Family and Injured Workers Support and Advisory Group

"On the 10th of October 2015, our family world changed forever.

Our 20 year old son, Luke, was involved in a workplace incident during the early hours of the morning where he received multiple blunt force injuries after being crushed by the wheels of a “runaway” B-Double Trailer. Later that morning, Luke lost his fight to live.

This group has the opportunity to provide support and advise to others that have experienced what my family has since our tragic loss of Luke. I’m doing this for Luke’s legacy as no one should have to farewell a loved one."

Jacci lost her husband Lyndon and her children's father in May 2018 in a double workplace fatality, with a further colleague taking his own life as a direct result.

"Being a member of this group provides me with one avenue, to assist SafeWork by giving insight into the lived experiences of families who are directly affected and what needs to change.

I am my husband's voice, I am speaking up for him and our family as a whole. I vowed to Lyndon that I would fight until my last breath for justice, accountability and change to the system and laws.”

Learn more by watching this video.

Linda’s husband, Iremar da Silva, was killed at a construction site in Ryde due to the unsafe work practices of two construction companies in October 2016.

"Apart from the immeasurable grief of losing my life partner, I have had to deal with many different processes and organisations such as the Police, the Coroner, SafeWork and lawyers in different capacities.

I was not ready for any of this and it has not been smooth sailing, but I have learnt a great deal from this experience; nothing will bring back my husband or the life I used to have ... but I feel that I can share this knowledge I have gained to empower others in the same situation to navigate the various proceedings in which they will be involved with clarity, direction and agency." 

Mark joined FIWSAG after a serious farming incident that changed his and his family’s life for ever. 

He has worked in two high risk industries, mining and agriculture. Over that time, he’s experienced that there is a disconnect between management and the workers to reduce risk. 

"My goal is to consult with industry leaders, political leaders and advisors to advocate for accountability on management and the workers that cut corners.

To share the issues that I suffered going through a Worksafe investigation and the Enforceable Undertaking process. 

Personally I want to shine a light on mental health impacts that a workplace incident can cause. "

On the 24th May 2018, Debra tragically lost her 28 year old son Benjamin to a preventable workplace incident.  Benjamin died as a result of being exposed to toxic levels of hydrogen sulphide.

Debra’s experience following her son’s death, highlighted the need for timely communication, complete transparency and the empathy of human connection. 

"The Family and Injured Workers Support and Advisory Group has provided the platform I was seeking to advocate for change, so that workers and their families affected by workplace incidents receive immediate and ongoing support to process the trauma of grief and associated ongoing mental and physical issues."

Learn more by watching this video.

"On the 23rd of October 2017 my brother, Reece Marchello, was tragically killed in a preventable workplace incident at only 27.

Following this I took on the role of representing our family and dealing with the relevant agencies throughout the many processes that followed. I have since become passionate about promoting WH&S and the seriousness of complacency within the workplace.

Then in March 2019 my husband also sustained a workplace injury. Since his accident I have gained experience surrounding worker's compensation and the toll a long-term recovery can take, not only on the injured worker but on their whole family."

Patrizia is an International award-winning WHS advocate with a compelling and confronting life story. She shares the crucial lessons everyone in construction, manufacturing and engineering need to hear to shift out complacency and create a safe working environment for themselves and all their work mates.

Her devastating story is of a tragedy that was never an accident, but an incident waiting to happen, all because of complacency that took her 18-year-old son’s life.

Her foundation, Touched by Christopher, raises money to help families who have lost a loved one at work, so that they can grieve without the everyday burden.

"My husband and father to our three beautiful sons, Craig was killed in a workplace fatality. I have become ardent in raising awareness to work health and safety.

With my lived experience and being part of the FIWSAG committee I hope to implement and improve practices for families and injured workers and to provide support for those whom never thought they would end up with the devastating and life-changing loss like we have.

The personal impacts that an injury can have on workers and families can be catastrophic and if I can help make this process easier I will."

Learn more by watching this video.

Noeline's partner, Davern, was involved in a workplace incident in 2018. Tragically two lives were lost on the day and a third person was badly injured due to being exposed to toxic levels of Hydrogen Sulphide.

Davern took his own life, as a result of feeling responsible for sending them into the area, unaware of the fatal gas that had been released.

"My primary motivation for being involved in the Family and Injured Worker Support and Advisory Group is to raise awareness of how a traumatic incident affects the mental health of all workers at every level. And in my case resulting in a suicide."

Learn more by watching this video.

In 2019, tragedy struck David’s family with the loss of his son Joel in a preventable industrial accident. The devastating loss plunged his family and friends into a void of unbearable grief, a pain David says continues still and words can’t describe. Driven by his son’s passing, David has joined the group to transform his sorrow into an advocacy mission. “I want to work with the group to try and promote safe working conditions across industries, to implement measures that could avert similar tragedies and to strive to prevent such heart-wrenching incidents from befalling other families.”

David’s aim is to ensure that robust support services are available for families affected by such accidents, as he recognises the critical need for compassion and assistance during times of profound loss.

“Through this involvement I’d like to forge a legacy that honours Joel's memory by safeguarding the well-being of workers and their families.”

Learn more by watching this video.

Graeme experienced tragedy at just 12 years of age, with his sister falling from a Sydney train on route to work, and it set his life on a path of helping others. Growing up in regional NSW, Graeme began his career as an electrician at Liddell power station. He also studied electrical engineering and became an electrical engineering technician, a role he held for 30 years.

Looking to help other workers to stay safe, Graeme served 20 years on an emergency first response team and 15 years on a safety committee.

It was during his time as a power plant operator that Graeme experienced his own workplace incident, being injured in a transformer explosion.

His injuries included third degree burns to 19 per cent of his body, three broken teeth, a torn rotor cuff in his left shoulder and damaged cartilage in his right knee, which led to arthritis and PTSD.

As a local councillor, Graeme continues to work to help others and give back to his local community.

“My wife and I have four children who are the centre of our universe. We love all things outdoors, especially cricket.”

Graeme joined FIWSAG because he wanted to share his experiences and learnings to effect change for the better.

Tanja Limnios, Director of Thinkahead Psychology is a corporate psychologist with over 30 years’ experience working within the field of clinical and organisational psychology.

Tanja is engaged as the registered psychologist to provide clinical expertise, psychological intervention, and support to the FIWSAG whilst supporting Safework NSW in an advisory capacity.  She has worked with hundreds of inspectors, injured workers and families who have lost a loved one due to a workplace incident. Tanja’s area of interest is mental health and wellbeing; return to work and complex trauma.