The swimming centres at Tweed Heads South and Kingscliff will continue to be operated by Council staff for the next two years.

At that time Council will consider if a different business model is required at those pools.

Brisbane-based consultants Strategic Leisure Group recently prepared a report for Council which reviewed the business models for operation of Council’s aquatic facilities.

The objective of the report was to provide Council with a business strategy for its three aquatic facilities that would deliver a structured and integrated approach to managing the facilities and delivering aquatic services and programs.

The consultants examined a number of models which included council-staffed facilities, private contract and leasing arrangements.

The consultants conducted extensive consultation with existing Council pool staff, swimming clubs, learn-to-swim coaches, schools and other stakeholders.

Research included the operation of pools in south-east Queensland and the business models on which they were based.

The consultants recommended Council lease the operation of the TRAC facility to a private operator to be chosen through an open tender process, with council retaining responsibility for maintenance of the complex infrastructure such as pools, pumping machinery, air-conditioners etc.

Council’s Director Engineering and Operations Patrick Knight said this arrangement was a good outcome for the community as it protected the TRAC asset.

“We will be using private enterprise to obtain best value for dollar in the operation of the centre while ensuring that the pool will still be in good condition at the end of the lease,” Mr Knight said.

“The consultants determined that 32 out of 35 pools in the south-east Queensland area operate under a similar arrangement, as it is the most cost-effective model that delivers the best level of service to patrons. The councils which own these centres are also in the process of reviewing the business models for the remaining three facilities.”

Mr Knight stressed that the consultants found a very high level of satisfaction for the current pools and with Council’s pool staff and the proposed changes were in no way a reflection on the staff’s high level of performance.

“However, the report envisages there will be significant savings through the adoption of the private leasing arrangement and in the current tight financial climate, Council must seek savings wherever possible while ensuring that service levels are maintained and improved,” Mr Knight said.

“It is expected that the tenders will attract a number of highly experienced leisure centre operators who will be able to provide an even better service for the people of Murwillumbah and the Tweed.”

Through the lease arrangements, Council will retain control of the fees and charges associated with the facility and ensure that levels of service are maintained.

The existing seven Council staff will be redeployed to the Tweed Heads South and Kingscliff facilities.

Due to contract considerations, the final draft report Strategic Business Model Operation of Aquatic Facilities and Delivery of Aquatic Services will be made publicly available in accordance with Sections 11 and 12B of the Local Government Act 1993 after 2 August 2010.

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Ms Ellis made the announcement with Member for Page, Janelle Saffin, and Mayor of Richmond Valley Council, Col Sullivan.

The Rudd Government is contributing two-thirds of the funding for this $5.1million project to deliver the long-awaited aquatic centre in Evans Head.

Federal funding is part the $800 million Community Infrastructure Program – the largest one-off investment in local infrastructure in Australia’s history.

Ms Ellis said Evans Head is one of the few North Coast towns without a swimming pool. “This funding will deliver a project the local community has been championing for 17 years,” she said.

“Managed by the Richmond Valley Council, it will deliver a state-of-art aquatic complex for local families, competitive amateur swimmers, tourists and visitors.” 

Federal funding will contribute to construction of a modern swimming complex the project, which is expected to include:

• A 25-metre swimming pool;
• Children’s wading pool;
• Fitness centre;
• Amenities block .

Energy efficiency projects, including capture and use of rainwater.

“Once completed, the new aquatic centre will also deliver swimming lessons to local children and promote water safety,” Ms Ellis said.

“The funding announced today builds on nearly $535,000 that we have already delivered for 12 local community projects in the Richmond Valley.”

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Former Australian swim star Hayley Lewis is one of the competitors, and regular competitor, 87-year-old Bill Ringland, is again expected to be the oldest swimmer in the event.

The quality of the line-up over the event’s 21 years is highlighted by the race’s record-holder: as a 15-year-old, former Olympic champion Grant Hackett did the swim in 19 minutes.

For those swimmers who may not want to tackle the long swim, a mini ocean swim of 800 metres will also be held.

The annual ‘Dash for Cash’ is also on again this year and swimmers will participate in a sprint to a buoy and back for cash prizes.

Online entries close at midnight tomorrow (Friday, May 1).
Late entries will be accepted at the Byron Bay Surf Life Saving Club on Saturday (May 2) from 1pm-5pm.

PROGRAM FOR RACE DAY

• 7am: Registration opens at the Byron Bay SLSC for the issue of timing bracelets, swim caps and T-shirts.
   
  8am: Registration for mini-swim closes.
• 8am-9am: Pre-race massage with Kelly Kennedy.
• 8:45am: Mini-swim starts (along Main Beach towards The Pass).
• 9am: Registration closes for swim classic.
• 9am: Pre-race briefing for classic.
• 9.15am: First bus leaves for Wategos Beach with 1st three waves of competitors. (If you wish to wear some protective clothing around to the start, it will be collected by the Salvation Army as a donation! It will not be returned to you later.)
• 10am: Ocean Swim Classic starts at Wategos Beach (staggered start).
• 11am: Elite Superfish division starts.
• 12:15pm: Beach Hotel Dash for Cash (for swimmers who complete the Ocean Swim only) after finish of Ocean Swim Classic.
• 12:30pm: Mini swim presentation begins.
• 1pm: Presentation begins (includes valuable random draw prizes. Competitors must be present to be receive prizes).

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Ms Saffin said Grafton High School’s Rowing Club would receive $3000 towards its tilt at the  Australian National Titles being staged at Lake Barrington in Tasmania this week.

Managed by Kerrie Tarrant, team members include Briony Edgar, Oliver Couch, Fraser Hemphill, Sarah Jones, Cameron Kitcher, Nicholas Mills, Timothy Riddell, Nathan Sneesby, Adam Spies and Johanna Tarrant.

Ms Saffin congratulated individual recipients of  $500 grants – Wooloweyah swimmer Dylan Brown, Wollongbar water polo player Paul Carter, Ballina athlete with a disability Mikey Lloyd-Tighe, and South Grafton cricketer Kara Sutherland.

“Junior sportsmen and women often find it difficult to meet the costs of participating at major competitions in our capital cities, particularly when they live and train in a regional area like the Northern Rivers,” she said.

“The Local Sporting Champions program provides financial assistance for these emerging sports stars towards the cost of travel, accommodation, uniforms or equipment when competing at an official national sporting organisation (NSO) endorsed state or national competition.”

Ms Saffin also announced that an expert panel of  three high-profile sporting identities would assist her in assessing future quarterly rounds of the $1.6 million Australian Sports Commission-administered program.

The panel includes former Socceroo and SBS football commentator Craig Foster, who grew up in Lismore, Beijing Olympic Games silver medal-winning kayaker Jacqui Lawrence, formerly of  Old Bonalbo; and Southern Cross University lecturer and ABC Local Radio sports commentator Dave Arthur.

Ms Saffin urged young sportspeople in Page, including unsuccessful applicants from this first round, to make an individual or team application if they are eligible. More information is available www.ausport.gov.au/champions

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Ms Saffin has written to the Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Anthony Albanese, strongly supporting the council’s application for $3.4 million for the project under the Government’s Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program.

“Along with the local community I consider this aquatic centre to be essential infrastructure for this growing coastal centre,” she said.

“Evans Head must be one of the few towns of its size on the North Coast without a pool and it clearly needs a venue where local children can learn to swim and be safe in the water.

“Currently learners and competitive swimmers have to travel considerable distance to Lismore or Ballina to access adequate public pools.

“The proposed aquatic centre, with 25 metre heated pool, wading pool and fitness centre, has been a goal of the local community for 17 years.

“The fact that the community has raised $400,000 towards the project demonstrates the remarkable local commitment to the project.

“I have pushed the case for the aquatic centre project in my representations to Minister Albanese, and will continue to do so, as I see the Evans Head Aquatic Centre as a priority for Page.”

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A Junior Squad and Assistant Coach has the competence to coach junior swimmers (i.e. swimmers 12-years and younger) who are in the early stages of competitive swimming development and/or assist a suitably qualified (and licenced) coach in the delivery of competitive swimming programs for age-group (i.e. 13-18 years) and open swimmers.

“Numbers will be limited so please enrol now,” Deb Grant of Sport and Rec said.

Your enrolment can be made by contacting NSW Sport & Recreation on 66180 400.

• Date: 6-7th December 2008
• Time: 9.30am-4.30pm
• Cost: $350 per participant (Cost includes your 1st tear ASCTA membership, CD-ROM and text).

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“I am so so proud of Jacqueline,” said her mother Joanne. “She showed such courage, determination and perseverance. She’s a real little Aussie battler.

“At the start of her races, she was so pumped to do her best.

“Her races were really tough and she had to fight with everything she had.

“The Paralympic swimming at Beijing was truly wonderful. To watch swimmers challenge their disabilities, push the boundaries and achieve the unthinkable was just so inspiring.”

Jacqueline swam personal bests to claim bronze medals in each of her entered events (50m, 100m and 400m freestyle).

In the 100m freestyle, Jacqueline hit the 50m mark first and came home hard to be pipped out of second place on the wall.

“Jacqueline’s 400m freestyle time of 4:57 was truly unbelieveable, a 14-second personal best time, breaking the Paralympic record in the heats and also smashing the Australian record, previously set by Paralympic great Priya Cooper,” Joanne said.

“The women’s S8 classification is a very strong class and their times are comparible to the S10 classification.

“USA’s superstar Jessica Long is pushing the world standards to the impossible but Heather Frederiksen of Great Britian and Jacqui are challenging her and leaving the rest of the field in their wake.”

Jacqueline said: “The Paralympic Games has been the greatest experience of my life.”

After spending only one night home with her family at Skennars Head, Jacqueline then jumped back on to another flight to Melbourne for the Australian Short Course Swimming Championships.

Jacqueline competed in the 50m and 100m Freestyle Multidisability.

Other Paralympic medalists accompanying Jacqueline at the meet were Matthew Cowdrey and female Paralympians Prue Watt, Sarah Bowen, Samantha Gandolfo, Teigan Van Roosmalen, Shelley Rogers and Hannah McDougall.

Jacqueline broke the provisional World Short Course Record at the Championships in the 100m freestyle in a time of 1:08.57, winning the gold medal from Nerice Holland (Qld) and Prue Watt (Vic).

Following the presentation Jacqueline was interviewed by Brooke Hansen and Jacqueline said: “I was very weary during the morning heat swims, due to jet lag, but I’ve managed to perk up during the finals to pull out a personal best.

“I knew I had to do something special in the finals if I was to place. There are lots of Paralympians here who could knock me out of the medals if I’m not swimming at my best.”

The following evening Jacqueline again won the gold medal in the 50m Freestyle Open Multidisability in a time of 32.28.

“After the Beijing Paralympics, the Australian Swimming Championships seems very relaxed and low-key, but I’ve enjoyed racing, signing autographs with Matt and catching up with friends,” she said.

Jacqueline is currently easing back into training at the Lennox Aquatic Swim Centre.

Jacqueline would like to thank her family, friends, the Casino community, Xavier Catholic College Skennars Head, Aqua Z Swim Club Lennox Head and everyone who sent cards, hero faxes and letters of support, for their encouragement.

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The 16-year-old has completed her swimming commitments at the Beijing Paralympic Games, winning bronze in each of her three events.

Jacqueline kicked off her Games bid with third in last week’s 100m freestyle.

She backed up that effort with a bronze on Friday night in the 400m, and completed her triple bronze effort in the 50m freestyle S8.

She smashed her personal best time in the S8 400m final.

Jacqueline’s time of 4:57.21 was more than five seconds faster than her previous best effort over the distance, giving the Xavier College schoolgirl third behind winner, American Jessica Long, and Heather Frederiksen from Great Britain.

“ I’m just over the moon. I didn’t really expect to do so well, so it’s a really good feeling,” Jacqueline said.

“I’ve trained really hard for four years and it’s finally paid off.

“I was pretty nervous before the race but once I got out on to the pool deck, I felt really good.

“I just wanted to do my best.”

Jacqueline was born with cerebral palsy diplegia (which affects the movement of the body, mainly the legs) and her parents were told she would have a lot of difficulty walking, participating in sport or any physical activity and that she would require years of therapy.

“They were right, but that wouldn’t stop this competitive spirit from achieving her dreams,” her mother Joanne said.

Jacqueline is trained by her father Michael, and the proud parents were in Beijing to watch her achievements.

Read more about Jacqueline.

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Jacqueline, 16, of Skennars Head, was born with cerebral palsy — diplegia (which affects the movement of the body, mainly the legs) and her parents were told she would have a lot of difficulty walking, participating in sport or any physical activity and that she would require years of therapy.

“They were right, but that wouldn’t stop this competitive spirit from achieving her dreams,” her mother Joanne said.

Jacqueline grew up at the pool. Her parents, Michael and Joanne, have managed public Olympic pools in Brisbane and Casino over the past 20 years. They left this week for Beijing.
 
“As an infant, Jacqui was a real water baby,” Joanne said.

“She has practically swam every day of her life.

“Jacqui couldn’t walk until she was three years old but the water was excellent therapy for Jacqueline’s condition.”

Jacqueline has touched down in Beijing and she likes what she sees.

“Jacqueline flew out on August 22 to Kuala Lumpur to meet the Australian Paralympic Swim Team. She is now in Beijing and has been training at the Water Cube,” Joanne said.

“She said it’s really really nice and the Olympic village is huge, like a town.”

Joanne said that Jacqueline learnt to swim by paddling around in the learners pool. She would walk around the pool with the water supporting her.

“It was where she had freedom from her disability and could be active like other kids. That’s how her love for the water started. She could never get enough of it,” Joanne said.

“Living at the pool, Jacqueline’s life has been influenced and inspired by some of Australia’s great swimmers and role models.

“Jenny McMahon (Commonwealth silver medallist) and Kieren Perkins (Olympic multi gold medallist) would dote over Jacqui as a toddler before and after swimming training and Siohban Paton (Paralympic multi gold medallist) and Angela Kennedy (50m world record holder) were coached throughout their swimming careers by Jacqueline’s grandfather, Peter.

“Jacqui loved to have her photo taken with their medals around her neck. It definitely made an impression on her.”
 
When Jacqueline first started squad training with her dad/swim coach, she would struggle up and down the pool trying to keep up with the other swimmers, but she would never give up, never give in, Joanne said.

“Six years later, it’s that determination that has made her the athlete she is today,” she said.

“She challenges herself every time she gets in the pool, whether it’s in training or competition.

“In training her dad has to hold her back and tell her to slow down or not to go out too hard.”
 
At the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games Jacqueline will be competing in her classification, S8, against a strong international field, like Jessica Long (USA’s Athlete of the Year, Paralympic multi gold medallist and multi world record holder) but Jessica Long isn’t Jacqueline’s toughest competition — it’s Jacqueline Freney, according to her mum.
 
When Jacqueline stands on the blocks at Beijing, she knows that over the past four years, she has trained harder and with more intensity than any other female swimmer at the Paralympics and that she has done all she can to be the best she can be,” Joanne said.

“She also knows that it’s her love of swimming and her championship spirit that is the winning combination to achieving her dreams and fulfilling her destiny.
 
“Medal or not in Beijing, we are so proud of her, she’s inspirational.

“At only 16, this is only the start of her swimming career. She has a fantastic future ahead of her. Before she flew out, I told her to ‘enjoy the journey, you’re in the for the ride of your life’.”

Jacqueline will be competing on:
Mon 8 Sept 100m Freestyle.
Fri 12 Sept 400m Freestyle.
Sun 14 Sept 50m Freestyle.

Coverage on ABC TV.

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Jacqueline’s performance since her selection include:

May: Awarded Australian Institute of Sport Scholarship for her outstanding performances at the Telstra Australian Open Swimming Championships. Seven females and seven males were selected from the 35-member Australian Paralympic Swim team

June: Telstra Grand Prix No 2 held at the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre; ranked No 2 Female Paralympian of the Meet for her outstanding performance in the 50m freestyle and setting a new Australian Open Record for S8 category.

July: Victorian Open and SWD Short Course Championships at Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre; boke Provisional World Record in 100m Freestyle S8 category. Won two gold in the 50m and 100m freestyle and set three Australian Open Short Course Records in the 50m and 100m freestyle and 50m butterfly.

Jacqueline was competing at the Victorian Open Swimming Championships as part of Swimming Australia’s Paralympic Flippers Camp, under Swimming Australia’s Paralympic Mentor Coach, Peter Freney OAM, who is also Jacqueline’s grandfather.

Mr Freney coached multi-gold medal Paralympic Champion Siohban Paton OAM up to the Sydney 2000 Paralympics.

Jacqueline has been coached by her father, Michael Freney, throughout her swimming career. Parents Michael and Joanne are travelling to Beijing to see Jacqueline compete.

Jacqueline, a member of Aqua Z Swimming Club Lennox Head, currently holds 14 Australian Age Records, four Australian Open Long Course Records, five Australian Short Course Records, three IPC Oceania Records and one IPC Short Course World Record.

Jacqueline, a student at Xavier Catholic College, will compete at the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games in the 50m, 100m and 400m freestyle.

The 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games starts on the 6 September and is broadcast on ABC1 and ABC2.

Jacqueline will be competing on:
Mon 8 Sept 100m Freestyle.
Fri 12 Sept 400m Freestyle.
Sun 14 Sept 50m Freestyle.

* Send a message and show your support to Jacqueline leading into the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games. Please send your correspondence to: Our Paralympian C/o Casino Memorial Olympic Pool, Centre St, Casino, NSW 2470.

About Jacqueline (courtesy of the Australian Paralympic Committee) :

Date of birth: 6 June 1992.

Sport: Swimming,

Discipline/event: 50m, 100m, 400m freestyle.

Disability: Cerebral palsy.

How acquired: Birth.

Residence: Skennars Head, NSW.

Occupation: Student.

First time competed in your sport: 1997.

First time competed for Australia: 2007.

Sport career highlights: Gold 400m freestyle at 2007 Telstra Australian Open Swimming Championships; 2 gold at Arafura Games; 5 gold, 1 silver and 1 bronze US Paralympic Swimming Championships.

Best international results: 2007 US Paralympic Swimming Championships: 5 gold, 1 silver and 1 bronze; 2007 Oceania Paralympic Swimming Championships: 2 gold; Oceania 50m and 100m Freestyle Paralympic Champion.

Greatest sporting moment: Becoming a member of the 2008 Paralympic team, Australian Open 400m gold medal.

Most influential person: Father/coach Michael Freney.

Heroes/role models: Siobhan Paton.

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