Beechworth & District Community Bank® Project

Chairman

Jamie Horne B.Bus (Finance) Dip Arts CELTA

Jamie has lived in Beechworth since 2001. Prior to arriving in Beechworth he worked in Equity Derivatives banking in London where he was involved in various bank start up projects and systems implementation roles. Today Jamie is self employed and operates a number of online businesses, a website design business as well as working casually as a Community Ambulance Officer. He lives in Beechworth with is partner Deanne and their two young children Bailey and Jasmine. Jamie Can be contacted on 0357 283250

Vice Chairman & Pledge Co-Ordinator

Eric Visscher Dip Tourism Mgmt, DipBus

Eric moved to Beechworth in 2003 and oversees La Trobe University’s Conference and Function centre on the old May Day Hills site. Eric is actively involved in the local community as a member of the Beechworth Rotary Club and as Board Chairman of St. Joseph’s Primary School.

Eric has extensive Hotel Manager experience in both Australia and the U.K. Eric lives in Beechworth with his wife Carly, sons Dylan and Lachlan. Eric can be contacted on 03 5720 8050.

Project Manager

Lyn Clark Dip Bus.

Lyn was born and educated in Beechworth and began her working career in the office at Mayday Hills Hospital.  She moved to Albury in 1970 and returned to live in Wooragee in 1994 where she runs an Alpaca farm with her husband.  Lyn is employed as Office Manager for in Albury and also does contract bookkeeping for regional small businesses.  Over the years Lyn has been actively involved with BPW & Neighbourhood Watch and was also a Cub leader in Albury for many years. Lyn can be contacted on 03 5728 7245 or 0409 287245 

Community Group Co-Ordinator

David Box

David moved to Beechworth in 1991 with his wife, Heather and their two Children Matthew 22 and Emily 20 after purchasing the local supermarket. Since his arrival David has been involved in three very successful development small businesses in Beechworth and district. David is currently or has been involved in many community groups including: local Fire Brigade , Beechworth Chamber of commerce, Old Cranks Motor Club local Hockey club, and of course this community bank project. David believe that business and community rely upon each other and has an had equal participation in both, as Ned said such is life.

 Treasurer

Ray Henderson

Ray is a qualified civil engineer with over 37 years experience in municipal engineering and up until recently was the director of City Infrastructure at the City of Wodonga. Ray and wife Ann and two teenage daughters Kathryn & Rachel have lived in Wooragee on a small hobby farm for the past twelve years.

As president of the Wooragee Hall Committee he is involved in many community activities including the recent improvements to the Wooragee Hall. He is a past president of Wooragee Landcare and is still an active member of the committee and is involved in works to improve our environment either in Wooragee or in Wodonga.

Meryl was born and educated in Beechworth and briefly worked as a secretary in Melbourne before returning to Beechworth to begin nurse training at the old Mayday Hills Hospital where she met her late husband Richard. As they raised their three daughters Meryl assisted her husband with a range of farming and organic orchard ventures and in later years implemented a milk run, which serviced the local community and Albury.

Over the past 13 years Meryl returned to the healthcare industry at locations under Beechworth Health Service and retired in 2007 to then become involved in community organisations, local charity and pursuing hobbies of travelling and gardening.

Committee Member

Helen Christie

Helen moved to Beechworth in 1999 with her husband, Bruce and their two children. They now have 8 grand children. In 1987, Helen and Bruce spent a community year in Southern Germany and Hong Kong in drug related rehabilitation work.

Helen enjoys art, especially watercolour , textiles and gardening, volunteers in a Beechworth  op-shop and has a long time interest in learning and teaching about Israel.

Along with Bruce, hHelen says 'we believe that a country  in which citizens  participate in the life of  their community, is a strong country'

Committee Member

Leo Nette

Leo is a former Post Office Manager who moved to Beechworth in 1982 with a young family in a “tree change” Managed an Accommodation business in partnership for 9 years then a variety of business roles.

Leo has been active in sporting and scouting groups and was and Infigo shire councillor for 5 year and a one year term as Shire President. He is a committee member of various groups including the annual Golden Horseshoes Festival and currently manages the old Telegraph Station in the Beechworth Historic Precinct. Leo also enjoys a game of golf when he can find the time.

Committee Member

Graeme Gallus

Neil was born and educated in Beechworth and is married to Olivia. Together with their three sons Lachlan, Owen and Bryce they operate a free range pork business on their Wooragee property.

Neil has over twenty years experience in retail banking having previously held roles with both Westpac and the WAW Credit Union.

Neil proudly supports the Beechworth and District Community Bank® project and believes that the '3747' postcode region and local community groups will flourish as a direct result of the grants, sponsorships and distribution of profits that the future bank will make.