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This Might Be Our Best Lineup Yet | Dean’s Desk 7

You might have noticed we missed the last Dean’s Desk.

Like many of you, I took a bit of time off over the Easter break and I think the team needed it after a big start to the year. It’s always a good reset, but it doesn’t take long before things ramp straight back up again.

So rather than looking backwards, let’s get straight into what’s coming up. There’s plenty happening.

1. Safety Conference 2026 – Our Strongest Lineup Yet

We’ve now released the full speaker lineup for Safety Conference 2026, and this is genuinely one of the strongest programs we’ve put together.

Following the announcement of Dr Sean Brady, the response has been incredibly positive, and with the full lineup now confirmed, it’s clear this event is going to deliver real value.

We’re bringing together people who are actively shaping safety across our industry - not just talking about it, but driving change in practice.

From Wayne Pennell, Queensland’s inaugural Mining and Resources Coroner, to Dr Tristan Casey and Dr Sean Brady, this is a program focused on learning from the past and applying those lessons moving forward.

Interest is building quickly, so if you’ve been thinking about attending, now is the time to lock it in.

📅 Friday 29 May 2026
📍 MECC

2. QME – Final Opportunity

QME is now just around the corner, and we have one final spot remaining in the RIN member stall.

We’ve significantly reduced pricing on this final position, making it the most affordable way to get on the floor at QME this year.

If you’ve been considering being part of it, this is your chance.

Get in touch with us directly - we’d love to see one more member take advantage of this opportunity.

3. Standing Together in May

We recently attended the launch of “Say No to Domestic and Family Violence” here in Mackay, and it was a strong reminder of the role we all play in shaping our community.

Rather than just being part of the conversation, May is about action.

You’ll see the entire RIN team getting behind the campaign - expect plenty of purple around the office on Fridays throughout May, all for a great cause.

It’s an important reminder that respect starts with all of us, and we all have a role to play.

4. May Industry Briefing – We Need YOU to Brief US

Our May Industry Briefing is shaping up to be a really important session.

We’re all hearing the same conversations at the moment - rising costs, tightening margins, uncertainty around investment and what the next 6–12 months look like. In some cases, it’s pretty doom and gloom.

Rather than ignore that, we want to capture it.

This session will give you the opportunity to share your perspective as part of an interactive, anonymous focus group, helping us build a clearer picture of what’s actually happening across our region.

We’ll also hear from Kim Kleidon (Queensland Manufacturing Hubs) and Darren Brownsey (North Queensland Bulk Ports), but the real focus is you: your insights, your experience and your view of what’s coming next.

The outcomes from this session will feed directly into our advocacy work.

If you’ve been part of these conversations, this is one you should be in the room for.

📅 Friday 8 May 2026
📍 Harrup Park Country Club

Looking Ahead

There’s a lot happening across the network right now - major events, important conversations and some big opportunities to be involved.

As always, plenty happening behind the scenes as well, and I look forward to seeing many of you in the coming weeks.