Football legend and sports presenter, Shane Webcke has a strong connection and commitment to work safety following the death of his father in a workplace incident. 

As the Queensland Government’s Safety Ambassador, Shane visits Queensland businesses, speaking with workers about the importance of staying safe at work and creating a strong safety culture.

James Hyne said the Hyne Group was proud to host a safety breakfast event with Shane as the speaker.

“Hyne Timber values and integrates safety in all that we do and supports all team members to be part of our safety culture.

“Shane shared his inspirational story of the impact the workplace death of his father had on him and his family and the importance of staying safe at work,” James said.

“He provided a heartfelt perspective on how safety for all team members is something that extends beyond our sites and business.”

Hyne Timber temporarily shut down their Glulam plant so all team members could attend the event and extended the invitation to others across the business as well as over 20 local businesses and organisations.

“On behalf of all those who attended, I would like to thank Shane and the Queensland Government for their contribution to make all workplaces safer,” James added.

The event included a BBQ breakfast and opportunity to ask Shane questions while reflecting on his talk.

Shane says enough time has passed that he can speak about the tragedy and the impact losing his dad 28 years ago has had on him and his family. 

“My motivation for accepting the role as Workplace Health and Safety Queensland’s Safety Ambassador is linked to the fact that I lost my father in a preventable workplace accident,” Shane said.

“If I can change the attitude of one person and perhaps prevent something like this from happening to another family – well, then it would have been worthwhile.” 

“As Queensland Safety Ambassador, I have travelled around the state visiting workplaces and sharing my story. I hope I’ve made even a small difference and made people think twice about their own and their mates’ safety and encourage businesses to create positive safety cultures.”

Shane shares his story in the film, Playing it safe with Shane Webcke. 

Photo: James Hyne, Shane Webcke and Alison Newman