Meet our Directors

Nicole Cox  – BBus(Acc), CPA, GAICD

Chair

Nicole is a Director of many companies including her own business consultancy firm Segue Business Solutions. She is also Managing Director of Swimz Bendigo, a learn to Swim Facility in Bendigo East.

With more than 20 years experience in business, management and finance, having held various executive positions across a broad spectrum of industries. Nicole is also a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, having held numerous Board positions including Peter Harcourt, St Luke’s Anglicare, St Laurence CRT and Bendigo Basketball Association. Nicole currently sits on the Audit & Risk Advisory Committee for the Mount Alexander Shire.

Paul Kirkpatrick  – JP, MBA, GAICD, BHA, BAppSc, FCHSE

Deputy Chair

Paul completed a career in CEO and senior management roles in health and human services organisations before commencing in director roles in a diverse range of companies.

Paul has extensive experience as a director of companies ranging from postgraduate medical education, community energy and consulting.

As a Justice of the Peace, and through involvement in Rotary and the Bendigo Volunteer Resource Centre, Paul also has wide interest and involvement in community service and community development both locally and overseas.

Paul is also a member of the Community Advisory Committee of the Board of Ambulance Victoria.

Chris DeAraugo  – Grad Dip(Bus)

Non-executive Director

Chris has over 25 years banking experience at Executive and Senior management level with Bendigo Bank, specialising in Marketing and Community Development. He was also the founding CEO of national youth development program Lead On Australia.

He has broad governance experience as a member of many business and community focused boards and committees. He is currently working as a business consultant across a range of industries including water authorities, sporting and event organisations, local Government and banking.

Sue Clarke AM  – FAICD, ANZSoG Fellow, Grad Dip(Bus), Grad Dip(Soc Sci CD)

Non-executive Director

Sue has held senior positions in health and community services for over 40 years including community health, local government, state government and the private sector. Sue’s experience extends across primary health care, philanthropy, governance and community engagement.

She has a strong interest and experience in clinical governance and consumer and community engagement. Sue has previously held Board Director positions with Bendigo Health, Murray PHN, Ambulance Victoria, Loddon Mallee Housing t/as Haven and Home Safe. She is currently a Board Director and Chair at Bendigo Foodshare.

Elizabeth March  – BA(Soc Sci), Grad Dip Bus 

Non-executive Director & Company Secretary

Elizabeth (Liz) has held Senior and Executive Roles in Bendigo across the Human Services Sector for the past 25 years. Currently CEO of Access Australia Group Ltd, Liz has worked across Community Health, Family Services, Child Protection & Out of Home Care Placement, Homelessness and Drug & Alcohol Services.

With a passion and drive for social justice and equitable access to opportunity for all, Liz has focused her career working with some of our most disadvantaged and marginalised community members. Liz joins the Board of Bendigo UFS in 2022 bringing experience from a number of Committees and Boards working within the not-for-profit sector.

Stephen Iser

Non-executive Director

Stephen is the Managing Director and Board Member (4th Generation) of the family business Hume & Iser Pty Ltd: (Est.1880).

He has extensive experience in the retail and trade industry where he commenced his career in the family business in 1972.

Stephen has been a member for over 20 years of the National Trade and Retail Advisory Committee with the HoME Group and also the recently merged HoME / Mitre 10 Group.

Stephen was a Board and Finance Committee member of The Sandhurst Club (retired 13 years) and recently retired from the Board of the Timber Merchants Association (TMA) of Victoria (5 years).

He has been a supporter and volunteer in fundraising for Radius Disability Services, St Lukes Anglicare, and recently 2015/16 fund raising for Very Special Kids (VSK).