Brad’s circle of prosperity

Joining the board in 2014 as a way to give back to Elmore — which he has called home since 2003 — Brad went on to serve as chair from November 2016 to February 2023, and more recently as vice-chair.

Over his tenure, the community bank expanded from two branches to three, accumulated around $290 million in banking business, paid shareholders back their initial investments through dividends, and returned more than $4 million directly to local communities.

Brad reflected on his retirement, saying that it was simply time for some new faces, new energy and fresh ideas.

“I think anyone on a board is only ever a temporary custodian of that company and they do the best they can while they’re there," he said.

“And at a point in time they step away and let someone else have a go.

“There’s always room for fresh ideas and I think this was the time.”

For Brad, the most rewarding aspect of the voluntary role was assessing sponsorship and grant applications.

These helped fund everything from extra equipment for local CFA brigades and school programs to sporting clubs, health services and major community events across Elmore, Lockington and Rochester.

“It’d be hard to find a part of the community hasn’t been supported by the community bank in some way,” he said.

“I’ve seen the bank support little things to bolster the fabric of our community and I’ve seen the community bank be a partner in making some pretty big things happen.

“Four million dollars is a hell of a lot of bake sales or raffle tickets.”

Brad attended his final board meeting in October, fittingly spending his last session assessing community sponsorship applications.

While his executive management background — currently serving as chief executive at the North Central Catchment Management Authority — brought useful business experience to the table, Brad was adamant that anyone could contribute to the community board.

His time as chair was anything but quiet — Brad guided the board through two of the most challenging periods, the COVID-19 pandemic and the devastating 2022 floods.

During both crises, Brad said the board’s primary focus was the safety and wellbeing of staff, alongside adapting operations to ensure essential banking services remained available.

Following the severe floods, the board moved quickly to establish a temporary branch while the flood-damaged main street building was repaired.

Brad credited the bank’s ongoing success to what he called the ‘circle of prosperity’ — where residents choose to bank locally, generating profits reinvested back into community projects, which in turn encouraged more locals to bank with them.

“The cycle starts with that choice,” Brad said.

He paid tribute to both the customers who banked locally and the fellow directors, past and present, who volunteered their time to guide the company.

Stepping back from Lockmore Financial Services might open up a little room in Brad’s diary, but don’t expect him to slow down anytime soon.

Having just wrapped up a stint as treasurer and assistant treasurer with the Rochester Junior Football Club, he remains heavily involved in the region through the Elmore Progress Association and on the REDHS board, alongside his day job and family life.

“I just like being busy and doing good things,” Brad said with a laugh.

“Especially doing things to make our communities in Elmore, Lockington and Rochester stronger and better places to live.”