Congratulations Michael Betts AM who was recognised in the Australia Day Honours as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant service to the community of Geelong.

Michael had no options as to which College he would choose as his brother Richard Betts(Wyvern 1966) had resided in Queen’s. The family tradition continued with Michael’s daughters, Kate Bull (nee Betts) (Wyvern 1999) and Anna Tassone (nee Betts) (Wyvern 2001), and Michael’s nephew Nick Betts (Wyvern 2003) and niece Sophie Betts (Wyvern 2004) also residents . His nephew and niece’s attendance was important to Michael as his non-Wyvern brother, Peter, had passed away in 2004 and he was happy to guide Peter’s children to Queen’s.

Michael was Arch Wyvern around that time and became a member of College Council during his friend Professor David Runia’s AM (Wyvern 1969) term as Master. Michael wrote an article many years ago for In Aeternum about the fact that all the previously mentioned Wyverns shared the same academic gown whilst residents. 

Michael’s greatest memory of Queen’s was the formation of enduring friendships that still exist to this day. Particular things he remembers are sitting in the window frames of West Wing listening to the birthday ballots for National Service when he was the only resident whose number came up. Related to this was the Willie Quick Society dinner in late 1972 when the guest speaker was Gough Whitlam, his election in December 1972 meant that any looming period of National Service was cancelled. He remembers that as a member of GC they were just happy that Gough got in and out of Queen’s without being water-bombed. Finally in 1972, Michael and Professor David Copolov AO (Wyvern 1969) were GC representatives on the Queen’s Council chaired by Professor Geoffrey Blainey AC (Wyvern 1948). During this time the decision to admit female residents was taken and as a commerce student he remembers challenging Council as to whether it was really an economic decision dressed up as social advancement.  

All Michael’s working life has focused on his career as a Chartered Accountant. His first community role was in 1973 and apart from 1974 when he travelled overseas with his wife, he has held roles in community, educational and sporting organisations ever since, making for a full life. In most organisations where he held a director or equivalent role he has looked to leadership roles. He has also had a particular interest in governance and rates his work assisting with the revision of the Queen’s College and The Geelong College constitutions as both his most challenging and rewarding work. In both cases the new constitutions required ratification by the Uniting Church Synod and this was not an easy task. 

His role as Chair of the Committee for Geelong meant that he often interfaced and also entertained politicians across the three tiers of Australian Government from the Prime Ministers down. 

Currently Michael is Chair of the Geelong Community Foundation. In its 25 years in existence it has grown from zero to now having a corpus of over $50million which is invested to provide annual income to not for profit organisations in the broader Geelong region. 

Michael’s list of further involvements is extensive.

 Northern Futures

  • Chair, 2016-2021.
  • Director, 2016-2021.

 Geelong College Foundation 

  • Chair, 2009-2014.
  • Director, 2008-2015.

 Geelong – Other 

  • Council Member, Geelong College, 2008-2015.
  • Board Member, Geelong Supercats, 1989-1996.
  • President, Old Geelong Collegians’ Association, 1985-1986, 1986-1987.
  • Member, Rotary Clubs of Geelong, Highton and Geelong Central, 1976-1992.
  • Former Member, Finance Sub-Committee, Geelong Chamber of Commerce.

 National Basketball League

  • Executive Member, 1995-1996.
  • Board Member, 1992-1996.

 St Laurence Community Services (Barwon) Inc 

  • Chair, 2001-2004.
  • Board Member, 1996-2005.
  • Member, Finance Committee, 1995-1996.
  • Life Member.

 United Way (now Give Where You Live Foundation)

  • Former Company Director.
  • Chair, Head of the River Organising Committee, 1998-2007.
  • Chair’s Award, 2000.

 Barwon Regional Association for Alcohol and Drug Dependence Inc

  • Chair, 1984-1989.
  • Board Member, 1976-1992.
  • Life Member.

Michael is community minded because he has always wanted his children and grandchildren to live in a fair, equal and just society. He believes that just because this seems increasingly difficult doesn’t mean we should not try to impact these issues. His parents and parents-in-law always taught him to value education and have a positive outlook on work. This was wedded to a strong belief to “give back”. 

Michael’s mantra is simple, “If I am asked to help, don’t look for someone else to do the hard work”.