Josh Bryant is the General Manager – People, Risk, and Sustainability at Mitchell Services, a leading drilling and mine services provider to the mining and exploration sector, headquartered in Brisbane. He brings extensive experience from operational and strategic roles working with some of the world’s largest mining companies.  Josh and his team are recognised for successfully integrating contemporary safety principles into frontline operations and leadership approaches to risk and learning. This work has not only strengthened Mitchell’s critical risk management, but more importantly, enhanced its capacity to learn and improve the safety of work. These sustainable changes have been shared globally across industries and have contributed to reduced injuries, improved psychological safety, and greater business resilience. In 2023, the team was awarded Australian WHS Team of the Year by the Australian Institute of Health and Safety (AIHS).

Glen Cook (Cookie), is an experienced and enthusiastic Public Safety Specialist and acclaimed keynote conference speaker on powerline safety. Cookie is extremely passionate about raising powerline safety awareness and has been nationally and internationally recognised for his efforts. He received the Australian Health and Safety Professional of the year award, at the 2020 at the Australian Work Health and Safety Awards and was recently named the damage prevention hero of the year at the 2023 Global Excavation Conference in the United States. Working as an electrician for over 30 years, including a senior electrical inspector within the construction and utilities industries he has been first responder to serious injury/burns and fatalities due to third party accidental contact with powerlines. He now educates to the broader community to the dangers of accidental contact with overhead and underground powerlines. He has worked hard to gain in-depth understanding of numerous "at risk" industries such as the Agricultural, Aviation and Construction and communicates his presentations and safety information in terms easily understood by industry. Cookie was the driving force behind the ‘Look Up and Live’ app and award winning lookupandlive.com powerline mapping application that is assisting workers plan work near powerlines.

Nathan, with over 28 years of experience in Occupational Violence and Aggression (OVA) Training, demonstrates a steadfast commitment to workplace safety. He aids organisations in crafting tailored solutions to reducing occupational violence.
As the founder of Resolution Education and creator of the ADP Framework, Nathan is devoted to enhancing employee well-being by imparting practical awareness, de-escalation and protection skills. His passion for safety is evident in his advocacy for clear organisational boundaries and consistency which are key components of a confident and secure workplace. 

Tia Armit - Principal Consultant & Organisational Psychologist, Sentis
Tia is an Endorsed Organisational Psychologist and Principal Consultant with over 7 years' experience in organisational psychology and applied research. Tia studied psychology at The University of Queensland and obtained a Master of Organisational Psychology & Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours, Class I).

Tia has a passion to make meaningful contributions to employees and organisations using evidence-based methods. She partners with clients on a strategy and solution to achieve their outcomes, with specialist knowledge in safety culture assessments and psychosocial safety.

As an Organisational Psychologist, Tia brings knowledge in psychological assessments, intervention strategies, and applied research methodology.
Tia has worked with organisations from a range of industries (mining, utilities, ports, construction, agriculture), with the aim of improving their safety culture maturity.

Tia was born in and grew up in Cairns and is passionate about giving back to North Queensland.

Tim Fitch - Health, Safety, Security, Environment, Quality & Training (HSSE/EQT) Manager, Tropical Reef Shipyard

Tim Fitch is a safety leader with over 30 years’ experience spanning defence, mining, drilling, and shipbuilding. A former Royal Australian Navy member with 20 years of service, Tim brings operational discipline and systems thinking to some of industry’s most complex environments.

A passionate advocate for Human and Organisational Performance (HOP), Tim has delivered global coaching and Learning Teams facilitation through Southpac International’s HOPLAB. While at Mitchell Services, he was proud to be part of the team recognised with the AIHS Workplace Health and Safety Team of the Year Award in 2023, for its work embedding HOP in practical, real-world operations.

Now leading HSSET/QA at Tropical Reef Shipyard, Tim continues to challenge traditional safety thinking—focusing on engagement, reflection, and leadership presence.

His presentation, “What Changed When We Started Listening: From Rules to Relationships,” explores the shipyard’s journey in operational learning—highlighting how trust, conversation, and collaboration are reshaping safety from the ground up.

Tim Gilchrist - Head of Zero Harm Operations, Downer Group

Tim is a team-oriented leader with acumen and experience in health, safety, business, marketing and communications. Drawing on a pluralist skillset, he brings a unique and balanced perspective to safety leadership.

As Head of Zero Harm Operations for Downer Group, Tim leads service delivery in safety across Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. He is passionate about building high-performing health and safety teams that provide a professional service blending the best of in-house and consultancy delivery experience.

Throughout his career, Tim has learnt from and been supported by outstanding colleagues, and he pays that forward to the next generation through volunteering, lecturing and mentoring. Within the AIHS, Tim holds a Fellowship and has volunteered for more than seven years in a variety of capacities.

Tim is currently a judge for the Australian Workplace Health and Safety Awards and was a member of the team recognised at the 2024 NSCA National Safety Awards for the Critical Risk Lookahead Tool.

Wayne Connors - Executive Manager Wellbeing Health & Safety, Cairns Regional Council

Wayne started his safety journey in public safety arena as a Police Officer and Detective for 15 years before moving to Workplace Health and Safety Qld and the Electrical Safety Office for 8 years as an Investigations Manager and was responsible for fatal and serious injury investigations and recommending matters for prosecution.

Wayne is now the Executive Manager of Wellbeing Health and Safety at Cairns Regional Council where he is using his investigation and compliance experience to lead Cairns Regional Council in managing WHS risks effectively, practically and with a focus on continuous improvement to achieve the goal of all workers ‘home safe and well today, and everyday'.

Lewis Weston - Principal Inspector, WHSQ Compliance and Field Services, Office of Industrial Relations

Lewis’ workplace health and safety career commenced in Cairns in Tier 1 construction and has since spanned across mining, manufacturing, coastal shipping, transport, service and supply sectors in Australia.  In early 2022, Lewis made the move to Workplace Health and Safety Queensland – Compliance and field services as an Inspector, following 14 years in Health and Safety Leadership roles predominantly in the mining industry.

In his current role, Lewis undertakes a variety of functions ranging from compliance monitoring and enforcement to advisory and educational engagement with stakeholders. Lewis also contributes to the training and development of new Inspectors throughout the North and Central Queensland Region.