Seafood industry safety champion recognised in WA Seafood Awards
Playing a leading role in seafood safety and the development of effective safety processes over many years has seen Brett McCallum presented with the Health & Safety Award, sponsored by Sea Harvest Australia, at the 2024 Western Australian Seafood Industry Awards.
The Awards event, recognising excellence in the WA seafood industry, was held at The Esplanade Hotel in Fremantle and opened by Minister for Fisheries Hon Don Punch MLA in front of an audience of industry participants and seafood representatives.
Brett McCallum stands as a stalwart figure in the Western Australian fishing industry, with over 40 years of dedicated service shaping its landscape.
“Safety has always been my top priority,” says McCallum. “I’ve witnessed the industry evolve from its precarious safety record to one of the safest today.”
His influence spans various facets of the industry, but safety holds a special place in McCallum’s heart. “Safety education is paramount,” he emphasises. “It’s gratifying to see the positive impact our efforts have had on reducing injuries and ensuring a safer working environment at sea.”
McCallum’s commitment extends beyond rhetoric. He spearheads monthly safety updates, providing vital information on workplace legislation and soliciting industry feedback to continually enhance safety practices. As he puts it, “Ensuring the well-being of our workforce is not just a responsibility—it’s a collective commitment that defines our industry’s future.”
WA Fishing Industry Council (WAFIC) CEO, Darryl Hockey said Brett McCallum had demonstrated excellence in developing and maintaining a culture of safety that has contributed substantially towards improving the safety record of the seafood industry.
Brett McCallum is a highly experienced workplace safety advisor who has spent over 40 years working in the seafood industry and he is using this experience to improve workplace safety standards.
“As an industry body, we recognise the importance of acknowledging those individuals and organisations who make a substantial contribution to benefiting our industry, and Brett McCallum is certainly a worthy recipient of this award,” Mr Hockey concluded.
About the Awards Event
The event is supported by a number of partners including;
- Wester Rock Lobster (Gold event partner), Taylor Marine (Gold event partner), Sunderland Marine (Silver event partner), Fins Seafood (Silver event partner), as well as partners for each of the individual awards, including Aquarius Lawyers, Austral Fisheries, Baker Refrigeration, Bendotti Exporters/WA Chip, Chevron Australia, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), Endeavour Foods, Fisheries Research & Development Corporation (FRDC), Francis A Jones, MG Kailis Group, Sea Harvest Australia, Ward Packaging, Woodside Energy and Western Rock Lobster.
- Award event attendees enjoyed an array of fresh, local and sustainably caught Western Australian seafood prepared by celebrity chefs and kindly donated by sponsors including; Albany Sardines, Archipelago Octopus, Austral Fisheries, Bellbuoy Seafoods, Bowithick, Brown Dog Fishing Co, Endeavour Foods, Esperance Seafoods, Fins Seafood, Fremantle Octopus, Fremantle Seaweed, Huon, Leeuwin Coast, Lobster Shack, Ocean Wild Tuna, Paspaley, Rare Foods Australia, Sabea Fishing Co, Seafresh, Sea Harvest Australia, Shark Bay Cockles, Two Rocks Tentacles, Bendotti Exporters/WA Chip, Westmore Seafoods & Wollaston Fish & Chips all served in compostable packaging provided by Ward Packaging.
- Highly regarded “celebrity”’ seafood chefs cooked at the event including; Brad Adams (Rare Foods Australia – Producer Chef), Liam Atkinson (Le Rebelle & Bar Rogue), Damien Bell (Bellbuoy Seafoods – Producer Chef), Scott Bridger (Bib & Tucker), Steven Finch (Indigo Oscar), Neil Forbes (Black Pearl Oyster Shucking), Danny Matthews (The Seasonal Brewing Co), Leigh Nash (Norfolk Hotel), Leigh Power (Shui Subiaco), Navarre Top (Double Rainbow Eating House), Sam Vial (Wollaston Fish & Chips) and Chase Weber (Gorilla BBQ & Consultant to Kaarla Restaurant – Singapore) prepared an array of delicious food at the event.
- The event was held on Friday 3 May, 2024 at Fremantle’s Esplanade Hotel with Karl Langdon (Former West Coast Eagle and 6PR Radio presenter) who played the role of Master of Ceremonies.