As we approach the end of another year, we took a moment to ask our speakers to share their thoughts and reflections from 2024.
Their insights paint a picture of growth, the power of making a difference, gratitude and resilience.
These reflections remind us of the power of connection and the incredible potential of shared experiences.
Their reflections may just just inspire your own reflections as we look ahead to 2025!
So here we are closing in on the end of another year but for my family, as we roll over to a new year, we are faced with January, which sees Alex being absent from our lives for 12 years…How can it be, when it still feels like yesterday. I struggle to get excited about Christmas and this year has been particularly difficult on a personal level in so many ways. As one of my sisters pointed out a long time ago, it’s my resilience which sees me through by continuing to fight for others.
The one good thing to come from 2024 was that I was able to semi-retire and shift my focus and offer myself up to those businesses who uphold their commitments to safety, which has been my passion since that fateful day.
I have felt privileged to visit so many workplaces this year and I feel proud that we are all trying to get better at what we do whilst making a difference.
So with that in mind, I hope everyone gets to enjoy some family time over the festive season and with fingers crossed, I look forward to sharing Alex’s story in 2025 with those that need a reality check from a parent’s perspective.
A highlight of 2024 for me was a big increase in the amount of workplaces I was able to present my story too. An increase in interactions during my visit at most sites. More men were opening up about their experiences.
There were also great challenges with a lot of feedback and private “on the side” chats. From suicides on site, to being mentally wiped out on occasions. As I have said before, we become an “OHS bartender” and hear about people’s most challenging circumstances and inspirational stories as well.
I learnt this year I might not be 30 anymore, with almost passing out at one presentation, where l have never felt so cold and having other people’s stories getting to me but luckily no-one would have known.
I became anxious several times which has never happened before and when driving I have started to fatigue, where I have to pull over and take a 30min break after driving for around 2 to 3 hours (never before). My body, I think, is trying to tell me I’m not 30 anymore, which I heavily disagree with. Maybe “32” but that’s it, yes gang…32.
My work in Bali has taken legs, where Bali Donate now looks after 140 kids, plus our trips into the villages for people doing it hard. I’m so glad I found them to give me a new purpose after losing Kathy. I really don’t know where l would be if l had not come across this group.
Christmas is very challenging but I am starting to see some light and I think Bali and my safety friends are a big part of this.
Merry Christmas everyone, I know for all of us it has its challenges. Let’s get through the New Year and help each other to have a brighter 2025.
Wow, another year has just about passed us…how quickly we got here. I think the older I get the quicker this earth circumnavigates the sun.
Christmas decorations are everywhere, people are rushing to get their last minute presents and preparing for the festive breakfast, lunch and dinner. The main reason I know Christmas is close is because Hot Cross Buns are now appearing in the supermarkets 🫣.
I have had a fantastic 2024. I’ve spent plenty of time doing the work I love with my Eastern States family, CNB Safe, which is sharing my lived experience about Safety, Mental Health & Wellbeing. I know we, as a team, have made a significant difference to raising awareness with many people across Australia with the hope our message will prevent workplace injuries and fatalities. I love what I do, I love the people I work with and seeing what I do first-hand is having a positive impact on people within workplaces.
Reflecting on 2024, it can be easy to feel that I’m not doing enough when people are still being injured or losing their lives in workplaces across Australia; however, I have learnt that I am just one person making a difference. I may impact 100 people or I may impact 1 person, so I have accepted that having a positive impact on just 1 person’s life is enough. I am amongst many making a difference across Australia so that’s what matters.
This Christmas I would love for people to be present this year and be grateful for what we have in our lives. Please remember that some will find this festive season to be an unhappy time for various reasons.
From my family to yours, please Stay Safe, Stay Happy and Stay Well for this festive season and for 2025.
See you all in 2025.
The approach to Christmas is one which, for me, brings a mixture of feelings. Of course the anticipation of the empty seat at our Christmas Day table feels heavy at times. As I prepare to provide a hopefully joyful Christmas for our children, I can’t help but feel the void of loss which is ever-present.
What would life be like for us now if their Dad had not died at work?
I also remember that many others will share these feelings and also experience the absence of a loved one due to a tragedy in the workplace. At a time of year which can be challenging for many, I hope that we can all be gentle on ourselves and others – and Stay Safe through the holiday period.
I look back on this year with a sense of gratitude. I actually love what I do and what the team at CNB Safe does.
To go into a room full of workers, with many who don’t really want to be there as it is “just” a safety meeting, and to try and give them a different perspective on what safety is all about, is a challenge that I enjoy.
I sat outside a session this year and heard a couple of the workers say “I don’t have time for this, I have work to get done”, and then one of the guys went up the back of the room and crossed his legs and folded his arms. He kept his sunglasses on for the whole session. I actually thought he was asleep.
At the end of my presentation, he waited until most people had left the room and then he came up to me at the front and took his sunglasses off.
He introduced himself and went on to tell me that he didn’t want to come to my session today. He had a heap of work to finish but he was so glad that he came!
He went on to say that it was not until he listened to my story that he thought about how his life would change if he got hurt or killed at work. Going forward, he is really going to think about the choices he makes while he is at work.
All of the speakers at CNB Safe have stories like this. We may not change everyone in the room’s attitude to safety but if we can chip away at it one at a time, then it’s worth it to stop someone else from going through what we have!
Stay Safe Australia
Merry Christmas from Woody
