Work Health and Safety Excellence Awards

Winners and certificate of merit recipients will be announced at the free awards ceremony and brunch – join us to celebrate some great innovations and contributions to improve workplace health and safety across WA

The Work Health and Safety Excellence Awards recognise outstanding solutions and innovations to help address workplace health and safety problems in Western Australia.

This year a record 138 submissions were received, with 42 companies and/or individuals recognised as finalists.

We look forward to announcing the winners and certificate of merit recipients at the awards ceremony, opened by the Hon Simone McGurk MLA.

Guest speaker Helen Fitzroy OAM, who lost her husband in an underground mining accident in Norseman leaving her a widow with three young children, will share her story.

A networking brunch will be provided to celebrate the occasion and allow you to connect with others committed to building safer, more supportive workplaces.

This event is not only for finalists and all those that submitted, but for anyone with a keen interest in making workplaces healthier and safer. It is a great opportunity to hear about and celebrate outstanding solutions and innovations.

Registration details

Although there is no registration fee, pre-registration is essential to reserve your place.

Registration for each attendee must be completed online.
If you register and subsequently are not able to attend, please cancel your registration online or advise wsengage@lgirs.wa.gov.au as soon as possible to allow someone else to attend.
A networking brunch will be provided.

Event program

Morning

Time (AWST)	Description
08:30	Registration
09:30	Introduction - MC Myles Pollard
09:35	Welcome to Country - Theo Kearing
09:40	Welcome address - Hon Simone McGurk MLA, Minister for Industrial Relations
09:45	Guest speaker Helen Fitzroy OAM shares her experience of losing her husband in a WA workplace accident, and the importance of employer and employee working together on safety.
10:05	Presentation of awards and certificates of merit
11:20	Closing address by Lanie Chopping, Director General, Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety
11:25	Close of formal proceedings
11:30	Networking brunch on Champion's Terrace
12:30	Event close

Know the speakers

Hon Simone McGurk MLA

Simone is the State Labor Member for Fremantle, and the Minister for Creative Industries; Heritage; Industrial Relations; Aged Care and Seniors; Women.Simone is the State Labor Member for Fremantle, and the Minister for Creative Industries; Heritage; Industrial Relations; Aged Care and Seniors; Women. Prior to her election in 2013, Simone worked in the union movement for over 22 years.

Helen Fitzroy OAM - Guest speaker

Helen’s passion for workplace safety commenced following the death of her husband in an underground mining accident in Norseman, WA in 1991. The accident left Helen a widow in her early thirties with three young children. Helen campaigns for improved safety and better support for bereaved families, and delivers presentations to companies across all sectors highlighting the importance of both parties’ commitment to safety at work.

Sally North - WorkSafe Commissioner

Sally is the WorkSafe Commissioner in WA. She greatly values the opportunity to make a difference to the community through WorkSafe’s education, inspections, investigations, legal and regulatory support teams and through collaboration with stakeholders.

Lanie Chopping - Director General, LGIRS

Before taking the role of Director General at LGIRS, Lanie was Director General at the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries, where she oversaw some significant achievements. These include a new organisational structure and leadership team to deliver on key State Government priorities, including driving reform for local government regulation, and strategic planning and restructuring to address findings arising from the Perth Casino Royal Commission.

James Walker - 2024 Health and safety representative (HSR) of the year and Clinical Nurse, WA Country Health Service

James is our 2024 HSR of the year, nominated for his outstanding commitment to the role of HSR at Warren Hospital, Manjimup. He will co-present the 2025 award in this category alongside Sally North.

Myles Pollard - MC

Myles in an actor and producer known for his roles in Home and Away, X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009) and McLeod’s Daughters. Myles was nominated for two Silver Logies in 2003-2004 for Most Popular Actor starring in McLeod’s Daughters, and won Best Actor at the 2014 West Australian Screen Awards for his lead role in Drift. As a facilitator, he has a breadth of experience delivering leadership and safety-based workshops in mining, defence, and across government.

Questions & answers

This event is for finalists and those that nominated in this and previous years’ awards, as well as for anyone with a keen interest in improving workplace health and safety and learning about innovative solutions and best practices in the field.

Yes, a networking brunch is provided as part of your registration.