Event Details
Time: 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Date: 22 September 2026
Venue: RFDS SANT | 1 Tower Rd, Adelaide Airport SA 5950, Australia
Registration Fee: FREE
CPD Points: 3 points
About the Event
Join the RMIA SA/NT Chapter for a practical look at how risk management principles are applied in high-reliability aviation environments, where safety, assurance and operational decision-making are critical.
Anthony Gibara, Executive General Manager Aviation at RFDS SA/NT, will explore how a mature Safety Management System supports effective risk management in complex operational settings. Drawing on the ICAO pillars of safety, Anthony will discuss how safety policy and objectives, safety risk management, safety assurance and safety promotion work together to identify hazards, manage uncertainty and support informed decision-making.
Brett Eaton, Head of Airside Operations at Adelaide Airport, will complement this perspective with a real-world case study on the displacement of a runway threshold. Through this example, Brett will demonstrate how risk assessments evolved as new information emerged, how controls were adapted throughout the project, and how near misses created valuable opportunities for learning and improvement.
Together, these presentations will connect risk management theory with practical application, offering insights into governance, assurance, continuous improvement and operational decision-making in high-reliability environments.
The evening will also include an exclusive tour of the RFDS SA/NT hangar facilities, giving attendees a behind-the-scenes look at one of Australia’s most complex and safety-critical aviation operations. Attendees will also have the opportunity to network with fellow risk, safety and aviation professionals and build connections across the risk management community.
The Speakers
Anthony Gibara
Executive General Manager Aviation, RFDS SA/NT
Anthony Gibara is the Executive General Manager, Aviation at the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) SA/NT, leading the aviation operations that support around-the-clock aeromedical and healthcare services across South Australia and the Northern Territory. A commercial pilot with a postgraduate degree in Aviation Management from the University of New South Wales, Anthony has extensive experience in aviation safety, human factors, fatigue risk management and operational leadership.
Prior to joining RFDS, Anthony held senior safety and human factors leadership roles with Regional Express (Rex), where he contributed to safety, compliance and operational risk management initiatives across the airline's national network.
Recognised for his commitment to aviation safety and operational excellence, Anthony was named a finalist in the Executive of the Year category at the 2026 Australian Aviation Awards. He is passionate about building strong safety cultures and helping organisations translate safety and risk management principles into practical, operational outcomes
Brett Eaton
Head of Airside Operations, Adelaide Airport
Parking
Please feel free to park in any unreserved car park space at the Adelaide base. If there are no parks available at the base, then the Harbour Town car park is only a short walk away.
Footwear
Ensure you are wearing closed-toe shoes for the hangar tour.