WA Aquatic and Recreation Industry’s Best Honoured

Western Australia’s aquatic and recreation industry came together at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre on Thursday, 27 August for the fifth annual WA Aquatic & Recreation Industry Awards Dinner.

Held at the conclusion of the two-day WA Aquatic & Recreation Conference, the dinner welcomed a record 320 guests to celebrate the people, facilities and programs helping make the industry safer, stronger and more inclusive.

A record 115 nominations were received across the individual and organisational award categories—giving the judging panels plenty to celebrate and more than a few difficult decisions to make.

The Leisure Institute of Western Australia (LIWA) thanks Platinum Event Sponsor Jonas Leisure and Event Partners Royal Life Saving WA and Water Corporation for their support of the event.

The evening was attended by LIWA Aquatics Life Members John East, Steve Good, Chris Blankley, Dale Morrissy and Karin Kelly, alongside LIWA Board Members Dan Barber, Melissa Warren, Alex Baxter, Duncan Hutton, Billy Vibart, Nick Wilkinson and Sian Edwards.

Distinguished guests also included Peter Lillywhite and Kimberley Nimmo from the Department of Education; Steve Young and Jenifer La Quesne from Water Corporation; Chong Ooi Yeow from LGIS; Shire of Wongan-Ballidu President Stuart Boekeman; City of Wanneroo Mayor Linda Aitken; City of Armadale Councillor Paul Hetherington; City of Cockburn Mayor Logan Howlett; City of Melville Mayor Katy Mair; and Jonas Leisure General Manager Alissa Lim.

Industry’s Highest Honours Presented

Two of the evening’s most significant honours were presented to Sarahjayne Westberg and Chris Blankley, recognising exceptional contemporary leadership and a lifetime of service to the industry.

Sarahjayne Westberg Receives President’s Award

Sarahjayne Westberg received the President’s Award for her exceptional contribution over the past 12 months. Alongside her role at Cockburn ARC, she has supported major LIWA initiatives including the Accreditation and Membership Review, LIWA’s first Mentoring Program and the inaugural Facility Managers Course.

Chris Blankley Receives Smith–Robertson Award

Chris Blankley received LIWA Aquatics’ highest honour in recognition of almost 50 years of industry service. His contribution includes 34 years on the LIWA Board, decades supporting regional professional development and the training and mentoring of generations of aquatic professionals across Western Australia.

A Standout Night for Local Governments

The City of Canning enjoyed an exceptional evening, with five winners recognised across the individual and organisational categories.

Taya Downing was named Customer Service Officer of the Year, Ashton Cridge received Pool Lifeguard of the Year, Tahlia Cappeluti was named Metropolitan Aquatic Technical Operator of the Year and Ebony King received Emerging Leader of the Year. Canning Swim School then added to the tally by receiving Swim School of the Year.

The City of Cockburn also received significant recognition. Alongside Sarahjayne Westberg’s President’s Award, Cockburn ARC won both the Sustainability Award and Aquatic Facility Safety Award.

The City of Armadale was recognised across several categories, with Armadale Fitness & Aquatic Centre named Metropolitan Watch Around Water Facility of the Year. Kristen Oliveri was Highly Commended for Emerging Leader of the Year, while Active Armadale Swim School was Highly Commended for Swim School of the Year.

The City of Mandurah received two Highly Commended honours, with Jennelle Francis recognised in Pool Lifeguard of the Year and Mandurah Aquatic & Recreation Centre recognised in Facility of the Year.

2026 Award Results

Individual Awards

• Customer Service Officer of the Year:
  • Winner: Taya Downing, Riverton and Cannington Leisureplex, City of Canning
  • Highly Commended: Kristy Harcourt, Kwinana Recquatic, City of Kwinana

• Swim Teacher of the Year – sponsored by Royal Life Saving WA:
  • Winner: Tamzen Yates, Superfins WA – Telethon Superfins Learn to Swim

• Pool Lifeguard of the Year – sponsored by Lynxight:
  • Winner: Ashton Cridge, Riverton and Cannington Leisureplex, City of Canning
  • Highly Commended: Jennelle Francis, Mandurah Aquatic and Recreation Centre, City of Mandurah

• Regional Aquatic Technical Operator of the Year – sponsored by Brauer Swim:
  • Winner: Trevor Caporn, Wongan Hills Memorial Swimming Pool, Shire of Wongan-Ballidu

• Metropolitan Aquatic Technical Operator of the Year – sponsored by Brauer Swim:
  • Winner: Tahlia Cappeluti, Riverton and Cannington Leisureplex, City of Canning

• Emerging Leader of the Year:
  • Winner: Ebony King, Riverton and Cannington Leisureplex, City of Canning
  • Highly Commended: Sophie Atkins, Stirling Leisure, City of Stirling
  • Highly Commended: Kristen Oliveri, Armadale Fitness & Aquatic Centre, City of Armadale

• President’s Award: Sarahjayne Westberg
• Smith–Robertson Award: Chris Blankley

Organisational Awards

• Sustainability Award:
  • Winner: Cockburn ARC, City of Cockburn

• Regional Watch Around Water Facility of the Year
  • Winner: Mount Barker Memorial Swimming Pool, Shire of Plantagenet

• Metropolitan Watch Around Water Facility of the Year:
  • Winner: Armadale Fitness & Aquatic Centre, City of Armadale
  • Highly Commended: Kwinana Recquatic, City of Kwinana

• Peter Hobson Community Impact Award – sponsored by Fluidra:
  • Winner: Swan Active, City of Swan
  • Highly Commended: Albany Leisure & Aquatic Centre, City of Albany

• Swim School of the Year – sponsored by PerfectGym:
  • Winner: Canning Swim School, City of Canning
  • Highly Commended: Aqualife Swim School, Town of Victoria Park
  • Highly Commended: Active Armadale Swim School, City of Armadale

• Aquatic Facility Safety Award – sponsored by Monotek:
  • Winner: Cockburn ARC, City of Cockburn
  • Highly Commended: Geographe Leisure Centre, City of Busselton

• Regional Facility of the Year – sponsored by Pool Robotics Perth:
  • Winner: Karratha Leisureplex, City of Karratha

• Metropolitan Facility of the Year – sponsored by Pool Robotics Perth:
  • Winner: Craigie Leisure Centre, City of Joondalup
  • Highly Commended: Mandurah Aquatic & Recreation Centre, City of Mandurah

LIWA congratulates every winner, Highly Commended recipient, finalist and nominee recognised in 2026.

From the emerging professionals already helping shape the industry’s future to the people who have dedicated decades to strengthening it, the awards highlighted the considerable talent, leadership and generosity found throughout Western Australia’s aquatic and recreation community.

Check out the event photos here.