The Work Well Regional Breakfast in Mackay took place on Wednesday 29 October 2025 at the Mackay Entertainment and Convention Centre, bringing together work health and safety, rehabilitation and return to work professionals and business leaders for a morning of insights and networking.
Thank you to everyone who attended the Work Well Regional Breakfast in Mackay, dedicated to promoting safe and healthy workplaces.
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** This event has now ended **
Program
6.30am | Registrations open |
7.00am | Welcome by master of ceremonies |
7.10am | Opening address |
7.15am | Frontline leadership for effective risk management |
8.00am | Breakfast and networking |
8.45am | Unveiling the blueprint for psychosocial risk management |
9.30am | Just another day – Lived experience and the path to a successful return to work |
10.15am | Closing remarks |
Speakers
Former media manager at Workplace Health and Safety Queensland, Chris, has over 25 years of media experience. Throughout his extensive career, Chris spent nearly 21 years at Channel 9 and contributed to various radio stations, including 4BC, 4BK, and Triple M. At Channel 9, Chris actively served as a reporter, presenter, football commentator and Commonwealth Games reporter.
Chris is highly regarded for his skill as a host and master of ceremonies, overseeing numerous corporate functions for organisations including Surf Lifesaving QLD, Channel 9, Professionals Real Estate Group, Zupps, NRL, QLD Cricket, Brisbane Broncos, AMF Australia, and the Queensland Government.
Dr Tessa Bailey is the CEO of The Opus Centre and a registered psychologist. She completed her PhD focusing on psychosocial safety climate (PSC) and psychosocial factors at work, earning the 2019 Ian Davey Award for the most outstanding PhD thesis at the University of South Australia.
In her previous role as a research fellow at the University of South Australia, Dr Bailey helped coordinate the Australian workplace barometer project, which collected data on working conditions, worker health, and productivity outcomes from over 7000 workers across Australia.
Her focus on applied practice led to the creation of The Opus Centre for psychosocial risk, which collaborates with international industry partners to design integrated workforce health and safety systems that ensure safe environments, protect worker health, and promote wellbeing.
As an industry leader, Dr Bailey has supported a wide range of organisations in designing safe systems of work that optimise both health and productivity outcomes.
Pierre de Villiers is a global leader in quality, health, safety, environment, and risk management. He has over 18 years of executive-level experience across the energy, infrastructure, and high-risk sectors.
As head of operational risk assurance at Sapura Energy, a leading integrated energy services provider, Pierre leads the development and implementation of strategies that foster a strong culture of care, resilient risk management, and compliance with international standards.
He holds an MBA from the Australian Institute of Business and is certified in auditing, project management, and ESG (environmental, social, and governance). His work has earned multiple awards for innovation and leadership in operational risk.
Passionate about creating meaningful outcomes for people, businesses, and the environment, Pierre brings a pragmatic, people-focused approach to embedding risk thinking at all levels of an organisation.
Theo Venter is an inspirational speaker known for surviving a 22,000-volt electric shock.
In a split-second decision to remove his insulated gloves while working atop a transmission pole, Theo narrowly escaped what should have been a fatal outcome.
Following the accident, he underwent extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation, including numerous surgeries and a long journey of relearning everyday tasks.
Today, Theo shares his experience to promote workplace safety, advocating for strict adherence to procedures and the use of personal protective equipment across all work environments.
His story has resonated with professionals in the mining, electrical, and construction sectors throughout Australia, New Zealand, and Africa.
More information
Email events@oir.qld.gov.au for more information.