Our newly elected Queensland Country Bank Board Chair, Christine Flynn sees the top priorities as successfully navigating the organisation through the Coronavirus pandemic and retaining a commitment to regional communities.

Ms Flynn, who succeeded long-time Chair, Bruno Cullen, in April says our organisation is well placed to assist Members through the current situation. She credits her fellow Board Members, a strong Executive Team and great technology for a smooth transition into the top role.

“We’ve had to adapt how we communicate during this time and I’m thankful that we have a technology forward organisation with well-established online platforms that allow us to stay connected securely,” she says.

“We’ve spent a great deal of time proactively assessing what the pandemic means for Queensland Country, our Staff and Members and what things we need to do differently.

“The Queensland Country Group has a strong capital base which will enable us to continue to provide our members with first class and modern financial services in a friendly environment.

“Staff and Members remain at the forefront of every decision we make, and we have made Emergency Relief Packages available for Members experiencing financial hardship due to Coronavirus.”

Adaption and change are familiar for Christine who played a pivotal role in the merger with Queenslanders Credit Union as the Chair of that organisation in 2018, after which time she joined the Queensland Country Board as a Director.  Ms Flynn brings extensive experience in organisational development, public and private sector governance and executive leadership to the role, and her values are firmly rooted in serving regional Queenslanders.

“Across the state we have huge differences in demographics and banking requirements, so we make sure every Queenslander is looked after in a fast changing world,” she says.

“We have long term staff in most of our branches, and they know Members personally and understand how they want to do their banking.”

Ms Flynn believes Queensland Country Bank is on track for continued growth, becoming one of the leading mutuals for regional Queensland and Australia.

“We’ve had some major growth and achievements over the years, and I am very proud that we have become a member-owned bank,” she says.

Our outgoing Chair, Bruno Cullen will remain on the Board as a director until the 2020 Annual General Meeting in November to assist with the transition period and continue to Chair a Committee dedicated to the organisation’s management of and response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.