inducted 2023 Service
Music was central to Eric’s family life growing up in Dennington. His mother, Theresa instilled a love of music in her children and father, Leo encouraged them in sports. Education was also important, with all 7 children completing a tertiary education.
Eric made the most of every opportunity offered at CBC, and enjoyed his involvement in his studies, the choir, school concerts, school football and cricket, and public speaking. Eric completed his time at CBC as College Captain - a privilege he held for 2 years.
His early years after school saw him complete a degree in Civil Engineering at the University of Melbourne, then working for a civil and environmental consulting firm. Eric completed further studies, here and in the US, before beginning executive roles with the Shire of Dundas (Hamilton), then the Shire of Bulla (Sunbury). Here, the Council embarked on a major infrastructure and facilities expansion programme for a fast growing community.
This early work prepared him well for his next big challenge, at the City of Melbourne, where, among other key roles including GM Operations, he spent most of 1990 as Acting CEO during a critical period of challenge and reform. During this period the City implemented substantial change, reducing annual staffing costs, tackling unsustainable cost burdens, redeveloping its electoral and rating systems and focusing on ratepayer services improvement. “We had 6 months to develop an accepted plan to right the ship, and we delivered it over the next two years,” Eric highlights. Later work as Corporate Manager included establishing Citywide P/L as an infrastructure services company under the Corporations Law with independent Directors, with Council as shareholder. Staff winning open competitive bids for services contracts were progressively transferred to the new major operating entity.
Eric was then appointed CEO for the new Shire of Yarra Ranges, amalgamating four municipalities in Melbourne’s East. With major reductions in income required by government, challenges included reducing debt, reducing operating costs, and maintaining an infrastructure investment programme while remaining solvent and meeting community needs. After four years Eric was approached by VicRoads and appointed as General Manager of Road Safety for Victoria. Under Eric’s leadership and with the support of the road safety partner organisations and government, an astonishing amount of road safety legislation was passed and implemented. Victoria became the first jurisdiction globally to introduce roadside drug testing, introduced the first major programme for use of alcohol interlocks in Australia, oversaw introduction of the expanded Graduated Licensing System for novice drivers and increased sanctions for speeding. Eric was instrumental in the development and delivery of Arrive Alive!, the Victorian Road Safety Strategy, leading to delivery of a 20% reduction in road fatalities over 5 years with substantial infrastructure safety investment, speed limits reductions and vehicle safety measures. He went on to introduce the “Safe System” approach to road safety in Australia, a foundation for addressing road safety risk incorporated into National Road Safety Action Plans since 2004.
Victoria’s road safety achievements over those years, were recognised by the prestigious 2004 RoadSafe Prince Michael of Kent International Road Safety Award.
Eric was approached to chair the OECD/ ITF “Towards Zero” Project from 2004 to 2008. The final team Report proved to be a landmark document recommending the “safe system” approach, encouraging member countries to adopt an ambitious zero long term target for road deaths and injuries. The approach became the basis for ongoing UN Road Safety Decade of Action Plans.
His knowledge and leadership on road safety attracted the attention of Governments, the World Bank, the Global Road Safety Partnership, WHO, and other international organisations, which led to Eric establishing his own consultancy, Whiting Moyne P/L, from 2006, assessing government road safety management capacity, partnerships and commitment and recommending strengthening measures and policies. He has now delivered strategic advice in more than 35 countries throughout Europe, South and South East Asia, the Americas and the Pacific.
Eric was principal author for the Global Road Safety Partnership Speed Management Manual, and co-authored the World Road Association Road Safety Manual. He has published numerous Papers and Reports on Road Safety and was one of three authors of Eliminating Serious Injury and Death from Road Transport – A crisis of complacency, published in 2014.
Eric has directed and facilitated many Road Safety Management and Leadership Programs - through Monash University, the World Bank, Asian Development Bank and others. He continues to provide services to the road safety community, nationally and internationally, today.
Despite the demanding nature of his work, Eric has always made time for volunteering, chairing the planning committee for the Mercy Hospital for Women, and serving on the Sisters of Mercy Property Advisory Council, and today serving on the Emmanuel College Foundation and as President of Eureka Australia.
Family also remains central to Eric’s life. He and his wife Mary, have three married children and six grandchildren.
In 2018 Eric was presented with the award of Member of the Order of Australia for his service to road transport safety, professional associations and the community.
