Celebrating 40 Years in the Aquatic Industry – Graham Macauley

For Graham Macauley, a 40-year career in the aquatic industry began in Albany in the 1980s with a new aquatic facility, a love of surfing and a little bit of forward thinking.

With permanent employment opportunities not always easy to come by, Graham saw the new facility being built in Albany and recognised an opportunity.

“I was surfing heaps at the time and thought working at the pool would be a good fit with my lifestyle. I undertook some training to get ahead of the pack when it came to interviews and was lucky enough to land the job.”

That decision marked the beginning of a career that would take Graham from Albany to the northern Goldfields, through the Wheatbelt and, eventually, back to where it all began.

From Albany to the Goldfields – and Back Again

Graham began his aquatic career at the Albany Leisure and Aquatic Centre (ALAC) before taking the opportunity to run a pool at Leinster in the northern Goldfields.

It became a significant chapter in his career, with Graham spending 25 years in Leinster working with WMC and later BHP.

Following redundancy, Graham remained in the industry, spending several months working at the old Northam pool, as well as looking after the town’s splash park and the Wundowie pool.

Then, around Christmas, an opportunity arose back in Albany.

Graham decided it was time to return to ALAC – and, as he puts it, somewhere he could “get out of the sun and be home”.

Ten years later, he is still there.

His career has effectively come full circle – beginning in Albany in the 1980s and returning decades later with an enormous amount of knowledge and experience gained across regional and remote Western Australia.

Watching the Industry Change

Over four decades, Graham has witnessed significant changes in both aquatic operations and the role facilities play within their communities.

Technology has transformed areas such as chlorine, pH and filtration control, while aquatic and leisure centres themselves have grown considerably in size, complexity and purpose.

As communities have grown and expectations have changed, aquatic centres have become much more than places to swim. Today, they are places where people learn to swim, keep fit, play sport, socialise and connect with their community.

It is an evolution Graham has experienced firsthand throughout his career.

40 Years of Industry Connection

For Graham, receiving recognition from LIWA for 40 years of service is particularly meaningful.

“LIWA recognition means a lot, as it is our major industry body that brings everyone together to share new technologies and skills and to meet other people in the industry. It is good to have the support.”

From taking a chance on a new career in Albany to spending 25 years in the Goldfields and ultimately returning home, Graham’s journey reflects the opportunities and lifelong connections that a career in the aquatic industry can provide.

Congratulations Graham on an incredible 40 years of service to Western Australia’s aquatic industry.