Nikky LaBranche
Industry Fellow, Minerals Industry Safety and Health Centre, Sustainable Minerals Institute, The University of Queensland
David Cliff
Professor of OHS in Mining, Minerals Industry – Minerals Industry Safety and Health Centre, Sustainable Minerals Institute, The University of Queensland
NIKKY LaBRANCHE – Nikky is a resources sector professional with mining engineering and health and safety research experience spanning three continents. She is currently an Industry Fellow with the Minerals Industry Safety and Health Centre undertaking a strategic gap analysis of particulates in the resources sector. Her research interests also include incident management practices and accident/injury analysis and investigation.
Nikky is currently Chair of the AusIMM Southern Queensland Branch and a Board Member of the AusIMM Health and Safety Society. She holds an MBA and both an RPEQ and Professional Engineer credentials in the US.
DAVID CLIFF – David has over 30 years in the resources sector in Australia. His experience spans both research and consulting settings as the manager of both the Occupational Hygiene Environment and Chemistry Centre and the Mining Research Centre at SIMTARS, Occupational Health and Safety Advisor to the Queensland Resources Council and Professor of OHS in Mining and Professor of Risk and Knowledge Transfer at the University of Queensland.
David has provided OHS advice particularly in the areas of OHS risk management, governance and education and training. He has provided this specialist support to governments, unions and companies.
Michelle Ray
CEO and Founder, Certified Speaking Professional, Lead Yourself First Enterprise
Born in Australia and now residing in Vancouver, Michelle is a health and safety speaker renowned for her expertise on leadership, accountability, influence and building outstanding safety cultures.
Michelle has worked with hundreds of leaders and their teams in diverse industries including occupational health and safety within private and public enterprise, construction, mining, as well as oil and gas. She demonstrates a deep understanding of team dynamics, interpersonal communication and personal responsibility.
As an in-demand conference presenter, Michelle utilizes a dynamic, interactive and highly engaging style. She has earned the Certified Speaking Professional Designation, held by less than 800 people worldwide.
Natascha Viljoen
Group Head of Processing, Anglo American
Natascha is responsible for Group Processing, a specialist technical services and support function that ensures safe, responsible and optimized processing performance, through step-change technologies and operational excellence.
With a Metallurgical Engineering degree from North-West University and an Executive MBA from the University of Cape Town (Cum Laude), Natascha also serves on advisory boards at the Universities of Cape Town, Stellenbosch, Pretoria and Queensland University’s Julius Kruttschnitt Mineral Research Centre, having previously held a non-executive position on Anglo American’s Kumba Iron Ore Board.
Natascha has previously worked with ISCOR, Anglo Gold, Anglo Platinum, Samancor Chrome, BHP Billiton and Lonmin.
Brandt ‘Bugsy’ North, Safety Ambassador/Choices and Consequences Presenter, Downunder Group Solution
Mark Parcell, Sole Director, Mine Safety Institute of Australia (interviewer)
Paul Spinks is the Game Changer: The Wake Up Call: Paramedic + Trauma Counsellor + Speaker
Paramedic Paul Spinks intention was never to be just another stereotype wellbeing speaker, but to throw a hand grenade into the audience to make life changes.
A third party wrote:
“My husband attended your seminar through Glencore. You struck a chord with him leaving nothing but praise and wanting our two sons to hear your message.
He felt so strongly the relevance it had to him and his co-workers.
This is to thank you for being able to get through to an average man and to prioritise himself”.
Andrew McMahon – Chief Executive Officer, MATES in Mining
Andrew the face of MATES in Mining (MATES) – prior to joining MATES, Andrew worked in the mining industry as Director Health and Safety at the NSW Minerals Council and Minerals Council of Australia, and as a Board Member of Coal Services.
He is passionate about suicide prevention and mental wellbeing, fostering landmark research on mental health in the mining industry and published a national mental health and wellbeing blueprint for the industry.
Andrew can often be found pottering in his gardening, reading, cooking, enjoying a glass of wine and attempting to play the violin. He also loves trail running and ironman triathlons – just to balance out the eating and wine bit.
An Interview with the last Mining Warden, Frank Windridge, by John Tate, Barrister, Crown Law
Mr Frank Windridge
Appointed as a Magistrate and Warden in 1982, Frank was the Queensland Mining Warden from 1990 to 2001.
During Frank’s appointment as Mining Warden, he oversaw the investigation of all fatalities and serious accidents that occurred in the Queensland mining industry. In particular, Frank’s contribution to advancing health and safety is best illustrated by the introduction of risk-based legislation in 1999, following his investigation and 1996 Report into the 1994 Moura No. 2 Underground Coal Mine disaster.
Frank’s continuing passion is the improvement of mine health and safety. His experience has been gained through the fatalities he has investigated, as well as through the impact he has seen on families, work mates and the industry when loss of life occurs.
Mr John Tate
John was admitted to practice law as a Barrister and Solicitor in 1981. He has practised both privately and in government in a number of Australian jurisdictions – in New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, Norfolk Island and Queensland.
Since 1996, John has acted as Counsel Assisting in Mining Warden’s and Coronial inquiries in virtually all mining, explosives, petroleum and gas fatalities in Queensland. Additionally, he has been retained in a range of other fatality inquiries where the primary issue has concerned hospital misadventure, aircraft failure, fatigue, or the suspicion of murder. To this point, John has acted as Counsel Assisting in over 90 public fatality inquiries.
For many years, John’s interests and experience have focused on the critical review of safety and health management and training systems, on accident investigation methodologies, and on compliance issues. Reflecting this, he is frequently engaged as a speaker in public forums and conferences.
Craig Lowndes OAM – 6-time Bathurst winner, Australia’s most popular racing driver, one of the most successful drivers in the sport’s history and Road Safety expert, will be interviewed by Russell White – Managing Director, Driver Safety Australia.
One of the nation’s most recognized sporting heroes, Craig is the most successful racing driver in Australian motor sport history.
Craig has won more Touring Car and V8 Supercar races than any other driver and is a six – time Bathurst winner. He is also the recipient of a record five Barry Sheene Medals, the sport’s best and fairest Award.
Craig was also recognized in 2012 with an OAM for services to the community through his road safety work.
For a decade Craig has also been the most popular driver in the sport and continues to compete with success today at the sport’s most elite level.