A Look at Our History

1944-1953
The opening of the Strathclair Credit Union Society Limited was in July 1944 with Mr. W.A. Hunter as manager. On December 31st, 1944 our Credit Union had 44 members, total assets of $1,573.00, a reserve of $10.50 and a total of six loan applications had been approved. The manager could approve a loan up to the amount of $25.00; anything above this amount required the approval of the credit committee.

Mr. Hunter resigned as manager on December 31, 1950. At this time Mr. Francis Winstone accepted the management position.

1954-1963
It was during this time Mr. Winstone had some hair raising experiences. On several occasions robbers broke into the Credit Union and each time money was taken and the safe was blown open. At this time the Board decided they needed a more secure building of their own along with more staff to meet the increasing growth in members. In late 1963 the new building was completed and opened for business.

1964-1973
The highlight of the third decade was the grand opening of the new building on February 22, 1964. At this time the Credit Union had grown to 613 members, assets of $353,878.12 and loans amounting to $1,929,591.31. The Credit Union consisted of four employees at this time.

Following Mr. Winstone's resignation in the later part of 1964, Vi Dunn agreed to act as interim manager. Later that same year, Mr. Bill Livingston was hired. By the end of 1966 the Credit Union had grown to 884 members, showing a steady growth month by month.

Through the years more and more people from the Shoal Lake area were joining the Strathclair Credit Union. There appeared to be potential for a branch in Shoal Lake. On December 15, 1966 the Shoal Lake branch opened with 91 members and Cliff Preston acting as manager.

Late in 1966 Mr. Bill Livingston resigned as manager and Mr. Barry Tillet was hired.

In 1967 the combined membership reached over 1,000. The Board of Directors at this time consisted of: Bert Carr, John C. Hogg, Barry Fowlie, Macklin Buchanan, Jim Burgess, Alfred Somers, Roy Gamey.

In early 1969, Barry Tillet resigned and the board hired Eric Rapley as General Manager.

In 1972 the Shoal Lake Branch relocated to a new building. On December 31 of this year, Mr. Cliff Preston retired and Mr. Bruce Dickie was hired.

This decade started with assets of $353,879.00 and ended with $2,037,552.00. The membership increased from 613 to almost 1,500.

1974-1983
As business increased at the Shoal Lake branch it was obvious the building required renovations to meet the demand of members.

Mr. Bruce Dickie resigned as Shoal Lake Branch Manager on December 31, 1979. Mrs. Margaret Yanchycki became Branch Manager January 1, 1980.

In February 1982 Eric Rapley retired as General Manager and Dennis J. Hedley took over as General Manager.

In 1985, T. Ron. Hedley became Shoal Lake Branch Manager.

This decade showed tremendous growth in assets from $2,037,552.00 to $7,199,993.00.

1984-1993
The first computer was purchased in 1986 and a night depository was installed at the Shoal Lake Branch. Safety deposit boxes were added on several occasions.

In 1990 Dennis Hedley resigned as General Manager and T. Ron Hedley filled this position while W.G. Bill Preston was hired as Branch Manager in Shoal Lake. Ian Gerrard was promoted from Loans Officer to Branch Manager at Strathclair.

The biggest step forward in upgrading our facilities during the decade was the construction of the new Shoal Lake Branch building, which opened in 1993.

The grand opening showed the greatly improved working space, security and business image of Strathclair Credit Union.

One unusual factor in the Credit Union growth was the request by the Solsgirth Credit Union to merge and that we take over their assets and liabilities when they closed their doors January 1, 1993. Many of the former Solsgirth members joined the Strathclair Credit Union.

1994- 2003
Members approved an amalgamation with Oakburn Credit Union effective January 1, 1998. Oakburn entered amalgamation with over 600 members and four staff. The Oakburn facility continues to operate as a branch of Strathclair Credit Union and two members were added to the Board of Directors.

Strathclair Branch celebrated the grand opening of their new building on August 7, 1998.

W.G. Bill Preston retired as Shoal Lake Branch Manager in 1999 and Ted Billeck accepted the position.

In October 2000, T. Ron Hedley resigned as General Manager to take the position of General Manager at Dauphin Plains Credit Union. Ian Gerrard then became General Manager for Strathclair Credit Union and Susan Mervyn accepted the position of Strathclair Branch Manager.

In July 2001, Ted Billeck resigned as Branch Manager from the Shoal Lake Branch and Darren Rozdeba was hired as Branch Manager.

2004 – Present

The Strathclair Credit Union opened their fourth branch in December of 2003. The Newdale Branch is located in the RM of Harrison building in Newdale Manitoba operating four mornings per week.

In April 2004, Darren Rozdeba resigned as Branch Manager from the Shoal Lake Branch and Terry Bencharski was hired as Branch Manager.

2005 brought changes to the Shoal Lake Branch. In the spring major renovations began to the interior of the building. These renovations improved the work space for front-line staff, included the opening of an adjacent Credential Financial Strategies Inc. office, and provided the members and staff with a new refreshing look. In August, Belinda Nowell replaced Terry Bencharski as Branch Manager.

Ian Gerrard resigned as General Manager in June 2006 after
almost 20 years with Strathclair Credit Union. Ian left SCU to accept
the position of CEO at Vanguard Credit Union. Brad Ross was hired as
the new General Manager of Strathclair Credit Union in August.

Credit Union involvement in the community became the focus of advertising and promotional efforts. Strathclair Credit Union is involved in many community events and finds it a great way to meet with the members on a personal level.

The most important factor in the success of Strathclair Credit Union has been the people who make it work. We have been fortunate to have professional, friendly, helpful management and staff as well as dedicated, conscientious directors. The support, involvement and communication by members have made the 60-year history of the Strathclair Credit Union possible.