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Past National President's Report by Maurie Unwin, Past National President

At this time last year I announced that the National Board was to decide whether to remain an Association run by part-timers and volunteers or take the plunge and move forward and become a real force in this Finance Broking Industry to the betterment of you, our members.

The then State President of Western Australia, Ray Weir put up his hand, sold his broking business and moved to Queensland to take up the fulltime position of CEO of the FBAA on March 1st 2003.

Ray's brief was simple. "Raise the profile of the Association in the eyes of the lenders, finance brokers and the public". Since March Ray has spent more time on aircraft travelling the eastern seaboard than in his own car.

Near eight months have now passed and from my point of view the profile of the Association in finance circles both in the State and National spheres is now such that there would not be but a few people who have now not heard of the FBAA.

Initial publicity came about when Ray attended the Mortgage Summit at the Gold Coast as a paying delegate and was invited to speak from the floor as to where and how he saw the future of the broking industry. Ray's comments were met with resounding approval from the delegates and were published in the Mortgage Professional magazine, the organisers of the Conference.

At that time we sought assistance with distribution of our quarterly newsletter, not just to our members, but to all 5,500 finance broking businesses on our data base.

We were introduced to Peter and Tracey Levick of Harbour Side Media in Brisbane and the first edition of the bimonthly Finance Broker magazine was a consequence of that meeting.

With the ensuing publicity and efficient back up from Wendy Clarke and all the National and State Offices, membership grew steadily in the subsequent months.

The FBAA throughout Australia now speaks on behalf of near 4,400 loan writers involved in arranging all forms of credit.

The FBAA's new Code of Practice and Disputes Resolution Service were recently added to the Associations website. As a consequence most lenders now accept the FBAA as an appropriate professional body for finance broker accreditation purposes.

I recently announced my intention not to stand for re-election as National President of the FBAA. After eleven years at the helm I feel it is time to hand over the reins to a new team. In 1992 eight Queensland finance brokers met to answer criticisms from the then State Government Minister and they became the catalyst for the FBAA's formation.

Some are here today, Life Member Stan Miller, Chris Szigetti, Phillip Ford. Others not here today are Geoffrey Thomas and Perry Stone. Sadly two other members, Don Brough and Noel Laird have passed away. I looked back at Annual reports written by me since inception and some of the topics covered.

In 1994 as the then FBAQ, the State Government said they would not licence finance brokers and told us to sort ourselves out. Changes to the then Credit Act were foreshadowed. We now all know that the changes became the UCCC on the November 1st 1996.

In 1998 we changed our name to the FBAA in readiness to expand nationally. In 1999 we ventured into NSW to open a Branch of the FBAA and under the guidance of Graham Reibelt and his band of helpers we now have a very solid Branch network.

Also in 1999 we became heavily involved with CLERP 6, which we now know to be the Finance Services Reform Bill. What we did learn from the CLERP 6 exercise was the urgent need for competency based education in our profession.

Major developments in this area are now upon us.

In July 2001 we merged with WA based Finance Brokers and Mortgage Originators Association Inc. and that body became the Western Australian Branch of the FBAA, currently being ably led by Lynne Cox.

With us today also at his final meeting as Company Secretary and Junior Vice President is Don Burman.

I have previously mentioned people who started with me on this journey however I must single out some for special mention.

Stan Miller, we wouldn't let him go so we made him a Life Member of the FBAA. Stan is the man behind our website and data base development. Also a marvellous sounding board, critic and brake on some of my actions and writings.

Jim Easton, one of the most stabling influences, I have had the fortune to meet and call my friend.

Don Burman, quiet, reliable, a good sounding post and always there and willing when asked to do a job.

Noel Laird, (Skinny) the foundation Secretary and first Fellow of the FBAA until his untimely passing recently. Ever reliable and another sounding board for a sometime cranky and tired President.

Last but not least is Wendy Clarke (nee Unwin) my eldest Daughter. A former partner in my business for what it was. I would like a dollar for every time she said to me, "Dad, how about doing some paid work for us today, the bank account is a bit light on and bills need to be paid."

For many years Wendy was the original unpaid receptionist, minute secretary and typist for the association. It was only some twelve months ago that Wendy became the fully salaried Administration Manager of the Association.

As Ray is the Associations voice on industry and legislative matters, Wendy as the Office Administrator is the voice on the telephone, smiling face at the front door and UCCC Online Course Coach for the Association. Her worth to the association is immeasurable.

Many others crossed my path and assisted me in the past eleven years and though they are not named they know who they are and my thanks go to them.

I am confident of the future of the FBAA and the new team carrying the ideals forward.

The strength of the Association is its' Members. Thank you and good luck.

Maurie Unwin
Past National President
December 2003