Don Magin has helped achieve the Greater’s success in a career spanning almost 25 years. He was instrumental in the establishment of the Greater’s Call Centre and Marketing Department.
The Greater instituted the highly successful and innovative free holiday and discount petrol offer campaigns that have since been copied by many. One of his first major initiatives as CEO attracted world-wide attention. The Greater engaged Jerry Seinfeld to successfully lift its profile as a viable alternative to the major banks.
A local man, Don’s family had a small business in Belmont. Don completed a degree in Mathematics from The University of Newcastle and went to work for BHP in IT before starting at the Greater. Don is passionate about the role business can play in supporting the communities in which it operates. He is a Director of the Hunter-based Heal for Life Foundation, on the Executive Committee of Alumni of the University of Newcastle. The Greater last year established a charitable foundation to fund programs that make a long term difference to the lives of families and communities, which has already committed more than $2.5 million.
Don will share with luncheon attendees some lessons that the Greater has learned whilst achieving its success.
Councillor John Tate has been a member of Newcastle City Council since September 1980 and Lord Mayor since 1999. He was re-elected Lord Mayor in the September 2008 elections.
John describes himself as an ‘ordinary working guy’ who feels the role of local government is to represent the views of the wider community about what they want their place to be and making sure the rates they pay are spent effectively.
John attributes his success to focusing on what the people want. “I’ve always tried to represent the people, not myself or any particular interest group and that is what I will be aiming for in the Lord Mayor’s Office”.
John is the Deputy Chairperson of Regional Development Australia and sits on many boards. He also chairs a number of Council committees, and is Patron to many worthwhile organisations.