After committing over a decade to the Canungra and District Community Bank, Janine Rockliff is standing down as Chairperson of the Board.
Janine, alongside a steering committee of 16 locals, was the driving force behind establishing a bank in Canungra after 30 years of not having one.
She was inspired having to bank a cheque for her husband Damon’s business, and the closest bank to cash it was either Beaudesert, Tamborine Mountain or Nerang.
Janine knew there needed to be a change in the Caunungra community and spent two and a half years making that change become a reality.
Now that Janine has achieved her goals for the bank, she felt it was time to step down from her role and hand the baton over to someone else.
“One of my goals was to get to profitability and be able to pay dividends – we did that last year,” she said.
“At that point, I told the board that I got to where I wanted to be. It’s still going to be a challenge to run, be profitable and give back to the community and keep that community connection, but I think that it’s time.”
Janine didn’t think she would stay as Chairperson for as long as 11 years, but she was grateful to be able to work with the community and hopes to shift her focus towards new challenges.
“Somebody said to me once, ‘You’re a builder, not a maintainer’. So, give me a challenge, I will build you and get you there, but I just don’t want to maintain it,” Janine said.
“The people and the board, they’re amazing. I think I’ll miss the community connection, like getting up in front of people and spruiking the bank and how good it is.”
“I think now, it just changes from being on the board and promoting the brand, to now advocating for the brand,” she added.
As she is part of various community associations, Janine hopes that everyone would consider volunteering and giving back to the community.
“I just want people to volunteer – I’m big on that. Step outside your comfort zone and volunteer,” she said.
“There’s so many groups that you will find something. Take the time to give a little bit back because we live in a great town. Why wouldn’t you?”
