Safety Institute of Australia Victorian Education Awards

Educating for a Living Safely Culture was the theme at the Safety Institute of Australia Victorian Education Awards in Melbourne recently.

Acknowledging excellence in OHS, Susan Heron, CEO Australian Institute of Management (VT), opened proceedings, highlighting the importance of safety in all facets of everyday life.

Now into its third year, the Victorian Division of the Safety Institute of Australia awards OHS graduates who have demonstrated high levels of achievement and initiative in the area of OHS. Nominated by their educational institutions, these awards recognise students who have consistently displayed high academic standards, practical skills, commitment and involvement in OHS.

“I am very proud and honoured to have been nominated and to have received this award,” said Dan Harte, winner of the Diploma in OHS. “For me OHS is a passion, not just a career.

“These awards will take me a long way into my future. The diversity of the people in attendance shows a new wave of passion and energy for the profession and that there is still much to be learnt from the professional body of knowledge.”

Other key speakers included Susie O’Neill, founder and CEO of Kids Foundation, who drew on the correlation between educating children in safety and young adults entering the workforce with a greater understanding of OHS; and Professor Malcolm Sim at Monash University, who highlighted the need for continuous education and research in the field of OHS.

The award winners were:

• Certificate IV OHS, TAFE sector category:
  • Winner: Sonja Buble (The Gordon TAFE);
  • Commendation: Craig Walter (The Gordon TAFE) and Tracey Malloch (Swinburne TAFE).
• Diploma and Advanced Diploma, TAFE sector Category:
  • Winner: Dan Harte (Swinburne University TAFE);
  • High Commendation: Graeme Arnold (Wodonga TAFE) and Julie Anne McKenzie (RMIT TAFE).
• Undergraduate Degree and Graduate Certificate, University category:
  • Winner: Christopher Newnham (RMIT University);
  • High Commendation: Phillipa Maloney-Walsh (LaTrobe University).
• Graduate Diploma in OH&S or Hazard Management, University category:
  • Winner: Kevin Taylor (University of Ballarat);
  • High Commendation: Bill Fitzgerald (RMIT University).
• Masters of OH&S Management, University Category:
  • Winner: Herb Sirca (RMIT University).
• PhD and Doctorate programs, University category:
  • Winner: Ruth Stuckey (Monash University).
• SIA OHS Professional of Excellence Award (Inaugural):
  • Winner: Kelvin Blackney from Social Operating Systems;
  • High Commendation: Tony Smith from East Gippsland Water & Victorian Water and Paula Alan from St John of God Health Care.