IRS NEWCASTLE

About the Newcastle Branch

The Newcastle Branch’s values are the three C’s – Communication, Cooperation and Consultation.

The Industrial Relations Society was founded in 1958 with the intention of organising, fostering discussion and promoting research and education within the area of IR. The Newcastle Branch was formally inaugurated on 17 February 1978, some twenty years following the foundation of the state branch.

The Newcastle branch was established in response to regional pressures on the NSW branch following a group of Newcastle and Hunter members persuading them to establish a local branch to encourage greater cooperation and dialogue amongst the various groups in the region.

Central to the early effort was Maurie Finnegan, Newcastle Branch Secretary of the Federated Ironworkers’ Association. Following Maurie’s passing in 1975, Bill Hopkins continued to persuade the members of the committee of NSW Branch. Bill Hopkins was the first Chairperson of the Newcastle Branch, and the committee included members:

• Warwick Johnston (NSW Department of Labour and Industry)
• Rex Hugo (Metal Trades Industry Association)
• Bill Mierendorff (Chamber of Manufacturers)
• Allan Brown (Solicitor)
• Duncan Macdonald (University of Newcastle)
• John Hayes (BHP Steelworks)
• John Varnum (Transport Workers Union)
• Brian Cogan (Newcastle Herald)

The first committee meeting was held on 17 February 1978 in the conference room of the Ironworkers Building at Mayfield (now home to the Australian Workers Union). The first Annual General Meeting was held in September 1978. The branch was instrumental in the establishment of the Industrial Relations Commission of NSW in Newcastle in 1987.