Aquatune founder Warwick Abbott passes away

Sadly, industry stalwart and South Australian legend Warwick Abbott passed away in January.

Warwick was founding director of Aquatune, established in 1984 in Adelaide, South Australia. Aquatune is a family owned and run pool service business, dealing with both domestic and commercial swimming pools and spas.

After completing university with a BSc (Hons) at the University of Adelaide - majoring in Physical and Inorganic Chemistry and Organic Chemistry, Warwick began his career in the sixties with Monsanto Chemicals and Mobil Oil in Melbourne.

He then worked for Mobil in both the UK and Europe for several years. In the seventies, he was the managing director of several major Adelaide firms. In 1984 he founded Aquatune, supplying pool and spa chemicals with a strong emphasis on water chemistry advice and consultation to the trade and commercial customers.

Over the years, he acted as SPASA’s water chemistry adviser. On SPASA’s behalf, Warwick was instrumental and actively involved in the original (now SA Health) Regulations (1989) and its supplementary codes.

As Warwick moved closer to retirement in recent years, he oversaw the expansion of Aquatune to include the establishment of Aquatune Trade in South Australia.

Warwick’s endless dedication to providing technical assistance and mentorship to the industry will be sadly missed. Many in the industry have fondly referred to Warwick as the Guru, the Godfather, Legend of the Trade and an Industry Icon.

Aquatune and Warwick’s family have already received an overwhelming response from the industry to the news of his passing.

A memorial was held in early February, well attended by approximately 200 people friends, family and many from the pool and spa industry in South Australia and interstate.

Warwick will be remembered as a gentleman full of integrity, humility, and boundless knowledge which he was always willing to share with a smile.

Vale Warwick – you will be warmly remembered and sadly missed.

Everyone at SPLASH! offers heartfelt sympathy to Josh, the Abbott family, and the entire Aquatune and Aquatune Trade team.