AHRI WA
State President Quarterly Message

Dear AHRI WA members, 

Welcome to the latest update from AHRI VIC State Council. 

Congratulations to our newly HR Certified practitioners from last quarter! Scroll down to see the full list.

Introducing your new AHRI WA Council representatives

Thank you to all who participated in the AHRI State Council nominations and election earlier this year. Your enthusiasm and active involvement continue to make a meaningful difference to the work of our State Council.

With new Council members stepping into their roles from 1 July, I am pleased to introduce your new Council representatives:

• Ashley Carthy FCPHR
• Nicholas Rodgers CPHR
• Noor Talpur CPHR
• Kassy Taylor-Burch CPHR
• Corrina Tolomei CPHR
• Nicola Veal CPHR.

I would also like to extend my sincere appreciation to our outgoing Council members, Solvita Bleiere FCPHR and Carrie Puzzar CPHR, for the knowledge, time, and energy they have so generously contributed. Solvita and Carrie have both been a strong, consistent presence on Council, providing thoughtful counsel and a high level of commitment across their contribution. Carrie’s contribution as our regional Council representative has been particularly valuable in keeping perspectives from outside the metro area at the table when decisions are made, which isaw her recently recognised as the inaugural AHRI WA 2025 Volunteer of the Year.

In further Council updates, it is my pleasure to announce that fellow Council member Lucy Harding Williamson MAHRI has been elected State President. As my term concludes on 30 June, I would like to reflect on the privilege of leading the Council over the past six years. Those six years have flown, though looking back, Council has covered considerable ground in that time. Together we’ve grown WA membership to its highest level, grown our State Conference into an event that gets stronger each year, and delivered a consistent program of network events alongside significant input into the national HR agenda. I joined to contribute, and the experience has given just as much back. Being part of a professional community that genuinely has its members’ and the profession’s interests at heart has meant a great deal, and many of the relationships built across these six years will stay with me well past my role. I look forward to supporting Lucy and the Council as they transition into this next chapter.

Wrap-up of the AHRI WA Conference 2026

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us last week at the AHRI WA Conference 2026, themed HR Leading Through Change: Focus. Foundation. Fusion.

More than 350 HR professionals came together to explore how HR leaders can confidently respond to rapid change while strengthening the fundamentals that enable sustainable performance. Across the day, participants gained practical insights into navigating uncertainty, building resilient people strategies, and aligning HR priorities with evolving business needs.

It was also a valuable opportunity to connect with peers, exchange ideas, and strengthen professional networks within WA’s HR community. We look forward to seeing you at our future events.

Join our Celebration Webinar – International HR Day

Celebrate this year’s International HR Day on 20 May with a powerful webinar: HR as Architects of the Future of Work.

This webinar will explore how leaders are redefining their role in an era shaped by AI, workforce transformation, and growing regulatory complexity. We’ll look at how HR is moving from the sidelines to the centre of business strategy, and what that means for all of us in practice. Gain fresh insights, spark new ideas and celebrate the heart of every workplace.

Register for free today – join HR leaders and practitioners nationwide online at 12pm AEST on 20 May.

Our special Adelaide Celebration event at the Credit Union Building will brings together SA’s HR community to connect, reflect and celebrate the impact of our profession. Be sure to register – we are looking forward to seeing many of you there.

Registrations now open – National Convention & Exhibition 2026

Get ready for AHRI’s National Convention & Exhibition 2026 – where bold leadership and unwavering courage take centre stage. Returning to Brisbane from 4-6 August, I Am HR, Hear Me ROAR brings together global thought leaders, bold ideas and practical insights for HR professionals ready to make an impact.

Early bird registrations are now open, with AHRI members able to save up to $1,391 compared to a non-member on a 3-day pass, offering substantial value for members who attend.

Secure your early bird ticket now.

Thank you for your continued support of AHRI and the HR profession