Resume – Alison Crook AO
B.A., (Hons), M.B.A., Dip.Lib, Dip.Ed., Hon D.Univ, Hon.D.Litt, F.A.L.I.A., F.A.I.C.D., F.A.I.M, F.R.I.P.A.A.
Awards/Honours
1988 Australian Library and Information Association: Library Manager of the Year
1989 South Australian Institute for Technology, Graduates Association: Achievement Award for outstanding achievement since graduation.
1991 Business Review Weekly/Alcatel Award: Business Leader of the Year (Professions)
1992 Bulletin/QANTAS Business Woman of the Year 1993
1993 AO: Officer in the Order of Australia for services to public administration
1993 Doctorate, Honoris causa, University of South Australia
1993 Fellowship, Royal Institute of Public Administration of Australia
1993 Fellowship, Australian Library and Information Association
1995 Alumnus of the Year Award, University of Queensland Alumni Association
Doctorate of Letters, Honoris causa, Macquarie University
2003 Centenary Medal, for services to business
Managing Director, Waterview Consulting Pty Ltd – Sep 2005 - present: Consultancies have included reviews and assistance with implementation in all aspects of corporate/support services, carried out as an associate of other companies, and individually, for a range of clients including Victoria University, Anglo Coal Australia, Sydney University, and Victoria Police. Also Non- Executive Director on the boards of Australian Volunteers International, St James Ethics Centre, and Gordon Darling Foundation.
As Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Resources), Monash University, 2000 – Aug 2005, Alison was responsible for all aspects of resources, including finances, properties, student and staff services, facilities and services, information technology, and legal services.
In that role, amongst other things, she initiated and led the significant organizational change project involving implementation of a new approach to financial and property management throughout the university which includes 6 campuses in Australia, campuses in Malaysia and South Africa, centres in London and Italy, and has an annual turnover of app. $1 billion. She also developed the legal-financial structural model for a new Medical School as part of the Malaysian campus, and led the negotiations resulting in its establishment. She led the development of a new approach to commercialisation of the university’s intellectual property, and became Managing Director of its new commercial arm.
Prior to joining Monash her career included senior positions in both state government and the private sector. As Executive Director Operations, Serco Asia Pacific Pty Limited, 1997--2000 and Managing Director Serco Transport Services 1998-2000, initially seconded to Serco Ltd London (1997), she was responsible for oversight of HR and IT and communication policies across Asia-Pacific companies, plus broad oversight of contractual operations (5,500 staff). For Serco as a global outsourcing company, organisational restructuring and well managed change was acknowledged as the key to successful operations and she was invited to join the company because of her established reputation in this field.
While Director-General State and Regional Development NSW, 1995-96, Alison successfully amalgamated the Department of Business and Regional Development with State Development, a significant change project in itself, while continuing to develop programs and services for investment attraction and facilitation; export assistance, small business assistance, and provide policy advice on economic development for NSW. Achievements included obtaining support from all states for the creation of the Invest Australia program.
As State Librarian, NSW, 1987-94 and Deputy State Librarian 1982-87, Alison was responsible for major organisational change and repositioning of the Library in community perception as a vital, relevant, technologically advanced and customer focused organisation. Under her leadership the Library developed additional sources of income through twelve small businesses, and established a Foundation which raised $7 million private sector support. The role also provides leadership and services to the public library services throughout the state, and she focused strongly on developing IT and managerial skills amongst public library staff.
Her earlier career included positions in a variety of fields and locations, where she learned the principles of organisational change in widely varying cultures. (Tutor in Philosophy, Flinders University; Australian Volunteer Abroad, Lecturer in Art, St Paul’s Teachers College Vunakanau, PNG; Community Liaison Officer, Accounts Clerk, Gunpowder Copper Ltd, Qld; Lecturer Librarian Adelaide TAFE; Principal Librarian North Brisbane CAE).
She is an experienced company director, a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management, a Fellow of the Company Directors’ Association, and has completed the AICD Advanced Diploma
Directorships and Honorary Positions
- Suters Architects Pty Ltd 2007 -
- Australian Volunteers International, 2005 -present
- St James Ethics Centre: Director, 1992-present
- Gordon Darling Foundation: Trustee, 1998-present
- Overseas Projects Corporation of Victoria Ltd, 2002 - 2004
- Recruitment Solutions Pty. Ltd: Director, 2001- 2002
- Australian Chamber Orchestra, 1996-2000
- Software Engineering Australia (National) Ltd., 2000-2001
- Member, Board of Advice, Centre for Corporate Change, AGSM, 1994-97
- IBM Australia Ltd, Director 1994-97
- Small Business Development Corporation, NSW Member 1993-94, 1996-97
- Lend Lease Corporate Financial Services, Director 1992-96
- Overseas Service Bureau, Director 1992-95
- University of Western Sydney, Member, Board of Governors, 1993-94
- Open Learning Australia Pty Limited, Director 1993-95
- Open Learning Technology Corporation Ltd, Director 1994-95
- Open Net Pty Ltd, Director 1994-95
- Australian Technology Park Pty Ltd, Director 1995-97
- National Information Services Council, Member 1995-96
- Royal Institute of Public Administration, Australia, President NSW Division 1991-93
- Australian Council of Library and information Services, President National Council 1990-92
- Social Policy Advisory Group (Federal Government): Member, 1995-96
- Miles Franklin Literary Award: Convenor, Judging Panel, 1988-1994
- Australian Dictionary of Biography: Chair N.S.W. Committee for A.D.B., 1987-1994