AGM and Safety Event Dec 2025
Annual General Meeting and Coffs Coast Safety Network event — Safety Matters: Coffee, Conversation & AGM.
📅 Friday 12 December 2025
🕣 8:30am – 9:30am
📍 Coffs Coast Community College
This interactive session, led by Emma Blackburn, Therapeutic Specialist Manager at Pathfinders, will explore the impacts of vicarious trauma experienced by professionals working with vulnerable populations.
Together, we’ll reflect on:
- The signs and effects of vicarious trauma
- The emotional toll of working with trauma survivors
- Practical strategies to strengthen wellbeing, resilience, and sustainability in your work
Emma brings over 15 years of experience supporting survivors of domestic and family violence, sexual assault, and vulnerable families. Her warmth, insight, and deep understanding of trauma-informed practice make this session one not to miss.
☕ Come for the coffee and conversation — stay for our short AGM and discover how you can get involved in the Network.
Coffs Safety Summit
Proud Partner of the 2025 Coffs Coast Safety Summit
The Coffs Coast Safety Network is proud to support the 2025 Coffs Coast Safety Summit, happening on Wednesday 5 November at C.ex Coffs.
This one-day event will bring together WHS and HR professionals, safety leaders, regulators and frontline teams to explore the real challenges and opportunities in workplace safety – with a focus on both physical and psychosocial safety.
Through engaging sessions, powerful stories and practical tools, this Summit aims to create real change across our region and beyond.
Hear from industry leaders tackling the toughest safety challenges:
- Regulator Panel – SafeWork NSW and SIRA NSW answer your real-world safety, compliance and claims questions
- Blyde Neser – Rehumanising teams through trust, connection and African philosophy
- Patrizia Cassaniti – A powerful personal story of tragedy, loss and workplace change
- Leigh Mehmet – Practical strategies to engage frontline leaders and make safety stick
- Dr Caroline Howe & Nicole Turnbull – Tough Talks & Teamwork: The Leadership Toolkit workshop
- Kerrie Sellen – Shame, Blame & Punishment: Why They Fail & What to Do Instead
Our members receive an exclusive discount on tickets. Not yet a member? Get in touch to join and save on your Summit ticket.
We encourage our members to attend, connect and contribute to the future of safety in our workplaces. We can’t wait to see you there!
Save more by booking early – and secure your spot before tickets sell out.
🎟️ Early Bird ends 30 June:
• $499 standard → just $299 with discount code for CCSN Members – contact us for a code
🎟️ From 1 July (Full Price):
• $650 standard → just $450 with discount code for CCSN Members – contact us for a code
You’ll hear from expert speakers, including local leaders, SafeWork NSW, SIRA NSW and change-makers tackling the real issues that impact workplace safety and wellbeing.
This is more than just a safety event – it’s about building stronger, safer workplaces across our region.
Mind Matters
Date: 7 August 2024
Time: 8:00am – 11:00am.
Location: C.ex Coffs, 1 Vernon Street, Coffs Harbour
Cost: $28 – includes breakfast and barista coffee
Speakers:
Peter Barron – Assistant State Inspector (Psychological Health and Safety), SafeWork NSW
Jessica Stacey – Senior Educator and Propositions Specialist, icare NSW
Tash Alexander – Evidence-based Emotional Freedom Techniques Practitioner, The Tapping Room
Event information:
This event will be offering insights and practical workshops on managing stress, enhancing workplace culture, and mitigating psychosocial hazards.
• Gain exclusive insights into managing psychosocial risks.
• Learn practical stress management and emotional regulation techniques.
• Enhance your leadership skills and foster a resilient workplace culture.
• Network with like-minded professionals and industry leaders.
Psychological Safety at Work: Where does self-care end and duty of care begin?
Date: 16 August 2023
Time: 8:00am – 11:00am. Registration open from 8:15am.
Location: C.ex Coffs, 1 Vernon Street, Coffs Harbour
Cost: $45 – includes breakfast and barista coffee
Speaker: Bek Smith
Event information:
The landscape of workplace wellbeing has shifted rapidly in Australia over the past three years. The pandemic quickly changed the conversation about wellbeing from being a “nice to have” to a “must have” as organisations scrambled to keep individuals sane and teams intact. During that time, developments in Work Health and Safety law started to fine-tune what “psychological safety” means at work, with new guidelines and legislation being introduced state-by-state. Part one of this session will paint a macro-level picture of the changes that have come into effect in NSW, case studies from different sectors demonstrating which psychosocial hazards are posing the greatest risks, and data trends which may change how we speak about resilience and mental health. Part two will zoom in on the micro-level by offering practical ways you can look after your wellbeing and personal sustainability in a climate of stress, change and uncertainty.
About our Speaker:
Bek Smith is a TEDx speaker and expert in mental fitness, who consults to organisations on psychological safety and the psychology of safety. She is a former physiotherapist with a background in psychology and has been focused on workplace health, safety and wellbeing since 2017. She has worked with organisations across the finance, utilities, health, construction and government sectors, offering both assessment services to determine baseline health and safety indicators, as well as interventions to improve these measures. She works alongside a team of experts who offer subject matter knowledge in areas ranging from vicarious trauma, risk management, just culture, clinical nutrition, physical health and Mental Health First Aid. Bek is particularly interested in the mindset factors which prevent physical and psychological injury, and in upskilling leaders to create environments that people want to work in.
For those who attended: if you are wondering about your next steps in psychological safety, there are three ways you can connect further with Bek to follow up:
- Join her free Wednesday lunchtime discussion group on mental fitness. Details here: www.smithandwellness.com/events
- Get in touch with Bek if you would like help or advice on a workplace wellbeing audit, or mental fitness training. She has had a couple of requests from attendees already and may run a 10-week virtual program specifically for Coffs Coast participants if there is enough interest.
- Reach out if you have statistics and stories to share – Bek is very interested in gathering information on what has shifted in workplace wellbeing since 2020, and would love to chat with you about the kinds of lag indicators you’re seeing (sick leave, psychological injury claims, staff turnover) and the types of lead indicators you might be using (pulse surveys, wellbeing indicators) in your organisation.
The best ways to contact Bek are via LinkedIn, email (bek@smithandwellness.com) or phone (0412 111 957 – leaving a voicemail or text
2022 Q&A Breakfast and AGM
Date: 30 November 2022
Time: 8:30am – 10:00am. Registration open from 8:15am.
Location: C.ex Coffs, 1 Vernon Street, Coffs Harbour
This event was focussed on presenting practical advice on creating a mentally healthy workplace and preventing psychological injuries from a panel of industry experts as a follow on from the October Breakfast.
Our October Safe Work Month Breakfast saw 50+ local employers and business owners gather to hear from SafeWork NSW and icare NSW about psychological workplace health and safety, we thought we would continue with that momentum and hold another event to close out the year. We heard about the potential consequences of poor psychological health and safety in the workplace. The Q&A panel focused on providing practical advice on creating a mentally healthy workplace and preventing psychological injuries.
Our expert panel:
– Olivia Jamison, Organisational Culture Specialist
– Simon Joyce, Acting Director People and Culture – Mid North Coast Local Health District.
– Roweena Bianchino, Psychotherapist/EAP Counsellor – Harbour Therapy Clinic
– Larissa Davidson, Workplace Rehabilitation Counsellor/Local Employer – Hoys Allied Health.
The breakfast event was followed by our AGM for those interested in getting involved in the Coffs Coast Safety Network.
2022 Safe Work Month Breakfast
Date: 19 October 2022
Time: 8:00am – 10:30am. Event starts at 8am. Registration open from 7:45am.
Location: Surf Club Restaurant and Bar
Cost: $29 (includes breakfast and barista coffee)
Speakers:
- David Huxley – icare Relationship Manger, North Coast
- Ben Neville – icare Mental Health Lead, Claims Operations
- Chris Lawrence – WHS & Facilities Coordinator – Infracraft
- Jim Kelly – Director of Health and Safe Design at SafeWork NSW.
24 November 2021 Breakfast Event
About this Event
We arranged a networking breakfast so that local employees can learn more about safety and wellness at work (all while enjoying a delicious breakfast at C.ex Coffs).
Nicole Press – Technical Manager at Konekt Workcare. Nicole will cover Three Simple tips for Improving Outcomes after Workplace Injury.
When: 24 November 2021
Time: 8:00am -10:30am
Where: C.Ex Coffs
Workplace Safety Culture Breakfast 2021
ACCESS THE PRESENTATION FROM THE EVENT HERE:
CCSN Workplace Safety Culture Presentation 23 June 2021
About this Event
Local employers will share their experience and innovative ideas on creating a strong workplace safety and wellbeing culture for improved morale, retention and productivity.
When: Wednesday, 23 June 2021
Time: 8:00 am – 9:30 am AEST
Where: Surf Club Restaurant & Bar, 23 Surf Club Road, Coffs Harbour, NSW 2450
Tickets: $25/head
Due to COVID-19 the Network has not been conducting face-to-face meetings.
We are planning a series of online events for the month in October 2020.
4: Mentally Healthy Workplaces and icare Paralympian – Grant Mizens
Workplace Wellness Virtual Event Series 2020
Presenter 1: Creating mentally healthy workplaces – Jill Green from SafeWork (Click here for Bio)
Presenter 2: icare Paralympian – Grant Mizens iCare (Click here for Bio)
To celebrate the last day of the webinars series we combine forces with Jill Green for how to create mentally healthy Workplaces – celebrating national events and creating awareness of colleagues who experience mental health concerns.
Grant Mizens helped lead the Australian team to a gold medal win at the 2008 Beijing games and silver medal win at the 2012 London Games. In 2009 Grant was awarded the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for Service to Sport. In his final year of high school Grant was involved in a car accident where he suffered numerous injuries including spinal cord damage, resulting in paraplegia from the waist down.
Grant is passionate about economics and is a seasoned professional in the business world, working as a Senior Investment Analyst. Grant shares his story in the hope others will realise their full potential.
When: 28th October 2020
Time: 1-2pm
ACCESS OUR RECORDINGS OF THE EVENT HERE:
Creating mentally healthy workplaces – Jill Green from SafeWork
Due to COVID-19 the Network has not been conducting face-to-face meetings.
We are planning a series of online events for the month in October 2020.
3: Dealing with trauma in a customer setting and strategies on redeployment
Workplace Wellness Virtual Event Series 2020
Presenter 1: Trauma informed customer service – Emily Dever from CHESS Connect (Click here for Bio)
Presenter 2: Career Transition Tips & Strategies – Jennifer Hill from CHESS Connect (Click here for Bio)
Emily Dever joins us to share insights on why your customer service and staff interactions may be a bit trickier right now and how trauma informed approaches can give your staff the tools to manage these challenges. Learn how applying this approach leads to better outcomes for your business, your customers and your staff, reducing stress and building stronger relationships.
Jennifer Hill will discuss how in this current climate of employment uncertainty and economic recession, people can discover their strengths, and change tack to make the most of their career transition. With discussion on assessing transferrable skills and how to put your best foot forward, Jennifer will cover all areas to reignite confidence for job transition.
When: 21st October 2020
Time: 1-2pm
ACCESS RECORDINGS OF THESE SESSIONS HERE:
Trauma informed customer service – Emily Dever from CHESS Connect
Career Transition Tips & Strategies – Jennifer Hill from CHESS Connect
Due to COVID-19 the Network has not been conducting face to face meetings.
We are planning a series of online events for the month in October 2020.
2: Return to work and feeling connected during COVID-19
Workplace Wellness Virtual Event Series 2020
Presenter 1: Making Work Accessible for Injured or Disabled Workers – Steve Lyons from TAFE (Click here for Bio)
Presenter 2: icare Social Connectedness – Charith De Silva from iCare (Click here for Bio)
Charith De Silva currently holds the position of Community Lead within icare’s Customer and Community Team. His focus is on developing holistic approaches that support improvements in social connection, wellbeing and resilience for employers, workers and community. Charith will join us to talk about the connectedness we need to feel as an employer during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Steve Lyons has such a postive attitude to overcoming challenges that he was surprised to learn his treating health professionals viewed him as severely disabled. He has a wealth of insights for employers about how to improve accessibility for those with disabilities and injuries.
When: 14th October 2020
Time: 1-2pm
ACCESS RECORDINGS OF THESE SESSIONS HERE:
Making Work Accessible for Injured or Disabled Workers – Steve Lyons
Due to COVID-19 the Network has not been conducting face to face meetings.
We are planning a series of online events for the month in October 2020.
1: Health and Wellness in your Work Day
Workplace Wellness Virtual Event Series 2020
Presenter 1: Get Healthy at Work – Rachel Gerathy from NSW Health (Click here for Bio)
Presenter 2: Health & Wellness Programs – Alice Cheng from SafeWork (Click here for Bio)
Join Alice Cheng from SafeWork and Rachel Gerathy from the Mid North Coast Local Health District to talk about what programs are available to support you and your colleagues in the workplace. From community-based programs to individual health checks and workplace wellness action plans – this is your one-stop shop for wellness ideas.
When: 7th October 2020
Time: 1-2pm
ACCESS RECORDINGS OF THESE SESSIONS HERE:
This series of online events were conducted for the month in October 2020 (Due to COVID-19 the Network suspended face to face meetings).
Workplace Wellness
Virtual Event Series 2020
These sessions took place each Wednesday in October 2020 from 1-2pm
When: 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th October 2020
Click on each individual weekly event to access recordings from these sessions.
Wellness at Work
Event Recap
C-ex Club Wednesday, 13 September 2017
General Program Introduction
General Program Introduction
By Sponsor: Debbie Baldwin, HR Coordinator C.ex Coffs
Keynote Speaker
Putting the “H” back into WHS
Jim Kelly, Director or Health and Return to Work, SafeWork NSW
Speaker: Becky Cole, CHYFM
Create a healthy & productive workplace via effective and inclusive communication.
Sponsor Presentation
Emma from The Professional Centre
Speaker: Recovre
Employee Assistance Programs
Speaker: Greenlight Human Capital
What is/is not bullying and harassment? When mediation can help.
Panel Discussion
Host: Duncan Marchant, Proprietor, Coffs Coast Health Club
Panel: Aaron Hardacre (Physiotherapist, Mid North Coast Physio), Nicole Press (Physiotherapist, Konekt), Linda (Dietician, Well Presented), Jim Kelly (SafeWork NSW), Becky Cole (Station Manager, CHYFM)
