Eugenie Stragalinos has been appointed director and board chair, and Vicki Scott will take up the position of executive officer.
The DGV board has welcomed the pair aboard, highlighting their governance, advocacy, strategy development, marketing and partnership-building skills.
Ms Stragalinos is founder and principal of EMS Consulting and Goulburn Murray Credit Union board chair, while Ms Scott has been described as a respected community leader.
The board also expressed gratitude to Alice Tallis, the previous interim chair, and Cheryl Hammer, the former executive officer, for their contributions.
The high cost of falls at work
WorkSafe has called on employers to address workplace fall hazards after 41 workers died and 7395 workers were seriously injured in workplace falls in the past five years.
The workplace health and safety regulator said in the Hume region alone, since 2018, 408 claims from workers seriously injured in falls had been accepted.
The Hume region takes in the Alpine, Benalla, Indigo, Mansfield, Mitchell, Moira, Murrundindi, Shepparton, Strathbogie, Towong, Wangaratta and Wodonga local government areas.
That figure includes 21 claims since the start of 2023.
“No-one ever thinks that they will fall, but when it happens, it happens in just seconds — and the consequences can last a lifetime,” WorkSafe executive director health and safety Narelle Beer said.
Campaign to reduce workers’ compensation stigma
Safe Work Australia has launched a new awareness campaign about the stigma associated with workers’ compensation and what can be done to reduce it.
Research found that one in three workers thought they would be treated differently by people at work if they knew about their injury or illness, and one in five workers were worried about stigma associated with being on workers’ compensation.
“One of the most important factors contributing to a worker’s recovery and safe return to work is whether they have a supportive and inclusive work environment,” Safe Work Australia chief executive Michelle Baxter said.
To find out more about the campaign and download the resources, go to swa.gov.au/workerscompensationstigma