Australian Mutual Bank

🌱 Last week, Cami and Jo from the Australian Mutual Bank's Sustainability Committee traded their office chairs for gardening gloves and headed out to the Lucas Heights Conservation Area in Sydney's south. Their mission? To help Greenfleet restore a native forest on Dharawal Country. Greenfleet is an Australian environmental not-for-profit organisation that plants biodiverse native forests that are protected for up to 100 years. Biodiverse native forests capture carbon emissions to help protect our climate, improve soil and water quality and provide habitat for native wildlife. The day kicked off with an Acknowledgement of Country by Graham Avery, Sutherland Council's Natural Areas Aboriginal Heritage Officer. His insights into the rich history and significance of the land set the tone for what was to be an inspiring day of digging, planting, watering and a whole lot of laughter. Brad and the team from Sutherland Shire were also on hand, guiding the volunteers as they set about their eco-friendly endeavours. Armed with picks and an enthusiasm that could rival a kid in a candy store, Cami and Jo got to work. By the time the day was done, they had planted no less than 60 native plants, contributing to the grand total of 1,100 trees put into the ground by all the volunteers. Ironbark Eucalyptus and Turpentine were among the species planted, essential to restoring this endangered Sydney Turpentine Ironbark Forest. This effort not only helps preserve a legally protected ecosystem but also supports potential habitats for koalas, possums, and other wildlife in the region. While Cami and Jo may have returned to their desks with a few extra blisters, they also brought back a sense of accomplishment and a renewed commitment to making the world a greener place, one tree at a time. Thank you Greenfleet for restoring our native forests and growing climate hope. #GrowingHope #ClimateAction

Who says work can't be cosy? Last week, Australian Mutual Bank staff proudly participated in 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐲𝐣𝐚𝐦𝐚 𝐃𝐚𝐲 to support The Pyjama Foundation. This special day is all about individuals donning their favourite PJs to raise awareness and funds for children in foster care, one of Australia's lowest-performing educational group. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐬* ➡ 92% of children in care have below-average reading skills by the time they are 7 years old. ➡ 75% of children in care are not completing high school. ➡ 35% of children in care enter the juvenile justice system. ➡ There are over 46,000 children in out-of-home care in Australia. These statistics highlight the urgent need for programs like the 𝐿𝑜𝑣𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝐿𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑃𝑟𝑜𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑚, which pairs foster children with trained volunteers, known as Pyjama Angels. These volunteers help children with reading, educational games, and other fun learning activities. They play a vital role in providing consistent friendship and support, and most importantly, instil a love of learning in children. The program has proven to be an effective solution, as it supports children in care to form and sustain healthy adult attachments, relationships, gain improved educational success and increase their confidence. Australian Mutual Bank was proud to raise funds and contribute to the national effort, which currently sits at over $500,000 (at the time of writing). Every dollar raised helps the Foundation extend its reach and support more children in need. We're proud to support this incredible cause and look forward to continuing our efforts to make a difference in the lives of these children. Read more about this great cause and how to get involved: https://lnkd.in/g_XGAVdE *𝑆𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑐𝑒: 𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑃𝑦𝑗𝑎𝑚𝑎 𝐹𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑑𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 #InMyPJs #PyjamaDay2024

𝗔𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗼𝗼𝗻 𝐭𝐞𝐚 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐢𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐨𝐚𝐫𝐝 This week, our Rouse Hill branch had the pleasure of hosting an afternoon tea where our members had the chance to share their thoughts and insights with the Chair of Australian Mutual Bank’s Board, Fiona Bennett. The event was well attended, with our team receiving some great feedback as well as enjoying a heartwarming discussion on our rich history within the local community. During the event, our members had the opportunity to raise any concerns and offer any suggestions they may have had. Thank you to those who joined us and for being a part of our banking community. We look forward to more opportunities to connect and interact with our members in the future.

A big thank you to our members Con and Valma who recently visited our Rouse Hill branch to drop off donations to support our food drive for Barnardos Australia. Barnardos Australia is a registered charity that works tirelessly to ensure struggling families receive the right support when they need it most. Barnardos reports a significant increase in demand for help as cost-of-living pressures and shortage of affordable housing make it difficult for those on low or single incomes. Australian Mutual Bank branches are proud to be designated drop-off locations for this food drive, and we are thankful for members like Con and Valma who's generosity helps to support this worthwhile cause. If you would like to help, please drop off donated items at any Australian Mutual Bank branch or visit our website to learn more: https://lnkd.in/g8D66-F9

Australian Mutual Bank is pleased to share our recent donation to Baabayn Aboriginal Corporation during NAIDOC Week celebrations, supporting their crucial community initiatives. Baabayn Aboriginal Corporation, founded in 2012 by respected Aboriginal elders, provides essential culturally appropriate support to individuals and families in western Sydney. Our CEO Mark Worthington and members of our Reconciliation Action Plan working group were honoured to attend the vibrant NAIDOC event in Emerton and be a part of this celebration. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gVBseNkJ #NAIDOC2024 #NAIDOCWeek #BlakLoudProud #KeepTheFireBurning

🖤💛❤️ 𝐇𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐍𝐀𝐈𝐃𝐎𝐂 𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐚𝐫𝐭 At Australian Mutual Bank, we recognise the significance of building respectful ongoing relationships with First Nations communities. As part of our NAIDOC week celebrations, we collaborated with Wiradjuri & Yorta Yorta artist Joanne Cassady (who is also a long-standing member of the bank, with a relationship spanning over 30 years) of Balgarra Designs in an employee engagement event known as ‘artist in residence’, where staff were invited to contribute to a meaningful art piece. Read more about this special event: https://lnkd.in/gd2br8hY #NAIDOC2024 #NAIDOCweek #BlakLoudProud #KeepTheFireBurning

𝐇𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐲 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐨𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐷𝑖𝑑 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑘𝑛𝑜𝑤? Celebrated worldwide for more than a century and officially proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly on the centenary of the ICA in 1995, the International Day of Cooperatives is annually commemorated on the first Saturday of July. #CoopsDay aims to increase awareness of cooperatives. The event underscores the contributions of the cooperative movement to resolving the major problems addressed by the United Nations and to strengthening and extending the partnerships between the international cooperative movement and other actors. Since 1995, the ICA and the United Nations, through the Committee for the Promotion and Advancement of Cooperatives (COPAC), have jointly set the theme for the celebration of #CoopsDay. This year’s theme is "𝐂𝐨𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐚 𝐁𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐀𝐥𝐥” and the celebration will mark the 30th International Day of Cooperatives recognised by the United Nations and the 102nd International Cooperative Day. Through #CoopsDay, local, national, and international policymakers, civil society organisations and the public in general can learn about the contribution of cooperatives to a just and sustainable future for all. As a cooperative, Australian Mutual Bank values its members and puts their interests first, providing quality banking, loan and investment services to the community since 1953. These principles have ensured that our members continue to benefit from an ever changing banking environment whilst being offered the best possible service. Learn more about our story here: https://lnkd.in/dWnk7mgS

Earlier this week, our Campbelltown branch had the pleasure of hosting a special afternoon tea where members had the opportunity to meet the Chair of Australian Mutual Bank's Board, Fiona Bennett. Throughout the event, members engaged in open conversations with Ms. Bennett, sharing positive views of the excellent service they receive from Australian Mutual Bank staff, asking questions, and offering suggestions. Ms. Bennett expressed her appreciation for the warm reception and the chance to connect with the members: “𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘊𝘢𝘮𝘱𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘵𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘩 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘰𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘦𝘢. 𝘐 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘦𝘯𝘫𝘰𝘺𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘸𝘦 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰𝘨𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳. 𝘐𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘥𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘯 𝘢 𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶. 𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬𝘴 𝘵𝘰𝘰 𝘵𝘰 𝘗𝘢𝘳𝘷𝘦𝘦𝘯, 𝘛𝘰𝘳𝘪 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘔𝘪𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘦 (𝘢𝘵 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘊𝘢𝘮𝘱𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘵𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘩) 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘦 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭 𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘸𝘦𝘭𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘫𝘰𝘣 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘥𝘰 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘮𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳𝘴.” We appreciate our members who joined us on the day and look forward to creating more opportunities for our members to connect with our leadership in the future.

Last week, a group of enthusiastic staff came together on behalf of the Australian Mutuals Foundation to take part in the 2024 Barnardos Australia Amazing Race event. The event was a huge success, with the group enjoying the opportunity to come together, work as a team and have some fun, all whilst supporting the valuable work of Barnardos Australia. Check out our latest article for some happy snaps as well as the rewarding experience shared by our volunteers: https://lnkd.in/g_wi_8eG

𝐖𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐑𝐞𝐝𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐧'𝐬 𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐡 𝐀𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞 ⚫🟡🔴 To kick off National Reconciliation Week, a group of staff members, including our CEO Mark Worthington, embarked on an enlightening historical journey with a walking tour through Redfern led by our guide, Aunty Donna Ingram. A proud Wiradjuri activist, born and raised on Gadigal land in Sydney, Aunty Donna considers Redfern her cultural home. Redfern has long served as the focal point of Aboriginal activism and continues to hold significant importance in Aboriginal people's connection to their identity. Read more about this special experience: https://lnkd.in/g-JBgZWu Reconciliation Australia #NRW2024 #ReconciliationWeek2024 #NationalReconciliationWeek #NowMorethanEver