A tribute to Eric Milne

Tribute

From

James Van Poppel MICM CCE Managing Director Commercial Credit Services

We lost not only a great man, but also someone who was very passionate about what it was to being a credit manager and a key contributor to the credit industry.

I was privileged to have met Eric in the very early days of my entry to the world of credit and collections and was introduced to him by Ian Coates. Eric saw I was new to the industry and he took me under his wing and we developed a master and apprentice kind of relationship over the initial period.

I was blessed to have a business and personal relationship that has spanned 20 years. Over that journey we have worked together and we have also been part of different professional bodies. Eric was someone that loved life and he was able to combine his knowledge and experience with a genuine zest for the networking side of the profession. He did not see one more important than the other, but each was equally important in the quest to be a credit manager. He taught me a lot over the years and I know a lot of people who crossed paths with him testify to the same thing.

We miss you Eric and thank you for the man you were. I know as many people would agree, you were a great teacher, fountain of knowledge and friend.

Tribute from Andrew Le Marchant LICM CCE

My overriding memory of Eric will be how much of a people person he was. He spent his life thinking of others and derived such joy from planning the next event and who would attend. His generosity was legendary.

He had a huge heart and made time for others in both his personal and professional capacity and this is seen through the comments made here by his peers in the credit profession.

I met Eric through my involvement in a bureau in the 1990’s and would interact with him and seek out his senior credit management experience whenever I was fortunate enough to attend one of his insightful presentations whether they be on a serious credit risk topic or his involvement in the NSW division’s end of year debates.

Later my partner Tyson and I were privileged to be invited to social events and our friendship deepened and we were present at the first social outing where Sharon was given a baptism of fire into a group of credit professionals. We will miss our times together.

I am deeply saddened that my friend’s time was cut short as he certainly lived to the full and I know his children Brigham and Ashley will miss his involvement with his beloved grandchildren. 