MEDIA RELEASE

Chartered Accountants ANZ is celebrating the outstanding professional achievements of a select group of its approximately 140,000 members, by conferring fellowship on 226 distinguished members, and bestowing Life Membership – the highest honour – on three very special members.

This year Howard (Mike) Blake AM FCA, Joanna Perry MNZA FCA and Susan Rix AM FCA were awarded Life Membership, joining an esteemed group of just 33 members.

“Mike, Susan and Joanna received many life membership nominations from their peers, with amazing testimonials recalling their achievements, commitment to the highest ethics and the time they have given to others,” said CA ANZ Chief Executive Officer Ainslie van Onselen.

“The breadth of their experience and knowledge is tremendous. They have used their professional and leadership skills to make our institutions, businesses and countries better places and our entire membership recognises them for this.”

“Among their achievements, Mike’s work as an Auditor-General across a number of Australian states and territories, Joanna’s appointments across a range of New Zealand government appointments, and Susan’s exemplary career and unwavering philanthropy represent the best of the accounting profession.”

CA ANZ President Grant Ellis FCA commended the new life members and fellows on their achievements.

“This is a milestone moment that lets them know CA ANZ and their peers see their hard work and dedication. For years they have gone the extra mile, not just for their organisations and businesses, but for their communities, charities and the public good,” said Mr Ellis.

“They are the beating heart of our membership and we’re very proud to recognise them, particularly as many keep a much lower profile than they deserve.

“Our life members are outstanding role models for any young accountant, as well as our 226 new Fellows.”

CA ANZ Fellows are peer-nominated for their contribution to the profession and their communities, and this year span Australia, New Zealand, the USA, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, the UK, Fiji and Japan.

Life Membership is the highest honour bestowed by CA ANZ. Rarely conferred, it recognises distinguished members who have had outstanding achievements in and contributions to the profession and CA ANZ at a high level over the course of their career for a sustained period. There is a cap of 40 CA ANZ Life Members at any one time.