Aligned Leisure has announced their Aquatics and Recreation Victoria Award winners for the 2026 season.
With a total of 21 finalists, three winners were crowned in the categories of Swim Teacher of Babies, Infants and Pre School Award, Swim Teacher of the Year Award and Most Valuable Employee Award.
The ARV Awards celebrate outstanding achievements, innovation, and leadership within Victoria’s aquatics and recreation industry.
The awards recognise individuals, teams and facilities that have made a significant contribution to their communities through exceptional service, programs, customer experience, safety, inclusion and operational excellence.
Swim Teacher of Babies, Infants and Pre School Award: Paige Ryder, Wodonga Sports and Leisure Centre
The winner of the Swim Teacher for Babies, Infants and Pre School Award was Paige Ryder from the Wodonga Sports and Leisure Centre.
Ryder stood out for her exceptional ability to combine safety, skill development, and genuine care to deliver outstanding outcomes for young swimmers.
Additionally, Ryder has an immense understanding of the importance of early aquatic experiences shaping lifelong attitudes towards water, and she approaches every lesson with this responsibility in mind. Her calm, patient and engaging teaching style ensures even the most hesitant children can build trust, develop confidence, and achieve key water safety milestones.
Her commitment extends beyond lesson delivery. Ryder has been a leader by example, combining her passion with professionalism, reliability and high standards.
Ryder’s impact has been immeasurable, setting up the next generation with important swim, water safety and life lessons, building them into confident young swimmers, leaving a lasting impact on children and their families.
Swim Teacher of the Year: Elly Truman, Aquarena Aquatic and Leisure Centre
Elly Truman of the Aquarena Aquatic and Leisure Centre was crowned the Swim Teacher of the Year.
Her passion for water safety, commitment to inclusive teaching, and ability to inspire swimmers of all ages and abilities make her an incredible asset to the Swim School team, as well as a capable and reliable leader of people.
From supporting infants and adults, to teaching water safety education in remote communities, she consistently goes above and beyond to help others build confidence and skills in the water.
Truman’s ability to lead with a quiet confidence and enable safety for people of all ages makes her stand out from the rest.
Most Valuable Employee Award: Betty Anderson, Eltham Leisure Centre
Betty Anderson was awarded the Most Valuable Employee, as she continues her service as a group fitness instructor.
At the age of 82, with over 40 years experience, she leads from the front and doesn’t show signs of slowing down, teaching seven classes a week.
She is a highly respected instructor with a loyal following, championing healthy ageing, community connection and overall wellbeing.
Anderson is passionate about empowering older adults to remain active, independent and connected. In her classes, she creates an environment where participants feel capable, resilient and empowered, consistently leading by example and demonstrating that age is not a limitation.
Special Mention Nominee: Mandy Sawyer, Wodonga Sports and Leisure Centre
Mandy Sawyer was nominated for the Swim Teacher of the Year Award, recognising her 30 years in the industry, highlighted in the opening event address by the ARV CEO.
Sawyer has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to water safety education throughout her career, embedding it as the foundation of every lesson she delivers. She goes above and beyond to allow others to grow in water safety confidence.
Each Aligned Leisure finalist from the ARV Awards are named below.
- Duty Manager of the Year
- Tilly Perrett, Eltham Leisure Centre
- Customer Service Award
- Alissa Pelcl, Aquarena Aquatic and Leisure Centre
- Membership Sales Award
- Flor Castillo, Casey ARC
- Pool Lifeguard Award
- Nick Filip, Eltham Leisure Centre
- Swim Teacher Award – General
- Meiling Blackburn, Eltham Leisure Centre
- Mandy Sawyer, Wodonga Sports and Leisure Centre
- Sustainability Award
- Amy Wilcox-Davies, Eltham Leisure Centre
- Most Valuable Employee Award
- Isabella Wilcox, Aquarena Aquatic and Leisure Centre
- Personal Trainer/Gym Instructor Award
- Josh Butler, Casey ARC
- Group Exercise Instructor Award
- Julie Langlands, Cardinia Life
- Kahlia Miller, Wodonga Sports & Leisure Centre
- Emerging Leader
- Andrew Robinson, Aquarena Aquatic and Recreation Centre
- Marketing and Communications Award
- Casey Leisure
- Health Club Award
- Aquarena Aquatic And Leisure Centre (Active Manningham)
- Swim School Award
- Aquarena Aquatic and Leisure Centre (Active Manningham)
- Facility Management Award – All Year Medium
- Mullum Mullum Stadium (Active Manningham)
- Facility Management Award – All Year Small
- Olive Road Sporting Complex (Casey Leisure)