Members List

Gardenvale Community Bank Project Steering Committee Members

 Carole Mackie:  Joint Chair and Treasurer

Small Business Owner --Accounting Firm -Currently acting as Head of Finance & Administration for a  Private School in conjunction to a select group of small business private clients.Some of Carols previous experince  was as CFO for 10 years with a  large Aluminium Producer, managing financial risks,  including currency and aluminium price.

Carole has Diploma in Business majoring in Accounting with a Post Grad in Finance

Since moving into the area 11 years ago I have watched Martin Street grow with great pleasure  Over my working life I have been very fortunate and have a passionate interest in the community therefore I would dearly love to put something back.  Carole believes being  a part of the commitee, and along with a successful outcome she will achieve her objective whilst contributing a great deal of experience  to the project.

Noel Buckley: Deputy Chair

Proprietor of Min-It-Print a local  family printing operation  in the Martin Street precint.Noel, along with Louise Browne, was instrumental in taking the first steps to establish the Gardenvale Community Bank Project. Noel's previous career encompasses MD of Patterson Reid and Bruce Ltd, GM of Leon Worth Hoisery, Public Accountant Practice and owner of Import Quota Broker.

Noel is a  Fellow of Certified  Practicing Accountants, A lover of sports in particular Golf, Noel is a widower, the proud  father of 6 and grandfather to 8.

  Pat ricia Bourke: Secretary

Born in the US, Pat moved with her family  to Melbourne in 1998 becoming an Australian Citizen in September 2001.  Pat  has two teenage daughters

Pat is an experienced Human Resources manager, not-for-profit company director and business consultant. Over the past 20 years working in the United States and Australia, she has worked in a number of roles and on projects across human resources in the banking sector, government, not-for-profits and medium sized enterprises. 

Pat's experience extends to :  Chair of Firbank Grammar Foundation (2006 – current); Deputy Chair of the Firbank Grammar Board of Directors (2007 – 2009); Firbank Committees:  Membership, Nominations and Governance, Executive & Finance and Principal Selection Committees.  While in the US, Pat served as a member of the Rocky Mountain Organ Donor Board, (Salt Lake City 1998), as a Board Member of Red Butte Garden, University of  Utah (1996-98); Utah Air Travel Commission Member, Salt Lake City Mayoral Appointment (1993 – 95); Personnel Chair, Utah Board of American Heart Association  (1995-96); and American Heart Association, Chairperson “Heart Ball” (1994)

Pat holds a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication and Public Relations from Purdue University in Indiana and is a Member of Australian Human Resources Institute, the Association of Independent Schools of Victoria  and ADAPW Vic/Tas Chapter

 Suzanna Anderson: Assistant Secretary

Suzanna, our youngest member, has lived in the Gardenvale area for 20 years.  She recently graduated from the University of Melbourne with a Bachelor of Commerce.  During her time at university she became known in the community while working as a shop assistant at the Walnut Cake Shop in Martin St.  Suzanna is currently employed as a Health Services Manager at ProVax, a corporate health service provider.  She views the bank as a tangible way to support the local community.

 Daryl Forge: General Committee 

Daryl graduated from Monash University with a Degree in Economics (Accounting) and became a qualified Chartered Accountant during his 5 years with Touche Ross, now known as KPMG.

For the next 18 years, Daryl worked in the stockbroking industry with UBS and NAB. Initially employed as a Financial Controller, he filled roles as diverse as Operations Manager, Product Manager and Head of Business (General Manager). In the role of Head of Business(NAB) Daryl restructured the business over three years to transform the business from loss-making to profitabilty.

Since 2007, Daryl and his wife, Jennifer have built their own business, JDFA Acccountants & Wealth Advisers, providing business, tax & financial advice to local businesses and families

." Louise Browne: General Committee 

Louise Browne,   wife of Tony Browne,  and   joint owner  of the Gardenvale Newsagency  for the past 9 years. 

Current  President Martin Street Village Association and instrumental in the development of  the Gardenvale Community Bank Project.

Louise has lived locally  in Elsternwick for the past  past 21 years . Opened and operated a catering business for 6 years whilst raising 4 sons now in their early 20's.  Louise has been Involved in the School Committees  her children attended and for Elsternwick community. Loved and played a lot of tennis over the years.

 Laurie Smith: General Committee

Laruie is a well known identity in the area . Having had a realeastate licence since 1972 Laurie owned and operated the real estate agency in Martin St  Gardenvale for  many years. Laurie  was also one of the founding  partners  of the Brumby's  hot bread chain.  This business  was sold the to the Retail Food Group of America in 2008.  At the time of sale the Brumby's group  had 320 franchise stores  employing a large number of staff.

Since selling his real estate business in Martin Street Laurie maintains an active interest in the community often being involved in selective real estate projects.  Laurie is very keen for the bank to go ahead  which he believes will add a whole new dimension to the area.

 Colleen d'Offay : General Committee

Currently a shareholder and a member of the executive team of start up business in the digital media space. Previious roles COO Healthwise Pharmacies Group, Australian Sales Manager Myob, General Manager Client Services UCMS, Establishemnt of a commercial business for 6 major Victorian Public Hospitals- Royal Bank Health Recruitment

Colleen holds a Master of Managment

Moved into the Gardenvalke area over 10 years ago, regularly participating in community  outcomes for Bethlehem Hospital and Hurlingham Nursing Home saw the opportunity to support  the developoment of a  Community Bendigo Bank in Martin St as another opportunity to support a solid and worthwhile community project that will benefit all businesses and residents within the local area.