IRS Newcastle Life Members.

Life Members are recognised in the Life Membership Policy following significant contribution to the IRS Newcastle Branch and to IR in Newcastle.

The current Life Members are:

BILL HOPKINS

First committee chair and Branch Secretary of the Iron Workers Federation

DUNCAN MACDONALD

Sat on the first committee and was a professor at the University of Newcastle

BRIAN COGAN (deceased)

Sat on the first committee and was a journalist at the Newcastle Herald. Branch Secretary 1978-1990.

BILL MIERENDORFF (deceased)

Sat on the first committee and was the Newcastle Secretary of Chamber of Manufacturers

ROD HARRISON

Awarded in 2017, Rod held the positions of Deputy President of NSW IRC and Deputy President of FWC. He played a central role in the Hunter Model, which delivered more than $15billion in coal chain infrastructure and other works, completed ahead of schedule and under budget with no lost time due to industrial disputes and an exemplary safety record. Rod was instrumental in the introduction of collaborative industrial relations and interest-based bargaining in the NSW Power Industry and NSW Local Government.

BARBARA NEBART

Barbara’s contribution to our branch has been through her dedication, passion and  leadership in the Union movement.

• Barbara joined the Shop Distributive and Allied Employees Association on 10 August 1984 as a union delegate working for Goldsmiths Store in Newcastle.
• In August 1986 Barbara was elected a committee member of the NSW State committee
• On 13 June 1988 she became employed by the union as an Organiser in the Newcastle and northern branch office.
• From July 1996 until July 2000 Barbara worked as an Industrial Officer frequently representing members and union interests in the New South Wales Industrial Relations Commission
• From July 2000 to July 2005 she was the assistant secretary of the local branch.
• With the retirement of Mr Geoff Williams, the then Branch Secretary  – Barbara was elected to the position of Branch Secretary, which she held for 18 years until her retirement at the end of 2023. Barbara also held the additional role of National Vice President of the SDA since October 2018
• Barbara’s has been an active and influential member of the society throughout, she has been as a guest speaker and presenter on several topics of interest to the branch and a most generous sponsor of our important events and occasions.
• Barbara is our first female life member.

RALPH WARREN

Ralph’s contribution to our branch has been many and varied including as our resident subject matter expert on matters legal, as a Lawyer and Barrister, Ralph represented both employers and employee interests across the spectrum of employment law.

• Ralph was educated at Narrabeen Boys High school and then later at Macquarie University
• His earlier career was in personnel and industrial relations with the Nestlé Co.
• This experience then took him to the Employers Federation of New South Wales (as it was then known) as a very capable Industrial Advocate. In due course this led into be the Executive Director of the South Australian Employers Federation.
• Exhibiting extraordinary legal talent Ralph was admitted to the New South Wales Bar as a barrister in 1985 with chambers in both Newcastle and Sydney.
• For almost as long as he has been a legal practitioner has been a willing and generous contributor as a presenter, speaker and convener of many events over many years promoting the work of the Newcastle Branch, he has always been our “go to “person and problem solver.

PETER MACPHERSON

Peter’s contribution to our branch has been through his passion wisdom and humour. Peter is a committed and passionate advocate for a fair go.

• Born and bred in Maitland and educated at Maitland Marist Bros.
• Peter left school and obtained an apprenticeship with the then Hunter Valley County Council.
• He involved himself in the work of the Electrical Trades Union and in due course became an organiser where he commenced a lifelong and tireless advocacy particularly for members. His considerable skill and energetic commitment in the trade union movement was recognised in his later position as assistant secretary in Newcastle Trades Hall - later Hunter Unions
• Peter’s robust and plain-speaking views and insight into the betterment of working conditions and the promotion of sustainable jobs promotion on significant local projects and infrastructure has contributed greatly to the economic prosperity of our region.
• Peter’s many years of membership and particularly work as a committee member has provided invaluable contributions to the success of many branch workshops and particularly annual conferences and ability to obtain a vast array of guest speakers and presenters.
• Peter is one of those who “got it “ - that good workplace relations is about relationships.
• Peter contributed greatly to the society; he has the ability to engage with all participants in a constructive manner.
• Peter played a leading role in development of the Hunter Model of collaborative Industrial Relations - New Directions to some,  Mutual Gains to others.
• Peter lived the society values of Communication, Consultation, Co-Operation and applied them at large.
• Peter also possesses the skills and tenacity to accommodate any parties that preferred a traditional adversarial relationship in a professional manner upholding the society’s principles of open discussion of alternative views. 

Life Membership Policy