Leigh Shears has been re-elected secretary of Hunter Workers, the region's union body, fighting off a rival nomination unseen since 1969.
Mr Shears has held the top job at Hunter Workers since October 2020, when he stepped up from campaign organiser to replace long-serving secretary Daniel Wallace, who resigned midway through his second term.
He was formally elected unopposed to the role in 2022 for a four-year term.
Thursday night's vote, contested for the first time since 1969, returned Mr Shears for a further term at the helm after winning, 73-43.
He said it was a great turnout for the annual meeting.
"The democratic process is something that needs to be supported and defended," he said.
"That's what was exercised at our AGM, which is fantastic. It was a massive turnout of our Hunter Workers delegates, all our unions engaged."
Mr Shears said the role came with a lot of history and responsibility.
"It's the secretary of the oldest continuous regional trades and labour council in Australia, in operation for 157 years.
"That comes with significant responsibility.
"I'm very much privileged and honoured to be elected into a third term as secretary, the eighth secretary of the Trades Hall in our history."
Mr Shears said he was focused on ensuring Hunter workers got the best deal.
"It's about really getting in, ensuring that Hunter Workers are at every table possible in the decision-making around the transition from our traditional power assets and ensuring those workers, communities and families have a say," he said.
"Without us, you're only seeing half the picture, you're missing half the opportunities.
"Our unions have been finding solutions for the struggle of working people for nearly 200 years, 157 years here in the Hunter with the Trades Hall.
"Working people at the table are best placed to understand not only what the transition means and the challenges it puts in front of us, but the opportunities that are there as well."
Mr Shears was challenged by Ange Moore, of the Maritime Union of Australia's Newcastle branch.
Ms Moore has worked variously as a ship's cook in the Royal Australian Navy, taking her as far as the Persian Gulf and Antarctica and, more recently, as a wharfie in Newcastle.
She is a policy analyst examining opportunities for maritime workers in the decommissioning of offshore oil and gas rigs.
In her national role she has been a prominent advocate for lifting women's employment in the maritime sector and has represented the MUA at industry and international forums, including events focused on First Nations and women workers.
Ms Moore said while she chose to stand against Mr Shears, he had her full support.
"It is always good to have some fresh ideas out there," she said.
"Yes, I stepped up and challenged, but I'm here to support Leigh in his capacity as secretary.
"In the union movement, when you think you can do a better job or show a different perspective, that's the moment to do that, and then, of course, you work closely with them once again moving forward.
"Democracy is a wonderful thing. We need to exercise it.
Ms Moore said the future brought a lot of opportunity but plenty of challenges for workers and the wider union movement in the region.
"What we're going to see is re-industrialisation of the Hunter, which is exciting," she said.
"But coming from my perspective as a woman in male-dominated industries, I'd hope we don't repeat the mistakes of the past.
"We need to have a more inclusive workforce and labour force, and there's ways to do that.
"We need to start talking to girls about their career options and not wait, getting that genuine and authentic engagement with the unions and the community."
A boilermaker by trade and a member of the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union, Mr Shears moved to the Hunter from the Illawarra before taking on the organiser's role that put him on the path to the secretary's job.
Hunter Workers is the trading name of what was the Newcastle Trades Hall Council, rebranded in 2015, and describes itself as the oldest continuous regional trades and labour council in Australia.
It represents dozens of affiliated unions across the Hunter, covering more than 64000 workers in industries including mining, manufacturing, power generation, health and education.
