Two South Australian workplace safety projects have secured funding through the 2026 Augusta Zadow Awards, supporting initiatives that aim to improve safety outcomes for women and young workers across the state.
Presented each October during National Safe Work Month, the SafeWork SA awards support initiatives, research or further education that improve health and safety for women and young workers in South Australia.
This year, a total of $40,000 has been awarded to two projects that address contemporary workplace challenges through training, mentoring and psychosocial safety initiatives.
A grant of $25,000 has been awarded to Matthew Blackborough from Transform Training Pty Ltd for the project SMART Facilitator – Specialist Mentoring and Remote Training.
The project will trial an innovative remote mentoring and training model that connects workers and onsite supervisors with specialist trainers in real time.
It is designed to improve safety and skills development in industries that rely on mobile plant and machinery, while expanding access to expert guidance for young and less-experienced workers, particularly in regional and remote areas.
The initiative will also help support women entering traditionally male-dominated industries.
A further $15,000 has been awarded to Bindi Burnell and Kristy Noakes from the City of Charles Sturt for their project Empowered & Safe: A Personal Safety Framework for Women in Customer-Facing Local Government Roles.
The project will develop and pilot a practical, evidence-based safety program aimed at helping women working in customer-facing local government roles manage customer aggression, harassment and other psychosocial hazards.
Through tailored training, risk assessment tools and support resources, the program seeks to build confidence, improve de-escalation skills and enhance workplace safety for women, young workers and other vulnerable employees.
Designed for implementation across South Australia's 68 councils, the initiative aims to reduce the impact of customer aggression, improve psychological wellbeing and support safer workplaces throughout the local government sector.
The 2026 Augusta Zadow Awards winners were presented by the Governor of South Australia, Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson AC, at a Government House ceremony today.
First presented in 2005, the awards honour the legacy of Augusta Zadow, South Australia's first female factory inspector and a pioneer in workplace safety reform.