Electricity safety summit

Belinda is the Executive General Manager of Yurika, responsible for leading a competitive commercial business that boasts a rapidly growing, national footprint. Offering solutions including the engineering, design, procurement, construction, operation and maintenance of significant energy and infrastructure projects, the Yurika business also offers an integrated suite of energy solutions including Telecoms, Internet of Things, Metering and Energy Material Supplies.

With a strong focus on safety, Belinda has a track record of transforming cultures and delivering organisational objectives in public, private and not for profit organisations across a range of different industries.

Having previously served as a Non-Executive Director with the Electrical Safety Board and Executive Director for Ergon Retail and Energex and Ergon Distribution Boards, Belinda is currently a Non-Executive Director at Energy Skills Queensland and HELP Enterprises.

She has a Bachelor of Commerce, Masters of Applied Law, qualifications in finance, is a graduate member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a member of Chief Executive Women.

Melinda has a diverse work background with experience in childcare before starting in the electrical industry at Ergon working several different roles from the mail room to a personal assistant.

After working in an administrative role for nine years with Ergon, Melinda started her Electrical Fitter Mechanic Apprenticeship in 2019 at the age of 40 and is now a qualified tradesperson with the Ergon Substation.

While she doesn’t see herself as a role model, during her apprenticeship she loved the fact that she somehow became one to others, getting in and doing her job and supporting others.

AFL football legend, Simon Black played over 300 games with the Brisbane Lions and achieved many accolades during his career. One of the game’s most celebrated players, Simon was a three-time AFL Premiership Player, three-time All Australian Team and was a vice and co-captain for the Brisbane Lions.

In 2012 Simon became the first player in league history to win a Brownlow Medal, a Norm Smith Medal and a premiership medal.

After retiring from AFL, Simon founded the Simon Black Australian Rules Academy, aimed at providing pathways for students to pursue university and fitness qualifications while training and playing AFL. He also competed in Australian Survivor where he demonstrated his leadership and physical abilities.

In 2017, Sean’s sister, Kerryn O’Connor, was killed by an electric shock while handling an electrical appliance with a hidden failure. Sean works to prevent others from experiencing the grief of losing a loved one in an avoidable incident. His passion is consumer protection.

Sean is the Deputy Chair of Workplace Health and Safety Queensland’s consultative committee for work-related fatalities and serious incidents. Representing his parents, Jim and Robyn, Sean joined the committee after experiencing the devastating impact that Kerryn’s death had on his family.

Sean has an electrical trade and experience leading staff in heavy industrial, transport and mining industries. This provides him with a practical insight into the health and safety challenges that workers face going about and doing their jobs.

Brian is the Director of the Electrical Equipment Safety and Licensing team at the Electrical Safety Office.

Starting in the electrical industry as a trainee with the State Electricity Commission of Victoria in the early 1980’s, Brian worked in the appliance testing laboratory. He worked his way up to laboratory manager, and soon gained respect throughout the industry as the authority in Australia for testing household electrical equipment.

In the late 1990’s Brian moved to Queensland, where he was able to apply his years of testing knowledge with the Electrical Safety Office, vetting applications for Certificates of Approval from manufacturers and importers bringing new equipment to market.

Brian has also been a significant presence in Standards Australia committees, writing important Australian Safety Standards used throughout the industry. Now, as Director of Equipment Safety and Licensing, Brian looks after the safety of household electrical appliances, and makes sure electrical workers and contractors are licensed appropriately.

Donna is the Executive Director of the Electrical Safety Office and oversees the strategic delivery of electrical safety across Queensland. Her role involves developing and enforcing standards for electrical safety and promoting improved safety performance in the wider community.

Donna is a member of the Electrical Regulatory Authorities Council (ERAC), Chair of the Standing Committee of Officials, Electrical Equipment Safety System (EESS), and holds a Bachelor of Laws and a Graduate Certificate in Public Sector Management.

Keith started his electrical career in 1986. After gaining his electrical fitter and mechanics licence he worked for a number of companies on domestic, commercial, hospital, petrochemical and industrial projects.

He has served on a range of board and committees in the area of apprentice training, construction, training competencies, workplace health and safety and Australian standards and has been a member of the Electrical Safety Board and Electrical Licensing Committee since 2011.

Prior to his role as Commissioner, Keith was the President of the Queensland and Northern Territory Electrical Trades Union branches.