The St Albans Leisure Centre is onto a winner, with two of its employees having scooped the pool at the Aquatics and Recreation Victoria Industry Awards earlier this month.
Swim teacher Fiona Adams took out the ‘infant swim teacher of the year’ award, while Renee Del Grosso won the ‘customer service officer of the year’ gong.
It’s the third consecutive year a St Albans Leisure Centre employee has taken out the customer service award.
The St Albans centre was nominated in six categories for this year’s awards.
Ms Adams, a swim teacher since 2008 and a leisure centre employee since 2011, is now in the running for the AUSTSWIM national awards in the same category. The awards ceremony will be held on the Gold Coast later this year.
“It felt amazing to be recognised for the hard work and dedication I’ve put in during my time at the centre,” Ms Adams said. “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed working with babies and children and seeing their development.”
Ms Del Grosso, who has worked at the leisure centre for the past six years, said she felt privileged just to be nominated for the award.
The Keilor Downs resident is also a community dietitian across Melton and Bacchus Marsh and has used her qualification to develop Rediscover Health, an eight-week program run at the leisure centre.
“I really was not expecting to win,” Ms Del Grosso said.
“I continue to work at the leisure centre because I love the people I work with – it’s such a happy and healthy environment and we’ve become a close-knit group – but it’s really nice to be recognised as a valuable member of the team.”
Both women were nominated for their awards by St Albans Leisure Centre management.
Chairman of the Brimbank administrators John Watson praised the pair last week.
“We’re thrilled to have the St Albans Leisure Centre and its staff recognised in the industry for the outstanding work they do,” Mr Watson said.
