Newcastle Branch | Annual Conference

IRS Newcastle Branch

Annual Conference

Date: Friday 30 October 2026

Time: 8.45am - 4.15pm

Venue: Belmont 16 Footers

Resilience in a Changing World: AI, Well-being and regional transformation in a Changing World

Resilience is an increasingly important concern for employers, leaders, and workers facing uncertain environments. It refers to the capacity of individuals, teams, and organisations to adapt, recover, and thrive in the face of disruption. In the Hunter region and Newcastle, resilience is particularly relevant as workplaces navigate economic restructuring, workforce transformation, and the transition to net zero, and the impacts of recent crises.

Perspectives on resilience vary. While some view it as an individual capability, others emphasise the role of workplace conditions, leadership, organisational culture, and support systems. These perspectives raise important questions about worker well-being, fairness and rights, and employer responsibilities in fostering resilient workplaces.

As organisations respond to disruption and uncertainty, developing adaptive capacities that support recovery, learning, and sustainable performance is essential (Norris et al., 2008). This conference provides a forum for exploring resilience in the context of industrial relations, organisational change, individual worker well-being, and regional transformation.

INTRODUCING OUR KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

Peter Baines OAM, Leadership and Resilience Keynote Speaker

Leadership Matters

Peter Baines OAM is one of Australia's most respected leadership experts — not through theory, but through lived experience at the sharp end of some of the world's most challenging environments.

Over a 22-year career with the NSW Police, Peter led teams in response to acts of terrorism and natural disaster on a global scale. He was part of the leadership response to the 2002 Bali bombings and went on to lead international teams following the Boxing Day Tsunami of 2004, heading multiple rotations into Thailand to identify those who lost their lives.

Read more about Peter Baines here..

Kara Bombell, Co-Founder of EthicAI

Kara Bombell is a strategic operations leader, AI ethics advocate, and passionate change agent with over 15 years of experience transforming businesses from the inside out. As the founder of EthicAi, she brings a rare blend of commercial acumen, human-centred leadership, and technical insight to help businesses navigate the future of work responsibly.

Throughout her career, Kara has held senior executive roles across leading digital and creative agencies, including Chief Operations Officer at Digitas and Executive Director of Operations at Isobar. She’s led large-scale transformation initiatives, implemented enterprise-wide automation systems, built high-performing teams across multiple countries, improved profit margins and delivery efficiency, all while championing ethical leadership and inclusive culture.

Kara’s passion lies in making complexity simple, designing systems that scale, and embedding AI and automation in ways that serve both business goals and the greater good. She holds formal qualifications in Artificial Intelligence and Business Strategy from MIT Sloan, and in Ethics of AI from the London School of Economics reinforcing her commitment to technology that empowers people.

Kristy Bagnall, Head of People Operations at NGM Group

Kristy Bagnall spent 15 years at the Greater Bank before moving into Head of People Operations at NGM Group, the joint merger between the Greater Bank and Newcastle Permanent Building Society. Her roles include Employee Relations Advisor, HR Business Partner, HR Manager and Head of Human Resources. With a Bachelor of Business and an MBA, Kristy builds strong leadership in the HR and People fields. 

Vice President Mark Gibian SC, Fair Work Commission 

Vice President Mark Gibian SC has been serving as the Vice President of the Fair Work Commission since his appointment in June 2024. Prior to this role, he was a barrister at HB Higgins Chambers in Sydney, commencing his practice in 2002 and being appointed Senior Counsel in 2018.

His principal areas of practice include industrial and employment law, administrative law and judicial review, migration and refugee law, human rights and discrimination law and disciplinary proceedings.

Mr Gibian SC was a lecturer in industrial law at the University of Sydney from 2005 to 2018 and a lecturer in employment law at the University of New South Wales from 2005 to 2007. He was also a member of the New South Wales Bar Association’s Industrial, Employment, Health and Safety Committee from 2018 until 2020. Mr Gibian SC has a Bachelor of Laws (First Class Honours) and a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) from the University of Sydney.

Seth Pathiyil, Origin Energy and previously AGL Energy

Leading Through Uncertainty — How do you keep a team performing and engaged when the future is unclear, and the stakes are high?

Seth has nearly three decades of experience leading complex operations across the energy, oil and gas, and industrial sectors — in Australia and internationally.

At AGL Energy, Seth led Liddell Power Station through its closure — one of Australia's most significant energy transition moments — delivering strong safety and environmental outcomes while supporting employees through a transition that was planned, respectful, and humane. As Head of the Hunter Energy Hub and Chair of its Diversity and Inclusion Committee, he played a central role in shaping what regional energy transition can look like when it's done with genuine care for people and community.

Seth is known for operational excellence, safety leadership, and building teams that perform under pressure. He recently joined Origin Energy, where he is focused on safe and reliable plant performance and helping to write the next chapter for the Eraring site.

Panel Discussion with the Fair Work Commission's Deputy President Saunders and Commissioner Crawford - "Adaptation and approach to resolving disputes in light of the expansion of individual claims, and AI-assisted self-represented applicants"

Deputy President Tony Saunders, Fair Work Commission

DP Saunders was appointed to Commissioner in 2015 and has held the Deputy President position since December 2018. Prior to the FWC, he was a Barrister specialising in workplace relations litigation including employment claims, industrial disputes, discrimination and work health and safety. DP Saunders was admitted as a solicitor in 1998 and was later rated in Doyle’s Guide to the Legal Profession as a leading employment and workplace relations barrister.

Commissioner Stephen Crawford, Fair Work Commission

Commissioner Crawford joined the Fair Work Commission in 2023. Prior to his appointment, he was the Assistant National Secretary and Senior National Legal Officer of the Australian Workers’ Union national office. Commissioner Crawford has been Principal at Crawford de Carne Lawyers and Legal Officer with the Australian Workers’ Union Greater NSW Branch. He has a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Newcastle.

Additional speakers to be announced...

For any enquiries, please email newcastle@irsnsw.org.au

*Booking terms and conditions apply