Our Board of Directors are directly accountable to all members as owners of mecu .
mecu members 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 members: Our strategic mergers, from Sirocredit to Members Australia to mecu , have given us scale and scope to improve the services and products we provide to our expanded membership and communities. Our member value proposition is now one of the best in Australia and a distinct improvement over the major banks.
What I enjoy about being an mecu Director:
Integrating the big picture issues for our credit union with the service we provide to our members. Our Directors are proactive in positioning mecu within the financial sector to differentiate us whilst at the same time, improving our efficiency. This provides our springboard to effectiveness - using our financial strength and brand to provide member benefits.
Professional background:
I am a company Director and have been involved with the Board of mecu and its predecessors for 18 years. I am also a Director of Cuscal Limited, the major wholesale service provider to Australian credit unions, and Chair of the Credit Union Foundation of Australia.
What I enjoy in life:
I like being busy. With our family of four children and my work with mecu , Cuscal and CUFA, I try to make time to keep fit and participate in sport. I am a jogger, 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 members:
In 2003 following the merger between Education Credit Union and Members Australia I was appointed to the mecu Board and was subsequently elected by the membership. 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. mecu has developed into a leading organisation in the field of financial services, sustainable development and social responsibility.
What I enjoy about being a mecu Director:
I enjoy being part of a team responsible for developing strategy for the delivery of outstanding and innovative financial services to our members. mecu is a leader in sustainability reporting which means we measure our contribution to our members 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 Crocker
Key achievements as a director which have benefited members:
In 2002, I was a member of the joint working party that negotiated the merger of Ed Credit and Members Australia, having been a member of the Ed Credit Board for the previous 18 years. The merger took place in January 2003 and I was appointed to the Board of mecu Limited by vote of the outgoing Ed Credit Board. I was elected to the mecu Board by vote of the members in 2003 and appointed as Chairman in 2005.
What I enjoy about being an mecu director:
I enjoy being part of a growing national organisation that is a leader in providing products and services to our members. I enjoy the responsibility of governance and the challenge and stimulation of achieving success through strategic planning and teamwork.
Professional Background:
My background includes engineering, technical teaching, teacher unions, industrial relations, administrative positions in school and TAFE systems and education and training consultancy.
What I enjoy in life:
My interests outside of the Board include family, music, restoring furniture, exercise, travel and equine pursuits.
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Peter Ford
Key achievements as a director which have benefited members:
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 an mecu director:
I have a strong, personal commitment to co-operative principles and believe that credit unions are still our best kept secret!
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.
What I enjoy in life:
These days I run an internet wine advisory and represent the credit union industry as a director of the Credit Union Dispute Resolution Centre. I am also a member of the Consumer Credit Fund Advisory Committee.
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, and an old golden cocker, Jack, all of whom make my life so much better!
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Des Russell
Key achievements as a director which have benefited members:
Thirty years ago I was one of a group of teachers who founded Ed Credit. I knew little about credit unions but became involved because I was Assistant Treasurer of a teachers union. I saw that this mutual organisation could provide real benefits to members, including service, competitive interest and fees.
Ed Credit achieved a strong reputation in these areas. mecu can do even better because of its size, profitability and efficiencies.
What I enjoy about being an mecu director:
We have developed a reputation for as a leader in sustainability reporting which will assist our aim to become Australia's pre-eminent socially responsible financial institution. Being a mutual and not having split loyalties between shareholders and customers does offer an advantage. Professional Background:
For the last 10 years of Ed Credit, I was Chair and was involved in the creation of mecu . Currently, I am Chair of the Finance Committee. My background is in economics and accounting and I was Principal of a large secondary college. Change and risk management were very much part of the role.
What I enjoy in life:
I have had a lifetime involvement in outdoor education and I'm an active sailor, bushwalker and cross country skier.
mecu has made great gains in a short time and I am proud to have played a part in its achievements.
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Peter Taylor
Key achievements as a director which have benefited members:
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 an mecu 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 mecu .
What I enjoy about being an mecu 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 members. 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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Ron Dixon
Key achievements as a Director which have benefited members:
I was appointed to the Board of Unicredit in 2007 having had experience in both executive and directorship roles within the credit union movement for a period of 25 years. I regard the successful merger of Unicredit and mecu as a key achievement that will lead to significant benefits for the members.
What I enjoy about being a mecu Director:
Being a Director of mecu will allow me to pursue the ideals of mutuality, namely the delivery of products and services which will enhance the financial well being of the members. I enjoy the uniqueness of the commitment to sustainability which places mecu at the forefront of socially responsible providers of financial services.
Professional background:
My career background is in the financial services, technology and retail industries. My professional qualifications are Certified Practising Accountant and Chartered Secretary.
What I enjoy in life:
I enjoy my community involvement through Rotary as well as regular rounds of golf and fishing. I am married to Gerry and have 2 adult sons. Our family regularly picnic on Sundays at Bongaree and we particularly enjoy watching our 2 young granddaughters playing on the sandy foreshore of Pumicestone Passage.
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