We are delighted to announce the 2026 National Safety Conference speakers below. You can view each speakers bio by clicking on the speakers photo or name.
Keynote Speakers
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Speakers
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We are delighted to announce the 2026 National Safety Conference speakers below. You can view each speakers bio by clicking on the speakers photo or name.
No Keynote speakers to show here.
No Keynote speakers to show here.
Mark Alston is the Director of Investigations Differently and a specialist in incident investigation, risk management, and learning from work. He collaborates with organisations in mining, utilities, construction, aviation, and heavy industry to uncover how work is actually performed and translate those insights into higher-order controls. Mark facilitates investigations and risk assessments, coaches leaders and frontline teams, and builds capability in contemporary approaches such as learning reviews and context-led risk.
As a regular conference speaker and workshop host, he helps organisations eliminate ineffective practices, such as reliance on risk matrices, and adopt scenario-based assessments with explicit SFARP tests, control-quality ratings, and verification. His focus is practical: fewer forms, stronger controls, and clear evidence of reduced risk.
Nada is passionate about understanding human behaviour and creating cultural change programs that foster high performance while minimising harm. She advises boards and executives on both strategic and individual levels, partnering with organisations to design tailored strategies that deliver lasting, meaningful outcomes.
Natalee Johnston grew up in regional Western Australia and is the Royal Australian Navy’s first female pilot. In her 24 years of military service, Natalee fulfilled roles as a qualified helicopter instructor, operations manager, leader and safety professional. In these roles she has gained knowledge and practical skills in understanding human behaviours, why we make errors, what influences our decisions and how organisational culture impacts it all. She has over 15 years of experience in instructing and facilitating helicopter training, risk management, safety investigation techniques, human factors, non-technical skills and positive safety cultures.
Since leaving the military Natalee, has provided consultancy services specializing in Safety Management Systems, Human Factors and Safety incident investigation to Boeing Defence Australia and TOLL Aviation. She has delivered decision making, communication, and organisational culture workshops based on the principles of understanding human factors to a variety of organisations ranging Defence and maritime industry to service and hospitality providers.
Natalee is an active member of the training and assessment team for her local surf club and part of the mentoring committee for Women in Aviation (WAI) Australian Chapter. Natalee has a civil Helicopter instructor licence and currently is flying fixed wing recreationally on the South Coast.
Natalee holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics, Post Graduate certificate in Accident Investigation, Diploma in Lead Auditing and a Masters in Business, among a number of other academic qualifications.
Natalee is passionate about improving safety culture and decision making, not only in workplaces but also in society. Natalee uses her lived experience and knowledge of the importance of understanding the human interactions that influence our behaviours, mental health, effective decision making and the impact of organisational culture to educate in her consultancy, workshop and keynote delivery.
Natalee lives on the South Coast of NSW, has two children at school and her spouse is serving in the Navy currently based in Sydney.
With over 20 years of executive experience in Health, Safety and Environment, Richard has held senior leadership roles in national and global organisations spanning manufacturing, construction, industrial services, waste management, and transport and logistics.
His career is distinguished by a deep expertise in organisational behaviour-based safety change and risk management. Richard’s leadership has consistently delivered measurable safety improvements, driven cultural change, and embedded strategic HSE programs that align with operational excellence. His pioneering work continues to influence industry standards and inspire teams to prioritise safety and wellbeing as a core value.
His career is distinguished by a deep expertise in organisational behaviour-based safety change and risk management. Richard’s leadership has consistently delivered measurable safety improvements, driven cultural change, and embedded strategic HSE programs that align with operational excellence. His pioneering work continues to influence industry standards and inspire teams to prioritise safety and wellbeing as a core value.
Alan is a survivor of a workplace accident. He lost his right dominant arm to a conveyor belt in September 1999. Alan speaks from the point of view of an injured worker and gives a real insight into what happens to you during and after such a life-changing experience.
Alan is extremely confronting on the issues and effects of a workplace accident and his presentation not only addresses the sequence of events leading up to his accident, the flow on affect, but the issues surrounding WHS today and how “WHS is not just another thing I have to do. ( We need to do )
Clarence Brown has over 10 years of experience in NSW Government regulatory agencies across WorkCover NSW, State Insurance Regulatory Authority, Environment Protection Authority and SafeWork NSW. The focus of his career has been on regulatory policy and legislative reform. Clarence holds a Bachelor of Arts (Hons), Bachelor of Laws, and Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice from Western Sydney University.
Jorgen emigrated to Australia as a skilled migrant in 1988. A plumber by trade he worked various Queensland construction sites until taking up a role with the Queensland Workers Health Centre as a research assistant. He became an official with the Plumbers and Gasfitters Union initially as an Enterprise Bargaining Officer before taking roles as an Organiser, Assistant Secretary and eventually Queensland State Secretary. He is the founding CEO of MATES in Construction and worked for the organisation for 14 years before leaving to become founding CEO of the Mental Health Lived Experience Peak Queensland. He recently returned as National CEO for MATES in Construction. Apart from his plumbing qualifications Jorgen also holds an Associate Diploma in Labour Studies, a Diploma in Social and Community Work, a Masters degree in
Dr. Manuel Seidel is an expert in safety and sustainability systems, and Founder and CEO of ecoPortal – an enterprise health and safety software company that continues to drive innovative, positive cultural and safety change in some of Australasia’s largest organisations.
With over 15 years in the safety software space, Manuel’s conviction is that cutting-edge technologies should work in perfect tandem with passionate safety leaders to create meaningful and lasting change.
With 31 years’ experience across the gamut of the security, safety and risk industry, Scott is a court and tribunal recognised expert and has a strategic and systematic approach to Security Management and Business Continuity Management.
Scott is an industry Thought Leader and is often contacted by various media sources as a “Security Industry Specialist Spokesperson” and Expert Witness when security and risk related issues surface in the public arena.
He has consulted and lectured throughout the Middle East and USA and has and worked with government, industry regulators and industry across all Australian States and Territories spanning the spectrum of security and risk as well as all industry verticals.
Scott sits on numerous International security related councils to ensure he stays abreast of world best practice in his field of expertise which directly translates into improved outcomes for his clients
Darren Evans is a seasoned executive in risk management, resilience, crisis response, safety, and governance, with 30 years’ experience across high-risk industries worldwide. He specialises in enterprise-wide risk and resilience solutions, aligning governance with operations to enhance safety, security, and continuity. At Auckland International Airport, he led the creation of a centralised Safety & Risk function, supporting a $3.9B infrastructure upgrade while ensuring operational continuity
Mark Quinlan has been with HSI Donesafe for the past two years. He initially joined as an Implementation Consultant, helping onboard new HSI clients. Today, he serves as the Lead Product Trainer for the Donesafe platform
Matt co-founded Donesafe, scaling it to 1.5M+ users before its 2020 acquisition by HSI. He is a Co-Founder and Advisor at Whispli and a Venture Partner at Antler, mentoring startups through Founders Institute, BNG Nebula, and Antler. Passionate about tech exports and inclusion, he invests in Goanna Solutions, supporting Indigenous and minority tech literacy. With a decade of startup experience, he advocates for Australia’s shift toward technology-driven economic growth
Erina is an experienced workplace lawyer who advises clients on work health and safety (WHS) compliance, regulatory matters, and risk management.
Ben is a specialist in the areas of employment, safety, regulatory compliance, and general litigation. Ben’s work in these areas sees him involved in a broad range of matters, including employment and industrial disputes, enterprise agreement negotiations, contractual disputes, safety incidents and prosecutions, safety reviews and workplace investigations
Susan is an experienced workplace lawyer with extensive experience in WHS compliance and regulatory matters. She assists clients in meeting their legal obligations and managing workplace risks.
Catherine leads Sparke Helmore’s national Workplace Group and is also a member of the firm’s Executive Committee. She advises public and private sector clients on issues relating to employment and safety in the workplace
Tony brings 20+ years of legal and practical WHS risk advisory and consulting experience across all industries: government and private to SafeTM. Throughout his career, Tony has held Partnership and leadership positions at Ashurst and a Big 4 firm, was the company director, owner and shareholder of The Brief Group, was employed as a workplace safety prosecution lawyer for WorkCover NSW, a Police Prosecutor and Detective in the NSW Police Force.
Tony has coached, advised and challenged Boards and executives on how to consider and proactively manage WHS risk, governance, reporting and exercising officer due diligence.
Tony plays the role of Prosecutor for the SafeTM WHS Mock Courts
Sandra Surace is a dedicated mental health professional with a strong background in workplaces and education. She holds a Master of Applied Positive Psychology from the University of Melbourne and has extensive experience working as a mentor at the Melbourne Graduate School of Education. Her most recent role is as a Senior Consultant with the Opus Centre, leaders in evidence-based psychosocial risk management and dedicated to increasing the capacity of workplaces to improve workplace mental health. Sandras previous experience includes the Head of Workplace Mental Health at SuperFriend, the Be You team at BeyondBlue as well as working with Early Childhood Australia and Headspace. Sandra’s approach is not just about meeting safety regulations; it’s about the dynamic fusion of cutting-edge research and evidence in organisational wellbeing, psychosocial safety climates and positive psychology.
Penelope is a highly accomplished professional with over 25 years of experience in strategic leadership, program management, safety, and governance, including service in the Royal Australian Navy. She co-founded and chairs Women in Power, supports diversity and equality initiatives, and advises on nuclear safety and policy. Recognised as an innovator and leader, Penelope has received numerous accolades, including the Queensland Telstra Business Women’s Award and multiple Women in Industry Awards
Bill is an experienced work health and safety (WHS) lawyer. He advises clients in the construction, agribusiness and transport industries as well as Commonwealth, state and local government sectors on WHS compliance, incident investigations, prosecutions and coronial inquests. Bill also advises owners corporations and builders on building defect and fire safety claims, and strata issues. He has acted in all jurisdictions in proceedings for building defect disputes
Christina Hey-Nguyen leads the Psychological Health and Safety and Respect at Work teams at SafeWork NSW – the regulator for work health and safety across NSW. Christina led the first WHS-focused ‘Respect at Work Strategy’ which has received international recognition by the United Nations. Prior to this role, Christina spent over 15 years across private and public sectors as a diplomat in Cambodia and the Netherlands, commercial litigator and human rights policy expert. She is also a Board Member of the Refugee Council of Australia.
With seven years’ experience at the VAEA, Oonagh has helped steer the agency’s strategic direction, including the development of risk-based frameworks for prioritised asbestos removal from government-owned buildings and the successful delivery of the VAEA’s Prioritised Asbestos Removal Program.
Before joining the VAEA, Oonagh held key leadership positions in public workplace health and safety and regulatory organisations, including WorkSafe Victoria and the Commission for Children and Young People Victoria.
A highly respected leader in policy development and stakeholder management, Oonagh is passionate about improving workplace health and safety standards and driving meaningful, lasting change in public policy.
Amanda McCarthy, owner of Balance Therapy Well-being, is a health and well-being advisor, trainer, and counsellor with over 20 years of experience. She specialises in designing workplace programs to prevent burnout and enhance holistic wellness through her “How 2 Move” approach, integrating counselling, bodywork, and movement. Amanda is passionate about fostering resilience, self-care, and mental and physical well-being in organisations, creating environments where individuals thrive.
Outside of her professional work, Amanda loves hiking, travelling, and connecting with others over a meal. Her personal journey of overcoming burnout and rediscovering the power of movement informs her passion for helping others live purposefully, energetically, and with renewed vitality. “Movement is medicine and burnout is a fire we can prevent together” Amanda McCarthy
With over 30 years of experience, Mark is a leader in investigations and risk management, known for his innovative, data-driven approach to reducing risk. His ability to connect with all organizational levels and develop practical, risk-based solutions has made him a sought-after speaker. Mark has worked with global organizations across industries such as mining, construction, and health. He holds qualifications in management, safety, investigation, and auditing and frequently presents at industry conferences.
Andrea is a seasoned safety professional with over 25 years of experience across mining, refining, transport, and oil and gas industries. Renowned for her expertise in human and organizational performance, she has led safety programs that significantly reduce incidents and enhance workforce engagement. Andrea’s deep understanding of people and the complexities of industrial operations, combined with her ability to foster trust and a safety-focused culture, has earned her recognition as a leader in her field. Her innovative approaches, mentoring skills, and practical insights inspire others to drive safety improvements and operational excellence in high-risk environment
Stacey is Principal Consultant at HSE Global with extensive international experience as a regulator and investigator. She has worked across hazardous substances, asbestos, fraud, food safety, health & safety, and more. Trained in forensic investigation using the PEACE model and ICAM, Stacey has led complex investigations, including multi-million-pound fraud cases in the UK and serious incidents in NZ under legal privilege. She developed criminal investigation frameworks, consulted on hazardous substances and asbestos regulations, and contributed to national policy in both the UK and NZ. Stacey is a member of NZISM, IoD, IPANZ, IOSH, CTSI, and APPAM, reflecting her expertise.
Divya Sukumar leads the Data Engineering, Data Science, and Visualization functions. She is also pursuing part-time doctoral research in Natural Language Processing at the University of New England, Armidale. Her research focuses on developing, testing, and implementing NLP algorithms to assist the public sector in analysing unstructured data, such as text.
As Group Director of Client Solutions and Experience at HSE Global, Luke is responsible for developing global risk management and governance initiatives, which encompass critical risk and control management, as well as innovative digital client solutions, such as the Global Safety Index and HSE Global Academy. HSE Global is a leading health, safety, environment, and wellbeing consultancy specialising in safety leadership, cultural transformation, critical risk, and mental health solutions, with offices in Australia, New Zealand, and the United States.
Over the past 17 years, Luke has held senior HSE positions in both private and top 100 ASX-listed organisations as well as providing support to clients in Australia, England, New Zealand, the Middle East and the United States. Luke is trusted and highly regarded by global legal firms, having offered his subject matter knowledge in multiple matters and a number of high-profile cases..
Tessa is a registered psychologist who completed her PhD focusing on Psychosocial Safety Climate (PSC) and psychosocial factors at work, for which she received the 2019 Ian Davey Award for the most outstanding PhD thesis at the University of South Australia. She has experience working in the areas of human resource management, injury prevention, and injury management. In her prior role as a Research Fellow at UniSA Dr Bailey assisted with coordinating the Australian Workplace Barometer project which collected data on working conditions, worker health, and productivity outcomes for over 7000 workers across Australia. And her focus on applied practice led to the creation of the Opus Centre.
Simon Nicholson is Queensland’s Work Health and Safety Prosecutor, appointed to the role in October 2022. He has a strong background in summary prosecution work, having spent 14 years with the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in Tasmania, where he served as Principal Crown Counsel before his current appointment. His role draws on extensive experience in prosecuting high-profile work health and safety cases, acting as counsel assisting in coronial inquests, and appearing in appeals before both the Supreme Court of Tasmania and the High Court of Australia. Recently, he has been involved in cases of significance in Queensland, including the state’s third industrial manslaughter case
Sally North is the WorkSafe Commissioner in Western Australia. In this role she is the work health and safety regulator for the resources and general industries sectors. Commencing as an inspector, Sally has over twenty years’ experience at WorkSafe in operational and leadership roles. She is involved in state and national committees and working groups on work health and safety, and has qualifications in chemistry, occupational safety and health, occupational hygiene and business administration.
Sally values the opportunity to make a difference to the community through WorkSafe’s education, support and compliance teams and through collaborating with stakeholders.
Jimmy has over 35 years international experience across a range of sectors including finance, resources, power and manufacturing. He has a strong passion for people development that spans across four continents and many cultures.
After spending 17 years in Finance where he gradually transitioned from frontline banking to Learning & Development, Jimmy emigrated from his native Scotland to Australia in 2003 in search of a warmer climate. He continued to evolve his own facilitation and coaching skills in finance before taking on a global people role in mining. It was in that role over 6 years that Jimmy realised he could make a real difference in safety and wellbeing before joining The Jonah Group in 2014.
When he is not travelling, Jimmy enjoys spending time at home in Tweed Heads (on the NSW/QLD border) with his wife and 2 children, cooking exotic curries, watching sport, and running a local snooker club.
Jason Clark is a specialist workplace investigator with 17 years of experience in government and corporate sectors. A former Australian Defence Force criminal investigator, he now investigates workplace misconduct, including bullying, harassment, fraud, and serious sexual misconduct. Jason works with clients across government, defence, mining, transport, FMCGs, and NFPs, fostering safe and respectful workplaces. He has led investigation teams, provided evidence at tribunals, and is dedicated to helping organisations support thriving, valued employees.
What if a simple change to your leadership approach could motivate people, boost capability, and drive accountability? Engagiosity Director Liz Kearins believes questions are the answer. Drawing on her experience as a communications and engagement professional, coach and former safety executive, Liz helps organisations improve safety performance by partnering on strategy, culture change, and leadership development.
Patrick Hampton is a seasoned health and safety professional and founder of the team-building business Spytime.com.au. A graduate of the Royal Military College Duntroon, Patrick served 15 years in the military with multiple deployments across Southeast Asia and the Middle East. He then transitioned to a 15-year career in the Australian Intelligence Community, working in espionage and counter-terrorism. Drawing on his extraordinary experiences, Patrick offers a fresh perspective on workplace health and safety. Patrick will demonstrate how to be “Safe Like a Spy,” applying espionage techniques to create safer, more resilient workplaces
Grace Molloy is the Founder and CEO of Menopause Friendly Australia, an Australian Registered Nurse and member of the Australasian and International Menopause Societies. She has a background in financial audit, business development and commercial partnerships. She is a member of Standards Australia’s Occupational Health and Safety Management Committee reviewing the proposed International Standard “ISO45010 Menstruation, Menstrual Health and Menopause in the Workplace”
Menopause Friendly Australia helps workplaces improve productivity, achieve gender equality targets and promote workplace wellbeing by improving the way people experience menopause at work.
Sarah is a Senior Principal Psychologist at Psychgroup Training & Advisory, who work with employers to create mentally healthy workplaces and manage psychosocial risks under new legislation. Sarah has a background in occupational rehabilitation, OH&S (previous appointed inspector WorkSafe Vic) and several years of organisational consulting experience. Sarah provides regulatory advice on risk mitigation, OH&S policy and training to board, executive and leadership levels on psychological health and safety.
Cam Stevens is a trusted voice for safety innovation, technology, and digital transformation. As a chartered safety professional with an MSc in Human Factors and postgraduate studies in artificial intelligence ethics, Cam has extensive experience in both safety and technology roles. He has supported over 200 emerging technology deployments in high-risk enterprises across the globe and is a world leader in digital safety transformation. Cam is also a well-established international keynote speaker on the intersection of safety and technology and is an agent of change for the future of work.
Martyn is a highly experienced Work Health & Safety consultant and senior executive with over 30 years in regulatory compliance, investigations, and WHS across the UK and Australia. Formerly South Australia’s WHS Regulator and Head of SafeWork SA, he represented SA on Safe Work Australia, chaired the Heads of Workplace Safety Authorities, and was a core member of the Respect@Work Council. He now chairs the National Psychosocial Safety Network, advises the International Association of Labour Inspection, and sits on various boards. Martyn holds advanced degrees in law, WHS, and is a Fellow and Chartered OHS Professional of the Australian Institute of Health and Safety
Jamie Mallinder is a multi-award-winning Chartered OHS Professional and Workplace Safety Psychologist with nearly 20 years of experience in WHS. Known for evidence-based, innovative solutions, he has worked with diverse organizations, from SMEs to Fortune 500 companies, focusing on safety culture, psychosocial risk, and mental health. A LinkedIn Top Voice in WHS and R U OK? Ambassador, Jamie advocates for safer workplaces using neuroscience-driven insights. His collaborative, results-oriented approach has established him as a trusted advisor and thought leader, driving transformational safety outcomes and fostering meaningful discussions on mental health and suicide prevention.
Dr Nicholas Mabbott is a Fatigue Risk Management Specialist with 27+ years of experience, training over 32,000 individuals across industries. Known as “Dr Nick,” he resolves severe sleep disorders drug-free within six weeks and optimises sleep for day and night shifts. His book The Wonder of Sleep: Beyond Midnight challenges road safety professionals and sleep scientists to explore new theories in sleep, workplace, and road safety management, while providing practical steps for achieving better sleep and living well
Patrizia is an International award-winning work health and safety advocate with a compelling and confronting life story. In 2021, she won the Gold Stevie award as Maverick of the year, which recognizes the achievements of female individuals who have affected positive change on their companies and/or industries. Has also been recognized as Top 100 Women in Construction and In March 2023, was honoured to be the NSW Woman of the Year for the Canterbury/Bankstown District
She shares the crucial lessons everyone in construction, manufacturing and engineering need to hear to shift out complacency and create a safe working environment for themselves and all their work mates.
Her devastating story is of a tragedy that was never an accident, but an incident waiting to happen, all because of complacency that took her 18-year-old son’s life.
Be prepared for an emotional and inspiring journey with this powerful and potentially life-saving session where the usual ‘she’ll be right mate’ or ‘it won’t happen to me’ situation will make you evaluate your daily work practises and make your family the reason why you work safe every day.
She has had extensive coverage on the media, 60 minutes and Morning shows and has helped develop an App together with SafeWork NSW, that allows workers to speak up anonymously and is a committee member of the SafeWork Family and Injured workers support group. Her safety advocacy led her to complete a CERT IV in Work Health and Safety to educate herself, so she can reign new laws in her son’s honour, by bringing tougher penalties and greater consequences for unsafe work practices. Her foundation, Touched by Christopher Ltd, raises money to help families who have lost a loved one in construction, financially, so that they can grieve without the everyday burden .
Kate Cole OAM is a multiple award-winning scientist, engineer and Certified Occupational Hygienist who has dedicated her career to the prevention of work-related disease.
Her work on preventing silicosis has been informed by the completion of a Winston Churchill Fellowship and her extensive work on major construction and tunnelling projects in Australia and abroad. Kate is regularly sought after to provide her expert opinion on issues relating to airborne hazards including respirable crystalline silica. Kate is the past President of the Australian Institute of Occupational Hygienists, the former co-chair of the National Silicosis Prevention Strategy Expert Steering Committee, and a member of the NSW Dust Diseases Board.
In recognition of her outstanding contributions to workplace health and safety, Kate was awarded the Medal (OAM) of the Order of Australia and was included in the Covid-19 Honour Roll in the 2022 Australia Day Honours. Kate now works as an independent consultant while completing her PhD at the University of Sydney where she is researching respirable crystalline silica exposures to tunnel construction workers.
With a career in workplace health and safety spanning 15 years, he has consulted nationally and internationally across a diverse range of industries. Dr Casey is an endorsed Organisational Psychologist with two doctoral degrees, including his PhD that involved development and validation of the award-winning LEAD model. His passion is translating abstract concepts into practical tools that have measurable impact.
Alan is enrolled as solicitor and barrister on the High Court roll, the Supreme Court rolls in Queensland, the Australian Capital Territory and the High Court roll in New Zealand. He practises throughout Australia under a Queensland Practising Certificate. Alan has been in practice since 1991 and more recently has been recognised in the consecutive years of 2014-2024 in the Doyle’s Guide as a “Leading Workplace Health & Safety Lawyer – Queensland”. He has also been selected by his peers in consecutive years for inclusion in the 2014-2025 Editions of The Best Lawyers in Australia in the “Occupational Health & Safety Law” category, these achievements confirm that Alan is one of the country’s best lawyers who can assist clients in defending and negotiating government-initiated prosecutions.
Dr Trajce Cvetkovski is Associate Professor in Occupational Health and Safety Management at ACU. He is a practising academic who teaches WHS law, principles of workplace health, safety, wellbeing and psychosocial risk.
Trajce specialises in WHS compliance and regulation and worked for Queensland’s Office of Industrial Relations for 13 years. He has prosecuted several complex matters including heat exhaustion, bullying, electrical safety, and reckless conduct. His research interests include sentencing inconsistencies under harmonised legislation, the misrepresentation of WHS/OHS and wellbeing in popular culture, and costs associated with achieving compliance.
Sara Pazell is a principal work design strategist for ViVA health at work. She helps businesses manage transformation when introducing new technologies, new environments, or systems changes. She asks, “How to design when humans are part of the system? What can we dream that can become our new reality?”
Sara specialises in transformative, participatory, action research to solve real-world challenges. Sara is a rabble rouser in the WhyWork Podcast, the founder and director of ViVA health at work and ViVID design labs, an educator and researcher with several Australian universities, and an advisory on global and national wellness design accreditation and training programs
As Director of Specialist Harm Prevention, Jim leads areas such as psychological health & safety, healthcare, workplace health, ergonomics, and return to work. His diverse career includes prevention, early intervention, injury management, and regulation. Jim adopts a holistic approach to business and risk, focusing on the physical and psychological health of workers. He is passionate about driving positive behaviour change and preventing injury through the design of health and safe work.
In his spare time Jim is a volunteer Board member with the charity “Heart on my sleeve” a lifesaver and active member of his local surf life saving committee and a family man who loves to get active in the outdoors.
Natalee Johnston is the director of Skilful Decisions, a consulting company that focuses on education of human interactions and performance to enhance safety.
Natalee’s expertise in understanding human factors and the influence of organisational culture stems from her 20 plus years military service as a helicopter pilot instructor and safety specialist. Natalee is a member of the TOLL ACE Training Centre Human Factors team developing and delivering human factors courses for TOLL’s HEMS and AVN capability. She is passionate about safety and education, with a Masters in Business, Post grad certificate in Accident Investigation and Diplomas in Quality Auditing and WHS.
Sam is the Acting Executive Director of WorkSafe Tasmania and Tasmania’s independent Work Health and Safety Regulator.
The majority of Sam’s career has focused on work health and safety prosecutions and regulatory compliance. His work as a Crown prosecutor included obtaining Tasmania’s first conviction following a trial under the Work Health and Safety Act 2012.
Andrea’s career has spanned the public sector in Queensland, as well as working for a non-government organisation and teaching in the university sector. Andrea is genuinely committed to the principles of collaborative policy design, knowing that enduring and effective policy solutions will only ever be devised when crafted with those effected by them. She has policy making experience working with a diverse range of industries including work health and safety, industrial relations, vocational training, transport, energy, natural resources and child protection reform.
She is the Queensland member of the Strategic Issues Group of Safe Work Australia, where she contributes to the national development of work health and safety policy. Andrea has also chaired a number of tripartite Steering Groups for collaborative policy development and regulation setting across construction, agriculture and psychosocial hazards.
Andrea is an advocate for reconstructing contemporary growth and development economics away from GDP and towards the reconciliation of economics with ecology. Andrea holds a Bachelor of Economics, as well as a Masters in Social Science (Economics) from The University of Queensland.
Dr Cody started as Australia’s Sex Discrimination Commissioner in September 2023.
Before this, Dr Cody had a distinguished career as an academic, as a lawyer specialising in discrimination and as a passionate advocate for human rights. Her work over the years has included substantial advocacy to various United Nations human rights committees when they have reviewed Australia’s and other nations’ fulfilment of their human rights obligations.
Most recently she was the Dean of the School of Law and Professor at Western Sydney University for 4.5 years, leading education and research impact within the School to better reflect the diversity of the community and the intersection of law and justice
Jacqueline Agius was appointed to the role of ACT Work Health and Safety Commissioner in April 2020. Ms Agius is also the Commissioner of the Labour Hire Licencing scheme which commenced on 27 May 2021. Ms Agius is an experienced leader with extensive practice in both industrial, and work health and safety laws.
Ms Agius is committed to improving health and safety standards in Canberra workplaces and creating a strong safety culture in the ACT Community. She believes this is achievable with a strong regulatory response and holding duty holders accountable for creating safe work environments. She is passionate about achieving positive outcomes and improving the livelihood of Canberra workers.
Ms Agius is also dedicated to addressing psychosocial hazards at local workplaces and has established a dedicated team at WorkSafe ACT to regulate these risks.
His career began in mechanical engineering within the aerospace industry in England where he spent 15 years working for Rolls Royce, a manufacturer of industrial and commercial jet aircraft engines.
Glenn’s move to Australia secured him a role at SafeWork SA and for the past 19 years has worked across all areas of the Regulator, developing and implementing successful processes and delivering successful enforcement outcomes.
His extensive experience in world class processes in the UK and operating in a regulatory environment, has enabled him to provide compliance, investigative, technical and educational support services to a variety of stakeholders and become the State’s WHS Regulator.
Glenn is South Australia’s representative at the Heads of Workplace Safety Authorities and Safe Work Australia.
Michael is a partner at Holding Redlich where he navigates the intricacies of workplace relations across various domains. With an unwavering commitment to work health and safety, he possesses a unique expertise in this field. Michael’s clientele spans an extensive spectrum, encompassing construction and manufacturing, agribusiness, media, education, professional services, transport, and government sectors.
Recognised for his exceptional legal acumen, Michael has earned a place in The Best Lawyers in Australia guide for Occupational Health and Safety Law since 2020. Moreover, his profound understanding and remarkable achievements have led him to be acknowledged as one of New South Wales’ leading workplace health and safety lawyers by Doyle’s Guide, a distinction he has held since 2021. Michael’s exemplary track record and unwavering dedication to his clients make him an invaluable asset to our firm and a trusted advocate in the field of workplace relations.
In December 1998, Hawk Vagg was standing on a tractor’s front-end loader on a farm near Jerilderie NSW, elevated so he could cut down the higher branches of a huge river red gum which had toppled in a recent storm; as he chain sawed off the last big trunk, he miscalculated the way it would fall and it knocked him off the tractor. Hawk plunged onto a steep river bank – a fall that changed his life forever.
Hawk Vagg was 38 years old with a wife and four boys aged eleven, nine, three and two when he became a quadriplegic. Hawk’s journey from devastation and despair back to living a full and productive life taught him a lot about himself and life in general. He realised that life is all about ‘attitude’ – controlling your attitude.
He also learnt that when life deals you tough cards, that it doesn’t just impact you, but can also be devastating for all the people around you. Hawk learnt during his recovery that ‘it wasn’t just about him’, and he was inspired to share his story and teach people about ‘attitude, safety and culture’ so that other families don’t have to go through the type of pain that impacted his family.
Visit Hawks page to learn what he is doing to help educate others on the impacts of a she’ll be right” attitude! www.safetyspeaker.com.au
Peter Mochrie is a celebrated Australian actor with a career spanning over forty years. Renowned for his versatile talent, Peter has also excelled as a presenter, MC, corporate speaker, and auctioneer. As a producer of Fine Films & Profiles, he brings stories to life with finesse. Peter is highly regarded as a top-tier teacher in acting, public speaking, and presenting, both on camera and live. His expertise in “The Art of Presenting” has made him a sought-after mentor for aspiring professionals, cementing his status as a leading figure in the entertainment and corporate training industries
Bernie Doyle is the CEO and Chairman of the NSCA Foundation and the Secretary General of the Asia-Pacific Occupational Safety and Health Organization (APOSHO).
His involvement with the NSCA began in 1991 as a Director in the former South Australian Division. As President of the South Australian Board, he played a key role in merging it into a national body. At APOSHO, an international body formed in 1985 to prevent occupational accidents and diseases, Bernie continues to lead efforts to improve workplace safety standards and address emerging risks, including mental health, across the region
Sidney Dekker (PhD Ohio State University, USA, 1996) is Professor in the School of Humanities, Languages and Social Science, and Director of the Safety Science Innovation Lab at Griffith University in Brisbane, Australia.
Sidney has lived and worked in seven countries across four continents.
He coined the terms ‘Safety Differently’ and ‘Restorative Just Culture’ in the 2010s, which have since turned into global movements for change. They encourage organisations to declutter their bureaucracy and enhance the capacities in people and processes that make things go well—and to offer compassion, restoration and learning when they don’t. His work has inspired generations of professionals and consultants globally. Many today will recognise Sidney’s ideas and concepts in for example ‘HOP,’ ‘Learning Teams,’ the ‘New View,’ and more.
An avid piano player and pilot who learned to fly at age 14, he has been flying the Boeing 737 for an airline on the side.
He is a trained mediator and Crisis Chaplain.
Sidney is prolific and bestselling author of, most recently: Ten Virtues of a Positive Safety Culture; Random Noise; Stop Blaming; Foundations of Safety Science; The Safety Anarchist; The End of Heaven; Just Culture; Safety Differently; The Field Guide to Understanding ‘Human Error’; Second Victim; Drift into Failure; Patient Safety; Compliance Capitalism; and Do Safety Differently.
He has co-directed the documentaries ‘Safety Differently,’ ‘Just Culture,’ ’The Complexity of Failure,’ and ‘Doing Safety Differently.’
His work has well over 20,000 citations and an h-index of 63.
Stanford has ranked Sidney among the world’s top 1% most influential scientists since Newton. More at sidneydekker.com
PLUS Click Image above to purchase Sidney’s Do Safety Differently Book.
