Climate change as an OHS issue

Date & Time: Tuesday 9 June 2026, noon

CSG Hybrid Lunchtime Presentation - via zoom only

Speaker:  Presented by Sam Hall, Researcher & PhD Candidate, La Trobe University

Topic: Climate change as an OHS issue

The impact of climate change on worker health and safety, and the response by OHS professionals, will be discussed by Sam Hall in a lunchtime presentation to Central Safety Group on Tuesday 9 June.

Sam is doing PhD research into how climate change is creating new and emerging risks for worker health, safety and wellbeing. She is also exploring how occupational health professionals in Australia perceive these impacts of climate change, as well the role they can play in workplace climate adaptation...read more

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Kevin’s view is that there are two versions of leadership. One is a position or title that invokes leadership and is bestowed on people, but who then often need to learn how to be a leader

Note: RSVP by close of business Monday 8 June.  When booking, please ensure you select the June Event from the dropdown list (shaded orange), to RSVP.

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The OHS Leadership Dilemma

Date & Time: Tuesday 12 May 2026, noon

CSG Hybrid Lunchtime Presentation - via zoom only

Speaker:  Presented by Kevin Jones, Editor, SafetyAtWorkBlog

Topic: The OHS leadership dilemma

For years, the key to positive change in OHS seems to have relied on leadership. However, the notion of leadership is something that people might recognise, but can’t describe. Kevin Jones, editor of the SafetyAtWorkBlog, will be zooming in at Central Safety Group’s lunchtime event on Tuesday 12th May to discuss this dilemma.

Kevin’s view is that there are two versions of leadership. One is a position or title that invokes leadership and is bestowed on people, but who then often need to learn how to be a leader.

...read more

Note: RSVP by close of business Monday 11 May.  When booking, please ensure you select the May Event from the dropdown list (shaded orange), to RSVP.

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Working with the new psychosocial regulations

Date & Time: Tuesday 14 April 2026, noon

CSG Hybrid Lunchtime Presentation - via zoom or in person

Speaker:  Dr Natassia (Tas) Goode, Director, Psychological Health Division, WorkSafe Victoria

Venue:  Regus Yarra Room, 50th floor, 120 Collins Street, Melbourne

Topic: Working with the new psychosocial regulations

Employers are now required to manage psychosocial risks like any other workplace safety hazard as a result of new workplace laws in Victoria. The long-anticipated Occupational Health and Safety (Psychological Health) Regulations 2025 came into effect on 1 December 2025.

Dr Natassia (Tas) Goode, Director of the Psychological Health Division at WorkSafe Victoria, discussed the new regulations, and what they mean for both workers and employers...read more

Note: RSVP by close of business Monday 13 April.  When booking, please ensure you select the April Event from the dropdown list (shaded orange), to RSVP.

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MSD risks – a new approach

Date & Time: Tuesday 10 March 2026, noon

CSG Hybrid Lunchtime Presentation - via zoom only

Speaker:  Jodi Oakman, Head of the Centre for Ergonomics and Human Factors, La Trobe University

Venue:  Regus Yarra Room, 50th floor, 120 Collins Street, Melbourne

Topic: The APHIRM toolkit – a tool to manage MSDs and stress-related mental health

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) account for more than 50% of workplace injuries and diseases, and are among the most expensive and prolonged work-related compensation claims. A pioneering approach to reducing MSDs and stress-related mental health has been developed by Professor Jodi Oakman and colleagues at La Trobe University.

Join us for an interactive Zoom session with Professor Oakman on 10 March exploring the APHIRM Toolkit. APHIRM stands for A Participative Hazard Identification and Risk Management and the free online toolkit guides workplaces through the process of identifying, assessing and controlling physical and psychosocial hazards (www.aphirm.org.au)...read more

Note: RSVP by close of business Monday 9 March.  When booking, please ensure you select the March Event from the dropdown list (shaded orange), to RSVP.

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Celebrating Nan Austin

At our AGM in February 2026, Nan Austin formally stepped down from the role of President that she had held since 2021. Luckily for us, she didn’t go too far: she is now Central Safety Group’s Treasurer!

During her 5 years as President, Nan made a significant contribution to the group. Her first achievement was to lead us into becoming an Incorporated Association, which has defined the goals and function of our association better, and protects members from legal action.

She also instigated more involvement from the committee – we now meet monthly via zoom, where we discuss upcoming events, how we can build CSG’s profile, offer more to members and improve engagement.

Prior to joining the CSG Committee, Nan was a long-time and active financial member, whose experience in OHS was sought after by others in our network. When she was Manager, Work Health and Safety at Red Cross Lifeblood, she organised a fascinating Site Visit for us at their newly-opened Blood Processing Centre in West Melbourne.

She was absent from our shores between 2016-2019 when she took up the post as Manager, Health and Safety at the University of Waikato on New Zealand’s North Island. When she returned, she didn’t hesitate to share with us her eye-opening experiences there in a presentation in November 2019. She later contributed a shortened video version of the presentation as part of our “CSG Talks” series in 2020 when normal physical meetings were suspended. You can re-visit that talk here.

Nan’s foray into the world of OHS began at the University of Melbourne in the 1980s, where she was a health and safety representative in the early days of the OHS Act. Her more formal move into safety was also at the University of Melbourne when SafetyMAP accreditation became a requirement of their workers compensation self-insurance.

Since then, Nan enjoyed an extensive career as a safety (and workers compensation) manager and auditor in state, national and international roles. Nan told me that she preferred CSG membership as AHIS did not recognise her Certificate IV in OHS for full membership. Her other significant qualifications include a Masters in Business Administration and a Masters in Business (Personal Injury Management).

At her farewell speech at our 2025 December networking lunch, Nan acknowledged the huge improvements in workplace health and safety since the 1980s, particularly the broadening focus that includes more psychosocial hazards beyond bullying and harassment. This change has brought in more females to what had, in the past, been a more traditional male role focusing on the physical hazards of the workplace.

Nan’s decision to step down from the Presidency was precipitated by her pending retirement from the world of safety. This will allow her more time to enjoy her other pursuits and interests, particularly as a volunteer at the Kensington Stockyard Food Garden and the Kensington Neighbourhood House. There is a clear pattern of community service in all that Nan does.

She will also have more time to travel and enjoy what nature has to offer in both Australia and the rest of the world. Well done, Nan, you deserve it, and thank you for all you have done for Central Safety Group!

To contact Nan, go to www.linkedin.com/in/nan-austin-41b2a025

Central Safety Group Inc. AGM news

The 2025 Annual General Meeting took place on Tuesday 10 February, 2026. The biggest news is that there have been some significant resignations from the Committee: Nan Austin & Cameron Cranstoun have stepped down from their Executive positions of President & Treasurer respectively, and Dominic Melling has also resigned as an ordinary committee member.

While we are very sad to see them go, there is such a talent pool within the committee and amongst our membership, that we continue to have a strong committee willing and able to work hard to advance the group. The 2026 committee consists of:

President – Christina Rennick
Vice President – Craig Ramadge (also Social Media Co-ordinator)
Treasurer - Nan Austin
Secretary – Rob D’Elsini

Ordinary Members:
Gavin Kenny
Jane Loudon (Events Co-ordinator)
Marina Milankovic (Membership Co-ordinator)
Rwth Stuckey

While Cameron & Dominic are no longer on the committee, they both remain Financial members and continue to offer their support to the group, for which we are truly grateful.

Cameron has been our Treasurer since 2017 and proved to be extremely diligent, methodical and capable. He leaves us with our finances in a very strong position.

Dominic joined the committee in 2022 and has been highly valued for his contributions to finding speakers, developing topics and even delivering a presentation himself in 2024.

Nan Austin became President in 2021 and has made a big impact on the group. She was the driver behind us becoming an Incorporated Association and more involvement from the committee. She was always looking at how we could build our profile, offer more to members and improve engagement. During her time we have seen a more than 50% increase in membership and the addition of 5 Corporate Members. We are very happy that she remains on the committee and has even stepped into the role of Treasurer.

The committee gave Nan a gift at the December lunch, but we also marked her final day as President at the AGM with a bunch of tulips -a fitting gesture for this enthusiastic gardener.

Our sincere thanks to Nan, Cameron & Dominic for their service; congratulations to Christine & Craig for your elevation to the roles of President & Vice President; and welcome to Rwth Stuckey! It is sure to be another great year ahead for CSG. 

We urge you to contribute as well - make contact any time with your thoughts and ideas, particularly about any topics/speakers that interest you. You can This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. any time - your feedback is always appreciated.

Log in to view the Minutes, Annual Report and Financial Statement.

H O'Keef - What makes a great OHS executive

Date & Time: Tuesday 10 February 2026, noon

CSG Hybrid Lunchtime Presentation - via zoom or in person

Speaker:  Helen O’Keefe, Director, HOK Talent Solutions

Venue:  Regus Yarra Room, 50th floor, 120 Collins Street, Melbourne

Topic: What makes a great OHS executive

What truly differentiates top candidates in today’s current employment climate? Expert in health & safety recruitment, Helen O’Keefe, will give a presentation on 10 February to Central Safety Group that delves deeply into the critical factors driving recruitment decisions for senior HSW roles.

Helen will begin by discussing in-demand skill-sets. She will provide a detailed breakdown of the technical expertise and strategic capabilities that employers are actively seeking. This goes beyond foundational HSW knowledge..read more

Note: RSVP by close of business Monday 9 February.  When booking, please ensure you select the February Event from the dropdown list (shaded orange), to RSVP.

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Central Safety Group annual networking lunch

We tried something new this year by holding our annual networking lunch at the Angliss Conference Centre in La Trobe Street and what a successful event it was! A great venue where we had the large room all to ourselves, making it very relaxed and easy to mingle. The food was abundant and delicious - buffet style, so no-one went hungry - and the service was excellent. 

On Wednesday the 10th December 2025 Central Safety Group welcomed almost 30 guests, comprising mostly financial members and the CSG committee. It was wonderful to meet up face-to-face, especially with those we had only seen on Zoom previously. 

Our President, Nan Austin, gave a short speech in which she confirmed that she will not be re-nominating for the role of President in 2026. On behalf of the Committee, Vice-President Christina Rennick, spoke about Nan's many contributions to CSG and presented her with a Poynton's gift voucher, as Nan is a keen gardener.

It is thanks to our Financial members and Corporate members that we are able to host this important networking event each year. 

We received a lot of positive feedback about the 2025 event, so we are planning to return to the Angliss Conference Centre this year. Make sure you don't miss out!

Log in to view the Photo Gallery and re-live this special event.

Central Safety Group's annual networking lunch

Date & Time: Wednesday 10 December 2025, 12:00-2:00pm

In person only

Venue:  Angliss Conference Centre, Level 5, 555 La Trobe Street, Melbourne

Members, colleagues and friends are all welcome to Central Safety Group's annual networking lunch. You can look forward to a gourmet three-course buffet in a private function room, where we will catch up together and celebrate the end of another busy year.

As a benefit of membership, financial members* of CSG receive a special discounted rate of just $20. Non-members and guests are charged the very reasonable rate of $65.

BOOK & PAY NOW to secure your place, as numbers are limited.

View the menu to whet your appetite.

View Menu

We hope to see you there! BOOK & PAY NOW so that you don't miss out.

CSG would like to take this opportunity to thank our financial members for their support in 2025 that has made this event possible.​

What: CSG annual networking lunch
When: Wednesday 10 December, 12:00-2:00pm

Where: Level 5, Angliss Conference Centre, 555 La Trobe Street, Melbourne

How: The easiest way to travel to the venue is via public transport.
Train - the venue is a short walk from both Flagstaff and Southern Cross train stations.
Tram - route 30 and the City Circle tram stop right outside the main entrance in La Trobe Street.

By Bike - there is free bike parking onsite opposite the Tram Cafe near the central courtyard. Entry off Latrobe St.
By Car - off-street parking is available at Care Park - Southern Cross, Cnr Spencer & Lonsdale Streets. They offer a special rate for Angliss Conference Centre visitors who register & book in advance online here [hyperlink on word "here" https://carepark.ubipark.com/UserRateGroup/Register?code=The%20Angliss%20Conferen]

Cost: Financial members* $20. Others $65
[Individual membership fee for 2025: $85]
*If unsure of your membership status, contact
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

RSVP by COB Wednesday 3 December 2025

Note: RSVP by close of business Wednesday 3 December.  .

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J Skillen - Fatigue management in a high-risk environment

Date & Time: Tuesday 11 November 2025, noon

CSG Hybrid Lunchtime Presentation - via zoom or in person

Speaker:  Jane Skillen, Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine

Venue:  Regus Yarra Room, 50th floor, 120 Collins Street, Melbourne

Topic: Fatigue management in a high-risk environment

Fatigue in the workplace can be a critical safety and psychosocial risk. However, some contributing factors are often overlooked, resulting in poor management of the issue.

At our final in-person presentation for 2025 on 11 November, Jane Skillen, OHS Advisor at Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine, will provide an informative case study on managing fatigue for clinical forensic nurses in regional Victoria.

She will discuss the implications of being impaired by fatigue in such a high-risk work environment, and the importance of recognising both external and workplace factors that can contribute to it.

Her talk will outline strategies to identify fatigue-related concerns early, and what a timely intervention looks like. Come along in person to take advantage of Jane’s extensive experience in OHS and continue the discussion after the formal event is over.

Note: RSVP by close of business Monday 10 November.  When booking, please ensure you select the November Event from the dropdown list (shaded orange), to RSVP.

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