21 May 2025
Safety Awards demonstrate excellence, innovation, and leadership in rail safety
The 2025 RISSB Rail Safety Awards night was a fantastic occasion – a celebration of excellence, innovation, and leadership in rail safety.
TrackSAFE Foundation’s Heather Neil delivered the opening speech on the night, highlighting the organisation’s aim to decrease the trauma and tragedy associated with fatalities, injuries and near hits on the rail network and to contribute to a culture where safety isn’t just procedural, but personal.
TrackSAFE’s key focus areas include education and community awareness, trauma support and staff wellbeing and cross-sector collaboration and information sharing.
“There is one simple but powerful truth: safety isn’t just about systems. It’s about people. And people need support, not just after something goes wrong, but every day, to be mentally fit, focused, and prepared for the challenges of the job,” said Neil.
The address set the stage to recognise the innovation, leadership, and dedication to safety which continue to set the benchmark for the entire rail industry.
This year, we received over 55 nominations across five award categories, showcasing a wide range of ideas, innovations, and initiatives.
From individual contributors to large teams and organisations, the entries reflected the full breadth and depth of our industry – and the passion that drives our continued commitment and high expectations to ensure those who work in the industry and our communities are safe every day.
And so, a huge congratulations to the winners of the 2025 RISSB Rail Safety Awards!
Community Safety Initiative – Ollera Creek Emergency Response, Queensland Rail
When the Bruce Highway at Ollera Creek – north of Townsville and south of Ingham – was completely cut off due to flooding, a hi-rail bus service affectionately known as ‘Olly’ became a vital link for essential fuel, services, and community connections. The Queensland Rail team safely transported nearly 2,000 people – including emergency personnel.
Frontline Worker Safety Initiative – BallastMate – A safer and smarter way to lay bottom ballast, Martinus Rail
Martinus designed and fabricated a purpose-built ballast box, now known as BallastMate, that attaches directly to Hydrema dumpers via a remote-controlled auto coupler. It removes the need for manual labour between machines and thus risk of injuries from chains or heavy equipment.
Safety Leadership Program – Real-time access & possession interactive display, Sydney Trains
This initiative aimed to modernise and streamline track possession management, replacing outdated methods with an interactive real-time system. RAPID ensures precise coordination, reducing errors and delays. This is achieved by integrating multiple data sources into a single digital platform.
Emerging Leader – Linda Toovey, Laing O’Rourke
Linda has been instrumental in supporting and facilitating the delivery of the Morley Ellenbrook Line and Byford Rail Extension. Her ability work with the delivery teams to ensure their scope meets internal and compliance requirements in the field while elevating the rail safety knowledge within her colleagues has meant that these projects were delivered with minimal rail safety notifiable occurrences.
Industry Safety Professional – Kylie Pearse, John Holland
Judges highlighted Kylie’s extensive record as a safety professional and advocacy both within her own organisation and the broader rail industry and her drive for continuous improvement and support and mentoring as key factors in their decision. Whether its regular work day, night shift or weekend, and Kylie’s always available, attending site and being an active role model and support for all rail workers.
Development Group member of the year – Adrian Hudson, ARTC
Adrian is the Track Performance Manager at ARTC and he is recognised for his stellar contribution to the development of AS 7637 Hydrology and Hydraulics.
The RISSB Rail Safety Awards aren’t just about recognising good practice. We celebrate bold thinking, we honour the people who choose to act – to lead, to question, to improve – and, in doing so, make rail safer for everyone.
The winners are automatically entered into the RISSB Safety Excellence category for the ARA Rail Industry Awards Australia and New Zealand 2025 in September.
