Workplace Health & Safety Show Champions of Safety Awards seek to recognise the industry's role models and talented professionals and showcase its varied career opportunities. The awards aim to attract others into similar roles by sharing inspiring stories and career journeys, honouring the rising stars, pioneers, and icons who go above and beyond to create safer workplaces. 
 

The three categories for Melbourne 2025, and their respected winners include:

RISING STAR: A Rising Star is an emerging talent showing exceptional promise and dedication, poised to make significant contributions and shape the future of their field.
Melbourne Winner: Aaron Boyes, Head of Health, Safety & Wellbeing, Altius Group

PIONEER: A Pioneer is a trailblazer who leads the way in exploring new frontiers, introducing innovative methodologies, and driving progress in their field, embodying courage, vision, and determination.
Melbourne Winner: Tarek Farhat, WHS Consultant, iHSEQ

ICON: An Icon is an individual who has achieved iconic status through their lasting influence, excellence, and significant contributions in their industry, serving as an inspiration for generations.
Melbourne Winner: Jamie Mallinder, Principal Consultant, Speaker and Suicide Prevention Ambassador, Sentis, R U OK? and MHFA Australia

We sat down with the three winners and asked them about their experience in health and safety, and why they entered the competition.

 

Why did you decide to enter the Champions of Safety Awards?
Tarek: I entered because I believe it’s time we reframe how safety is seen — not just as compliance, but as a value-add and culture-driver within businesses. The Awards presented an opportunity to showcase how practical, scalable safety systems can be embedded in businesses of any size. It was also a way to spotlight our work supporting hundreds of small to medium contractors across Australia who often don’t have access to in-house WHS resources.

What first inspired your career in health and safety?
Aaron: My journey into health and safety began through injury management, where I saw firsthand the challenges individuals face after a workplace incident. While that work was meaningful, I quickly realised that the greatest impact comes from prevention—stopping incidents before they happen. On a more personal level, I’ve also seen firsthand the impact of a family member fatality in the workplace, as well as close friends and relatives go through the emotional, financial and psychological toll of both physical and psychological injuries incurred in the workplace.  

What initiative or project are you most proud of, and why?
Tarek: I’m particularly proud of Safety Start, a free digital safety platform we developed in partnership with Carpentry Australia. It helps tradies, sole traders, and small teams access site-specific SWMS, toolbox talks, and pre-start forms with just a few taps. Since its launch, it has supported thousands of carpenters to improve their documentation, incident reporting, and engagement — many for the first time. It's breaking down the barriers that once made safety feel inaccessible to smaller operators.

How did you overcome a major challenge in implementing safety improvements?
Aaron: One of the most common challenges I face as a consultant is working with organisations that are committed to improving safety but are limited by financial constraints. In these situations, I focus on maximising impact through practical, scalable solutions. This often involves prioritising high-risk areas, leveraging existing resources, and building internal capability through training and coaching. I also work closely with stakeholders to demonstrate the long-term cost benefits of proactive safety measures—such as reduced injury rates, lower claims costs, and improved productivity. By aligning safety improvements with business outcomes, I’ve been able to gain buy-in and implement meaningful changes, even within tight budgets.

What’s been the biggest impact of your work on your team or organisation?
Tarek: Our systems have helped clients become not only more compliant but more confident. They now own their safety culture rather than outsourcing it. For many, we’ve reduced WHS admin time by up to 60%, allowing teams to refocus on safe, productive work. On a broader level, it’s shifted the conversation from "what paperwork do we need to complete" to "how do we improve the way we work and keep our team safe?"

How do you keep safety front-of-mind and engaging for everyone at work?
Aaron: I believe safety should never feel like a checkbox—it should be part of the culture. To keep it front-of-mind and engaging, I focus on making safety relatable, easy, practical, and people-focused. This includes using real stories and case studies to highlight the ‘why’ behind procedures, celebrating safety wins, and involving teams in identifying risks and solutions. I also tailor communication styles to suit different audiences—whether that’s toolbox talks, or workshops. Most importantly, I try to keep it approachable, consistent, and always tied back to the goal of getting everyone home safe.

What role does leadership play in building a strong safety culture?
Tarek: Leadership is everything. It’s the difference between a compliant site and a safe one. When leaders model good safety behaviour, act on feedback, and celebrate proactive safety actions — it sets the tone. At iHSEQ , we coach our clients to be visible leaders. That includes attending toolbox talks, conducting walk-throughs, and reinforcing a just culture where people feel safe to speak up.

How have you used innovation or technology to improve safety outcomes?
Aaron: Innovation and technology have been central to improving safety outcomes in my work, particularly through the implementation of digital tools like Safety Champion. By introducing this platform across multiple client organisations, we’ve been able to streamline incident reporting, risk assessments, and safety task management in a way that’s both user-friendly and highly effective. This has allowed teams to capture real-time data, automate follow-ups, and gain visibility into safety trends—enabling more proactive and informed decision-making. It’s also helped boost engagement, especially among frontline workers, by making safety processes more accessible and integrated into daily operations. The result has been stronger compliance, faster response times, and a more embedded safety culture.

What advice would you give to someone new to the safety profession?
Tarek: Start by listening. Spend time on-site, talk to workers, and understand the work being done. Don’t try to fix everything overnight. Safety is built on relationships and trust — not just regulations. Also, never stop learning — whether it’s through professional networks, field experience, or simply asking "why do we do it this way?"

Aaron: My biggest piece of advice is to stay curious and people-focused. Safety isn’t just about policies and procedures—it’s about understanding people, how they work, and what motivates them. Build strong relationships, listen actively, and never underestimate the power of small, consistent actions. Getting exposure to a variety of sectors will broaden your perspective, sharpen your adaptability, and help you see how safety principles apply in different contexts. Also, don’t be discouraged by resistance; change takes time, and your influence will grow as you build trust. 

What does the future of health and safety look like to you?
Tarek: The future is smarter, more inclusive, and focused on wellbeing as much as risk prevention. I see greater integration between technology and human-centred design — from AI risk assessments to mental health monitoring tools. But while technology will evolve, the core of safety will remain the same: people looking after people.