Board of Directors

Community Bank Epping is owned and managed by Epping and Districts Financial Services Ltd under Bendigo Bank’s community bank network.

EDFS has a volunteer Board of Directors made up of local residents who give of their time and skills to direct and oversee the company. The Board manages the community funding program.

Craig Eric Gallagher

Chair

Occupation: Retired Solicitor

Qualifications, experience and expertise: 38 years Epping/Eastwood suburban Practitioner; 1995 appointed trustee State Sports Centre Trust until its closure; 1998 to March 2012 trustee and Chairman of Parramatta Stadium Trust; from March 2012 to 2017 Chairman of Sydney Local Venue Council and director of Venues NSW Authority; September 2012 appointed trustee Sydney University Centre for Disabilities Studies and member and director of Epping Rotary Club for 21 years.

Special responsibilities: Chair, Member of Governance and Community Funding & Business Development Committees

Interest in shares: Nil

Ian David Bittner

Non-executive director

Occupation: Retired Quality Officer/Risk Manager

Qualifications, experience and expertise: Pathology Administrator Graduate Diploma in Management, 1997 Adelaide University School of Management; previously worked as Chief General Manager of Operations in Malaysia and Singapore; past President and current Board member of Epping Rotary Inc.; past Treasurer of Lifeway Lutheran Church, Epping; extensive experience in financial management and currently working in the area of risk management.

Special responsibilities: Company Secretary, Chair of Governance Committee

Interest in shares: Nil

Janet McGarry

Non-executive director

Occupation: Marketing and Communications Senior Executive

Qualifications, experience and expertise: 30+ years experience in marketing and communications in the tourism accommodation sector for a leading NFP membership organisation. Editor of 50th Anniversary books on the history of North Epping Public School and North Epping Rangers. 5 years as President of Epping Civic Trust.

Special responsibilities: Member of Community Funding and Business Development Committee.

Interest in shares: Nil

Lakshmi Pillamarri

Non-executive director

Occupation: Managing Director, SoftLabs

Qualifications, experience and expertise:

Master’s degree in information systems with over 25+ years of experience in business consulting, specialising in digital transformation, ERP, and process improvement. Brings cross-industry experience, including strong exposure to Manufacturing, healthcare and aged care, supporting organisations to enhance service delivery and operational efficiency.

Has served on various Not for Profit boards in the past, contributing to governance, strategic direction, and community-focused outcomes. Experienced in aligning organisational strategy with sustainable growth, with a focus on financial oversight, risk management, and transparent, data-driven decision making.

Special responsibilities:

Interest in shares: Nil

Joanne Lynch

Non-executive director

Occupation: Governance and Performance Manager with a major construction/infrastructure management project.

Qualifications, experience and expertise: 30+ years of experience in financial and operational leadership roles in the UK, US, Japan and Australia working across a range of industries (pharmaceutical, IT, industrial services). 6 years as Treasurer of the Beecroft and District Garden Club. Holds accounting, organisational coaching and workplace health/safety qualifications.

Special responsibilities: Chair of Finance Committee

Shares: Nil

Edmund So

Non-executive director

Occupation: Retired Accountant

Qualifications, experience and expertise: Years of accounting and commercial experience in one of the top 4 accounting firms and worked as a finance director of a medium size manufacturing business. A member of Chartered Accountants in Australia and New Zealand as well as a member of the Australian CPA. Also has Master of Laws degree. Now helping the local community as a volunteer.

Special responsibilities: Member of Finance Committee

Shares: Nil