PRESIDENT’S REPORT 2024

26 Nov

Another year drawing to a close for the Goulburn Valley Safety Group (GVSG), as we mark the conclusion of our 27th year.

The 2024 committee was made up of Geoff Hopkins , Joanna Foulkes, Caitlin Baker, Darryl Herring, Jessica Willoughby, Kristy Williams, Travis Kreeck, Jack Fuller, Ashlee Clowes and myself.

Our President at the commencement of 2024, Ashlee Clowes resigned from the Position in April, meaning I took on the role from Vice President. I thank the committee, in particular Jess Willoughby and Travis Kreeck for their support in the transition.

The year the was again well supported through the continued participation by the majority of our ongoing member organisations, individuals and also welcomed the addition of some new members.

The GV Safety Group would again like to make a very special thankyou to member organisation GV Hospice who supported the ongoing face to face meetings, by making their meeting room available for face-to-face sessions and supporting attendees who could not attend to join video conferencing facilities they made available.

Topics covered throughout the year included:

- Lone Worker Safety by WorkSafe Guardian

- Enhancing Pedestrian and Forklift Safety by Campbell’s Soups

- Recruit, Retain, Review by Work Healthy Australia

- Identifying and Managing Psychological Risks in the Workplace by Altius Group and Nabenet

- WorkSafe Victoria updates by Brad Watt

- Factory Site Tour of Saputo by Geoff Hopkins

Unfortunately, a bus trip to the Melbourne OHS expo did not proceed due to low numbers of members confirming their attendance.

Thank you to our monthly event sponsors, GV Hospice, Saputo and Nabenet. Your support is appreciated.

The 2024 GVSG Breakfast Awards as part of the WorkSafe Victoria October Safety Month was well-attended. Our keynote speaker, Tom Boyd delivered an engaging talk on success, burnout and recognising and addressing mental health concerns.

Congratulations to the category winners:

Best Safety or Wellbeing Initiative, for employer or site over 100 Employees – dual winners

o Work Hardening Program, Unilever

o Chemical Safety Enhancement and Incident Prevention, Redland Premium Fruit

Best Safety or Wellbeing Initiative, for employer or site under 100 Employees

o Traffic Management Plan, FOOTT

Recognised Safety or Wellbeing Person, for employer or site over 100 Employees

o Kiamba Write, Redland Premium Fruit

Recognised Safety or Wellbeing Person, for employer or site under 100 Employees

o Travis Kreeck, Employer & Disability Health Solutions

The Committee appreciates the support of our breakfast sponsors:

- Major sponsor, Shepparton Workwear & Safety a long history of supporting the safety group.

We were saddened to hear of the passing of Mr Rob Jones and offer our condolences

- Gold sponsor, Nabenet

- Silver sponsors, Redland Premium Fruits and Nabenet

- Bronze sponsors, Personnel Group, Game Traffic & Contracting and FOOTT

We look forward to a return to running a collaborative event in 2025 with WorkSafe.

The GV Safety Group would like to that WorkSafe for their continued support and participation in meetings throughout 2024 with their attendance and participation as a contributing member greatly appreciated.

I would like to acknowledge and thank our committee for their dedication and hard work in putting together the calendar of events we offered to support our member organisations, and to put on our Safety Awards and Breakfast.

I look forward to the group having a strong and successful year in 2025 and working with you all again along with any new members looking to join the committee, whilst supporting our current and any new organisations and individuals joining in 2025.

I wish everyone a restful, healthy and safe festive season, and looking forward to working with you all in 2025.

Tony Kluytmans,

GVSG President