Frontline responders work in some of the most high-pressure environments imaginable. The wellbeing practices that allow them to sustain performance, recover from trauma, and stay connected under pressure are hard-earned, practical, and deeply relevant to other workplaces. Too often, wellbeing strategies in organisations focus narrowly on the individual - encouraging people to “be more resilient” - rather than creating systems and cultures that are restorative, psychologically safe, and purpose-driven.

Drawing on more than 20 years as a Chaplain with NSW Ambulance, and later leading national onsite wellbeing teams in corporate settings, Paul McFarlane will share the frontline lessons that can transform workplace wellbeing beyond emergency services. These include: the power of peer support and connection; the need to value recovery, not just resilience; maintaining purpose under pressure; operational debriefing and reflection as a cultural norm; and the importance of holistic care that integrates physical, emotional, and spiritual dimensions.

Through a combination of real frontline stories and practical insights, Paul will demonstrate how these lessons can inform organisational practice across industries. Participants will be encouraged to reflect on their own workplace cultures and leadership approaches, and to consider how simple, proven strategies from the frontline can strengthen connection, shape healthier cultures, and support more sustainable leadership.

This presentation aligns with the conference theme of Advancing Frontline Mental Health through Connection, Culture, and Leadership by highlighting that wellbeing is not only about the individual, but about the systems we build around them. What sustains first responders in life-and-death situations can equally equip leaders, teams, and communities to thrive in less extreme, but still challenging, environments.