The Industrial Relations Society of NSW (IRSNSW) is delighted to launch its first short film, ‘Building Bridges’, which explores the origins of the Society, its membership, activities, challenges and future.

This documentary is the key outcome of an oral history project involving interviews with 12 long-serving senior members including past presidents of the society, ALERA and the International Labour and Employment Relations Association (ILERA) and former editors of the Journal of Industrial Relations.

Overseen by former Society president Jonathan Hamberger, the project used a whole-of-life oral history approach. Interviewees were asked about their involvement with the Society and industrial relations in the context of a life lived. This approach saw them talk about the early influences that led them to industrial relations, their various career experiences and the value of membership with the IRSNSW.

“This is a wonderful project and captures the unique perspectives of a number of the IRSNSW’s valued members, many of whom are now Life Members of the Society. It is refreshing to take a look back on the history of the IRSNSW and celebrate what makes the IRSNSW so valuable for our members, today. A heartfelt thank you to Jonathan Hamberger and Judy Hughes for bringing this documentary to life”  - Christa Lenard, current President of the IRSNSW.

IRSNSW extends its gratitude to ALERA for their generous grant, which contributed to the production of these videos.   

The documentary and all 12 interviews are available on the society’s new YouTube channel - (click here). It is sure to be of interest to current and potential members as well as the broader industrial relations community.

Find out more about the project and the society’s history on our new History page - (click here). For membership benefits and enquiries, please contact membership@irsnsw.org.au.