Mechanical Engineering Safety Seminar - MESS 2025

Hyatt Regency Sydney

161 Sussex Street, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia 
Tel: +61 2 8099 1234

Complimentary WiFi is available for MESS attendees.

Connect to WiFi via Hyatt_Meeting 

Passcode is - hyattevents

Car parking is available at Wilson Parking,  located across from the Hyatt. 

Wilson Parking - 383 Kent Street, Sydney South CBD, NSW Car Park

We suggest you refer to the latest transport timetables before using public transport, the best options are below:

Train

The Hyatt is in the middle of Town Hall train station and Wynyard train station with both a 5-minute drive and an 8-minute walk.

Bus

There is a bus station directly in front of the hotel - Sussex St after King St. The buses to catch are below:

437 | 441 | 442 | 504

Ferry

If you choose to use the ferry, the terminal Darling Harbour, King St Wharf, New South Wales is the best option. It is a 3-minute drive and 6-minute walk.

The registration desk will be open during the following hours

• Wednesday : 6 November 8:00am – 5:00pm
• Thursday: 7 November 8:00am -1:30pm

Please see the seminar team members for any request regarding sessions and the seminar dinner.

Camilla Palamo - 0450 556 321

Meg Peacock – 0428 601 046

The seminar dinner is available for those delegates who have registered and paid for dinner.

• The dinner will be held in the Ballroom on level 2.
• Pre-dinner drinks will commence at 6:15pm.
• Be amazed by DARE, at the pre-dinner drinks.
• Dinner will be served at 7:00pm.
• Molly Taylor will join us to be our guest speaker for the night.
• Dress is smart casual.

Please note you must have your name tag for entry to the seminar dinner

If you haven’t listed on your ticket that you have dietary needs, please let the team know as soon as possible.

For the Seminar dinner, you will find a dietary tag out side the Ballroom. Please collect your tag and place it above your plate, for the waiters. 

MESS will be a filmed and photographed event.

By entering the event premises, you agree that Department of  Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) has the right to use your likeness, image, voice, etc in publications, on their website and in marketing, advertising or related endeavours.

You also understand that you will not be compensated in any way for the use of your likeness, image, voice, etc.

Being on the premises over the two days (6 & 7 August 2025) means that you release DPIRD from any claims or actions that arise because of this production.

If you do not agree to the above conditions, please advise event staff. Arrangements will be made to ensure your requests are respected.

Will the presentation be published? Yes, the link to the recording and presentation will be on the website.

Will we receive the Maintenance of Competence codes and breakdowns? Yes, at the conclusion of this year's MESS you will receive an email with a feedback survey and at the end of the survey you will find the QR codes and breakdowns. 

Do I need my name tag for the dinner? Yes

Rally Driver, Presenter and Speaker

With both hands on the steering wheel and one foot firmly on the accelerator, motorsport champion Molly Taylor is living life in the fast lane – and showing no desire to hit the brakes anytime soon.

Molly Taylor is a true pioneer having won several accolades in motorsport including the Australian Rally Championship, European Ladies Championship and the Peter Brock Medal. She was also the inaugural winner
(World Champion) of the Extreme E Series (the world’s first gender equal motorsport series) and the first Australian woman to ever drive the challenging Dakar Rally (twice). It’s safe to say that Molly Taylor has some stories to tell. Her epic adventures and daredevil stunts are the stuff of legends and in these presentations, she tells them candidly with audiences clamouring for more.

Motorsport is the ultimate test of teamwork and winning takes absolute trust and confidence – in yourself, in your car, in your co-driver and in your team. Your ability to work efficiently under pressure, communicate effectively and know your role is critical to success just as it is in any work environment. Molly educates audiences on the power of each member of the team knowing their role, the impact it can create, and the risks when it doesn’t.

As one of Australia’s and the world’s most successful rally drivers, Molly’s path to the top hasn’t been without obstacles. And whilst her sport might be dominated by men, motorsport is one of the very few sports in which men and women can compete on equal terms. In this session, Molly shares her journey to the top, the lessons she’s learnt and how success on the track is about more than just what goes on under the helmet and inside the car.

There are probably easier careers Molly could have chosen than motorsport, which involves speeds of up to 200km/hr., split-second decisions and cabin temperatures of up to 60 degrees – but Molly thrives on the challenge of her high adrenaline sport. Indeed, her passion, fierce determination, and willingness to take risks are major components of her winning formula. Here, Molly shares her tips for finding the edge of grip, the strategies she’s learnt to overcome fear, and how we can all operate out of our comfort zone and truly push ourselves to the limit.

My first magic book captured my imagination as a child. I quickly became fascinated with the world of trickery and entertainment. Before long, like a young Harry Potter, I was performing magic in the school corridors and sought inspiration from the street magic guru of the time, David Blaine!

During the school holidays, I spent my time busking and learnt some important skills in engaging the public and entertaining crowds at the drop of a hat, quite literally! I always had a passion for maths, problem-solving and human behaviour as a kid, all topics satisfied by magic!

I pursued my academic interests in maths and science to study a degree in electronic engineering. I subsequently worked for a global engineering company in their transport and aerospace divisions.

After some time working as an engineer and performing magic in the UK, I decided to follow my childhood dream of travelling the world performing magic and ended up in Sydney, Australia!

Once in Sydney, I quickly began to pick up work as a magician in bars, corporate events, trade shows, weddings and private parties throughout Australia.

I am now the resident magician at the Sydney Opera Bar and have performed roving magic for the likes of the Australian rugby team “The Wallabies” and corporate clients such as Telstra, Qantas, ANZ, PwC, Ernst&Young and Westpac.

I am approachable and work with every client individually to provide a personalised service that accommodates their needs.

I am easily contactable and quick to reply. When it comes to magic, I like to create memorable experiences for everyone I perform for with humour, charm and the cheeky charisma that makes me… Dare!

Anthony is currently the Chief Inspector of Mines for the Resources Regulator. Anthony has over 20 years’ experience in the mining industry and his qualifications include a Bachelor of Engineering (mining) and a mine managers’ certificate of competency.
In his current role, Anthony leads a team that oversee the NSW mining industry relating to the NSW work health and safety.
Previously, Anthony has held multiple roles in the mining industry across Australia, ranging from mining engineering through to senior leadership roles.

Russell has recently accepted the position of Principal Inspector - Technical. His previous role with the Mine Safety Inspectorate was Principal Inspector – METEX. Russell has been with the department for over 5 years.

Russell has experience in coal and metalliferous mines and has worked in QLD, NT and NSW. Russell holds an electrical engineer degree and many different statutory tickets, he has also re-joined University and is currently studying Law. 

One of Russell’s key values in making sure people go home to their families every day. This is a passion of Russell’s and will be a main driver as the new Principal Inspector -Technical.

Matt Petty is the General Manager of Whitehaven’s Asset Management and Technology department, based in Brisbane. Matt leads the teams accountable for Whitehaven’s Asset Strategy, Asset Engineering, Shutdown Management and Mining Operational Technologies. 

With over 27 years of experience in the mining industry, Matt has led large teams to achieve business objectives in mining operations, fleet maintenance, technology deployment and project execution. 

Passionate about the industry, Matt commenced his career as a Plant Mechanic apprentice with Hastings Deering in Alice Springs, NT. Matt went on to complete a Bachelor of Engineering, Major Mechanical (Honours) and the NSW Open Cut Mine Mechanical Engineer’s Certificate of Competency. 

15 years at Sandvik mining and construction as a product support in open cut and underground LHD and site diesel coordinator, joined the team at metropolitan in 2021 as project engineer, some major project 

Ventilation fan major upgrade

koepe winder TRG upgrade

Electric battery vehicles

Blade McNaught is a Statutory Mechanical Engineer at Mount Owen Glendell Operations with over 14 years of experience across both underground and open cut coal mining. Backed by a trade background, he brings practical experience and a strong problem-solving mindset to every aspect of his work.

Blade is all about leadership and helping teams succeed by finding real, practical solutions. He believes in teamwork and always looking for ways to improve. For him, it’s about making a positive impact that lasts.

Jacob Carey is a newly appointed Statutory Electrical Engineer with over 15 years of experience in the mining industry. Beginning his career as a tradesman, he has developed a solid foundation of practical expertise complemented by formal engineering knowledge. 

Jacob maintains a strong focus on compliance, safety, and delivering tangible outcomes. Having spent the majority of his career working in open-cut coal mines and on high-voltage electrical infrastructure projects in the Hunter Valley, he is eager to further deepen his industry insights by collaborating with professionals across the engineering sector.

Dr Drew Rae is an Associate Professor in the Safety Science Innovation Lab at Griffith University, where he teaches courses on research methods and safety engineering, and manages the lab’s research program. Drew’s own research uses a mix of ethnography, field experiments and theory-building to investigate organisational safety practices. He is particularly interested in understanding the myths, rituals and bad habits that surround the work of managers and safety practitioners, and how this work influences front-line operations. Drew co-hosts the Safety of Work podcast and is on the editorial board of the journal Safety Science.

Associate Professor Guy Hawkins is at the forefront of cognitive decision-making research, focusing on the development and testing of computational and mathematical models. His work aims to improve decision outcomes across various contexts, from consumer behaviour to organisational settings. With significant funding from bodies like the ARC and NHMRC, his research has led to advancements in understanding decision mechanisms, contributing to smarter technology and decision-support systems. 

Peter Berkholz, is a Inspector of Mines Mechanical within the Coal team in the NSW Resources Regulator. Peter has held many different positions in the regulator over the 10 years, but enjoys this current position as he is in the field and enjoying his work with the mine sites. 

Began work in the industry as a Mechanical Apprentice at the Lithgow Small Arms Factory and Invincible Colliery with Austin and Butta.

Worked at the Ulan Complex for 30 years commencing as a Mechanical Trade working in a variety of supervisory roles before obtaining Mechanical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering Manager Qualification. 

Held a position on the Resource Regulator Mech Engineer examination panel for several years. Enjoys the training and mentoring of upcoming Mechanical Engineering Managers.

Held the Mechanical Engineering Manager position at Glencore’s Ulan Underground and Ulan West Operations in Mudgee, NSW.

Currently in the Position of Engineering Manager Ulan Underground.

Alison Pepper is a senior mechanical engineer with over 20 years of experience in mining, spanning coal, bauxite, and diamond operations across Australia and Canada. She brings deep technical knowledge in engineering compliance, asset management, and risk control, with a practical focus on statutory obligations and frontline implementation.
Currently serving as the Senior Mechanical Engineer at Hunter Valley Operations, Alison plays a key leadership role in developing and auditing engineering standards of practice, supervising plant compliance, and investigating high-potential incidents. Her work is characterised by strong engagement and consultation with the Health, Safety and Training Team, the Health and Safety Representatives and the wider workforce to deliver meaningful risk controls that are applicable across the organisation and understood and applied in practice—not just on paper.
Alison is passionate about developing capability across all levels of an operation. She coaches supervisors and engineers in reliability principles, risk management, and WHS legislation, and she actively supports the growth of emerging engineers through the supervision and mentoring of graduates, trainees and undergraduates. Alison serves as an examiner on the Mechanical Engineering (coal mines other than underground) examination panel for the Mining and Petroleum Competency Board.
Whether she’s coaching front-line supervisors or leading audits against WHS legislative requirements, Alison brings practical insight, structured thinking, and a commitment to safer, smarter mining operations.

Chartered Professional Mechanical Engineer (CPEng) | PMP® | MBA | Engineering Professional

Aitzaz Shah is a globally experienced and strategically driven mechanical engineer with over two decades of leadership across the mining, oil & gas, and industrial sectors. He currently serves as the Principal Mechanical Engineer at Newmont Cadia, one of Australia’s largest underground gold operations, where he has led Mechanical engineering governance, risk mitigation, and alignment with the internal Standards.

Holding credentials as a Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng), a certified Project Management Professional (PMP), and an MBA, Aitzaz combines technical knowledge with management acumen. His leadership has shaped multiple capital projects, from design and EPCM execution to operational readiness, while ensuring alignment with Australian and international standards (ASME, API, ISO, AS/NZS).

Aitzaz brings a hands-on approach to engineering frameworks, and associated standards. He has developed site mechanical standards and Mechanical Engineering Control Plan based on Mechanical engineering risk assessments and have harmonized standards with the internal Fatality risk Management (FRM) Standards.

With prior experience in mining and Oil and Gas, Aitzaz has led engineering teams across Australia and Overseas. His collaborative leadership style and cross-functional experience span maintenance, design, commissioning, and safety systems.

He is a Member of Engineers Australia (MIEAust), MEMMES, and the Project Management Institute (PMI), and has completed extensive professional development in safety in design, leadership, and ASME design principles.

Greg has a diversified experience within the NSW coal industry, including direct operational roles & indirect service industry roles associated with Open Cut mines, Underground mines and Port Terminals.

Based at Whitehaven’s Maules Creek Coal Mine for the last 9 years in the role of Statutory Mechanical Engineer (Operations & CHPP), over his career, Greg has acquired a large amount of investigation experience and has taken a particular interest in how and why things fail, especially the complex interaction that people, environment, equipment, processes and organisations have in allowing a failure event to occur.

With an unhealthy fascination for how things work, he is currently using foundation engineering principles to develop a definitive model to catch +80cm Mullaway’s in Newcastle harbour. This time-consuming endeavour is still a work in progress, and he would be delighted if any colleagues could reach out during the conference to help him refine his ineffective working model.

Barry has been in the industry for over 44 years. He first started as a fitter in an underground coal mine and has held many different positions. He finds himself as the current Engineering Manager at Yancoal. 

Barry is continuously improving his mindset and expanding his skills every day. His is passionate about the coal industry and the people in it.

Quinton began his career in the underground coal industry in 2006 at Appin Mine as a Mechanical Engineer. Since completing his studies, he has primarily worked in underground coal operations, with short stints in open-cut coal and power generation. Over the past 19 years, Quinton has gained extensive experience across four mines and two coal preparation plants, holding various supervisory, engineering, and leadership roles. In 2014, he achieved his Manager of Mechanical Engineering competency and has since held this position at multiple mines in the Illawarra region. After 18 years in operational roles, culminating as the Maintenance Manager for Appin Mine, Quinton transitioned to major projects. He is currently the Project Manager for GM3 on the Appin Mine Ventilation 7 & 8 project.

Quinton is passionate about continuous improvement, focusing on enhancing safety, productivity, and financial outcomes. He is committed to developing the next generation of engineering leaders and takes pride in revitalizing the Illawarra-based Manager of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering training program in 2023. These programs, aimed at developing future leaders, continues to run with ongoing support from GM3.

Jack of all trades mining, master of not a lot is my moto. It is all about the journey, the destination is a by product if you get there.

Driving Smart cars across Australia, Flying Planes and Mucking around with hotted up cars from gearbox rebuilding to computer programming. Again the journey with maybe some car racing at the end all going well.

Mining engineer with too much time getting underground experience operating boggers, long hole rigs and shift supervising before getting my Managers ticket.

Overseas forays including logistics, mineral beneficiation, feasibility and exploration in Greenland, Shaft sinking in South Africa and feasibility studies in Columbia.

Development of emulsion charging gear for development and production in the early days. Too many feasibility studies in between. Back into the real world of shaft sinking.

Never a dull moment.

Kent is the Health, Safety, Engineering and Technology Manager for Bengalla Mining Company, which is part of New Hope Group. He is an electrician by trade, gained his Electrical Engineering certificate of competency in 2011 and has also worked in such roles as Electrical Engineering Superintendent, Asset Management Superintendent and Mobile Maintenance Superintendent. He is currently on the electrical engineering certificate of competency examination panel and the EL-023 Electrical Equipment in Mines and Quarries Technical Committee of Standards Australia.

Mark is a Director of Leadership & Performance Partners, a Hunter based company that designs, develops and delivers contextualised leadership and professional development programs for businesses across a range of industries including mining; construction; manufacturing; government; water and power utilities.

Mark’s leadership experience was forged during a 20-year career in the NSW Police, where he initially led surveillance teams supporting covert operations & criminal investigations. After specialising in the surveillance field for 8 years, he moved on to lead uniformed teams and strike force teams at Local Area Commands. During this time, he was a member of senior management teams and led the NSW Northern Region Surveillance Training Program.

After leaving the NSW Police, Mark spent 2 years working in the construction industry as a project manager, before moving into the training industry where he has spent the past 15 years. The last 6 years have been as a Director and Facilitator at Leadership & Performance Partners, since it was established with his Co-Director Ross Grace in 2019, with a passion and commitment to work with businesses, teams, and individuals to achieve positive, long-term results in leadership and associated skills & behaviours.

Duncan has qualifications in aircraft instruments and electrics, aeronautical engineering and aircraft accident investigation with a Graduate Diploma in Engineering (Maintenance Management) and Transport Safety Investigation Diploma. Duncan completed his aircraft trade and university studies with the Royal Australian Navy and has been an investigator initially at BASi/ATSB since 1995. 

Duncan’s early work was component technical examinations as part of an aircraft accident investigation team. In 2000, he joined the flight recorders team. In 2007, following his lead role in recorders download and analysis from a Boeing 737 in Yogjakarta, Indonesia he began cooperation with Indonesia in building a flight recorder capability in Jakarta including training of recorder staff. In 2014 he was an integral part of the ATSB MH370 search team first as the search strategy manager then operations manager. Duncan was the Investigator-in-charge for the tragic 2017 NYE accident involving the loss of a DHC-2 aircraft in the Hawkesbury River near Sydney.

Since 2020, Duncan has represented Australia as a member of the ICAO Flight Recorder Specific Working Group. He is currently a Senior Transport Safety Investigator embedded in the ATSB’s Data Recovery and Performance Team located in Canberra.

Brandon Hitch joined CICA in October 2011 as the CraneSafe Engineer. In 2012, Brandon was promoted to CraneSafe General Manager, overseeing the technical and day-to-day operations of the CraneSafe program. By November 2014, Brandon was appointed as CICA CEO. Prior to joining CICA, Brandon held a position as Senior Engineer with Cargotec Australia, working on their Hiab and Kalmar load handling equipment.

Brandon is one of CICA’s representatives for Australian Standards and Chair of ME-005 (Cranes) and Mobile Crane, Tower Crane, and Vehicle Loading Crane Sub-Committees. He represents Australia as Head of Delegation on ISO TC96 – Cranes and chairs ISO TC96 SC9 – Bridge and Gantry Cranes.

Originally from Chicago, USA, Brandon worked for 10 years in the automotive and heavy trucking sector, focusing on vehicle dynamics, structural, and chassis design. He holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Iowa State University and a master’s degree in engineering from the University of Michigan. Brandon is a registered chartered engineer and Fellow with Engineers Australia and is a licensed professional engineer in the USA.

Andrew is originally from Melbourne, Australia, growing up in Queensland, working in the motor industry before joining Bullivants in 1982. He has a Master of Business Administration from James Cook University and holds a range of industry accreditations and high-risk work licenses.

• Member Standards Australia – ME025 Lifting Committee since 2008
• Member NATA AAC – ISO 17020 Inspection Committee – since 2015

Andrew has 42 years’ experience in the lifting, rigging and heigh safety industry in lifting equipment design, manufacture, testing, lift planning and Andrew is passion about the use of new technology, especially around the use of HMPE fibre in the lifting industry to help improve safety for the operators and improve productivity for the crane owners.

Luke Cormick is the Production Manager at Metromix’s Teralba Quarry in New South Wales, bringing over 12 years of hands-on experience in the Quarrying and Mining industry. A trade qualified boilermaker, Luke combines technical expertise with leadership to ensure efficient, safe, and high-quality production across the site. His background on the tools gives him a practical edge when it comes to problem-solving and working closely with operational teams.

Driven by a strong work ethic and a focus on continuous improvement, Luke takes pride in maintaining high standards in both safety and productivity. He’s committed to supporting his team and fostering a workplace culture built on respect, accountability, and practical know-how. Whether overseeing day-to-day operations or planning long-term production goals, Luke brings steady leadership and a clear focus to every task. Currently sitting for his Certificate of Competence for Quarry Manager, he’s continuing to build on his industry knowledge to take the next step in his professional journey.

Jeff Samuels is a highly respected figure in mechanical engineering safety, known for his extensive work in developing
and upholding industry standards. He is the founder and Managing Director of QMW Industries, a company he
established in 1984 with the vision of “setting the industry standard for quality and service,” a reputation that remains
true today.
Under his leadership, QMW built its name on delivering certified safety solutions across the mining, construction,
transport, and earthmoving sectors. With over four decades of hands-on experience, Jeff combines practical
engineering acumen with a deep commitment to safety and quality compliance.

Marvick Cuschieri is a Mechanical Engineer at Wilpinjong Coal.  Starting his career in the automotive industry, Marvick moved into the mining sector in 2009.  Marvick obtained his Mechanical Engineering competency certificate in 2012 and has been holding the Mechanical Engineering Statutory position at Wilpinjong since 2013.

Marvick is passionate about implementing initiatives that are practicable for the end user whilst still maintaining safety standards.  Outside of work Marvick enjoys playing soccer and spending time with his family.

Amir H. Gandomi is a Professor of Data Science at the Faculty of Engineering & IT, University of Technology Sydney. Prior to joining UTS, Prof. Gandomi was an A/Professor at the Stevens Institute of Technology and a distinguished research fellow at BEACON Center, Michigan State University. Prof. Gandomi has published over four hundred journal papers and 12 books, which have collectively been cited 69,000+ times (H-index=110+). He has been named one of the most influential scientific minds and received the Highly Cited Researcher award from Web of Science for six years. In a recent study at Stanford University, released by Elsevier, Prof Amir H Gandomi is ranked the 24th most impactful researcher in the AI and Image Processing subfield in 2023! He has received multiple prestigious awards for his research excellence and impact, such as the 2024 IEEE TCSC Award for Excellence in Scalable Computing (MCR), the 2023 Achenbach Medal (Stanford University), and the 2022 Walter L. Huber Prize, the highest-level mid-career research award in all areas of civil engineering. Most recently, he received the 2025 Sigma Xi Young Investigator Award from Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Honor Society, one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious multidisciplinary honour societies that counts 200+ Nobel Laureates, among them Albert Einstein. Prof Gandomi is active in delivering keynotes and invited talks. His research interests are global optimisation and (big) data analytics using machine learning and evolutionary computations in particular.