Sujin is originally from Thailand and has lived on the Surf Coast and in Geelong for 28 years.

She is a well-known member of the local business community as the owner and manager of two Sujin Thai restaurants – one in Torquay and on the waterfront in Geelong.

Sujin is the president of the Geelong Thai community group and was previously the South-East Asian liaison officer for the Surf Coast Shire and the Migrant Resource Centre.

She is a proud supporter of the Bendigo Bank community enterprise model and enjoys helping to find ways of improving the quality of life on the Surf Coast for its diverse residents.

Michael has been participating in community groups for almost 30 years, particularly community legal centres.

He says he discovered early on in his career that professional groups can often be closed and aloof and reluctant to share the knowledge their members possess. By being involved in community groups like the Torquay Community Enterprise (TCE), he plans to use the skills and knowledge that he can offer for the benefit of others in the local area.

Michael believes the TCE is a fantastic grassroots means for the Bendigo Bank to form working relationships with the local community to the benefit of all participants in the initiative.

Michael is a father of four boys and has an established legal practice in Geelong.

David Cheatley is a retired Westpac (Bank of New South Wales) State Manager having completed 35 years’ service after joining the bank in 1958 from a Northern Victorian Rural Farming Community.
David is currently a member of Neighbourhood Watch (NHW) Torquay Jan Juc Group, where he has held the position of Co-Ordinator for the past 10 years. Also, an active foundation member of the Combined Probus Club of Torquay, having served in many committee positions.
David has been actively involved as a volunteer in many not for profit organisations since the early 1960’s covering organisations in Victoria, Australian Capital Territory and New South Wales.

Experienced in philanthropic organisations and held a former role as a Campaign Director and Board Member of United Way Geelong (now known as “Give Where you Live) in the late 1980’s
David is married to Jan, has a son and daughter and 5 grandchildren. He has a passion for not For Profit community organisations.

Robert has lived in Torquay for over nine years, having first visited the town in the early 1980’s. He is the branch manager of the Bendigo Bank in Torquay, a position he has held since the branch opened in July 2006.

Robert has been involved in various local junior sport committees and has also coached junior sport teams.

He believes the community enterprise concept is an excellent way to develop local communities. He is excited about the future possibilities for the Torquay Community Enterprise to contribute to worthwhile local initiatives.

Laura Connor is the Co-Ordinator of the Spring Creek Community House in Torquay and has been in the position for thirteen years. Laura is also a Committee Member of Torquay Food Aid, the Editor of Springboard Community Newsletter, Chairperson of the Surf Coast Rural Australians for Refugees and a member of the Surf Coast Network of Neighbourhood Houses and the Barwon Network of Neighbourhood Houses.

Laura’s other community commitments include the role of co-founder and founding President of the Surf Coast Life Activities Club and her work as co-founder and founding President of the Danawa Community Garden at Spring Creek Reserve.

Laura’s passion is to see community groups working together to create vibrant and diverse local communities.