Headquarters:
24 Arco Lane, Heatherton, Vic 3202
Year founded:
2007
Number of employees:
140
Phone:
03 8551 8077
Email:
hello@aquastarswim.com.au
Website:
aquastarswim.com.au
LinkedIn:
linkedin.com/company/aquastar-swim-schools
Peter Smith
Director
Gareth Cope
Director
Will Mason
Operations Manager
Leadership
Peter Smith is the co-director of Aquastar Swim Schools, bringing more than two decades of senior financial leadership and operational expertise to the business. Before joining Aquastar, he spent 15 years as chief financial officer at internationally recognised Swedish appliance manufacturer ASKO Appliances, developing expertise in financial management, corporate governance, strategic planning and operations. Since partnering with Gareth Cope in 2014, Smith has played a key role in Aquastar’s growth, combining financial acumen with a disciplined approach to safety, compliance and business operations. Outside Aquastar, he coaches an Under 19 football team and is a proud father of three children consistently.
Director
Peter Smith
Gareth Cope is the co-director and founder of Aquastar Swim Schools, establishing the business in 2007 with a vision of delivering outstanding Learn to Swim programs and building partnerships with schools and local communities. Over two decades, he has helped grow Aquastar into one of Victoria’s leading swim school providers. Cope is known for building strong relationships with schools, families and staff and for his focus on trust, integrity and customer service. A hands-on leader, he supports staff, working poolside and developing new opportunities while maintaining Aquastar’s high standards and family-focused culture. He is a proud father of two.
Director
Gareth Cope
William Mason is the operations manager at Aquastar Swim Schools, leading the development and delivery of Learn to Swim programs across five locations, supporting more than 4,500 students each week. Over the past decade, he has progressed from swimming instructor to training coordinator and now operations manager, gaining broad experience in aquatic education, staff development, program delivery and operational leadership. Mason has helped develop Aquastar’s structured curriculum, promoting progressive learning in water safety and fundamental swimming skills. He also supports teaching standards, swimmer assessment, customer experience and aquatic safety while mentoring staff and leading Water Safety Weeks and Swim Carnivals.
Operations Manager
Will Mason
Kate McKenzie
Customer Experience Manager
Kate McKenzie is the customer experience manager at Aquastar Swim Schools, bringing 15 years of experience across customer experience, multi-channel marketing, graphic design, strategic branding and the School Swimming Program. She has developed a holistic understanding of what makes an aquatic program thrive, both creatively and operationally. McKenzie oversees the end-to-end customer journey, ensuring each touchpoint builds trust, strengthens brand loyalty and creates lasting relationships with families. She also manages Aquastar’s School Swimming Program across more than 50 local primary and secondary schools, coordinating a seamless experience for administrators, staff and students. Outside work, she is a busy mum of twins.
Customer Experience Manager
Kate McKenzie
Renee Smith
Accounts Receivable, Purchasing and Distribution Officer
Renee Smith is the accounts receivable, purchasing and distribution officer at Aquastar Swim Schools, bringing administrative, financial and organisational experience to the business. Before joining Aquastar, she worked as a personal assistant to several stockbrokers and as a research assistant, developing strong organisational skills and attention to detail. She has also held purchasing and accounts roles across multiple organisations, building expertise in financial administration, supplier management and business operations. With a background in recreation and sports administration, Smith combines her passion for sport with strong financial acumen. Outside work, she is a proud mother of three and coaches junior netball teams.
Accounts Receivable, Purchasing and Distribution Officer
Renee Smith
Aimee Harvey
Training Coodinator
Carla Smith
Customer Support
Lisa Harvey
Customer Support
Pam Chhabra
Manager – Residential Strata
Aimee Harvey is an experienced education manager with a strong background in state-wide fitness training and learning and development with the Country Fire Authority (CFA). At Aquastar Swim Schools, she manages staff development and risk compliance across five pool locations, supporting more than 100 swim teachers to deliver high-quality Learn to Swim programs. Harvey applies her expertise in curriculum design, RTO compliance and digital learning through Moodle to maintain consistent educational and safety standards across facilities. Holding degrees in science and dance, she brings an evidence-based approach to helping students of ages develop water safety, confidence and physical literacy. across Aquastar.
Training Coodinator
Aimee Harvey
Carla Smith is a member of the customer support team at Aquastar Swim Schools, combining administrative expertise with hands-on experience working with children. She previously worked as an executive assistant before becoming a ready steady go sports instructor, where she developed a passion for engaging with young people. Smith also worked as a Deck Supervisor with Aquastar’s Schools Swimming Program, gaining a strong understanding of pool deck operations and the needs of swimmers, instructors and families. In her current role, she combines strong organisational and customer service skills with practical poolside experience, making her a trusted contact for families every day.
Customer Support
Carla Smith
Lisa Harvey is a valued member of the customer support team at Aquastar Swim Schools, bringing extensive customer service and leadership experience to the organisation. Before joining Aquastar, she worked in the security industry in customer service and assistant manager roles, developing strong communication, problem-solving and relationship-building skills. She also holds qualifications in business management and hospitality. At Aquastar, Harvey is recognised for her outstanding customer service and commitment to supporting families. She is highly experienced with the customer portal and a trusted contact for enrolments, account enquiries, program information and customer requests. Outside work, she enjoys soccer and swimming.
Customer Support
Lisa Harvey
Stephen McMillan first entered the financial services Industry when he joined GE Capital as a finance analyst in 2008, from which he progressed through roles working both onshore and offshore. From there, he moved into Pacific Premium Funding as a financial planning and analysis leader in 2012 and was a key resource in the evolution of the business, first with the successful sale to Macquarie Pacific Funding and then the following progression into IQumulate Premium Funding, where he is now the commercial manager.
As commercial manager, McMillan leads a team that is responsible for commercial analysis and business support, identifying and reporting improvement initiatives, and the securitization and treasury functions of the business.
Commercial Manager
Stephen McMillan
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Aquastar Swim Schools
SPECIAL REPORT
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Bio
Adam Basaldella
Manager – Claims
Stephen McMillan first entered the financial services Industry when he joined GE Capital as a finance analyst in 2008, from which he progressed through roles working both onshore and offshore. From there, he moved into Pacific Premium Funding as a financial planning and analysis leader in 2012 and was a key resource in the evolution of the business, first with the successful sale to Macquarie Pacific Funding and then the following progression into IQumulate Premium Funding, where he is now the commercial manager.
As commercial manager, McMillan leads a team that is responsible for commercial analysis and business support, identifying and reporting improvement initiatives, and the securitization and treasury functions of the business.
Product Manager
Claire Watson
Stephen McMillan first entered the financial services Industry when he joined GE Capital as a finance analyst in 2008, from which he progressed through roles working both onshore and offshore. From there, he moved into Pacific Premium Funding as a financial planning and analysis leader in 2012 and was a key resource in the evolution of the business, first with the successful sale to Macquarie Pacific Funding and then the following progression into IQumulate Premium Funding, where he is now the commercial manager.
As commercial manager, McMillan leads a team that is responsible for commercial analysis and business support, identifying and reporting improvement initiatives, and the securitization and treasury functions of the business.
Commercial Manager
Stephen McMillan
“We also maintain open lines of communication with advisers so they know what to expect and can plan accordingly”
Hayley Burgess, ANZ Bank New Zealand
“We’ve invested heavily in resourcing and process improvements to reduce friction and speed up approvals”
Hayley Burgess, ANZ Bank New Zealand
Aquastar: making a five-star splash in water safety
The primary school swim program provider teaches more than 4,500 students every week and partners with more than 50 schools. Almost 20 years after starting out as a local swim school, the family-focused business now runs school swimming programs at scale without losing the personalised service and community ties that shaped it, working with schools as an education partner rather than a lesson supplier.
Scaling with a purpose
Aquastar has made a deliberate choice to treat schools as long-term partners rather than transactional customers. Participation rose from 7,630 students across 48 programs in 2024 to 8,609 across 62 programs in 2025. For 2026, the Victoria-based projects 10,000 students across 70 programs. Aquastar calls this growth with purpose: expanding sustainably without diluting the quality, care and community connection that have defined the business.
High-touch, reliable service defines their client experience. Dedicated school coordination, deck supervision, structured assessments and proactive communication reduce the administrative load on schools, letting staff focus on students rather than logistics.
Kate McKenzie, customer experience manager, oversees delivery from first contact to program completion, acting as the central link between the school, instructors and administration. Co-directors Peter Smith and Gareth Cope, who have worked together for more than a decade, keep the focus on people before numbers. Operations manager William Mason, who began as a swim instructor, reflects a wider commitment to developing talent from within.
The same investment in people shapes how the business improves. Aquastar treats innovation as continuous improvement rather than novelty for its own sake, drawing ideas from weekly management meetings, frontline swim teachers and regular feedback from families and school partners. Every significant change is weighed against its likely impact on student outcomes, water safety and experience before it is introduced, keeping improvements purposeful rather than reactive.
Water safety for every child
For some families, where cost or access is a barrier, a school program may be the only structured swimming and water safety education their child receives, which is why Aquastar’s school water safety and survival program goes beyond swimming lessons. Each swimmer is assessed against age- and ability-appropriate skills and receives certificates and
water safety education resources, giving schools measurable evidence of progress alongside the harder-to-measure gains in confidence and independence.
Aquastar’s commitment to children extends past the lessons themselves, with scholarships, fundraising, Giving Days and employment opportunities for young people carrying Aquastar's community focus beyond the pool.
The company's read on the future stays close to that purpose: expanding practical water safety and survival skills, reaching more children through school partnerships, and continuing to invest in the next generation of teachers and supervisors.
Recognition in The Educator's Service Provider Awards for 2026 reflects a business that has grown quickly while keeping its founding priorities intact – helping more children become confident, capable and safe in the water.
Water safety for every child
For some families, where cost or access is a barrier, a school program may be the only structured swimming and water safety education their child receives, which is why Aquastar’s school swimming and water safety program goes beyond swimming lessons. Each swimmer is assessed against age- and ability-appropriate skills and receives certificates and water safety education resources, giving schools measurable evidence of progress alongside the harder-to-measure gains in confidence and independence.
Aquastar’s commitment to children extends past the lessons themselves, with scholarships, fundraising, Giving Days and employment opportunities for young people carrying Aquastar's community focus beyond the pool.
The company’s read on the future stays close to that purpose: expanding practical learn to swim and water safety skills, reaching more children through school partnerships and continuing to invest in the next generation of teachers and supervisors.
Recognition in The Educator’s Service Provider Awards for 2026 reflects a business that has grown quickly while keeping its founding priorities intact – helping more children become confident, capable and safe in the water.
