Victoria/Tasmania

1987 – Paul J. Cooney, Life Member.

1989 – President Roger Penfound, Carol O’Connor with 3 top students of 1988 Class.

1992 – Maurie Marchant, Life Member.

1998 – Councillors eligible for re-election at the August AGM. Paul Pattison, Lyn Harris and Terry Piazza.

President’s report During the new world of COVID, I’d like to thank our Vic/Tas councillors for their continuous hard work for our success as a committee and working towards our goals to grow our membership, CCE, professional development, publications and promoting the online events.

Please take the opportunity to nominate your team as the 2020 Credit Team of the year. This prestigious award recognises your team for their outstanding efforts and achievements in 2020, applications close 31 July 2020.

Encourage your team to refresh their skills and to incorporate their professional development with our virtual classrooms held by AICM. Upskilling our team during COVID-19 will give us the tools to promote ourselves as credit professionals and take the lead within our organisations.

We look forward to announcing the winners for VIC Young Credit Professional of the Year. The quality of candidates is once again excellent. The Young Credit Professional of the Year award allows the candidates to gain recognition for both themselves and their organisation.

Welcome to all our new members in VIC/TAS. Please feel free to reach out to my councillors, as we

1998 – Bill Stanton chats with Pat Clark (Executive Officer) while John Cooper (State President) and guest speaker Peter Sallmann exchange views.

are here to help you at any time. If you have any questions reach out to us. We may not be able to engage with you in Victoria face to face, however, we are available via other means. Don’t be a stranger, reach out to us.

Thank you to all our members who have engaged with us via the virtual world over the last couple of months. We would love to hear from you if you have any ideas to help us make the virtual world more engaging. – Sherif Hussein MICM CCE VIC/TAS State President

A time for reflection and reminiscing During these times we all have so many questions. For example; Should there be a COVID safe period for collections? Is it better to instigate a DOCA (deed of company arrangement) vs liquidation? Will liquidators go to town on preferential payment? If I enter into a payment agreement where do I stand in terms of PPSR? While these questions are yet to be answered and fully understood let’s take some time to reflect and reminisce. I thought it would be good to hear from two of our life members that have survived the GFC and have a wealth of knowledge to share during these times.

October 1990 – The AGM included the election of two new councillors to our division. Trish Thompson (Federal Mogul) will take up the functions portfolio and her innovative approach will become evident at the forthcoming dinner scheduled for December 5. Her creativity will be shown to full advantage in the coming twelve months and we welcome her enthusiasm.

Alec Finney (Stanley Tools) was also elected and will be concentrating on the TAFE/Victoria College portfolio. Alec brings a wealth of experience both as a practising credit manager and educator. He will be heavily involved also in the Traineeship scheme.

Roger Penfound The day I spoke to Roger, he was literally directing a removalist as he and his wife Carol were moving to QLD that day. Perfect timing I think, given Victoria’s second round of COVID lockdown. Roger’s career as a Credit Manager and Credit Controller spanned companies such as Impress Roger Penfound Australasia, Wormald, Toyota, Connect Internet and Laurens & Co. Below are his responses to some of my questions;

This isn’t the first serious recession but many of our fellow members don’t have this experience, what’s the best approach? My main area was the building industry – recession hit hard, but money was still coming in due to government contracts. With COVID and it’s added government restrictions, I can see now that in this case money and cash flow is fairly tight. My advice would be to make sure you have some fairly hefty guarantees to be paid on time. Now is the time to really get to know your customer. To be ahead of the game, ask the important questions of your customers like, why are you ordering and if you are, can you pay or are you trying to make ends meet? Monitor everything and be very quick to turn off supply and not let them get off with excuses. To be a Credit Manager thesedays, you must be very careful and assured that you have the paperwork and terms and condition in place.

How have you enjoyed credit and your involvement with the institute? I enjoy reading the magazine, it allows me to stay

1989 – Gordon Allan (Councillor).

1994 – Steve Willcocks.

1994 – Carmel McEwan. 1994 – Elizabeth Speirs.

connected and to keep abreast of everything. As I am moving to Brisbane I’m hoping to be more involved as I was quite rural in Victoria. I love the credit industry, and it has been a delight to be part of the institute. The information you can gather from other members/friends now is invaluable. Sharing of knowledge and “just in time information” is so powerful.

What advice could you give to a new person in credit that is looking to accelerate their career? Get involved in the AICM, the friendships you make and the knowledge you gain is invaluable.

Any final words? A big G’day to all the Victorian members in my era. I’m thinking of you all often.

Raymond Wright Living in Tasmania, he turned 85 this year and now volunteers at a local museum. His advice to AICM members during these times is to keep the mind and body active and to “GET INVOLVED”. After Raymond retired, he became a life member of the Tasmania Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TCCI) and still attends the annual general meeting. He said that walking every day is helping him get through COVID, as he is dearly missing playing indoor bowls.

*If you have lost contact with either Ray or Roger our magazine editor Michelle Carruthers is happy to pass your details onto them for you to reconnect on 0431 312 064 or Michelle.Carruthers@CreditorWatch.com.au

Divisional Partners in the Spotlight With Covid-19 restrictions on meeting up we value the support of our partners and sponsors more than ever. We thought it timely that we catch up with two key partners and their Divisional Representatives.

AMPAC – Divisional Partner Divisional Contact –

Steve Moloney

How long have you been working at AMPAC? 8 years AMPAC just celebrated their 10 year anniversary in November 2019. AMPAC’s clients include some of Australia’s highest profile private and public sector Steve Moloney organisations where credit risk management and the recovery of overdue debt is a priority.

What is your position? Sales Director

What gets you out of bed each day? Right now, it’s all about helping our customers get their cash flow back on track and navigating through these difficult times.

What is one thing you have changed since COVID? More zoom meetings and having to cease playing golf during the worst of the lockdown.

What are your passions aside from work? In addition to golf, I enjoy Snowboarding, I’m excited to hit Mt Buller, I love the rush of it all.

An interesting fact about yourself? In 1982 I was sacked by Michael Malthouse at the Western Bulldogs (what would he know about football?).

Esker – Divisional Partner Divisional contact –

Paul Butler

We’re proud to welcome our new Divisional Partner in 2020 ESKER.

Esker is an automation, cloud-based platform that transforms the way customers and suppliers interact with an Paul Butler organisation. Our contact in Victoria is Paul Butler who’s face you will see around at our events as soon as we begin to have face to face events again.

Paul, is a lovely guy and very easy to talk to, we reminisced about our days at Monash University and how some things have changed like the car parking, food and facilities, while others like the landmark Menzies building is still cold in winter and very hot in summer.

If you see Paul, please make him feel welcome and introduce yourself. To give you a few topics starters I’ve asked Paul a few “get to know you questions”

How long have you been working at Esker? 12.5 years and in the software industry (SAS) for my entire career. The tech landscape has changed dramatically over the past decade. The biggest change is how accepting businesses are of technology and allowing the software to help create efficiencies.

What is your position? Southern Region Manager

What are your passions aside from work? I’m a doting Grandfather to 10 month old baby Edie. I also love and hope to see you at the golf day next year. He says he is happy to have an offsite meeting with you while practicing golf swings.

What is an interesting fact about yourself? I previously worked at Wang Laboratories and got to travel with Dr Wang, the computer genius from Harvard.

The Australian Institute of Credit Management welcomes our Partners for 2020.

National Partners

Trusted Insights. Responsible Decisions.

Divisional Partners

CREDIT MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE

Official Division Supporting Sponsors

Our National, Divisional and Professional Partners support and work with the AICM to promote the Institute’s activities, represent the Credit Industry and develop the careers of all Credit Professionals. As these organisations support your Institute and your Industry please consider them when you require assistance.