Meet the
2026 Hunter Safety Awards
Winners
Port of Newcastle
WHS Business of the Year
Port of Newcastle is Australia’s deepwater global gateway, the largest on the nation’s East Coast.
Port of Newcastle is more than a port. It exists to build Australia’s prosperity with responsible, integrated and innovative supply chain solutions.
With trade worth about $26 billion to the national economy each year, Port of Newcastle enables Australian businesses to successfully compete in international markets.
The port currently handles 4,400 ship movements and 164 million tonnes of cargo annually. With a deepwater shipping channel operating at 50% of its capacity, significant port land available and enviable access to national rail and road infrastructure, Port of Newcastle is positioned to further underpin the future prosperity of the Hunter, NSW and Australia.
As custodians of the region’s critical asset, Port of Newcastle is diversifying its trade as it strives to create a safe, sustainable and environmentally and socially responsible future.
Port of Newcastle
WHS Management System (Large)
Port of Newcastle is Australia’s deepwater global gateway, the largest on the nation’s East Coast.Port of Newcastle is more than a port. It exists to build Australia’s prosperity with responsible, integrated and innovative supply chain solutions.
With trade worth about $26 billion to the national economy each year, Port of Newcastle enables Australian businesses to successfully compete in international markets.
The port currently handles 4,400 ship movements and 164 million tonnes of cargo annually. With a deepwater shipping channel operating at 50% of its capacity, significant port land available and enviable access to national rail and road infrastructure, Port of Newcastle is positioned to further underpin the future prosperity of the Hunter, NSW and Australia.
As custodians of the region’s critical asset, Port of Newcastle is diversifying its trade as it strives to create a safe, sustainable and environmentally and socially responsible future.
Red Insight
Best WHS Management System (SME)
Red Insight Pty Ltd is an independent Work Health & Safety consultancy based in Maitland NSW, supporting businesses across construction, infrastructure, manufacturing and other high-risk industries since 2014.
We work alongside organisations to strengthen WHS systems, improve compliance, reduce operational risk and support safer, more effective workplaces. Our approach is practical, consultative and grounded in the realities of real work environments.
Red Insight provides experienced WHS consultants to support businesses with audits and inspections, WHS management systems, incident investigations, risk assessments, SWMS reviews, ISO certification support, contractor management and ongoing WHS advisory services.
Rather than delivering generic paperwork, we focus on practical safety solutions that work on site, support operational performance and help organisations build long-term WHS capability.
Applied Ultrasonics
Best WHS Innovation & Improvement (SME)
Applied Ultrasonics is a leading supplier of Ultrasonic Impact Technology (UIT) to vital industries worldwide.
Their technology is bringing innovation to the fore, capitalising on ultrasonic energy to provide weld treatment solutions across a wide range of applications that have proven successful in extending the life of assets, structures, equipment and components.
With opportunities to reduce your downtime and increase your productivity, minimise waste and reduce replacement costs, improve safety on site and contribute to global sustainability, more customers worldwide are making the move from traditional peening processes to take advantage of this market-leading technology.
They’ve serviced 13 countries and growing, in a range of industries including:
- Refineries
- Mining
- Rail
- Infrastructure
- Oil and Gas
- Renewables
- Manufacturing
- Military
- Aerospace
Boasting an impressive list of customers including Rio Tinto, NASA, Caterpillar, Nippon Steel and more, UIT has gained endorsement from bodies such as Weld Australia and the American Welding Association.
Their commitment to offering a tailored approach to professional partnership means there are sales and service models to suit every customer’s unique needs.
Acciona
Best WHS Innovation & Improvement (Large)
ACCIONA champions a different way of doing business: Business as Unusual, delivering benefits far beyond the corporate realm.
Driven by the ambition to leave a positive legacy for society and design a better planet, we lead in developing solutions in renewable energy, sustainable water management, and sustainable infrastructure.
We cover the entire value chain, from design and construction to operation and maintenance. With a presence in over 40 countries, we conduct our business with a commitment to positively contribute to the economic and social development of the communities where we operate.
University of Newcastle
Best WHS Training Program
University of Newcastle students are contributors and learners, future disruptors, and entrepreneurs. Across their campuses in Newcastle, the Central Coast, Sydney and Singapore, the University of Newcastle enrols more than 37,000 students. Their degrees are shaped around flexible and transferable skills, and real-world experiences. And they’re proud to enrol more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students than any other university in Australia.
Ranked in the world’s top 30 universities for impact, they're tackling the world's biggest problems. Helping people live longer and better. Transforming food scarcity into food security. Driving greener, cleaner energy solutions. They know that lasting solutions are built on enduring partnerships. Their industry partners are vital to this work, and they're dedicated to providing them with all they need to succeed.
Here, you’ll find a community of passionate entrepreneurs and artists, scientists and advocates that celebrate all the diverse skills, backgrounds, and perspectives they bring to the table.
Mohamed Seweify
WHS Rising Star
Mohamed Seweify has quickly progressed since entering the profession in 2023, stepping into an HSEQ Advisor role and supporting high-risk rail projects across the Hunter and Sydney.
Known for his work ethic, care for people and ability to build strong relationships, Mohamed has delivered real safety outcomes while continuing to grow his knowledge and leadership capability.
In a short time, Mohamed has shown what true potential in safety looks like, driven, compassionate, and committed to ensuring everyone goes home safe.
Coal LSL
Best Health & Wellbeing Program (Large)
As a corporate Commonwealth entity, Coal LSL is the regulator and custodian of the Australian black coal mining portable long service leave scheme.
They connect employers and employees with long service leave for the good of Australia’s black coal mining industry.
Currently, they are undertaking an exciting transformation which is optimising their operations and building their capability to deliver an enhanced service to employers and employees engaged in black coal mining across Australia.
They are exceedingly proud of their inclusive and vibrant company culture and our steadfast company-wide commitment to delivering accessible portable long service leave benefits.
Their work supports the Australian industry and its people. They understand that as they transform their benchmark for service, it is the connections between people which will distinguish them as a service leader.
Swietelsky Rail Australia
Best Health & Wellbeing Program (SME)
Swietelsky Rail Australia (SRA) is a specialist mechanised rail maintenance contractor delivering ballast cleaning, track resurfacing and rail & civil projects across heavy haul, freight and passenger networks.
As a subsidiary of international rail leader Swietelsky, Swietelsky Rail Australia (SRA) benefits from more than eight decades of global experience, combined with the local knowledge and capability of their team. Based in the Hunter Valley, NSW, their teams operate along the East Coast and all across Australia.
Their proven ability to deliver safe, high-quality outcomes, together with their fit-for-purpose plant and equipment, has established SRA as a trusted long-term partner within the Australian rail industry. They have set national benchmarks for asset performance, including the completion of over 330km of ballast cleaning and 500km of drainage upgrades. They combine their global heritage with a proactive 'Fence-to-Fence' betterment model that ensures every project delivers maximum technical and commercial value.
Russel Driver
Young WHS Leader of the Year
Recognised for demonstrating exceptional leadership in workplace health and safety, Russel is leading safety across multiple regions, including the Hunter, as National QSE Manager with a strong focus on proactive risk management and culture.
From introducing silica dust controls ahead of legislation to achieving zero lost-time injuries on high-risk projects, his leadership is driving real, measurable outcomes.
Known for his hands-on approach and ability to bring teams with him, Russel is setting the standard for what effective safety leadership looks like in practice.
Rebecca Lehmann
WHS Champion of the Year
Recognised for setting an incredible benchmark in workplace health and safety, Rebecca achieved the first-ever 100% WHS audit score across 67 clubs in PCYC NSW.
But Rebecca’s impact goes far beyond her own club, mentoring others, lifting standards across the state, and embedding a culture where people truly understand why safety matters.
Through her passion, leadership and commitment to education, Rebecca is shaping safer environments not just locally but across an entire organisation.