For The Honourable Dr Nicholas Blain (BEc Hons ‘65, MEc ‘67), The University of Western Australia is not only his alma mater but the place where his journey of leadership, service, and lifelong learning was inspired. From his formative undergraduate years in the-then Faculty of Economics and Commerce, to his return as a lecturer in industrial relations and in his subsequent career, UWA has been central to both his professional and personal life, being also where he met his wife, Danielle Blain AM, then a fellow student.
During his time as a student, Dr Blain was active in university life, becoming President of Societies Council, Guild Treasurer and the leader of an Australian Overseas Student Travel Scheme delegation of graduate students to Japan. With UWA as his springboard, he went on to attain a PhD in Industrial Relations at the London School of Economics and Political Science.
Now, through the establishment of the A.N.J Blain Scholarship, Dr Blain is giving back to the institution that shaped him, ensuring that future generations of students can follow in his footsteps and become capable and ethical leaders in the fields of human resources and employment relations.
Dr Blain’s belief in the power of education is deeply personal. “I’ve always believed education is transformative” he said. “UWA opened doors for me. I want to do the same for others – to reduce barriers and empower the next generation to lead with distinction and integrity.”
That vision is now a reality. The first of its kind in UWA’s Master of Human Resources and Employment Relations program, the A.N.J Blain Scholarship will support students who are passionate about creating more productive, fairer and more inclusive workplaces. It reflects his lifelong commitment to academic excellence, opportunity and equity.
While Dr Blain’s impact has extended far beyond campus, including key roles as Presidential Member of the Australian Industrial Relations Commission and as chief adviser to WA’s Minister for Labour Relations, it is his time at UWA that laid a strong foundation for his accomplishments.
As a student and academic, UWA nurtured his curiosity and instilled the values that would underpin his distinguished career. During his time as a senior lecturer, Dr Blain helped to establish UWA’s innovative Master of Industrial Relations, the first such degree in Australia and the precursor of the current Master of Human Resources and Employment Relations.
His return to the University as a donor is a full-circle moment; a tangible expression of gratitude and a powerful investment in UWA’s future.
In 2025, the first recipient of the A.N.J Blain Scholarship will be announced. For students entering the fields of human resources and employment relations, this support is more than financial; it fuels ambitions.
The inaugural scholarship recipient has shared, “My dream is to shape a world connected by fair policies, improving conditions for underpaid workers while supporting business growth. Thanks to Dr Nicholas Blain, I am one step closer to achieving this.”
Through this scholarship, Dr Blain exemplifies how great mentors help to open doors, lift others up and light the way forward. In giving back to the University, he is investing in a future where opportunity, performance, leadership and fairness thrive.
The A.N.J Blain Scholarship is more than a gift, it’s a lasting legacy that will shape the UWA community, transforming lives and workplaces for generations to come.