EHO Knows
The Podcast for
Environmental Health Officers
Hosted by Shane van de Vorstenbosch, EHO Knows takes you inside the daily life of Environmental Health Officers (EHOs). This podcast blends industry insights, practical tips, and humour to help you navigate the world of environmental health.
Whether you’re new to the field or a seasoned EHO, each episode offers valuable lessons, personal stories, and expert advice. We explore both the highs and lows of the job, showing how hindsight can lead to better practices.
Episode 1: The Salmonella Bomb
In our very first episode of EHO Knows, Shane welcomes veteran EHO Lauriston Muirhead for a fascinating look into how a single contaminated egg led to a mass food poisoning outbreak, hospitalising over 100 people.
Lauriston, takes you through the step-by-step investigation from the initial phone call to the process of tracing the outbreak’s source. He reveals how a combination of factors created the perfect storm for a devastating Salmonella outbreak.
Episode 2: Thrown in the Deep End
In this episode, Shane sits down with EHO Cameron Smith to discuss the unexpected challenge of the Lismore floods disaster.
Cameron shares his first-hand experience of waking up to find an entire city submerged, with thousands of people stranded and in desperate need of food, shelter, and medical care. As an EHO, Cameron was suddenly responsible for coordinating emergency evacuation centres, ensuring access to clean water, handling sanitation concerns, and preventing disease outbreaks.
Episode 3: Pied Piper
In episode three of EHO Knows, host Shane sits down with Environmental Health Officer Max Payne (not that one) to uncover a shocking case of a rat infestation hidden beneath a major shopping centre. What started as a single employee complaint about rodents quickly escalated into a full-scale health crisis, exposing multiple restaurants, food storage areas, and even centre management.
Max takes us deep into the underground storage areas of the centre, where he and his team discovered a colony of hundreds of rats thriving in an open-earth mound beneath the complex. This episode is a good reminder that food safety failures like this don’t just happen in small, back-alley eateries.
Episode 4: How to save the World
In a break from the usual case-based format, Shane sits down with the enthusiastic and passionate Ariana Johnson to explore what makes being an Environmental Health Officer (EHO) such a unique and rewarding career, especially for younger professionals entering the field. Ariana’s energy and enthusiasm bring a fresh perspective to the profession, making it clear why so many people find it so rewarding.
Whether you’re a current EHO, a student considering career paths, or an employer looking to attract young talent, this episode is packed with insights on keeping the industry thriving for years to come.
Episode 5: A New EHOpe
In episode five of EHO Knows, host Shane sits down with Sarah Ainsworth, President of Environmental Health Australia (NSW), for the first of a two-part discussion on the future of environmental health.
With councils increasingly under-resourced and environmental health professionals facing growing responsibilities without proper recognition this episode isn’t just about the struggles EHOs face—it’s about solutions. Sarah highlights how Environmental Health Australia is working to raise awareness, push for legislative reform, and ensure that
Episode 6: Law & Order
In episode six of EHO Knows, Shane teams up with Jason Scarborough for a deep dive into what happens when EHOs are called to testify. Jason, a regulatory expert, shares his insights on how EHOs can prepare for court, handle aggressive cross-examinations, and deliver credible, confident testimony. With real-life case studies, including one where a slam-dunk confession still resulted in a dismissed charge.
Testifying in court isn’t just about knowing the facts, it’s about presenting them confidently under scrutiny. Jason and Shane explore the reality of courtroom battles, from dealing with corporate lawyers to navigating self-represented defendants who push the boundaries of professional conduct.
Episode 7: El Presidente Strikes Back
In episode seven of EHO Knows, host Shane reunites with Sarah Ainsworth, President of Environmental Health Australia (NSW), to continue their conversation. As technology reshapes the way we work and live, how can environmental health professionals harness innovation to improve outcomes or how might they hinder them?
Sarah reflects on how EHOs can stay ahead of the curve, adapt to emerging pressures, and continue playing a vital role in protecting public health, while also pushing for the recognition and support the profession deserves.
Episode 8: Departing Waters
In this episode of EHO Knows, Shane sits down with Andrew Waters for his second episode on flood but this time taking a look at the aftermath. Listen in for a fascinating conversation about arriving at Fitzroy Crossing in the wake of devastating floods. Andrew shares what it was like to be on the ground; the challenges, the heartbreak, and the resilience of the people impacted. From the logistical hurdles to the moments of unexpected joy and hope. Shane and Andrew explore the full emotional spectrum of disaster recovery and how EHOs can make a difference long after the floodwaters recede.
Episode 9: The Future is Now
In this episode of EHO Knows, host Shane sits down with educator, advocate, and tech-savvy environmental health expert Andrew Mathieson for a deep dive into how technology is reshaping the world of Environmental Health Officers.
From the big-picture potential of AI and real-time monitoring to the everyday wins of ATP swabs and remote inspections, Andrew shares insights into the tools that are already making a difference, and the ones EHOs should be preparing for. Whether it’s reducing unnecessary travel with camera-led inspections, digitising recordkeeping for faster and smarter decision-making, or using cloud-connected devices to alert businesses before problems arise, this episode paints a compelling picture of a profession on the brink of a tech revolution.
