Our Board

Keith Robinson’s connection to the Sanctuary Point Community Bank spans more than two decades. As the inaugural Branch Manager when the branch opened in 2004, he helped establish a strong foundation for community banking that continues today. After retiring from full time work, joining the board was a natural continuation of that commitment.

Keith and his family chose the South Coast for its lifestyle, waterways, and sense of community. Outside the boardroom, he enjoys time with family, gardening, and fishing, often on St Georges Basin. He believes strong communities allow regions to grow and prosper and is particularly proud of the bank’s community grants and sponsorships that support local projects where they are needed most

Paul Lallensack moved to Vincentia after retiring from a senior corporate career, seeking a lifestyle aligned with his love of the outdoors and community connection. After many years in finance and operations, he was keen to remain involved locally and contribute his experience in a meaningful way.

Paul enjoys kayaking in the bay, often spotting dolphins, as well as gardening, travel, and learning new skills. His favourite local place is Collingwood Beach, just a short walk from home. To Paul, community means sharing and respecting the natural environment while supporting local initiatives, and he hopes the Community Bank continues funding projects that bring people together.

Sue O’Brien has spent much of her working life supporting people through important stages of care, with over thirty years in the aged care sector across both community and residential settings. Having lived locally for more than a decade, she understands the importance of services that are responsive, respectful, and closely connected to the people they support.

Sue continues to volunteer locally and has served on several not for profit boards, bringing practical experience and a strong sense of responsibility to her role. For her, community is about growth, care, and ensuring support structures remain strong as needs change. She is proud to support initiatives such as Meals on Wheels and looks forward to seeing the Community Bank continue to grow its impact across the region.

Oliver Griffiths brings a strong generational perspective to the board as a lifelong Bay and Basin local. He has been involved with the Community Bank since 2021 and balances his board role with university studies, local work, and active participation in community organisations.

Oliver enjoys spending time with friends, reading, and reflecting by the water at Island Point Road Jetty. For him, community means people from all walks of life coming together to share experiences and knowledge. He is proud to support organisations that invest in young people and hopes the Community Bank continues funding projects deeply embedded in the region.

Digby Hughes brings a long career in community focused work to the board, shaped by more than thirty years across disability services, environmental advocacy, and homelessness. Although a more recent resident of the Bay and Basin, his connection to the region stretches back to his teenage years exploring the Budawang ranges.

Drawn to the area for its natural beauty and people, Digby values time spent reading, learning languages, and watching sunrises. For him, community is inseparable from place, combining care for people with respect for the land. As a new board member, he looks forward to learning and contributing to deeper community engagement while supporting the continued strength of the local branch.

Ross Popplewell’s involvement in the Bay and Basin is driven by a belief in practical action and meaningful connection. After retiring to Vincentia in 2017, he focused his energy on volunteering and community development, building on a career that included senior roles and running his own business.

Ross finds joy in everyday local moments, such as watching people of all ages jumping from Moona Creek Bridge in summer. Having faced significant personal health challenges, he brings a grounded perspective to his work. He believes community is about connection, support, and improving lives in practical ways, and looks forward to widening opportunities across the Bay and Basin through the Community Bank.

Boris Duka has built his career at the intersection of hospitality, education, and industry, with a strong focus on creating meaningful pathways for young people. With more than two decades of experience as a Trainer and Assessor, program manager, and business leader, he brings a deep understanding of how education, employers, and community can work together to deliver lasting outcomes.

Across his career, Boris has held senior roles within respected education institutions including William Angliss Institute and Kiama and Shoalhaven Community Colleges, and founded The Service Crew, a multi award winning organisation specialising in school based hospitality traineeships. Through this work, he has trained, assessed, and supported hundreds of trainees each year, working closely with schools, councils, government agencies, and hospitality venues.

Boris is motivated by creating practical opportunities for young people and strengthening connections between education, industry, and community.

Emily Shurey, known locally as M, has a lifelong connection to the Bay and Basin area. Born in Nowra and a Bomaderry High School Class of 1999 alumna, she returned to the region to be closer to family and now lives in Woollamia, where her family has lived for four generations.

Her career spans agency work in Melbourne, several years with technology startups in Berlin, and senior marketing leadership roles supporting global companies entering and growing in the Australian market. Today, M runs Glitterazzi, a bioglitter ecommerce business locally and is involved in building her own early stage technology ventures.

Outside of work, M volunteers with the Husky Op Shop and the Wandandian Macropod Rehabilitation Centre. She spends much of her free time walking from Huskisson Village to Huskisson Beach, with Shark Net a favourite spot, especially when dolphins pass by. For M, community is built through shared responsibility and everyday action, and she hopes the Community Bank continues investing in initiatives that deliver lasting benefit for local people.