Membership Participants

Andrew Burridge, Insurance Manager, Deakin University

Kazia Lombardo, Manager Insurance & Risk, La Trobe University

Kyle Pearson, Manager Treasury, University of New England

Adrian Xuereb, Associate Director – Strategic Capital Management, Victoria University

Sylvia Sakwa, Senior Specialist, Insurance Services, Monash University

Chi Him Kong, Insurance Coordinator, University of Wollongong

Stephen Peake, Principal/CEO, Emmanuel College

Andrew Swan, Principal, Mannix College

Unimutual Participants

Geoff Henderson, Chief Executive Officer (Chair)

Tobias Pfau, Chief Underwriting Officer

Simon Iliffe, Manager Risk Services

Christine Cummings, Manager Member Services

Diana Lawrie, Account Manager, Member Services

Issues Discussed

1. Purpose & Role

The Member Reference Group is a refresh of what was known as the Technical Committee. We recognise the importance of providing the Members with a voice and the Members actively participating in the development of the Mutual. The new group aims to bring together a wide cross section of the membership including those with or without insurance experience.

The Member Reference Group will play a key role in supporting the Management of Unimutual to ensure that the core expectations of Members are met. This will include ensuring that the Protections offered align with Member needs, that insights from claims are integrated into Risk Management initiatives, and that Member Services continue to evolve, delivering increased value to the membership.

2. RMIA Membership

Unimutual has partnered with RMIA and purchased ninety licences to enable Members to access the wide range of resources provided by RMIA. These resources include webinars, fact sheet, case studies etc. Most of these licences have been issued but we still have a few remaining. If you would like to take advantage of this offering, please contact [email protected].

We will be monitoring the use of the licenses by the membership and adjusting accordingly.

3. Pandemic Protection

The uptake of the Pandemic Protection on renewal was not as high as expected given the initial survey which was undertaken. The feedback from the group was that the limit quote was not sufficient to take up the cover.

It was agreed that on renewal Unimutual would provide all Members with options for higher Pandemic limits as part of the renewal quotation.

4. High Valued Equipment Project

Unimutual will be offering a new service to assist Members in managing the risks associated with their high valued equipment. High valued equipment could apply to any individual item greater than $1m or an accumulation of equipment in a single room of more than $1m. The $1m base line can be reassessed depending on the individual Member’s needs.

The Risk Services team would review the space and condition of the building where the equipment is located. Understand the services that run through the building water or waste pipes which pose a risk to the equipment and assess air conditioning vents, ducting, power supplies etc. A report would be provided on the potential exposures and suggestions on managing the risk.

If you would like more information on the service, contact [email protected]

5. Valuation Services Panel Guide

A Valuation Services Panel Guide has been developed to assist Members in sourcing a valuer and obtaining discounted valuation services. Members have starting utilising the panel and gained access to the discounted service.

The group also discussed the valuation of research material held in Controlled Environments. This is a specialised area, and your valuer may not have the expertise to assist. The Risk Management Team are looking at engaging with Members and assisting in this area. Consideration needs to be given on whether the research material would be replaced in the event of a loss and therefore if it needs to be covered. The basis on which it is declared whether for replacement of scientific value also needs to be determined.

6. EV and E-rideable Charging Guidelines Project

The Risk Management Team is involved in a joint project with TEFMA to produce an EV and E-rideable Charging Guidelines which can be shared with the Members. This document will include information on:

• Best practice on location, charging and disposal of batteries.
• Hazards associated with lithium-ion batteries and charging.
• Location and minimum protection consideration for EV and personal mobility device charging facilities.
• Safe charging of tools, operation management and surveillance of lithium-ion battery charging facilities
• Procurement considerations

7. Protection Fact Sheets

Unimutual are in the process of developing various fact sheets on the protections to provide general information to Members for easy reference. We are always open to receiving feedback from Members on what information would be beneficial. The following additional facts sheets were proposed:

• Clinical Trials including notification and protection.
• Controlled Environment limit & retention application

8. Data Collection Process

Data Collection process will commence 1 May 2025 and authentication of users will be via an authenticator app as opposed to email or SMS. An authenticator app has been recommended by our Cyber Security team as the most secure option.

Prior to the commencement of the Data Collection process Members will be receiving their COPE spreadsheet to update for renewal. All renewal information will be due for return by 31 July 2025.

9. Unimutual Conference 2025 – Member Forum

The Member Forum will be held during the Unimutual Conference and Stephen Peake, Principal/CEO, Emmanuel College has volunteered to moderate the session,

If you are interested in joining the Member Reference Group, please email [email protected].