Neville Parsons has officially retired after 36 years as CEO of the Holiday Coast Credit Union, but he will still be involved as a director.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Born and bred in Wauchope, Neville says he was lucky enough to go to school in Wauchope Primary and Wauchope High and finished his studies at Sydney University where he graduated in economics and law.
He then came back home and started work as a lawyer in Cameron Street in 1981 for Sanderson Hall & Company. In 1983, he became the legal officer for the Holiday Coast Credit Union, later becoming the accountant and then general manager.
"Technology, without doubt, is the biggest change," he says.
"When I started, the Credit Union was all across the counter. There were no cheque books, no ATMs, no internet banking, no phone banking.
"The Credit Union in Wauchope had a branch in Port Macquarie, and one in Laurieton. The major development is the fact that the majority of deposits today are electronic.
"However, the role the branch plays in a community, the social and personal contact, is very important. Even in today's digital world, there are times when we want to look someone in the eye and be personal," he said.
When Neville became acting general manager in 1983, the assets of the credit union were $27m and the membership was 3,000 to 4,000. Now, the assets are $650m and there are 25,000 members and 11 branches.
He says the credit union is a financial co-operative and very much a member-owned body, and a key part is the education of members around the wise use of credit, and encouraging thrift. Credit unions differ from banks because the customers are the owners.
Over the years, Neville said he worked at national level for the credit union movement, and spent two years on the International Credit Union Board. He says that as a credit union grows larger, the challenge is to never lose sight of looking after the members.
He paid tribute to the members he has been able to help to save and to borrow, and the staff members he worked with, and looks forward to the future as HCCU merges with the Regional Australia Bank.
Outside work, Neville got involved with Rotary in 1981 and says it's been a key opportunity to change other people's lives and most of all, his own. He says it's about community, and looking after your fellow man, and its principles are linked to those of credit unions.
"I am very privileged to have serviced as district governor and seen the power of Rotary," said Neville, who is also on the Health Board of NSW Life Education Board.
His hobbies include travelling, and he plans to continue to give back to the community through the roles he currently has.
ALSO MAKING NEWS: