Don In Smooth Transition

Newcastle Herald

Monday April 14, 2008

By MELISSA LYONS

DON Magin has taken the reins of one of Australia's largest building societies.

Don was appointed chief executive of the Greater Building Society on April 3 following the retirement of long-serving chief executive John Arnold.

Greater chairman Ian Nelmes said Don had been groomed for the role as part of the board's succession plans to ensure continued stability in the Greater's operations.

The former deputy chief executive will draw on 21 years of service with the Greater to develop service culture and products.

Don started his Greater career as IT manager, following work at BHP Steelworks where he managed the systems software development group.

He was instrumental in establishing the Greater's call centre in 1995 and co-ordinated and managed the marketing department that started the free holiday program, which has been running for seven years.

During his first week in the top job, Don has made several appointments: IT infrastructure manager Geoff Sullivan has been made chief information officer, long-time consultant John Dwyer has become head of marketing and Phil Baker will replace Don as deputy chief executive while retaining his role of company secretary.

A TOPPING AWARD

MANAGER of Dominos at Raymond Terrace, Dorrian Muddle, has been named Australia and New Zealand's rookie manager of the year.

Dorrian received the title on April 2 at the Dominos national rally in Brisbane.

It recognises team members who have been a manager for less than 12 months and have achieved the best results in store during a one-year period.

Dominos chief executive Don Meij said Dominos Raymond Terrace worked like clockwork due to Dorrian's diligence. He said it was Dorrian's strong management skills that landed him the award.

DESIRABLE BODIES

CARDIFF's Rhino Truck Bodies has been sought out by Adelaide-based company ASAPS Outdoor Media Services.

The family owned and operated business has produced 14 utility service bodies for ASAPS, which is a market leader in servicing and maintaining outdoor assets.

The Rhino-built service bodies feature a bi-folding side door, a new concept developed by Rhino which allows the top hinged door to be opened vertically to enable direct forklift access.

Business owner Peter Thorpe said it had come a long way since his parents started Rhino in 1973.

KEY APPOINTMENT

THE love of Newcastle has seen former manager of Key Insights operations in Sydney, Donna Bain, join the Key Insights team in the Hunter.

Company directors Ellen and Stuart Davis-Meehan have appointed Donna as Newcastle Key Insights' general manager.

Donna has more than 15 years' experience in management and providing research and strategic advice to organisations such as the Law Society of NSW and the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda.

Her expertise is in developing and documenting policies and procedures, organisational reviews and corporate governance.

CAREER SUMMARY

SHIVANI Gupta will share the story of her rise to BHP Billiton senior manager, before leaving it to start her own business, when she speaks at the Newcastle Business Club monthly lunch.

Ms Gupta has worked with more than 100 national companies including six of the top 10; has won several business awards including a Telstra Business Women's Award, and has been named an honorary member of the Golden Key with the likes of Bill Clinton and Ian Thorpe.

The lunch will be held at the Harbourview Function Centre on April 29.

NRMA CAR CENTRE

IN response to demand from its members, the NRMA has opened a car servicing business at Kotara, one of four centres in NSW.

NRMA Motoring and Services director Kyle Loades officially opened the centre at 154 Park Avenue, Kotara, last Wednesday.

The fully equipped mechanical workshop is operated by experienced mechanics.

DIARY DATES

? TODAY: Business Enterprise Customer Service Training, Kurri Kurri. ? THURSDAY: Engineers Australia women and leadership seminar. Newcastle City Hall 8.30am - 4.30pm. Cost $330 for members and $395 non-members.? FRIDAY: Development in the Hunter: guest speakers businessmen Hilton Grugeon and Bill Saddington and Lake Macquarie City Council's Graeme Hooper. Wests Mayfield, noon. ? APRIL 29: Newcastle Business Club monthly luncheon. Guest speakers General Peter Cosgrove and Shivani Gupta. Harbourview Function Centre, 12.15pm - 2pm. Cost $35 for members and $50 for non-members.

The biz

'It's just an excuse to move

everything to Melbourne.'

- Hamilton stockbroker Steven Pritchard on the National Stock

Exchange?s decision to close its Newcastle office.

© 2008 Newcastle Herald

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