president’s report€¦ · and medal – inaugural lecture delivered in melbourne • afoem...

Welcome to Adelaide ANZSOM members! Bursting with culture and flavours, Adelaide is officially home to Australia’s best restaurant, Restaurant Orana, the world’s best wine and contemporary gin, museums, galleries, festivals, fringe and fashion, Adelaide is extraordinary. Adelaide Oval hosted our last Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) in South Australia wowing us with the past and the future. And now another first, Adelaide is home to the inaugural ANZSOM ASM with AFOEM as Scientific Program Partner. We welcomed AFOEM members “new” to our ASMs, “Making it Work” well. I think we have succeeded and made it work. I hope you are all enjoying your stay.

It has been a fantastic year - extremely busy and rewarding. Once more, I am very privileged to have led on behalf of all ANZSOM members. I sincerely congratulate our Secretariat, the Executive team, General Council, our Committees (Continual Professional Development [CPD], Finance, Nurses, ASM) State Branches, Working and Advisory Groups and Representatives on a truly successful year.

It is terrific to see the great working relationships that have developed, ensuring a unified and dedicated team. Great work everyone, many thanks to you all. Working together, innovation, creativity, team effort, communication, trust and commitment are absolutely keys to our success.

As I write my annual report reflecting on the year’s achievements, highlighting the activities and successes, and as always, looking for future opportunities for ANZSOM members as we continue to grow, develop and raise the profile, significance and contribution of ANZSOM locally, regionally and globally. Success is shared as we are called on more and more to provide representation and speciality occupational health professionals, advocacy and collaboration in government and regulatory arenas and with other societies and strategic partners.

Melinda MillerANZSOM President

PRESIDENT’S REPORTANNUAL GENERAL MEETING - OCTOBER 2019

ANZSOM (NZ) Annual Conference, Whangarei, August 2019

2 PRESIDENT’S REPORT - ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OCTOBER 2019

MEMBER ENGAGEMENT: • New members, welcome! We grew by more than 18%• 50th Anniversary celebrations, Gala Dinner and Branch

activities all widely attended• Memorabilia, pin and limited-edition anniversary book

celebrating our 50th anniversary• Website invigorated, engaging and alert as participation and

traffic grows• Social media platforms active and present• Expanded Branch and General Council to include Nurse

Liaison and AFOEM Trainee Representative• Attended (Melinda Miller) ANZSOM NZ Conference• Member access to online subscription of the Occupational

and Environmental Medicine journal (OEM)• Introduced the new ASM mobile app, “Superevent” • New membership brochure highlighting the opportunity and

benefits• Introduction inaugural ANZSOM Presidents Award for

Excellence in Occupational Health

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: • Enormously successful ASM in Melbourne 2018, record

number of delegates, financial success and delegate satisfaction

• Outstanding State Branch meetings and activities, networking and educational opportunities

• Established a new CPD Working Group charged with guiding development and sustainability of high quality online learning experiences for ANZSOM members

• Introduction of online access to the Occupational and Environmental Medicine journal (OEM)

• Established Nurse Liaison Committee and the short-term Nurse Strategy Working group

• Training as a satellite event to our ASMs – inaugural rail medical training associated with the 2019 ASM

• Quarterly Learning Update members only access to “Hot Topic” educational resources

• Broadcasting of upcoming conferences & events interesting to our members

• CPD points for participation in non-accredited ANZSOM activities

• Past ASM presentations available for members to download, read or listen anytime

• Members are alerted to expressions of interest required and representations sort of ANZSOM members on various panels, advisory boards and committees.

KEY ACTIVITIES AND SUCCESSES


GOVERNANCE:• Evaluation of the management of ANZSOM through annual

Association of Executive Services (AES) Survey – AES Organisational Assessment 2019

• Best practice mechanisms systems and processes in place to support ANZSOM Executive and General Council in ensuring governance

• Governance manual reviewed and updated annually supporting the implementation of future and current plans

• Annual operational plan reviewed and ratified by General Council sets out agreed agenda in line with ANZSOM Strategic Plan

• Introduced a formal induction process for all General Council members

• Welcomed AFOEM Trainee representative on General Council• General Council members planning and professional

development day • Finance – development of strategy which included

Investment Policy – term deposit account – Budget balanced and managed

• Compliance – Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) updated directors ensure acquiescence as registrable body

• IT and Website Security – external provider Multimode – detailed report ensured GC of measures in place to ensure website is managed with security levels in place to protect data and users

• Dynamic Secretariat – exemplary professional management and support of ANZSOM

COLLABORATION:• Sonic HealthPlus – supports the presentation of the

Ramazzini Prize winner through the – “Kevin Sleigh Memorial Presentation”

• Endorsement of the RACP Position Statement on Obesity; paper and supporting resources and documentation available on ANZSOM webpage and broadcast via email – various other in-kind support

• Advisory Committee member of 23rd Asian Congress on Occupational Health (ACOH). The Triennial Asian Congress on Occupational Health will be held in Daegu, Korea from 27 to 30 May, 2020

• Supported the opportunity to join the Coalition of National Nursing & Midwifery Organisations (CoNNMO)

• Invited AFOEM to partner with us in Adelaide at our annual scientific meeting

• Welcomed AFOEM Trainee representative on General Council and encouraged State Branches to include trainee representatives on their council

• Supported the QLD Government’s proposal for a formal “Expert Medical Advisory Panel” (EMAP) to support the regulatory framework designed to protect the health of Queensland’s mine and quarry workers, two ANZSOM member representatives nominated and accepted

• Coal Mine Dust Lung Disease Collaborative Group (CMDLD) we are proud of ANZSOM members contributions and their expertise which is essential in improving safety and health outcomes for Queensland mine and quarry workers

• Partnering with the Thoracic Society, Lung Foundation, AMA and AFOEM and as part of a stakeholder support group in regards to artificial stone associated silicosis

• Supported the International Occupational Medicine Society Collaborative (IOMSC) members and representatives

• Provided in-kind support as part of stakeholder support group of the Targeted Calls for Research (TCR), in regards to artificial stone associated silicosis

• OHS Body of Knowledge (OHS BoK) collaboration in developing and reviewing chapters. Pam Pryor Manager of BoK has been asked to join the NOC for ICOH 2021

• AFOEM Victoria and Worksafe – Kevin Sleigh annual lecture and medal – inaugural lecture delivered in Melbourne

• AFOEM Council – ANZSOM representative Dr Miguel Sergio Kabilio member

• Supported and endorsed Return to Work South Australia (RTWSA) Consumer Opioid awareness campaign

Kevin Sleigh Memorial Presentation, August 2019

ICOH National Organising Committee Melbourne visit, January 2019


It was terrific to host the ICOH Officers in Melbourne for a few days in mid-January as we showed off the city and reassured the ICOH board that we were well prepared for 2021!

Two support staff from Rome and the ICOH Officers including Jutta Takala – President of ICOH, Sergio Iavicoli – Secretary General, Claudina Nogueira – Vice President, and Seong-Kyu Kang – Vice President.

Most of our guests had never been to Australia. The weather was perfect, the atmosphere from the tennis and other international activities confirmed Melbourne as vibrant and inviting. It was extremely valuable and positive, reciprocated and cohesive – a great opportunity. The Melbourne Convention Exhibition Centre (MCEC) hosted our visitors as we toured the vast space of the centre and exhibition halls.

Members of the National Organising Committee, NOC, led by Malcolm Sim met with the officers for a further half day of planning and preparation. I myself was extremely pleased to have the opportunity to meet the officers in a less formal setting. I would like to sincerely thank Monash University for hosting the ICOH Officers their continued support of ICOH Melbourne 2021 is outstanding.

ICOH MELBOURNE 2021

The Scientific Program Committee led by Deb Glass is well into planning with themes and topics already in motion. ANZSOM members will have an opportunity to contribute via the Special Sessions. If you would like to be involved, please contact our Secretariat.

The Sponsorship and Exhibitor Prospectus is now complete you can access a copy online via the webpage www.icoh2021.org.

Engagement will be integral to the Congress experience enabling organisations to showcase their products and services and provide valuable solutions to challenges in the field of occupational health and medicine.

This is an extremely exciting time for all ANZSOM members as we prepare for ICOH your assistance in getting the word out there to your networks is vital. Success is shared we look forward to the opportunities ICOH will bring to not just ANZSOM members but to our sponsors and exhibitors and all who attend the Congress. The first announcement has been broadcast, the invitation is out there, come and join us in 2021!

http://www.icoh2021.org


ANNUAL SCIENTIFIC MEETINGS

The Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) remains our premier event providing delegates and sponsors with an opportunity to interact, collaborate and network with occupational health and medical professionals, academics, researchers, organisations and those who have an interest more broadly in occupational health and medicine and workplace wellbeing.

Our strength has always been in the quality and diversity of our programs. Rotating annually from state to state, each ANZSOM State Branch gets the opportunity every five years to host, showcasing locally, regionally and globally. High calibre speakers and experts, workshops and panels, site visits, combined with a multidisciplinary and hands on approach helps engage, enable and educate attendees and delegates. The networking, annual catch ups with friends and colleagues, social activities and welcoming partners programs has cemented the diarising of the ASM in each of our calendars. Last year we trialled having the ASM in the month of October instead of our usual August.

What a success! Melbourne truly excelled as we recorded our highest ever attendance at an ASM with more than 180 delegates. New and innovative – the VIC/TAS team challenged and rewarded us with an outstanding program of more than 26 speakers presenting 14 key sessions. The (eight) worksite visits are always popular and unique to ANZSOM. We had over 20 Sponsors and exhibitors! Once again, I would like to take this opportunity to thank our Vic/Tas Organising Committee for their tireless efforts their leadership and energy in bringing us the most successful ASM to date, well done.

The benchmark was indeed high but is no barrier for our SA/NT ASM 2019 organising committee. As we sit here today in Adelaide,

I am fully aware the highest recorded attendance number could or maybe be broken. The theme ‘Making it Work: practical solutions in occupational health’ has truly made it work.

This meeting is also the first collaborative meeting with AFOEM since our signing of the MOC in Fremantle 2017. Numbers of AFOEM members attending will be reported in our post-conference report in December. We hope AFOEM members have enjoyed the meeting, diversity of our programs, worksite visits, international speakers and workshops which all showcase practical solutions in occupational health. We are proud of the success of our meetings and know the value of a multidisciplinary approach.

We are also pleased to introduce to members and delegates the new conference meeting app “Superevent” a mobile app that is nimble and responsive and suitable for phones, iPad and via html – it is so easy to use! I hope you are enjoying the ease of application and real-time access to the latest event information such as the schedule, speaker info, and other crucial information. And you can also network with your fellow attendees!

Due to proximity to the ICOH conference in 2021 it was decided we would not be holding our traditional ASM in October 2020. Our focus instead will be on the Congress but we still wanted to ensure our members were able to have their networking opportunity and a “mini” meeting is being planned for Tasmania in March 2020. Led by the Vic/Tas Branch and supported by representatives from other branches ‘Four Days on THE Island’ already sounds spectacular! Although early days, the conference is planned for Launceston commencing with a welcome reception on Thursday 19th March 2020. Check the ANZSOM webpage and look out for updates on workshops and training opportunities pre- and post- event.

As per our governance requirements and in order to continually improve our General Council (GC) performance, all GC members are expected to undertake self-development where appropriate.

The General Council met in Melbourne for our February meeting which incorporated the annual training day. Many thanks to the Branch chairs and representatives for attending.

We reviewed our membership strategy which has only been in place for one year. Our membership growth has been outstanding we have grown by 27% in less than two years. Branch engagement has been the key with the introduction of membership certificates and welcoming ceremonies, empowering our Branches to better engage and connect with members. Like any membership you need to feel you belong and as part of the team, there has to be rewards and benefits. Successful ASMs, Branch Meetings, and Events are the building blocks for the engagement.

GENERAL COUNCIL MEMBERS’ PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Engaging with young medical and health professional trainees is also very important and we have welcomed the appointment of an AFOEM Trainee representative on our General Council. We hope to develop a series of products for younger members to assist and guide them in a career of occupational health and medicine. So, watch this space.

The training day provided the GC with strategies, plans and ideas with valued outcomes which have now been incorporated in our Annual Operational Plan. Having a plan enables action and outcomes that deliver on our Goals and supports our Vision.

General Council Meeting, February 2019


MEMBERSHIP

ANZSOM membership continues to grow! We have increased by almost 18% this year. I am delighted to see an increase across each State Branch and thrilled to see the outstanding growth in WA.

Fantastic to see so many new members from professional and health occupations and organisations. With diversity comes new associations and shared opportunities to collaborate with new networks and explore new thinking.

Membership engagement, retention and growth are priorities for ANZSOM. The Membership Promotion & Renewal Strategy 2019 provided direction to GC and the Branches setting out the current status and recommendations for:

• Defining and potentially expanding membership targets• Defining and communicating current and expanding member

benefits• Setting membership fees in 2019• Optimising member retention and ensuring timely renewal • Engaging and attracting new members

The strategy for new members relies on promotion via mechanisms including, word of mouth at the Branch level, during educational meetings and events, and of course at the ASM where we showcase our society and the benefits of networking and collaboration. We also attract new members indirectly via invitations to connect on LinkedIn. More and more of our colleagues are using the LinkedIn platform and other e-tools.

We have revised our membership brochure as we offer more CPD opportunities for our members including EXCLUSIVE access for ANZSOM members to the Occupational Environmental Journal

(OEM) via a link on our webpage. Our members have consistently called for journal access we are proud to have provided this access at no extra cost to our members.

Membership is also promoted through courses for example, to participants in the Monash University short course in Occupational and Environmental Medicine and through the AFOEM Council via our representatives. And now you can download a brochure yourself and spread the word of the benefits of becoming an ANZSOM member to your colleagues and associates.

As always, we are committed to the needs of our members and partners; your continuing support and membership ensures ANZSOM is relevant, successful and valuable. Membership fees continue to be an imperative revenue for our organisation. Together with sponsorship and successful ASMs, the combination continues to be is essential to our existence.

Further membership fee payment options were introduced last year such as the option for automatic membership renewal providing greater flexibility. GC also voted not to increase our membership fees in 2019 with our focus on communication strategies that support membership growth. Clearly these strategies are working with our numbers steadily increasing.

The discount of 50% for retired members has continued, we encourage former members to remain engaged with ANZSOM so that we can all continue to benefit from their experience. Keeping your details up to date (we have revised the member’s profile section), and paying your fees in March will ensure our budget is managed and your voting rights secured.


Collaboration is a key pillar of our Strategic Plan as we seek to contribute to and influence the work to improve and protect worker health and wellbeing.

ANZSOM representative members continue to work with a number of other professional societies, stakeholders, associations, regulators, governments, boards and committees locally, regionally and globally. We are proud of the invitations and opportunities ANZSOM receives; our extensive expertise and professional standing is recognised and sought after. Through productive interactions and cooperative collaborations, our vision, mission and goals of advocacy and partnerships are met and are growing and sustaining to secure the future of ANZSOM as a relevant and valuable contributor and partner in the field of occupational health and medicine.

There are many collaborative relationships, representations and partnerships our members are involved in locally, regionally and globally, including:

• Endorsed Return to Work South Australia (RTWSA) Consumer Opioid awareness campaign

• National Organising Committee (NOC) and sub committees – ICOH Melbourne 2021

• Coal Miners Health Scheme (CMHS) – several representatives • Coal Mine Dust Lung Disease Collaborative Group• OHS Body of Knowledge (OHS BoK) – key alliance working

together on a number of projects

REPRESENTATION, COLLABORATION AND PARTNERSHIPS

• Scientific Committees (ICOH) including epidemiology and vision

• Australian OHS Education Accreditation Board – ongoing representation

• Advisory Committee member of 23rd Asian Congress on Occupational Health (ACOH)

• Standards Australia and New Zealand – several committee representations including Standards Development Committee: SF-001 Occupational Health & Safety Management CRM:0262540

• Expert Medical Advisory Panel (EMAP) – two ANZSOM member representatives

• Partnering with the Thoracic Society, Lung Foundation, AMA and AFOEM and as part of a stakeholder support group in regards to artificial stone associated silicosis

• Provided in-kind support as part of stakeholder support group of the Targeted Calls for Research (TCR), in regards to artificial stone associated silicosis (AMA, Lung Foundation, Thoracic Society and RACP)

• Australian Institute of Occupational Hygienists (AIOH) – key partnering opportunity

• Australian Institute of Health & Safety (AIHS, formally SIA) – manages projects including OHS BoK

• Royal Australian College of Physicians (RACP) – endorsement of position statements and in-kind support

ICOH National Organising Committee Melbourne visit, January 2019


AFOEM • AFOEM Victoria and WorkSafe Victoria – Kevin Sleigh annual

memorial lecture and medal • AFOEM Council representative • AFOEM/ANZSOM Model of Collaboration (MOC)• AFOEM Scientific Program Partner for ASM Adelaide 2019

What an opportunity for all our members a collaborative meeting of our society and AFOEM members here in Adelaide. ANZSOM Executive and General Council were unanimous in agreeing to invite AFOEM members to join us in 2019 for an inaugural ANZSOM/AFOEM Meeting. We were delighted to have AFOEM Council vote to accept the invitation. AFOEM is recognised as a scientific program partner. It has been almost 5 years since my first contact with Peter Connaughton and the idea of an MOC and, a joint meeting. I am proud of this achievement and the mutually beneficial opportunities for ANZSOM members. Congratulations to you all.

AFOEM VICTORIA AND WORKSAFE VICTORIA The inaugural Kevin Sleigh lecture and dinner was held in Melbourne in August recognizing Kevin Sleigh’s contributions to AFOEM (RACP), ANZSOM and Worksafe Victoria. It was a celebration of his professional legacy. Terrific to see so many ANZSOM members at the lecture. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate James Chan and the Vic Team for their vision in honouring Kevin and their tremendous efforts in bringing it all together. We were thrilled to see Kevin’s family there and proud to have Kevin as an ANZSOM member and past President. We miss you terribly Kevin we honour you through this annual lecture and look forward to next year’s presentation.

This year’s lecture topic, ‘Through the looking glass – return to work in mental health from different perspective’, was presented by Dr Dielle Felman, Mr Mark Belanti and Dr Andrea James.

IOMSC ANZSOM continues to support the valuable work of the International Occupational Medicine Society Collaborative (IOMSC) members and representatives. It was particularly pleasing to have an ANZSOM member invited to take the global International survey on ‘Health Care Professional Stress/Burnout’. We also endorsed the ‘Declaration on Health Care Professional Well-being’. And promoted the ‘Advocating for Occupational and Environmental Medicine: A Toolkit for Occupational Medicine Societies’ which is a valuable resource. We look forward to future collaborative opportunities as our global reach extends.

SONIC HEALTHPLUS ANZSOM General Council was delighted to accept the Sonic HealthPlus proposal to honour Kevin Sleigh’s contribution to occupational medicine through an award at our annual ASM. GC members and Sonic HealthPlus agreed that Kevin’s contribution to occupational medicine through his involvement with not just the AFOEM trainees but to GPs and other occupational health professionals is well regarded and recognised. What Kevin would have wanted was what we kept asking. We were thrilled to announce that Sonic HealthPlus would support the winner of the “Ramazzini Prize” for the best scientific paper by an AFOEM Trainee by providing funding to present the paper to ANZSOM delegates at our Annual Scientific Meeting through the Kevin Sleigh Memorial Presentation.

We were all overwhelmed when we began to discuss this opportunity on how to honour such a humble man who touched everyone. The Ramazzini prize winner and the presentation would be an extraordinary way of sharing this great award with those who would never ordinarily be able to hear or see the scientific paper, the best from the best. We think Kevin would have been very pleased. Bianca Cheong will present her award-winning paper ‘Risk factors for work absence in mental health claims’ directly after our AGM.

Kevin Sleigh Memorial Lecture Presentation, August 2019


OPERATIONAL ACTIVITIESI am pleased to announce the inaugural ANZSOM Presidents Award for Excellence in Occupational Health. The award will recognise commitment, excellence and outstanding contribution of an ANZSOM member in occupational health. The prize seeks to honour and recognise the valuable contribution our members make in particular upholding ANZSOM’s values vision and mission. Our values vision and mission are integral to our society and together ensure we protect and improve worker health. We are proud and honoured to announce the inaugural winner at the Awards lunch.

One of the keys to our successful year has been the Branch Update – quarterly updates to Branches including reminders of procedures and systems upcoming events and opportunities. The Branch Meeting Guide 2018 continues to support activities and assist Branches in organising and running CPD events and to provide guidance for conducting Branch Council and Annual General Meetings. The feedback from Branches has been overwhelmingly positive enabling our Branches and members.

The Nurse Liaison role has been well established in our GC and Executive Committee. Branches have also included a Nurse Liaison role in their State representations. I am very pleased to see a committee in place and a short-term working group convened to develop a strategy for the nursing membership. This initiative aims to ensure a balance in membership and services for the two main groups of members.

The group is expected to meet as required to develop an overall strategy and oversee implementation. In addition to addressing membership growth, the group will look at professional standards and have input into the education provided by ANZSOM.

Earlier in the year, the GC agreed to review the actions of the CPD Committee and in doing so established a Working Group to lead and manage our online learning. The CPD Working Group is charged specifically with guiding development and sustainability of high-quality online learning experiences to meet ANZSOM’s ongoing commitment to support members and provide tangible value. A terrific team has been put together who are enthusiastic and active, providing expertise and guidance to ensure relevance and quality of the offerings. It is already demonstrating value in advising and contributing to ‘Learning Updates’.

I was thrilled to attend the ANZSOM (NZ) annual Conference in Whangarei in August. What a fantastic time I had! As you know I do like to have a chat, it was wonderful to speak with so many enthusiastic members and delegates. The program was diverse and dynamic, I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity and look forward to welcoming NZ members to Adelaide and Tasmania next year. Our strength is building relationships together. I am so pleased to have represented ANZSOM (Aus) members and look forward to future opportunities including ICOH2021.

Once again congratulations and sincere thank you to Fiona and her team. Tirelessly determined and diligent, the team work hard in supporting all ANZSOM members. Without your professionalism the Executive and General Council, all the Committees and Working Groups and the State Branches would not be the success they are. You have provided leadership and expertise, professional management and a culture of excellence. Committed and dedicated all hours of the day seven days a week.

We grow together Fiona – our success is yours too we are pleased to be partnering with you as we continue to grow.

Thank you, Fiona

SECRETARIAT - PROJECT HEALTH

president’s report€¦ · and medal – inaugural lecture delivered in melbourne • afoem...

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