Barbara McLure is the chief executive of the Committee for Wyndham (C4W). She chats with Alesha Capone.
Tell me a bit about yourself …
I have spent most of my working life in Melbourne’s west as an accountant, banker and manager working in regional economic development, banking, small business development and education, as well as consulting overseas. My strong connection with Wyndham goes back a long way. Because I have always been business-focused in my work, one of my first stops was to the Economic Development Unit at Wyndham City Council and I have always admired their work with the business community. I am proud to say that I have been involved with the Wyndham Business Awards since they were established in 1995 and have been judge each year since then.
For someone who doesn’t know about the Committee for Wyndham, how would you describe it?
Our mission is to bring together business, community, government and individuals to work together to promote and enhance the social and economic wellbeing of the broader Wyndham community. Underlying all our work are the people of Wyndham. Although we are a small organisation our reach is large which means I get to engage, work with and talk to people who are focused also on making Wyndham a great place to do business, live, work and enjoy.
What are some of your main duties, in your role as the chief executive?
As I tell people C4W is a small organisation, so even though I have the flash CEO title I’m a worker like everyone else. If something needs to be done, it gets done. I report to the C4W board so I make sure they are across what we are doing internally. I operate on a basis of no surprises. Along with the chairman I am often the public face, I am nearly always the first point of contact and I am the person who rings people in our community and asks for things: ‘Can you be part of a panel for Business Connect Wyndham, I need a guest speaker for our leadership program, can you help …. please?’
Being based in Werribee, what do you like most about the area?
I really like the people of Wyndham. As I move around the city I talk to people, find out what they do, how connected they are into their community and how passionate they are.
Do you have a favourite place to get a coffee, or grab a bite to eat, in Wyndham?
If I’m meeting someone for coffee I usually ask them to take me to their favourite coffee shop and to be truthful this means I have enjoyed good coffee in lots of places. I must admit I do enjoy lunch out with Shadowfax and The Park Hotel always providing great good and service.
Would you like to add anything else?
My message is to get involved, step-up, engage, connect. Your community needs you. Wyndham is a growing and diverse community and full of really good people working towards making our community strong, happy and ready to grab those opportunities as they fly past us.
