John Crooks

Managing Director

JP, MAIE (MELB), MBIE, AFDA, FDA (NSW)

John Crooks is the Managing Director of R. J. Sidney Craig Funeral Directors and a second-generation Funeral Director. With 37 years of experience, John understands all facets of the funeral industry. A previous Board Member and a member of the Australian Institute of Embalming, the British Institute of Embalmers, the Australian Funeral Directors’ Association and the Funeral Directors’ Association (NSW), John ensures that R. J. Sidney Craig is at the forefront of industry best practice and professionalism. A qualified embalmer since 1991, John holds the latest qualification, Diploma in Embalming (Certificate IV). John also holds a certificate as a Master Funeral Director

John has a strong commitment to the community and people of Goulburn which is demonstrated through his past role as an elected alderman of the Goulburn City Council and his long-time involvement with Junior Rugby League (in which he has been a committee member and office bearer) and his strong dedication to various community fundraising activities.

John is a member of an International Disaster Identification Group which can be deployed on assignment to various parts of the world often at short notice. He is also regarded as a leading expert on funeral industry-related matters from whom the media seeks advice.

Belinda Crooks

Director

Co-owner and Director of R. J. Sidney Craig Funeral Directors, Belinda Crooks is head of the firm’s Women’s Division. From a young age, Belinda has understood the grief faced by families and the compassion and empathy they need after losing a loved one, as her father was the Manager of the Goulburn City Council General Cemetery for many years. Belinda understands that many women are more comfortable talking about funeral arrangements and feelings of grief with other women and ensures that the R. J. Sidney Craig Women’s Division provides a thoughtful and professional service to families in need.

Belinda’s role also includes liaison with families in the preparation and production of Pictorial Tributes for services, and the design, ordering and installation of cast-bronze plaques, funerary urns and memorial work. Belinda’s other responsibilities include Company Secretary, Payroll Services and managing the Finance Portfolio within the business.

Belinda is an active member of the Goulburn Community and has supported her children in their sporting achievements and academic studies. Belinda is also an active participant in local sports such as Netball and Touch Football. As with her partner John, Belinda participates regularly in various community fund-raising activities.

Bruce Hammond, JP

Office Manager (Retired)

Bruce Hammond was born and raised in Goulburn. His employment history includes service in the Royal Australian Navy and the Commonwealth Police Force, and 28 years as a Registered Nurse working in Goulburn

During his years as a health care professional, Bruce worked in many clinical and management roles, including positions as a Clinical Nurse Consultant (Quality Assurance), followed by nine years as a Chief Executive Officer/Director of Nursing within the St John of God Healthcare group. He also served as a Board Member and Deputy Chair of the Catholic Health Care Association (NSW) and two terms as Deputy Chair on the Board of Directors of an Aged Care Service Provider in inner Sydney.

Bruce has been an active participant in the life of the Goulburn Community and has served as President of the Goulburn Chamber of Commerce and has been a committee member and office bearer in local sporting and community-based groups. He is an active member and senior office bearer of the Rotary Club of Goulburn.

Although “retired”, at R. J. Sidney Craig Funeral Directors, Bruce continues to assist families with all aspects of their funeral arrangements when called upon. His background in health care, management and quality assurance and his extensive professional, community and personal networks ensures that families receive quality service that is underpinned by the Core Values of R. J. Sidney Craig: ‘Compassion, Caring and Community’.

Stephen Andreatta

Mortuary, Vehicle Fleet & Workshop Co-ordinator

Stephen (Steve) Andreatta was born and raised in Goulburn and has been an employee of R. J. Sidney Craig Funeral Directors for 12 Years and has a working background that includes supervisory roles and employment at the Goulburn Base Hospital.

Stephen has a multi-faceted role at R. J. Sidney Craig, which includes management of the Mortuary, the workshop facility and the firm’s fleet of vehicles.

Stephen recognises the importance of empathy and sensitivity as key values of his role in the mortuary and strives always to provide a dignified and lasting memory of a loved one. That lasting memory is also passed on through his work with the installation and refurbishment of cast-bronze plaques and other associated tasks.

At R. J. Sidney Craig, Stephen’s connection to the Goulburn community is an important aspect of his work, and he is widely recognised as a caring, professional person who takes great pride in his capacity to provide an excellent service that does much to contribute to the recognition of R. J. Sidney Craig as a leader within the local community and the Funeral Industry.

Geoff Smith

Jesse Lacey

Daniel Strickland