Ready to serve community

– Kath Gannaway
SUZANNE Dixon is counting the days to the opening of the new Healesville Community Bank branch of the Bendigo Bank on 18 February.
“I have been busy recruiting staff and getting out to meet local people and it (when the bank opens) is the first question people ask,” said Ms Dixon who will be the first manager of the community-owned bank.
Ms Dixon grew up in Gippsland and has moved from Western Australia to take up the position.
The board of Healesville Community Enterprise Ltd (the community-owned company behind the project) officially welcomed Ms Dixon at its first meeting for 2011.
Chairman Gary Slater said Ms Dixon had extensive experience in banking, insurance and investment management which, along with her country background, made her a stand-out candidate for the job.
“We really are thrilled to have Suzanne heading up our banking team and are looking forward to introducing her and staff to our shareholders and the broader community when we open our doors later this month,” Mr Slater said.
Ms Dixon started work with the State Bank of Victoria and has worked with credit unions and the Bendigo and Adelaide Bank.
She said the community bank philosophy was a huge consideration in her applying for the Healesville job.
“It’s important for me to work for a company that suits my values and if I can work for an organisation that really gets involved with their community, not only by giving dollars, but by volunteering, that’s what fits with me as a person and it’s why I was keen to be part of it,” she said.
On a personal level, Ms Dixon said she was happy to be closer to her family in Gippsland and she had fallen in love with the area.
While it’s all work at the moment, she said as a Yarra valley resident she was looking forward to indulging in some of her favourite things – the occasional long lunch with good local produce and good company, and a bit of interior design.
“The biggest impression here is just how friendly the people in town are,” Ms Dixon said.
“I’m looking forward to living a long time in the area and getting to enjoy what the area has to offer, and meeting people.
Mr Slater said the opening celebrations would take place over two days – Friday and Saturday, 18 and 19 February.
“We want everyone in the community to join us, either at the official opening on the Friday, or on the Saturday, to celebrate the opening of our community-owned bank,” he said.
He said people had just two more weeks to buy shares in the community bank with the share offer closing on 14 February.
Anyone wanting to buy shares can contact Mr Slater on 0421 319 640 or visit www.healesvillecommunitybank.com.