Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Timeline
Generic

Sue Ferguson

Melbourne,Australia

Summary

Dedicated and results-driven professional with over a decade of experience in health, safety, and wellbeing management across diverse industries, including healthcare, education, and corporate sectors. Proven track record of success in implementing effective WHS programs, policies, and initiatives, driving continuous improvement, and ensuring regulatory compliance. Adept at leading multi-skilled teams, delivering quality projects on time, and fostering a culture of safety awareness and accountability. Holds a Bachelor's Degree in Health Science, Graduate Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety, complemented by certifications in workplace training, injury management, mental health first aid, and lead auditing. Passionate about making a meaningful impact on organisational WHS initiatives and committed to ongoing professional development.

Overview

20
20
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Health Safety & Wellbeing Consulting

Various companies including consulting & contract roles detailed below
Australia
07.2020 - Current
  • Developed and delivered comprehensive health and safety training programs across a client portfolio of over 20 companies, and provided consulting services in auditing & risk assessment, policy development, strategic planning, workplace safety training, mental health first aid training, Return to Work framework development, injury management, and training development & delivery.

Director of Clinical Services (Contract)

Sunny Street (Not for Profit)
Sunshine Coast, Queensland
09.2021 - 06.2023
  • Active member of the executive team during the initial start up phase
  • Supported the building and developing of policy, strategic planning, recruitment of employees and developed government funding requests along with other business development activities
  • Leadership of national outreach service from Brisbane to Hervey Bay and management of the outreach teams
  • Directed the transition to the interim CEO role, leading a multi-disciplinary healthcare team of over 100 employees.

Health Safety & Wellbeing Manager (Contract)

University of the Sunshine Coast
Sunshine Coast, Queensland
07.2020 - 09.2021
  • Reporting to the Director of Human Resources, managed the OHS team of 3 direct reports to oversee the management of OHS in the workplace
  • Responsible for OHS policy development, advising on workplace safety legislation, safety awareness and education, risk assessment, internal auditing, compliance, safety governance, management reporting, resource supervision, safety criteria compliance for accreditation and stakeholder liaison
  • Developed workplace safety & wellbeing training
  • Developing and leading COVID-19 management plans
  • Managed workers compensation and return to work across the University
  • Member of Executive Steering Committee.

Head of Student Wellbeing Services (Contract)

IGBIS International School
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
06.2018 - 07.2020
  • Reporting to Head of School, managed the Student Wellbeing Services team including the Psychologist, University Counsellor, Learning Support team, School Nurse, and Inclusion Team
  • Development of the health and wellness framework, critical incident policy and management of student services budget
  • Other responsibilities included Head of Whole School ESOL Team, WIDA Testing, Head of Whole School Wellness/Health Promotion, ESOL Elementary Teacher, Year 11 & 12 Health Teacher, and Year 7 Wellness Teacher.

Health & Wellbeing Consultant (Contract)

YK Pao School
Shanghai, China
08.2017 - 06.2018
  • Developed and implemented a comprehensive wellness program for over 500 students that resulted in a decrease in reported stress-related absences.

Workforce Safety Director

Barwon Health
Geelong, Victoria
08.2014 - 07.2017
  • Reporting to the Executive Chief of Workforce, managed a team of 10 OHS professionals to oversee the management of OHS in the workplace
  • Development and implementation of OHS Management System, OHS policy, advising on workplace safety legislation, safety awareness, governance and education, risk assessment, internal auditing, compliance, management reporting, HSE resource supervision and stakeholder liaison
  • Responsible for managing workers compensation and return to work across the business
  • Responsible for safety criteria compliance for hospital accreditation
  • Managed hospital emergency management and security across the business
  • Developed a comprehensive patient manual handling program hospital wide
  • Member of Metro Health Executive Steering Committee.

National Manager, Safety & Risk Services

IAG (CGU Insurance)
Melbourne, Victoria
02.2012 - 08.2014
  • Managed all Safety & Risk Services across Victoria and NSW
  • Developed strategic safety business plans to assist clients in reducing injury rates and improve prevention strategies
  • Facilitated Work Safe approved safety courses
  • Developed training, resources and tools for clients to use to improve and manage safety and wellbeing
  • Participate in Work Safe initiatives and projects to benefit clients
  • Manage Safety Communications Internally and Externally
  • Partner with clients to improve safety and wellbeing
  • Assist in developing responses to requests for tender, including advising on risk management and workplace safety aspects of bids.

Safety & Risk Consultant

IAG (CGU Insurance)
Melbourne, Victoria
01.2009 - 02.2012
  • Reported to the Victorian Client Relationships Manager for Workers Compensation, assisting clients to minimise workers compensation premiums by enhancing health and safety and promoting legislative compliance
  • Assisted clients across various sectors in strategic planning, policy development, risk consultancy, OHS auditing, change management, training development, staff education, regulatory compliance, management reporting and corporate governance
  • Developed OHS management systems and audited risk and workplace safety practices
  • Responsible for conducting client ergonomic training and assessments
  • Assisted in developing responses to requests for tender, including advising on risk management and workplace safety aspects of bids
  • Responsible for OHS policy development, advice on workplace safety legislation, safety awareness and education, risk assessment, internal auditing, compliance, safety governance, management reporting, HSE resource supervision and stakeholder liaison.

Health & Safety Manager

Villa Maria Aged Care, Disability & Community
Melbourne, Victoria
01.2006 - 12.2009
  • Developed strategies to mitigate against accident and injury, including HSE functional plans, risk profiles and improvement action plans
  • Trained all safety staff and business managers in hazard assessment and risk mitigation
  • Primary role in accident investigation and analysis
  • Collated OHS related data and analysed HSE data
  • Coordinated implementation of OHS programs
  • Reviewed OHS policy and made recommendations on changes
  • Simplified OHS requirements
  • Embedded a culture of health and safety responsibility
  • Managed workers compensation matters
  • Developed wellbeing programs
  • Gained exposure to a range of human resources practices.

Group Health, Safety & Environment Coordinator

Fairfax Media
Melbourne, Victoria
01.2004 - 12.2005
  • Coordinated the implementation of Safety Management Policies and Procedures across the entire organisation
  • Implemented a program of audits and inspections
  • Oversaw daily management of safety programs and continuous improvement projects
  • Partnered with the University of Queensland on a research project
  • Advised the management team on risk management
  • Planned, resourced and managed safety inspections
  • Developed and implemented the Safety Environmental Management System
  • Monitored injury reporting and coordinated safety investigations.

Education

Bachelor of Health Sciences -

Graduate Certificate, Occupational Health and Safety -

Graduate Diploma of Adolescent Health and Welfare -

Certificate IV in Training and Assessment -

Skills

  • Trusted & Compassionate leader
  • Collaborator
  • Creative thinker
  • Strategic planning
  • Risk management
  • Problem solving
  • Communication
  • Conflict resolution
  • Organisational change
  • Customer service
  • Management Reporting

Certification

  • Workplace Rehabilitation & Return to Work Coordinator (RRTWC) - OHSA Occupational Health Services Australia
  • Lead Auditor in OHS - SAI Global
  • Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Instructor - Mental Health First Aid Australia
  • 2023
  • Ergonomic Assessment Specialist Training - David Caple & Associates
  • Equity and Diversity Awareness
  • Accidental Counselor Training
  • Creative Recovery Training
  • Occupational Health and Safety Awareness
  • Fraud and Ethics Awareness
  • Security Awareness
  • Suicide Awareness and Prevention
  • Alcohol and Drug Awareness

Timeline

Director of Clinical Services (Contract)

Sunny Street (Not for Profit)
09.2021 - 06.2023

Health Safety & Wellbeing Consulting

Various companies including consulting & contract roles detailed below
07.2020 - Current

Health Safety & Wellbeing Manager (Contract)

University of the Sunshine Coast
07.2020 - 09.2021

Head of Student Wellbeing Services (Contract)

IGBIS International School
06.2018 - 07.2020

Health & Wellbeing Consultant (Contract)

YK Pao School
08.2017 - 06.2018

Workforce Safety Director

Barwon Health
08.2014 - 07.2017

National Manager, Safety & Risk Services

IAG (CGU Insurance)
02.2012 - 08.2014

Safety & Risk Consultant

IAG (CGU Insurance)
01.2009 - 02.2012

Health & Safety Manager

Villa Maria Aged Care, Disability & Community
01.2006 - 12.2009

Group Health, Safety & Environment Coordinator

Fairfax Media
01.2004 - 12.2005

Bachelor of Health Sciences -

Graduate Certificate, Occupational Health and Safety -

Graduate Diploma of Adolescent Health and Welfare -

Certificate IV in Training and Assessment -

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