Putting you first at the centre of what we do. Keeping you healthy and safe at work. Supporting you when you are harmed at work. Ensuring your scheme works and is sustainable.

2009 National Conference

Speakers

	AndrewAndrew May, Performance and Productivity Expert Andrew May is regarded as one of Australia’s leading experts on performance and productivity and runs performance businesses in Sydney and London. Andrew speaks to groups and individuals across the globe, mentors CEOs and senior managers, is published throughout national and international media, is a regular voice on radio and is the resident lifestyle expert on Australia’s TODAY show. He is the former Physical Performance Manager for the Australian Cricket Team and has also worked with the NSW Cricket Team, AFL Teams and Olympic Athletes.
	Dr Bernadette Trifiletti, Occupational Physician, Health for Industry Dr Bernadette Trifiletti is a medical graduate with specialist qualifications as an Occupational Physician from the Faculty of Occupational and Environment Medicine, Royal Australasian College Of Physicians. She is a Melbourne based consultant for Health for Industry, Health Services Division of Medibank Private Limited. Dr Trifiletti has extensive experience in private and public sector assessment of fitness for work and rehabilitation via organisational consultancy work, individual employee assessments, worksite visits and case conferences. She has longstanding experience in the area of assessments of Commonwealth government employees.
	Tony Bradford, Managing Director, Centre for Corporate Health Pty Ltd Tony Bradford is a specialist in human resource development and organisational behavioural change, focussing on leadership and management development. For over twenty years, he has worked with executive and senior managers, team leaders and supervisors, together with shop floor personnel in both the private and public sectors across a variety of industries by helping clients improve their overall functioning, particularly in relation to reducing workers’ compensation claims for psychological injury. Tony is well-credentialed in the leadership development field having commenced his career as an navigation officer in the Royal Australian Navy, before moving to international consulting firm, Ernst & Young, and subsequently starting his own boutique consultancy over ten years ago. Tony has a Masters degree in Business Administration, specialising in organisational behaviour and business development.
	NikiProfessor Niki Ellis, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Australian Institute of Health Workforce Innovation Professor Niki Ellis is an expert in occupational health who advises companies large and small on how to address stress in the workplace. She is currently the Deputy CEO of the Australian Institute of Health Workforce Innovation at the University of Queensland and Visiting Professor London SouthBank University. Niki is also the occupational health and safety expert Commissioner on the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission. Niki co-developed and presented Stressbuster, a four part Series for ABC Television that focused on stress in the workplace. In the series, she visited four workplaces to assess the organisational health of the company, then facilitated the development of action plans to improve health and productivity.
	DavidMajor General Craig Orme, AM, CSC, Department of Defence Major General Craig Orme entered the Royal Military College Duntroon in 1978. He has extensive operational, overseas, and command experience including tours in Malaysia, Iran, Germany, United Kingdom, Kuwait and the USA. He is an Armoured Corps officer with a background in tanks and cavalry as well as significant experience in senior Army and Defence Personnel appointments. Major General Orme commanded the 1st Armoured Regiment (Tank) in Darwin from 1997 to 1998, for which he was awarded the Conspicuous Service Cross. He was promoted to Major General in October 2008 and appointed as Head of People Capability. He was appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia in January 2009 for his service as Director General Personnel Army and as Commander of 1st Brigade. He has a Bachelor of Arts (Military) from the University of New South Wales, a Graduate Diploma in Defence Studies from Deakin University, a Masters in Defence Studies from the University of New South Wales, and a Master of Arts in Strategic Studies from Deakin University.
	Graeme Innes, Human Rights Commissioner, Australian Human Rights Commission Graeme Innes was appointed Australia's Disability Discrimination Commissioner and Race Discrimination Commissioner in July 2009. In December 2005 he was appointed as Human Rights Commissioner and Disability Discrimination Commissioner. In these roles he led or contributed to initiatives including: - The same sex, same entitlements inquiry, achieving removal of discrimination across federal law; - Drafting of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and ratification by Australia - Three inspections of Australia's Immigration Detention facilities; and - Development of a National Disability Strategy. Graeme is a Lawyer, Mediator and Company Director. He has been a Human Rights Practitioner for almost 30 years in NSW, WA and nationally.
	Mr Wayne Creaser, Manager, Research and Data, Safe Work Australia At Safe Work Australia, Wayne’s responsibilities include; delivering and developing a national research agenda, analysis and publication of national occupational health and safety (OHS) and workers' compensation data, and assisting in the development of model OHS legislation. Wayne has spent 25 years working in the field of OHS in government. His OHS career began as an occupational hygienist and mines inspector in the Northern Territory. His work then took him to managing the OHS and dangerous goods inspectorate in the Northern Territory and then to a similar role in the ACT. Wayne entered the national policy arena with the National Occupational Health and Safety Commission. During his time in the two territories Wayne was involved in a number of national standards projects including plant, dangerous goods and construction. He also had significant involvement in the development of consolidated OHS regulations in the Northern Territory and the dangerous substances legislation in the ACT.
	Charles Bishop, Director, O2C, Charles Bishop has over 20 years experience in a variety of roles including operational positions, line management, training and consulting. Charles is a passionate presenter who is able to impart information in a practical and focussed manner. He seeks to provide people with solutions that are relevant to their current situation. He is able to discuss concepts related to resilience and mental health with people from different backgrounds and at all different levels within an organisation. O2C specialises in resilience, mental health, emotional intelligence and leadership training, coaching and consulting.
	Nicholas Ward, Senior Project Manager, Konekt Nicholas is Senior Project Manager and Lead Auditor for Konekt. He has 14 years workers compensation experience having developed expertise in areas including claims management, rehabilitation and OH&S. Over the past 14 years, he has developed industry knowledge in finance, manufacturing, hospitality and health, delivering considerable client value through the provision of cost reduction services. Nicholas has significant capabilities in the areas of discovery, analysis and development of OHS Management Systems; database analysis and design specifically relating to OHS and workers’ compensation systems; business system end-to-end process re-engineering; and development of corporate governance strategies for transfer of information between operations and board level management.
	Carmel KarenMr John Cairns, Acting Deputy Commissioner, Australian Public Service Commission John has a long history of leadership in strategic human resource management and change management. Legally qualified, John spent seven years as a senior trade union official including several years as a senior official with the Australian Council of Trade Unions. Following this, John spent several years leading human resource departments in various NSW rail agencies. Following a stint as a political advisor in the Office of the Premier of Victoria, the Hon Steve Bracks, John took up the role of Executive Director, Workforce Planning and Development with the newly formed State Services Authority of Victoria. Before heading to Canberra to take up his present role with the Prime Minister’s Department, John and his team developed the Victorian Government’s Workforce Planning Strategy for the Victorian Public Sector and was instrumental in the establishment of the Victorian Leadership Development Centre.
	Paul Cutrone, Partner, Sparke Helmore Lawyers Paul Cutrone has over 16 years experience in OHS law and provides advice in the following areas; OHS, coronial law, environment and community, governance, sustainable development and corporate social responsibility; and statutory inquiries. Paul advises and represents clients at a local, national and international level in relation to compliance, risk management, investigations, enforcement action and legal proceedings. Paul has advised and represented employers in over 100 workplace fatalities and has overseen and managed a number of leading OHS cases involving successful defences. Paul has provided strategic advice and assistance in relation to enforcement actions by Comcare and provides legal and compliance training to various high level managers, employees and contractors.
	Pam Garton, Managing Director, Abilita Services Pam Garton is an Occupational Therapist with post graduate qualifications in cognitive behavioural therapy and adult education and has a career spanning over 20 years in occupational rehabilitation. Pam led a multi-disciplinary team conducting clinical studies into the development and delivery of small group courses to assist injured workers to learn strategies to better manage pain and disability. Those clinical studies, supported by international research, confirmed that when psychosocial factors that are influential in recovery, and are amenable to change, are identified and then targeted through self-management skills coaching, injured workers achieve improved and more durable health and work outcomes. It was the success of those courses that led to the development of the Abilita Program, now available to the injury management industry across Australia including an online assessment to measure and manage rehabilitation progress. Pam is recognized as a rehabilitation industry leader, not only because of the development of this innovative program but also through her contribution to the National Council of the Australian Rehabilitation Providers Association since its inception.
	Nev Keynes, Business Manager, Centrelink Nev Keynes become a Psychologist in 1996. While undertaking postgraduate study at the University of Sydney he developed his interest and passion for teaching and Organisational Psychology. Nev went on to join Centrelink in 2002 as an Occupational Psychologist. He was invited to transfer to Canberra in 2005 to be a Business Manager in the Centrelink Psychology Services Branch. In response to the results of staff polls, Nev developed a two day Positive Leadership and Workplace Health Program for the Call Centre Network and personally delivered this program to all 25 Call Centres across Australia. Nev’s work in this field was recognised when he was selected as a finalist in the SRCC Awards in 2008 for “Best Individual Contribution to Health and Safety”. Nev is currently a Business Manager in the Call Network providing Organisational Psychology Services. His latest program, a three-hour resilience program, is in the process of being delivered to all 5000 staff in the Call Network by internally trained facilitators.
	Tracey Bell, Director of Health and Safety, Department of Immigration and Citizenship Tracey bell is the currently the National Health and Safety Director for the Department of Immigration and Citizenship. Tracey has a current Diploma of Government in Injury Management, and has an extensive work history/experience in the injury management, rehabilitation, employment, disability and social welfare fields. Tracey leads a dynamic and large health and safety team in a diverse government agency. She has been instrumental in ensuring a focus on health and wellbeing strategies within DIAC, where all aspects of OHS are now an integral part of the DIAC business operations.
	KeithDr Keith Suter, Economic and Social Commentator and Futurist Dr Keith Suter is an economic and social commentator, strategic planner, conference speaker, author and broadcaster. As a broadcaster, he appears on Australian radio an average of once per day. He is the TV Channel 7 “ Sunrise” foreign affairs editor appearing on weekday mornings. He is also a foreign policy analyst for Sky TV Australia and Radio 4BC Brisbane. He also holds the following offices: Director of Studies, International Law Association (Australian Branch) Chairperson, International Commission of Jurists (NSW) Chairperson, International Humanitarian Law Committee, Australian Red Cross (NSW) Board member, Wesley Mission, Sydney His first degree is from the University of Sussex (international relations/ international law). His first doctorate (University of Sydney) was on the international law of guerrilla warfare (a study of the two 1977 Additional Protocols to the four 1949 Geneva Conventions) and his second (Deakin University) was on the economic and social consequences of the arms race. He has been a member of the international think tank The Club of Rome since 1993. In 1986, International Year of Peace, he was awarded the Australian Government’s Peace Medal. In 1994, he was voted “Australian Communicator of the Year”. In 2007 he was awarded the Australian Red Cross Distinguished Service Medal.
	Mr Geoff Fary, Assistant Secretary, ACTU Geoff Fary brings an unusual combination of background and experiences to his Assistant Secretary role at the ACTU. Elected in 2007, he has previously worked as a farm labourer, sheep shearer, administrator, Victorian Director of TUTA, Chief of Staff to a federal Cabinet Minister, Human Resources Director, Company Director, CEO of Industrial Relations Victoria and, for the previous four years, at the most senior national industrial role at APESMA. Geoff was born and raised in a rural community in northern Victoria. Most of his working life has been devoted to Human Resource Management and Industrial Relations. His career moves have given him the unusual perspective of union, corporate and government experiences that he brings to the challenges faced by the ACTU.
	Dr Rod Gutierrez, Managing Consultant Psychologist, Injury Management Solutions Dr. Gutierrez is a registered Psychologist and Rehabilitation Counsellor, with degrees in clinical psychology and rehabilitation. He has completed his PhD thesis entitled “Occupational Stress and Psychological Injury” undertaken at the University of Sydney, which is the end product of a 5 year project researching the predictors of psychological injury claims in NSW. The study is the first in Australia to access psychological injury claimants directly and provides substantial insights into this growing social and workplace problem. Rod has 10 years of experience as a Rehabilitation Case Manager having worked for both as a Rehabilitation Counsellor and Clinical Psychologist in both public and private organisations in injury management and clinical settings. Currently Managing Consultant at Injury Management Solutions, Rod heads a team of Rehabilitation Professionals for a specialist provider of occupational rehabilitation, management consultancy and treatment services.
	Professor Wendy Macdonald, Director, Centre for Ergonomics and Human Factors, La Trobe University Wendy Macdonald's first degrees were in psychology, followed by a PhD in ergonomics. She was a founding member of the Ergonomics Society of Australia, and is also now a Fellow of the Safety Institute of Australia, and a Member of the Australian Psychological Society, and the International Commission on Occupational Health. Her OHS research activities focus on means of assessing and controlling musculoskeletal injury risk; the nature of workload and its relationship with work-related stress and wellbeing; the functionality of OHS Management Systems; and OHS issues related to workforce ageing.
	Dr Melissa Lehmann, National Operations Manager - Psychology Clinical and Organisational Psychologist, Work Solutions Dr Lehmann is the National Psychological Operations Manager for Work Solutions: part of the Health Service Division of Medibank. With a background in organisational and clinical psychology, she consults to a range of government and private organisations on issues affecting workplace health and safety. Specifically, she focuses on assisting organisations to manage psychological injury and difficulties in the workplace and promotes the effective use of early intervention, supportive leadership and optimal team practices in this process. She promotes an integrated approach to improving employee wellbeing, and as such has conducted research and reviews of recruitment, induction, case management and change management processes for several large government agencies.
	Ms Regina Perton, Member, Administrative Appeals Tribunal Regina has been a full-time Member of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal since August 2004. Prior to her appointment to the AAT, Regina was a Senior Member of the Migration Review Tribunal. She has been a Member of the Refugee Review Tribunal, the Victorian Equal Opportunity Commission and a Commissioner of the Victorian Multicultural Commission. Regina has held management roles in tribunals and public sector agencies. She has worked in real estate and as a secondary teacher. Regina holds qualifications in law, arts and education. She was awarded a Centenary Medal for services to equal opportunity, immigration, ethnic affairs and the law. Regina has a particular interest in therapeutic jurisprudence and the impact of cultural and linguistic factors on legal proceedings.
	Dr Mary Wyatt, Occupational Physician, ResWorks Mary is an Occupational Physician with special interests in back pain and return to work management, and is the Chair of the Australasian Faculty of Occupational and Environmental Medicine and Advocacy Committee. Mary is one of the founders of www.RTWMatters.org, an online resource for people involved with return to work management, works in clinical practice and is a lecturer at Monash University. System factors that help employers and employees take a positive approach offer the best opportunities to reduce work place disability, and are the objectives of the not-for-profit ResWorks (The Foundation for Research into Injury and Illness in the Workplace Inc.) established in 2004 and chaired by Mary.
	Ms Christina Bolger, Director, Prevention & Injury Management Services, Comcare Christina has extensive experience in the research, development and implementation of injury prevention and management programs in a range of employment settings. She currently leads a team that assists employers in the Comcare scheme to meet their legislative responsibilities under the SRC Act and strive for better practice in rehabilitation assistance to their injured employees. This involves working collaboratively with employers and employees in the jurisdiction through: providing practical tools, information and advice, promoting early intervention as the primary means of minimising unnecessary incapacity and supporting RTW, promoting the development of rehabilitation management systems, and assisting organisations with continuous improvement.
	Ms Michelle Curtis, National Injury Manager, K&S Freighters Michelle Curtis has 13 years’ experience in the application of the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act, 1988, having joined the Military Compensation and Rehabilitation Service in December 1996. She made the switch from Commonwealth Public Service to licensee self-insurance in February 2007, and has since progressed to the position of National Injury Manager with K&S Freighters, having joined the company in August 2007.
	Mr Phil Cossens, Physiotherapist, Australian Physiotherapy Association Phil Cossens is a physiotherapist currently practicing at Atlas Sports Physiotherapy and Hands-on Physiotherapy in the ACT. He is President of the Australian Physiotherapy Association ACT branch and associated with the Australian Men's Gymnastics and ACT Academy of Sport Baseball teams. Mr Cossens has a Bachelor of Physiotherapy from Charles Sturt University and a Master of Sports Physiotherapy from LaTrobe University.
	Ms Susan Heron, Chief Executive Officer, VIC & TAS, Australian Institute of Management Prior to joining AIM, Ms Heron held various senior corporate management positions including Chief Operating Officer and Head of Corporate Strategy, ANZ Institutional Banking; Executive Director and Head of Banking (Melbourne), Rothschild Australia; and Chief Manager at Westpac responsible for one of Institutional Bank Victoria’s largest teams as well as responsibility for Institutional Bank Perth. Ms Heron is a current Board member of Museum Victoria and a member of the Federal Government’s Energy Efficiency Skills Consultative Committee. Earlier career highlights for Ms Heron include employment as the only female shipbroker in Australia and one of only three in the world. During Ms Heron’s six years as a shipbroker, she became the first woman in Australia to qualify as an Associate of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers (London). Ms Heron has a Diploma of Applied Science from RMIT and a Bachelor of Economics Degree from Monash University in Melbourne.
	Ms Judith May, Sports Physician, Sports Medicine ACT Judith is a Sports Physician who currently works in private practice at Sports Medicine ACT in Canberra. She is a fellow of the Australasian college of Sports Physicians. She has a wide range of experience in exercise related,degenerative and work related musculoskeletal conditions. She has extensive experience with sporting teams and has been medical director for Triathlon Australia since 2003. She has attended the 2004 and 2008 Olympics as an Australian Team Physician.