AFL football legend, Simon Black played over 300 games with the Brisbane Lions and achieved many accolades during his career. One of the game’s most celebrated players, Simon was a three-time AFL Premiership Player, three-time All Australian Team and was a vice and co-captain for the Brisbane Lions.
In 2012 Simon became the first player in league history to win a Brownlow Medal, a Norm Smith Medal and a premiership medal.
After retiring from AFL, Simon founded the Simon Black Australian Rules Academy, aimed at providing pathways for students to pursue university and fitness qualifications while training and playing AFL. He also competed in Australian Survivor where he demonstrated his leadership and physical abilities.
Garrick has been with Arnolds Electrical for over 35 years where he commenced as a second year apprentice. He progressively worked his way through his apprenticeship to tradesperson, foreperson, project manager and estimator. Garrick is now the General Manger and also a shareholder in the company.
Before joining the Electrical Safety Office (ESO) as a senior electrical safety inspector, Jane worked as a sparky and has been in the construction industry for nearly 30 years.
Jane has been with ESO for over five years now and continues to be a powerhouse in her industry. She's also a strong advocate for young women in the electrical trade.
Matthew has been committed to the electrical industry for more than two decades across a variety of industries including, water, network distribution, data centre infrastructure, commercial and domestic installations. Matthew is currently the Technical Support Manager for Master Electricians Australia (MEA), providing expert interpretation and assistance to contractors and electricians on national and state based electrical safety standards. He has recently overseen MEA’s National Solar Inspections Program on behalf of the Clean Energy Regulator.vMatthew is also a member of the Electrical Equipment Committee and on the Technical Committee of EL-001 (Wiring Rules) with Standards Australia. Matthew’s dedication to providing best practice outcomes for the electrical industry stems from his career being a licensed electrical fitter mechanic and accredited trainer.
Anton Guinea was 21 years old when he was involved in a workplace accident as an electrician. Anton received second degree burns to 15 per cent of his body after using a steel ruler to measure something in a switchboard.
Anton is now an international speaker, author and had a degree in psychology. He understands the risks of working under pressure and is committed to helping leaders build psychologically safe and high-performing teams.
Mark Halverson commenced as a firefighter in 1986 and worked at numerous Brisbane northside fire stations for 26 years before transitioning into functional building fire safety roles at Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES).
This included five years as QFES State Compliance and Prosecution Manager, working to ensure building owners and occupiers fulfilled their fire safety obligations.
Mark has been in his current position as Executive Manager, State Fire Safety Section since June 2020. As part of this role, Mark has been heavily involved in promoting community education about Queensland’s domestic smoke alarm legislation and more recently, promoting community safety messaging due to an increased number of fires attributed to rechargeable lithium-ion batteries.
Donna is currently the acting Deputy Director-General for the Office of Industrial Relations, which is responsible for regulatory frameworks, policy advice and compliance activities for work health and safety, electrical safety, industrial relations and workers’ compensation – to improve the wellbeing of all Queenslanders by making Queensland safer and supporting fair and productive workplaces. Donna’s previous roles include Executive Director, Electrical Safety Office, Regional Director, Workplace Health and Safety Queensland; Director, Agriculture and Manager, Coronial Liaison Support Services and holds a Bachelor of Laws and a Graduate Certificate in Public Sector Management.
Paris is the Director of the Electrical Safety Policy Team at the Office of Industrial Relations. Her team is responsible for the electrical safety legislative framework in Queensland and has carriage of the implementation of the recommendations from the Review of Queensland’s Electrical Safety Act 2002.
Veronica is a Training and Safety Consultant and has extensive experience in training and safety in the electrical industry, a Diploma of Electrical Engineering, and a Bachelor of Business Management. Veronica has been the technical expert of the Electrical Licensing Committee since 2008 and holds a licence as an Electrical Fitter Mechanic.
Keith started his electrical career in 1986. After gaining his electrical fitter and mechanics licence he worked for a number of companies on domestic, commercial, hospital, petrochemical and industrial projects.
He has served on a range of board and committees in the area of apprentice training, construction, training competencies, workplace health and safety and Australian standards and has been a member of the Electrical Safety Board and Electrical Licensing Committee since 2011.
Prior to his role as Commissioner, Keith was the President of the Queensland and Northern Territory Electrical Trades Union branches.
In 2017, Sean’s sister, Kerryn O’Connor, was killed by an electric shock while handling an electrical appliance with a hidden failure. Sean works to prevent others from experiencing the grief of losing a loved one in an avoidable incident. His passion is consumer protection.
Sean is the Deputy Chair of Workplace Health and Safety Queensland’s consultative committee for work-related fatalities and serious incidents. Representing his parents, Jim and Robyn, Sean joined the committee after experiencing the devastating impact that Kerryn’s death had on his family.
Sean has an electrical trade and experience leading staff in heavy industrial, transport and mining industries. This provides him with a practical insight into the health and safety challenges that workers face going about and doing their jobs.
Mark is a lead inspector in the compliance team at the Electrical Safety Office.
He is a passionate subject-matter expert when it comes to electrical risk management having worked in domestic, commercial and industrial electrical industry sectors.
Mark began his trade journey in 1999, starting with entry level pre-vocational trade training and progressing through each level of the electrical industry - apprentice, electrical worker, electrical supervisor and now an electrical inspector for the last seven years.
Through his involvement in community sport and taking on leadership roles, Mark’s experience provide a thorough perspective on workplace and team culture, and risk management strategies that can not only help individuals but help businesses achieve greater success.
Carl Porritt is the current Director Equipment Safety with the Electrical Safety Office (ESO). Carl began his career in the electrical industry in 1986 when he began as a trainee Technical Officer with the State Electrical Commission of Victoria. This provided the solid foundation upon which his career developed. Moving to Queensland in 1995, Carl found a calling to join the Queensland Police Service, reaching the rank of Acting Sergeant. Having served the community directly, Carl found the need to continue serving, joining ESO in 2007, in the Equipment Safety Unit.
Carl has brought his technical experience and a large dose of common sense to the role, and now an integral part of a team committed to protecting the community from the potential harm arising from electrical equipment, particularly household appliances. Today, technology advances introduce new risks requiring Carl’s team to monitor and find new ways to minimise those risks
Alison Price is the newly appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Waste Recycling Industry Association of Queensland (WRIQ). WRIQ represents waste, resource recovery and circular economy businesses providing essential services for the community and the environment.
Alison has a long association with the waste industry, first as a founder and Managing Director of her own innovative recycling business in 2009, and later as a Board Member for WRIQ from 2015 to 2022.
Alison is also a Director of Austmine, EnviroMETS (Qld) Ltd and a former Director of the Infrastructure Sustainability Council.
Peter started his career in the electrical field with an apprenticeship as an electrical mechanic in 1981. Gaining his electrical work licence in 1985, it marked the start of a career filled with extensive experience across domestic, commercial, and industrial electrical work. Between 1991 and 2002, Peter successfully operated his own electrical contracting business.
In 2002, Peter moved into the role of an electrical safety inspector, applying his extensive knowledge and expertise in the field. Over the years, he has gained several additional qualifications in the electrical and electronic disciplines.
Peter is a life member of the Institute of Electrical Inspectors, where he currently holds a position on the board of directors. His leadership within the Institute includes serving as Deputy Chairman from 2011 to 2016, and as Chairman from 2016 to 2023.
Brian is the Director of the Electrical Equipment Safety and Licensing team at the Electrical Safety Office.
Starting in the electrical industry as a trainee with the State Electricity Commission of Victoria in the early 1980’s, Brian worked in the appliance testing laboratory. He worked his way up to laboratory manager, and soon gained respect throughout the industry as the authority in Australia for testing household electrical equipment.
In the late 1990’s Brian moved to Queensland, where he was able to apply his years of testing knowledge with the Electrical Safety Office, vetting applications for Certificates of Approval from manufacturers and importers bringing new equipment to market.
Brian has also been a significant presence in Standards Australia committees, writing important Australian Safety Standards used throughout the industry. Now, as Director of Equipment Safety and Licensing, Brian looks after the safety of household electrical appliances, and makes sure electrical workers and contractors are licensed appropriately.
Dr Deborah Simmons OAM, an anaesthetist and rural generalist at Proserpine Hospital, was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after treating five workers—four of whom were severely burned—in a mine explosion at Moranbah in May 2020. Following her diagnosis, With the support of her employer, Dr Simmons admitted herself to a private psychiatric clinic in Townsville for treatment. She believes that having the right team of treating professionals around her was key to starting her recovery and planning how she would safely transition back to work. In her personal presentation, Dr. Simmons will share her journey and explore the topic of "Why It Pays to Care."
Nick Thompson joined MATES in 2019, working with the building and construction industry to operationalise the Blueprint for Better Mental Health & Suicide Prevention in the Building & Construction Industry. With Post Graduate Qualifications in Social Work, Men’s Behaviour Change and Mental Health: Trauma & Recovery, Nick brings over 15 years’ experience in the not-for-profit sector both in leadership and direct practice roles. From working with First Nation’s Communities in the Northern Territory, to Managing Domestic & Family Violence Programs for Relationship Australia Queensland, Nick brings significant leadership experience from his time as the Chief Executive Officer of the Aboriginal Family Legal Service, Southern Queensland. The son of an electrician, Nick is passionate about making sure that workers voice, and the evidenced knowledge of Blue-Collar Workers and their experience of workplace mental health, is a strong part of MATES program logic.
Queensland rugby league champion Johnathan Thurston has played more than 300 NRL matches over his career, including 37 State of Origin matches for Queensland and 35 undefeated Tests for Australia.
His long list of awards and accolades includes four-time Dally M Medal winner, the Deadlys Indigenous NRL Player of the year 2013, Clive Churchill Medal winner and Arthur Beetson Medal winner in 2017.
Johnathan is a positive influence and role model with a passion for our nation’s youth and his Indigenous culture. In 2018 he set up the Johnathan Thurston Academy which provides training programs and employment opportunities to young Australians.
Cassandra is a valued worker for Stowe Australia, one of the leading contractors in the electrical industry. Cassandra has worked for Stowe Australia for over 10 years and has been a crucial part of both large-scale construction projects, and the Southern Queensland service division. Cassandra holds an Electrical Fitter Mechanic licence as well as holding licences in high risk works. Cassandra has always held a firm stance on fair and safe work practices.
Josh Waddington is a licenced carpenter, his background ranges from on the tools, to supervisory, and management roles before transitioning into education and vocational training.
Josh has worked with young people at risk, disability, in schools, and within the Australian Apprenticeships system at a registered training organization (RTO). He is proud to be working with MATES as their Apprentice Resilience Program coordinator.
Belinda has been a member of the Energy Queensland Executive Team since its creation in 2016 and was appointed as the Executive General Manager of Yurika in January 2023. This makes her responsible for leading a competitive commercial business that boasts a rapidly growing, national footprint. Offering solutions including the engineering, design, procurement, construction, operation and maintenance of significant Energy and Infrastructure projects, the Yurika business also offers an integrated suite of energy solutions including Telecoms, Internet of Things, Metering and Energy Material Supplies.
Belinda has a track record of transforming cultures and delivering organisational objectives in public, private and not for profit organisations across a range of different industries.
Having previously served as a Non-Executive Director with the Electrical Safety Board and Executive Director for Ergon Retail, Energex and Ergon Distribution Boards and HELP Enterprises, Belinda is currently a Non-Executive Director at Energy Skills Queensland.
She has a Bachelor of Commerce, Masters of Applied Law, qualifications in finance, is a graduate member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a member of Chief Executive Women.
Nada (Mtanios) Wentzel is one of Australia’s most qualified and internationally sought after safety culture and leadership experts and keynote speakers. She combines a depth of industry experience across disaster crisis management, safety leadership training and neuroscience.
Since 2003 she has led the growth of specialist safety culture and safety leadership development consultancy, Jonah Group. The Jonah Group works globally with organisations in the oil & gas, mining, power, food manufacturing, rail and service industries.
She has worked with organisations including Dulux Group, Esso, Energex, Halliburton, Oil Search, Talisman, Orica and Rio Tinto to radically improve safety culture, performance and behaviour.
With qualifications in Mechanical Engineering, Neuroscience and Organisational Psychology, Nada brings a unique fusion of knowledge and experience.
Robert oversees the strategic delivery of electrical safety across Queensland, by developing and enforcing standards for electrical safety and promoting improved safety in the wider community. This includes enforcement activities to promote compliance, licensing, approval of electrical equipment and accreditation regimes, education and training to help reduce the risk of death, injury and destruction of property caused by electricity. As the acting Executive Director, Electrical Safety Office (ESO), Rob serves as a member of the Electrical Regulatory Authorities Council, and Chair, Standing Committee of Officials, Electrical Equipment Safety System.
Melinda has a diverse work background with experience in childcare before starting in the electrical industry at Ergon working several different roles from the mail room to a personal assistant.
After working in an administrative role for nine years with Ergon, Melinda started her Electrical Fitter Mechanic Apprenticeship in 2019 at the age of 40 and is now a qualified tradesperson with the Ergon Substation.
While she doesn’t see herself as a role model, during her apprenticeship she loved the fact that she somehow became one to others, getting in and doing her job and supporting others.
A powerhouse of women’s football, AFLW legend Moana Hope was the first ever female player to kick over 100 goals in premier division Australian football. She went on to represent the biggest sporting club in Australia, Collingwood for two seasons before joining North Melbourne for their 2019 season.
Moana has also competed on Australian Survivor twice and currently hosts her own radio show ‘Entrepreneur Her’. Moana knows what it takes to be a strong woman. She is an incredibly talented AFLW player, runs her own business, speaks out against sexism and rocks a suit like nobody’s business.
Glen Cook (Cookie), is an enthusiastic Public Safety Specialist, an internationally acclaimed speaker on powerline safety. Cookie is a very passionate electrical safety advocate and gives practical examples on enhancing powerline safety, explaining the lookupandlive.com app concept he developed and the use of ‘rotamarkas’ to highlight powerlines.
Keeley – Four years ago, Keely began working at Dawson Electric aged 15 years as a school based apprentice and is now a 3rd year. As a 17-year-old school-based electrical apprentice, Keeley took out both the Awesome Women in Construction (AWIC) Professional of the Year award, and the Construction Skills Queensland (CSQ) funded Young Achiever award at the recent AWIC Awards in 2022.
Finding a supportive workplace has helped Keeley’s ambition flourish; with Dawson Electric she feels she has not only found a job, but a work family. For Keeley, helping change the stigma around females in trades is important.
Dylan Dawson owner of Dawson Electric, along with his wife Kristine, started the business in 2007 in Woolloongabba. Specialising in residential electrical and maintenance- Dylan works with a team of experienced electricians and apprentices to provide high quality customer service in Queensland.
With an expansive career working as a TV Host and Pit Lane Reporter for the Supercars on Channel 7 + 10 & FoxSports - Riana adds colour with her wonderful interviews and personality shining through in all she does. She is full-time again with the Supercars Championship this year.
A gifted dancer earlier in her life, Riana has kept herself in incredible shape by pushing her limits both physically and mentally. In 2021 she completed her first Iron Man and achieved multiple goals pushing aside injury challenges along the way. She was also one of three who finished the selection course on SAS Australia in 2022!
Shayne started his electrical journey in 1989 and worked mainly in the domestic and commercial fields. He has worked for Civil Aviation Authority, Telstra, Queensland Health, Public Works and also electrical contracting as a sole trader part of the time.
Working for the Department of Public Works, Qbuild since 1999, Shayne started as an electrical tradesperson and in 2014 moved into a more office-based role as an Endorsee to Qbuild’s Electrical Contractors Licence.
In 2023, he gained the position of Principal Qualified QTP for Qbuild where he facilitates both electrical safety and Arctick Licence for Public Works (Qbuild) Statewide.
Shayne has gained several other qualifications including an Electrical Contractors' qualification, Special Class Electricians qualification, Open Cablers Licence plus endorsements, Certificate II In Split Air Conditioning and Heat Pump Systems, Restricted Water Plumbing Licence – Electrical, Certificate 4 Training and Assessment, Certificate 4 and Diploma in Work Place and Safety and Solar-Grid Installation and Design Course which has broadened his knowledge base.
Daniel brings over 20 years of domestic and international experience across wide range of the electricity network supply chain including network planning and investment, asset management and long-term strategy development. In his current role, Daniel is responsible for the development of Powerlink’s long term network strategy focusing on the future and changing requirements of industry, government customers and key stakeholders.
Michael Gibson is the Director of Field Services with the Electrical Safety Office, the electrical safety regulator in Queensland. Michael has been involved in the electrical industry for 35 years, 20 years in a regulatory role. He is an experienced leader in the delivery of inspection and enforcement strategies to enforce and monitor compliance of duty holders with electrical safety legislation.
Daren holds the rank of Inspector within the Queensland Fire Department (QFD) and is currently the Manager of the State Fire Investigation Unit. He has extensive experience in emergency and disaster management with a strong emphasis on fire origin and cause investigations. Daren holds numerous post-graduate qualifications across these areas, as well as holding the International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI) Certified Fire Investigator (CFI) and the Australasian Fire Authorities Council (AFAC) EMPS Certified Fire Investigator certifications and is a member of the Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE) and a committee member of the Queensland Association of Fire Investigators (QAFI).