Podcast Episode – Kelly Smart

Welcome to another episode of the Aquatic Mentors podcast. I am your host, Katrina van Eyk.

In this episode I interview an industry professional who has made a big difference in her short time in the industry, please extend a big welcome to the podcast for Kelly Smart.

Kelly started her career in aquatics 8 years ago as the centre coordinator for the Lake’s Entrance Aquadome in the East Gippsland Shire in regional Victoria.

She came in knowing little about the industry but has built her knowledge very quickly by taking the opportunities that come her way.

During the 2019 Victorian and NSW bushfires Kelly stood up and took on a crucial role running a second relief centre in town for those effected and displaced by the fires. Her management and aquatic skills played a vital role in her success of taking care of her staff and the community and the connections she made with local emergency services.

Kelly shares how the skills she gained from her role in the fires and the experiences she had now shape the way her team deal with emergency training in the facility.

She remembers how great it was to see the Aquadome staff coming together to help the town survive. They also worked together to help the neighbouring town of Orbost by helping the aquatic staff at the Orbost pool set the pool up ready for CFA to pump water from the facility which was to be used to fight the incoming fire front.

Her experiences in the Christmas/New Year’s bushfires has shown Kelly the importance of slowing down and taking the time to breath and access the situation.

After dealing with the brunt of the bush fires Kelly had to jump into the role of Covid officer for the Shire using her connections and knowledge of emergency situations to deal with the shire’s covid response. The skills learnt in the bush fires again played a big role in her response to covid within the community and with her staff. Kelly emphasised taking care of her staff’s mental health and continued to connect and ask questions throughout the first lockdown and into subsequent lockdowns.

Through today’s episode Kelly shares some insights into her work as well as her thoughts on swimming and where she see’s swimming moving to in the future.

Please share the hidden gems you find in Kelly’s interview on our Facebook page, Aquatic Mentors and you will find all her contact details listed at the end of the show notes.

If you want to share your aquatic story, please contact me via my email: [email protected]

Check out our website aquaticmentors.com.au for our Season 1 Ebook.

So, let’s jump in and find out more about Kelly’s journey in swimming.

Kelly Smart’s Contact Information:

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-smart-26a233170/

Katrina van Eyk's Contact Information:

Aquatic Mentors - https://www.aquaticmentors.com.au/

Facebook - Aquatic Mentors

Regional Swim Clinics - www.regionalswimclinics.com.au

Email – [email protected]

Facebook - Regional Swim Clinics

Aquatic Mentors Ebook Link: https://www.regionalswimclinics.com.au/top-10-tips-for-aquatic-professionals/