Shawn Read hopes to mark his swimming school’s 20th anniversary with a win at the Wyndham Business Awards later this year.
Mr Read is nominated for the business person of the year award, while Shawn’s Swim School is entered in the ‘service’ category.
This is the third year that Shawn’s Swim School has entered the awards. It won the city’s small business award in 2004.
Mr Read said he jumped at the chance to enter this year’s awards, believing they were a good way to recognise the hard work and dedication of his staff over 20 years.
“We’ve changed a bit since we opened in 1994 and I thought it would be a good way to mark the changes,” he said.
“When we opened, we had one pool and taught 40 children a week. At first it was just my sister and me teaching, but we grew to 10 employees by the end of the year.
“In 2005, we added another pool. Now we teach 2500 students a week.”
Mr Read said his goal was to teach as many children to swim as possible. The school recently increased its capacity to allow more children to have lessons while Wyndham Leisure and Events Centre is redeveloped.
The businessman is also dedicated to doing his bit for the community.
“Last year, we organised a fund-raiser for a student with a brain tumor to help her family,” Mr Read said.
“In six weeks, we are organising a fund-raiser to help Vietnamese children . . . 29 kids a day drown there and we want to open a community program.”
The business awards will also celebrate their 20th anniversary this year.
Nominations close on June 27 and winners will be announced at a presentation evening on August 29.
For more information, visit: wyndham.vic.gov.au.business/2014awards
