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Yallourn boss departs role
JULIAN TURECEK
Doors to close: Morwell’s Bank Australia branch will be closing on September 30.
photograph tom gannon
BRANCH BLOW MORWELL is copping yet another blow to its retail strip as Bank Australia announced yesterday it will close the Commercial Road branch on September 30. Bank Australia will instead convert the branch into an office space in order to provide diversified local jobs. Customers will be able to access branches in Moe and Traralgon. The bank plans to hold an information session for local customers to discuss the branch closure. Bank Australia managing director Damien Walsh said the Morwell
branch closure was a “bittersweet” and “difficult decision to make”. “But we are proud to be increasing our investment in the area through upgraded office space and new roles,” Mr Walsh said. Mr Walsh assured there would be no job losses for Morwell branch employees who would be offered new roles within the bank. The Morwell central business district has already lost three bank branches in the past 13 months. It follows the departure of the Commercial Road ANZ and Commonwealth Bank branches and most recently with the loss of the
Bendigo Bank branch on Tarwin Street. Mr Walsh said the decision to shut the Morwell Bank Australia branch was informed by “thorough evaluation of the changing needs and expectations of customers”. “The way customers access our services is changing rapidly and we are continuously looking at how we can best meet our customers’ needs through digital and face-to-face banking options,” Mr Walsh said. “Closing our Morwell branch was a difficult decision and we understand the effect it has on our customers, staff and the local community.”
Mr Walsh said Bank Australia would remain “committed to being a significant local employer and member of the Latrobe Valley community”. He said the bank employed more than 160 people in Gippsland and served more than 20,000 customers, “with strong growth plans into the future”. “With our branches in Moe and Traralgon, our Moe and Morwell-based contact centre and lending teams, we’ll continue to grow our presence in the area by providing great job opportunities in a modern working environment,” Mr Walsh said.
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GP1630467
By MICHELLE SLATER
HEAD of Yallourn Julian Turecek is leaving the role 10 months after his appointment. Mr Turecek took the reins following the departure of Mark Pearson, who retired in September 2020 after 15 years in the role and more than four decades at Yallourn. The current Head of Mt Piper Power Station in New South Wales, Greg McIntyre, will step in as the acting Head of Yallourn until a permanent replacement is announced. Mr McIntyre’s previous roles have included managing large coal-fired power stations in Queensland and South Australia. Mr Turecek, who has been with EnergyAustralia for nine years, led the Yallourn team through the announcement that the plant would close in mid-2028. He also contributed to the company’s response when severe rain cracked parts of the Morwell River Diversion. Mr Turecek helped build the Hallett power station GT1-3 turbine in South Australia and was on the Tallawarra B project in New South Wales. He was also part of the integration of Newport and Jeeralang as part of EnergyAustralia’s fleet of assets. EnergyAustralia managing director Mark Collette said Mr Turecek made a “tremendous contribution” to the business. “Outside of what he accomplished in each of his roles at EnergyAustralia, he has always been a passionate advocate for a respectful transition and the safety of all workers,” Mr Collette said. “EnergyAustralia wishes Julian success in his future roles.”