1998 AIPN Awards

A highlight of the Conference Dinner was the presentation of the second series of AIPN awards by the Network's president Pam Albany. Pam introduced her presentations by saying that "In a climate of financial austerity and perceived freedom of personal rights; measures to protect members of the community, particularly those most vulnerable, are difficult to achieve. The extraordinary efforts of many people with a concern for the safety of the community tend to go unrecognised. The AIPN awards give recognition to this endeavour in a variety of settings. The AIPN is proud to honour these contributions and assures the people of Australia that their quality of life is enhanced by the actions of this group of individuals."

And the winners were ...

Joan Ozanne-Smith from the Monash University Accident Research Centre for tenacious and long-standing commitment to the skill of turning the results of injury research into community action. Two significant achievements, among many, have been the adoption of swimming pool fencing regulations to prevent infant drowning in Victoria and the introduction of a national requirement for the sale of child resistant cigarette lighters.

Lyn Galanti and Moya White of Hume City Council for their contribution to community-based action for the prevention of injury, and the future development of the WHO Safe Community movement. As experienced safety practitioners, Lyn and Moya have influenced significant change in local attitudes and commitment to the prevention of injuries in their local community.

Jerry Moller, in recognition of his substantial contribution to the development of sound injury prevention policy and practice at national state and local levels for a period of over fifteen years. Jerry introduced the WHO Safe Communities model to Australia, initiated the development of targeted emergency surveillance, and became a professional mentor to most of Australia's leaders in the science of injury prevention.

The Metropolitan Fire and Emergency Service Board, Melbourne and Commander Terry Hunter, for long term commitment to implementing the Primary Schools Fire Safety Education Program. Incorporating an `adopt your local schools' initiative for local fire stations involves significant investment in fire safety management education and monitoring. Directly attributed to this program are the lives of at least seven Melbourne children.

Eric Wigglesworth, Executive Director of the Menzies Foundation in Victoria, for his commitment since 1962 to the development of population injury research and its utilisation in the development of public policy for the protection of the community. One substantial achievement among many was the significant reduction of deaths at railway crossings in Victoria, with the introduction of boom barriers. Dr Wigglesworth is to retire at the end of 1998.