MEDIA RELEASE: AIHS HONOURS EXCELLENCE IN OHS LEADERSHIP AND EDUCATION AT NATIONAL CONFERENCE

Date: 23/06/26

The Australian Institute of Health & Safety (AIHS) has recognised outstanding contribution to the workplace health and safety profession at its National Conference in Adelaide, presenting Life Membership to one of the Institute’s most enduring leaders and awarding financial prizes to three exceptional OHS students to support their continuing professional development.
 
AIHS Chair Celia Antonovsky presented Life Membership to Cameron Montgomery in recognition of more than fifteen years of sustained leadership across the Institute. Cameron served as Chair of the Victorian Branch, then as national Director, Deputy Chair, and ultimately Chair of the AIHS. Across every role he brought careful governance, a genuine focus on member value, and steady leadership that kept the organisation pointed in the right direction.
 
“Cameron is exactly the kind of person this award was designed to recognise: someone whose contribution has been deep, consistent, and genuinely in service of others,” Ms Antonovsky said. “On behalf of the Board, the staff, and our members, thank you.”
 
The AIHS and the Australian OHS Education Accreditation Board (AOHSEAB) also presented the 2026 National OHS Education Awards at the conference. The awards recognise exceptional students, with each recipient receiving a financial prize to support their continued professional development. The 2026 awards were presented by AOHSEAB Chair Richard Coleman.
 
The Eric Wigglesworth OHS Education Research Award was presented to Dr Holly Fletcher of the University of Wollongong. Dr Fletcher’s PhD thesis, Workplace Health in the Andes: A Mixed Methods Study of Chilean Copper Miners, examined how common health conditions manageable at sea level become serious occupational hazards for FIFO workers at high-altitude mine sites in the Chilean Andes. 
 
The National Undergraduate Award was presented to Fiona George of the University of Queensland. Fiona completed her undergraduate degree while working as an OHS consultant, developing safe working procedures and conducting risk assessments across construction and renewable energy environments, and earned multiple Dean’s Commendations. 
 
The National Postgraduate Award was presented to Meredith Warner of Queensland University of Technology. Meredith completed the Graduate Diploma in OHS with a GPA of 6.63 out of 7, earning five High Distinctions, three Distinctions, and the Work Health and Safety Queensland Prize from the Queensland Office of Industrial Relations.
 
The AIHS congratulates Cameron, Holly, Fiona, and Meredith on their recognition and thanks them for their contribution to the health and safety profession. 

ENDS
Media Enquiries:
AIHS Contact: Rebecca Turnbull
Tel: (03) 8336 1995
Email: [email protected]

About the AIHS: With a 77-year history, the Australian Institute of Health & Safety (AIHS) is the peak body representing workplace health and safety professionals, with a vision for safe and healthy people in productive workplaces and communities. The AIHS works with industry, government, regulators, unions, and experts to improve regulation, policy, safety standards and training.