4 Dec 2025
Royal Life Saving NSW to Lead a New Regional Pool Managers Forum in 2026 and beyond
Royal Life Saving NSW has confirmed it will step forward to continue the long-standing annual gathering for regional and remote pool managers. While the event will move forward under a refreshed name, it will honour the traditions, culture and purpose built over more than three decades through the Country Pool Managers Conference.
With changes to the previous organising arrangements leaving a gap for 2026, Royal Life Saving NSW recognises how important this forum has been — and continues to be — for country pool managers, councils and aquatic teams across NSW. For many communities, it has provided a trusted space for learning, sharing experiences, and supporting one another through the unique challenges of operating regional aquatic centres.
Jason Phillips, Aquatic Industry Services Manager, from Royal Life Saving NSW said
"We extend our sincere appreciation to those who built and sustained this legacy, especially long-time coordinator Kerry Lynch, whose exceptional 30-year contribution shaped the event into an inclusive and valued gathering. This recognition also extends to all past organisers, volunteers and industry partners whose efforts have supported the conference’s success".
Kerry has given his blessing for Royal Life Saving NSW to continue the mantle into the future.
Moving forward, Royal Life Saving NSW will retain the spirit and core elements that have made the conference so successful, while carefully transitioning it to address today’s operational pressures, workforce needs, regulatory changes and modern challenges facing regional aquatic facilities. The aim is continuation — not reinvention — with gradual enhancements guided by operators, councils and industry partners.
There has been clear encouragement from within the sector for Royal Life Saving NSW to assume this role.
Gary Johnson, Pool Supervisor at Tamworth Regional Council, said:
“Given the culture the Country Pool Managers Conference has developed over the past three decades and the unique need for such an event, I wholeheartedly support the idea of a resourced organisation like Royal Life Saving stepping up to continue to support regional NSW pool operators in a similar forum.”
Chad McCamley, Aquatic Facilities Coordinator at Cessnock City Council, also offered strong endorsement:
“It was my great honour that the team at Cessnock City Council hosted the NSW Country Pool Managers Conference in May 2025 — one of the best in recent memory. The conference was the largest in many years, attracting over 150 delegates and 60 trade displays. With the news that the 2025 event was the last, I fully support Royal Life Saving NSW in managing and delivering an annual regional aquatics event moving forward.”
Next steps
Royal Life Saving NSW announces today that the 2026 event will be held on the last weekend in May in Mudgee, with the exact dates, program outline and registration details to be released in the coming weeks.
The organisation looks forward to working closely with operators across NSW to ensure this much-loved forum continues—preserving its history while supporting the future of regional aquatic communities.
