Steve Allen to Retire: A Champion for Safety

After more than a decade of service, Steve Allen is preparing to retire from his role as EHSR Manager. His journey has been anything but conventional – marked by resilience, transformation, and a deep commitment to keeping people safe.

A career built on experience and purpose

Steve’s career in safety began unexpectedly. After a challenging departure from his role as a regional saw doctor manager, he was offered a lifeline by Mike Epp, who placed him in various project roles. One of those projects led him to work alongside a timber expert from New Zealand, earning him recognition and eventually a role as Safety Administrator at Lakeside Sawmill. From there, his passion for safety grew, and within 18 months, he was back in a regional safety role.

Throughout his career, Steve traveled extensively, gaining insights from sawmills and safety conferences across Australia. These experiences helped him bring innovative ideas back to the Jubilee site – often leapfrogging years of development by adopting proven solutions seen elsewhere.

One of the most formative moments in Steve’s safety journey came before he officially entered the field: the tragic loss of two colleagues at Lakeside. These events deeply impacted him and shaped his belief that every safety statistic represents a real person – a friend, a colleague, a family member. This perspective became a cornerstone of his approach to safety.

Steve faced many challenges, particularly the resistance to change. “This is how we’ve always done it” was a common refrain, but Steve’s persistence and ability to communicate the “why” behind safety changes helped shift mindsets over time.

Steve’s influences and relationships

In his early years, Steve was fortunate to be mentored by Dan May, former National Safety Manager at Weyerhaeuser.
“Dan was one of the most inspirational people I’ve worked with,” Steve said. “He was level-headed, committed, and never wavered when he knew something was right – even when others pushed back.”

Dan’s influence helped shape Steve’s leadership style, instilling the resilience and clarity that would guide him throughout his career.
“He taught me to stay the course and stand firm when it mattered—that shaped how I approached every challenge.”

In more recent years, Steve reflects that individuals like Paul Hartung, Mike Bloomfield, his peers, and lead team members have also been a source of inspiration – “even if they didn’t realise it at the time.”

Paul Hartung, former General Manager of the Jubilee site, shared:
“Steve has been the conscience on my shoulder for a long time. He genuinely cares about people, gives straight-up advice, and was pivotal in helping me stay on as site manager. He’s not just a colleague – he’s a good friend and a great steward for any business.”

Mike Bloomfield, Executive General Manager of OneFortyOne Wood Products Australia, added:
“Steve’s behavioural leadership and pragmatic approach have been central to our cultural transformation. He’s driven over 50 safety initiatives annually, challenges respectfully, and consistently improves project outcomes. His integrity, mentorship, and genuine care have built a strong EHSR team and made him a trusted leader across the business.”

Initiatives and achievements

Over the years, Steve led several impactful initiatives:

• OPN’s: Inspired by Alcoa’s one-page lessons, Steve introduced One Page Notifications to share safety learnings across the site.
• Supervisors Meetings: Bridging the gap between management and the floor, these meetings created a vital space for connection and information sharing.
• Crew Safety Reviews: A structured process that empowered departments to assess their safety needs and training, now embedded as part of business as usual.

One of his proudest achievements? A remarkable 81% reduction in TRIFR over 10 years. “I needed to know I was making a difference,” he said. “If I wasn’t adding value, I wouldn’t have stayed.” That graph now hangs on his wall, a testament to the impact of his work.

Steve also found joy in watching others grow, especially those he mentored. “Seeing people succeed with the knowledge you’ve helped them gain, that’s the real reward,” he said, highlighting the development of team members like Stacey Lomas. “It’s not just about technical safety. It’s about building capability and confidence.”

His career was also marked by constant learning. “You have to stay the course,” he said. “Safety is always evolving—psychosocial risks, chain of responsibility, now AI. You’ve got to stay on top of it.” He described reading legislation like a novel, driven by a desire to understand and apply it meaningfully.

Looking to the future

Steve’s reflections also touched on the bigger picture. “This mill has fed thousands of families over decades,” he said. “If we do this right, it’ll still be doing that in 20, 30, even 50 years. That’s pretty amazing.” He recalled playing sport as a child with kids whose parents worked at the mill – proof of its enduring role in the community.

As he looks ahead to retirement, Steve is looking forward to spending more time on his hobby farm, tackling long-awaited renovations, travelling, and possibly volunteering.
“I don’t have set plans yet,” he admitted, “but I know I want to give back in some way.”

He’s also eager to enjoy more time with his large family, helping out with his kids and grandkids, and giving back to his wife, Julene. Throughout his career, Julene has been his unwavering support, holding the family together during long hours and demanding roles. Her strength, patience, and quiet leadership behind the scenes have been instrumental in allowing Steve to give his all to the job.

“She’s sacrificed so much for me and our family,” Steve says. “Now it’s my turn to be there for her.”

A lasting legacy

When asked how he’d like to be remembered, Steve’s answer was simple: “I did the best I could. I gave it everything.” He hopes the programs he helped build will continue, and that the team he’s nurtured will carry the legacy forward. “If they’re still here in five or ten years, adding value and making a difference, then I’ll know I did something good.”

He also shared a heartfelt piece of advice for those starting out: “Stay the course. Learn everything you can. And remember, this job is about people. It’s an honorable career, helping others stay safe.”

From all of us –  thank you, Steve, for your unwavering commitment, your leadership, and the legacy you leave behind. You’ve made a lasting impact, and we wish you all the best in the next chapter.