Our Board of Directors are directly accountable to all customers as owners of bankmecu.
bankmecu customers elect Directors to the Board. From time to time the Board may also appoint independent Directors who bring specific specialist knowledge, skills and experience to the Board when Directors believe this will assist the Board best meet its responsibilities.
John Baistow
Key achievements as a Director which have benefited customers
Taking a lead role in delivering our strategic mergers, from Sirocredit to Members Australia to bankmecu, which have given us the scale and scope to improve the services and products we provide to our expanded customer base and communities. Our customer value proposition is now one of the best in Australia and a distinct improvement over the major banks.
What I enjoy about being a bankmecu Director
Integrating the big picture issues for our customer owned bank with the service we provide to our customers. Our Directors are proactive in positioning bankmecu within the financial sector to differentiate us as Australia’s first customer owned bank whilst at the same time, improving our service efficiency. This provides our springboard to effectiveness - using our financial strength and brand to provide customer benefits.
Professional background
I have been involved with the Board of bankmecu and its predecessors for over 20 years, and was appointed as Chairman in 2011. Most of my executive career was with CSIRO where I was a Senior Executive and have served as a Director of Cuscal Limited, the major wholesale service provider to Australian credit unions, for three terms and as Chair of the Credit Union Foundation of Australia for two terms.
What I enjoy in life
I like being busy. Along with our family of four children and my work with bankmecu, I make time to keep fit and participate in sport. I am an enthusiastic golfer and enjoy supporting our childrens sporting endeavours as well as the Sydney Swans.
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Helen Clarke
Key achievements as a Director which have benefited customers
In 2003 following the merger between Education Credit Union and Members Australia I was appointed to the bankmecu Board and was subsequently elected by customers. In 2006 I was appointed as Deputy Chair. I have worked with the Board, management and staff to develop a successful regional and national organisation while remaining true to our mutual principals. bankmecu has developed into a leading organisation in the field of financial services, sustainable development and social responsibility.
What I enjoy about being a bankmecu Director
I enjoy being part of a team responsible for developing strategy for the delivery of outstanding and innovative financial services to our customers. bankmecu is a leader in sustainability reporting which means we measure our contribution to our customers and staff as well as our environmental footprint. I enjoy the stewardship role of being a director especially given the rich history of our organisation.
Professional background
I have worked in the public sector in various positions - originally a teacher I have worked in education as a curriculum consultant and policy adviser. My current role is a senior manager with the Victorian Department of Education and Early Childhood Development. Previous roles include public health, health promotion and governance in the public sector.
What I enjoy in life
My interests are broad and include travel, gardening and cooking, reading, public affairs, pets and sport, including partaking in the occasional game of tennis and golf.
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Peter Ford
Key achievements as a director which have benefited customers
I have been involved with credit unions and member organisations most of my working life, having been first elected to the Ed Credit Board in 1984. I resigned in 1991 to work for the peak body, the Victorian Credit Co-operatives Association, which later became a national body, Credit Union Services Corporation [Australia] Ltd (CUSCAL). As Regional General Manager I got the opportunity to work with credit unions throughout SA, WA, TAS, and Victoria, helping them with their strategic planning, regulatory and legislative issues.
What I enjoy about being a bankmecu director
I have a strong, personal commitment to co-operative principles and believe that customer owned banks are still our best kept secret! I have had a close involvement in our Sustainability program and am delighted by the success of our initiatives which really define our responsible banking difference.
Professional Background
Prior to this, I spent 10 years with the Victorian Secondary Teachers Association, the last few as Acting Secretary, having spent the previous 10 years as a state school secondary teacher. I am also currently Chairman of the Victorian Consumer Credit Fund Ministerial Advisory Committee.
What I enjoy in life
Living in the Dandenongs, I am an avid gardener, voracious reader, barrack for the Swans, play some really bad golf and like nothing better than a day in the Yarra Valley. I am married to Amanda and have two adult children, Alana and Patrick, a blue roan cocker spaniel and am thoroughly enjoying our four young grandsons who have added a whole new dimension to our life.
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Peter Taylor
Key achievements as a director which have benefited customers
I first joined the SEC Credit Union in 1974 (later known as Enterprise Credit Union) and for a number of years was a member of the Audit Supervisory Committee. I was elected to the Board in 1991.
I have been a bankmecu Director since its inception and was previously a Director of Members Australia Credit Union, and Chairman and Director of Enterprise Credit Union. I played a pivotal role in the merger to create Members Australia Credit Union and the more recent merger with Education Credit Union to form bankmecu.
What I enjoy about being a bankmecu director
The challenges associated with the mergers and working with management to achieve successful outcomes has been exciting and rewarding.
I have enjoyed my involvement in the development of policies and strategies for growth and service to customers. Areas of particular interest are Corporate Governance and Audit & Risk Management.
Professional background
I joined the State Electricity Commission of Victoria (SECV) in 1963 and gained experience in a broad range of multi-functional activities focusing mainly on Finance and Audit.
With the break-up of the SECV I accepted redundancy in 1990 after 28 years, having reached the position of Principal Auditor, Internal Audit Department.
During the period with the SECV, I studied part-time and completed studies in Accountancy, a Company Secretaries course and an Economics degree.
After leaving the SECV, I established my own company, providing Contract Administration audits to major corporates.
What I enjoy in life
My wife, Joy and I have four children who have all completed tertiary studies. Music has been a large part of my life, and as a French Hornist, I have travelled to many countries performing in some of Europe's famous Cathedrals and concert halls.
I am currently President and Principal French Hornist of the Heidelberg Symphony Orchestra. Heidelberg Symphony is widely recognised as one of Melbourne's most acclaimed, non-professional orchestras and in recent years, I have been involved in the organisation of two European tours.
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Greg Camm
Bio
Greg is currently Chief Executive Officer of Superpartners Ltd, Australia’s largest superannuation administrator, which is owned by five major not-for-profit Industry Super Funds. It administers around $100Bn in funds, and has 2000 employees Australia wide.
Greg started his career in the credit union movement, at PTTA (Vic) Credit Co-op – which later became Telecom Credit Union. From there, he moved to the Victorian Credit Co-op Association. He later served as a Director, and Chairman, of Waverley Credit Union.
After leaving the credit union movement, he worked in mortgage insurance and securitisation, before joining the ANZ Banking Group in 1989.
Greg was with ANZ for 16 years. His roles included General Manager, CEO’s Office, Managing Director of the Mortgage Division, Managing Director of ANZ New Zealand, and Managing Director of Australian Retail Banking.
Greg returned to New Zealand as Managing Director of AMP Financial Services (New Zealand) in 2005.
Greg holds an MBA from the University of Melbourne and a Bachelor of Business from Monash University. He is a Trustee of the Australian Cancer Research Foundation.
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Judith Downes
Bio
Judith is currently an honorary visiting fellow at the University of Melbourne, Centre for Accounting & Industry Partnerships.
Judith's most recent position was Chief Financial Officer, Alumina Limited where she was responsible for finance, accounting, treasury, investor relations and taxation.
Judith has extensive financial experience gained during her career at Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited, and prior to that in public accounting. Prior to joining Alumina Limited in 2009, Judith was the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer, Institutional Division, Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited (ANZ) and Group General Manager Finance of ANZ. She joined ANZ Bank Group in 1996.
Judith is a member of the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) Advisory Council of International Accounting Standards Board. Judith is also a member of G100 Executive (Australia). She is a past Director of ING Australia and member of the Audit and Risk Management Committees, past member Australian Accounting Standards Board and Australian Urgent Issues Group and a past Director of Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute.
Judith holds a Graduate Diploma of Business (Accounting), a Diploma of Education and a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) from Monash University.
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Melissa Bastian
Bio
Melissa has a diverse background in the health, insurance and legal industries. She has held a variety of senior roles and is experienced in managing teams and stakeholders in both the private and public sectors. Until recently Melissa was a member of the senior management team at the Australian Securities and Investments Commission in Traralgon where she was responsible for registry compliance, partner relationships and access to public information.
Melissa calls a small cattle farm in Gippsland home and enjoys nothing more than spending time with her husband David and three year old daughter Isabelle.
She is a Director of Latrobe Community Health Service and a volunteer speaker on organ donation for DonateLife.
Melissa holds a Bachelor of Laws with Honours from the University of Adelaide, Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice from the Law Society of South Australia, Bachelor of Business (Management) from Monash University, is a former State Registered Nurse having trained at the Royal Melbourne Hospital, Graduate of 2011 Gippsland Community Leadership Program and a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors course.
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Managing Director - Damien Walsh
Damien was appointed to Managing Director effective 1 September 2011 after serving as General Manager of Corporate Services for 8 years and also holding the position of Company Secretary. Damien has a total of 23 years experience in the mutual banking sector.
Damien is a Fellow of CPA Australia, a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and holds a Business Degree and a Masters in Business Administration.
Damien has worked primarily in the financial services sector having spent time in Enterprise, Esso Employees, Outlook and Members Australia Credit Unions.
Damien is responsible for and manages bankmecu's group operations and Human Resources. Damien works with the Board in setting group strategy, monitoring group performance and budget, and in ensuring all prudential, legal and compliance matters for bankmecu are properly adhered to.
During his time with bankmecu Damien has been instrumental in shaping bankmecu's response to sustainable development, a highlight was presenting at the 2005 UNEP FI Global Roundtable at the United Nations, New York.
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