watch the 'was/now' pricing video.

Learn more about advertising and selling through the ACCC’s online education program for small businesses (www.ccaeducationprograms.org).

On March 31 Business Victoria launched their new look website. The new website has clearer, simpler navigation, and is now available everywhere - viewable on any screen or browser. The website is a comprehensive online resource designed to help you start, run and grow your business.

By viewing this site you can:

• access information about key business issues and get your questions answered
• access information about specific industry sectors
• identify the government licences and regulations that apply to your business
• step through interactive guides customised to your business situation
• find relevant financial support, advice and training.

To view the Business Victoria website visit www.business.vic.gov.au

The Board of SPASA warmly welcomes new members to the Association.

New Provisional Members:

Poolman.com.au
Principals or Directors: Mark Grondman
Membership Category: Pool Service - Provisional
Website: www.poolman.com.au

Aqua Lux Pools
Principals or Directors: Tyronne Grech
Membership Category: Restricted - Provisional

Pavers Plus
Principals or Directors: Joseph & Marie Finocchiaro
Membership Category: Associate - Provisional
Website: www.paversplus.com.au

Upgrade to Full Membership:

Rhino Fencing and Gates Principals or Directors: Douglas Warner Membership Category: Pool Fencing www.rhinofencing.com.au	Sienna Pools Principals or Directors: Patrick Rongoni / Steve Rongoni Membership Category: Restricted www.siennapools.com.au
Conquest Pools Echuca Principals or Directors: Roger McMinn Membership Category: Pool Builder	Narellan Pools Geelong North and Ballarat Principals or Directors: Shaun Riordan Membership Category: Pool Builder www.narellanpools.com.au
Integrated Pools Principals or Directors: Damian Canny Membership Category: Pool Builder www.integratedpools.com.au	Bendigo Pool Teck Principals or Directors: Dean Wild Membership Category: Pool Service
Gary West Pools Principals or Directors: Shane Rolfe Membership Category: Pool Builder www.garywestpools.com.au	Leisure Pools Warragul Principals or Directors: Gary & Naomi Reynolds Membership Category: Pool Builder www.gippslandpools.com.au

Featuring profiles on association members

Pavers Plus is a family owned business, in operation since 1995. They are direct importers of natural stone products and glass mosaics for use in external and internal installations. They're a service-focused business and always try to go "the extra mile" for trade and retail customers looking for paving, walling, pool coping or tiles. 

This month we catch up with General Manager, Tim Finocchiaro who gives us an insight to the business.

What does your business offer?
Pavers Plus is a retailer and direct importer of natural stone paving and tile products for pool surrounds, outdoor and indoor flooring, walling or any other area you would like to cover with stone. We are also a supplier of pool tiles, construction block, adhesives and sealing products and specialise in pool coping and custom design. We display our products at our Ringwood showroom and keep large quantities of stock for immediate pickup.

What are the most exciting & challenging parts of your business?
Most exciting: Working with a client to custom design products to suit a specific need and seeing the finished product installed in situ to create a unique finish for a client. Most Challenging: Forecasting the changing stock requirements of our trade and retail customers and dealing with the uncontrollable variables associated with importing products.  

What’s a typical day in your world?
I start in the office at 6.30am to deal with emails and stock ordering before the day starts. The balance of my day is spent on sales, visiting clients, supporting sales and warehouse staff and any other random occurrence associated with running a family business. 

What’s something you’ve always wanted to do?
Walk the Inca Trail in Machu Picchu, Peru.

Who has been your greatest inspiration?
My wife.

Bonus question... Boardies or Budgies??
It has to be boardies.

View Pavers Plus for more information on their product range.

                     Like to be featured in a SPASA Bulletin Profile? Just let Rowena know: rowena@spasavic.com.au

BRIGHTON POOLS PTY LTD Team member required by Brighton Pools – must have extensive plumbing and filtration knowledge in pool construction.  Please send resume to info@brightonpools.com.au or call office on 9553 2011 to arrange interview.

Association Classifieds :: Members listing fee: $200 :: Non-Members listing fee $300 - Adverts will be run for 2 editions.
Interested parties should email their text (logos also welcome) - not more than 200 words - to rowena@spasavic.com.au

RAINWISE Construction Manager Rainwise is looking for someone to join their award winning, highly successful team as their Construction/Site Manager for the installation of their Fibreglass Pools. A very attractive salary is on offer plus super, holidays etc, fully maintained vehicle and phone. We are a small family operated business that prides itself on delivering what we promise, so if you are a second in charge somewhere looking for your opportunity to step up, this is it! Email – robertstyles@rainwise.com.au with your résumé.

Association Classifieds :: Members listing fee: $200 :: Non-Members listing fee $300 - Adverts will be run for 2 editions.
Interested parties should email their text (logos also welcome) - not more than 200 words - to rowena@spasavic.com.au

Chemistry (Basic) - Tuesday 13 May, SPASA Training Centre, Notting Hill

Chemistry (Advanced) - Thursday 15 & Friday 16 May, SPASA Training Centre, Notting Hill

Country Chapter Training Echuca - Tuesday 27 & Wednesday 28 May, Rich River Golf Club Resort, Echuca

Country Chapter Meeting - 6pm, Wednesday 28 May, Rich River Golf Club Resort, Echuca

Spa & Pool Show at MCEC (Winter Show) 2014 - Saturday 9 & Sunday 10 August, Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre, For bookings contact Vee at AEE on 9676 2133

Awards of Excellence Gala Dinner - Saturday 30 August, Plaza Ballroom 

Pool Construction Essentials - Monday 15 September, SPASA Training Centre, Notting Hill

Hydraulics (Basic) - Tuesday 16 September, SPASA Training Centre, Notting Hill

Hydraulics (Advanced) - Wednesday 17 September, SPASA Training Centre, Notting Hill

Chemistry (Basic) - Monday 22 September, SPASA Training Centre, Notting Hill

Chemistry (Advanced) - Wednesday 24 & Thursday 25 September, SPASA Training Centre, Notting Hill

Chemistry (Basic) - Friday 10 October, SPASA Training Centre, Notting Hill

SPASA AGM - Wednesday 12 November. SPASA, Notting Hill.

Partner Association Events

SPASA Australia - Awards of Excellence Gala Dinner - Thursday 17th July, Crowne Plaza, Gold Coast in conjunction with SPLASH! Pool & Spa Trade Show - Booking forms can be found here!

Queensland– Golf Day ~ 22 August, Trade Show & Awards of Excellence Dinner ~ 23 August 

Western Australia – Awards Night ~ 26 July, Get Ready for Summer Expo ~ 13-14 September

South Australia – Awards of Excellence Dinner ~ 6 June, Pool & Spa Show ~ 5 & 6 July, Golf Day ~ 3 October

      

SPASA Victoria has an online presence - join the conversation by following us on Facebook and Linkedin.