Queensland | Bendigo | Gippsland | Ballarat | Melbourne | Canberra |
bankmecu are extremely proud of their investments in the community. Here are just some of the exciting projects bankmecu and our Community Banking Managers are involved in.
Queensland
QCOSS
bankmecu was the major supporter for QCOSS, the Brisbane based Queensland Council of Social Services conference themed "Creating Fairer and More Resilient Communities". There was an interesting emphasis on both service delivery and advocacy for management in the sector. Sadly some shocking facts were heard over the three days including, one in seven children in Queensland are brought to the attention of Child Safety, one for every 4.5 indigenous children. bankmecu representatives were pleased to meet community sector representatives from all over the State and to present on "Asset Building in the Community Sector" alongside Foresters Community Finance.
Building Child-Friendly Communities
Logan-Beaudesert Child Friendly Community Consortium - is a group of 25 organisations who have gathered as a Child Friendly Consortium for this district including representatives of State and Local Government, business and community sectors. The group is staging their first conference - "Building Child-Friendly Communities”.
The intent is to share practical ideas on what works, learn how to build effective partnerships and to encourage each other in the face of what can be overwhelming challenges in terms of the current state of children's well-being. Two of the delegates are the past and current official Australian representatives on the UNICEF Child-Friendly Asia Pacific Network executive committee which means that the progress that is made here in Australia can be readily disseminated to the 103 child friendly communities throughout the region and vice versa.
The objective of bankmecu in this community investment is to support the conference participants in creating an influential network and developing a holistic approach to city/town planning and community endeavours, which ensures the well being of children. In addition, it is envisaged that the bankmecu investment will support the development of a number of working partnerships as outcomes of the conference, to assist in furthering these goals. bankmecu also seeks to meet the network of Logan NGO’s who work in the family support area with a view to creating ongoing positive business relationships.
Bendigo
Paul Hawken
bankmecu proudly supported the Bendigo Sustainability Group in bringing Paul Hawken to Bendigo in October 2011.
Paul Hawken is one of biggest names in business, community and the environment globally. He is an environmentalist, entrepreneur, journalist, and author who has helped countless businesses profit from sustainability. Starting at age 20, he dedicated his life to sustainability and changing the relationship between business and the environment. His practice has included starting and running ecological businesses, writing and teaching about the impact of commerce on living systems, and consulting with governments and corporations on economic development, industrial ecology and environmental policy.
This is the second consecutive year bankmecu has supported the Bendigo Sustainability Group which is in addition to our support of the Solar Hubs program.
Gippsland
Commitee for Gippsland
During October the Committee for Gippsland released the final copy of it’s Strategic Plan for Gippsland. The plan, which references the Gippsland Regional Plan, was developed with the assistance of the Committee’s 41 member businesses. Additional input into the Plan was invited from interested members of the public at four roundtable sessions held across Gippsland during August.
To view the Strategic Plan, click here.
bankmecu was one of the key organisations involved in the creation of the Committee and is a Foundation member of the organisation. Anthony Heinemann, bankmecu’s Community Banking Manager in Gippsland, is a current board member of the Committee for Gippsland and is also a member of the Strategic Planning committee.
Ballarat
Commerce Ballarat CGU Ballarat Business awards
bankmecu were supporters in the Not for Profit community section which saw a very good representation from Ballarat's not for profit community vying for the categories business of the year.
Entries received were, scrutinised by independent judges and narrowed down to three finalists, Ballarat District Nursing and Healthcare, Conservation Volunteers and Child and family Services (CAFS). The final winner was Ballarat District Nursing & Healthcare, who were a deserving winner who also celebrate their 40th anniversary this year.
RACV Energy Breakthrough Challenge
bankmecu supported the RACV Energy Breakthrough Challenge held in Maryborough on November 24 – 27. This event , now in its 21st year, hosts schools and children from across Australia who take part in an educational and technological challenge that sees individuals pit their skills against like minded teams in an environmentally friendly human or hybrid powered vehicle around the track for a 24 hour event.
bankmecu are very proud to be a supporter of the event, comprising some 300+ teams being entered. We will be in attendance at the event informing people of the benefits of banking with Australia's first customer owned bank.
Melbourne
Be the Hero
Recently, bankmecu proudly made a $30,000 investment to The Victorian Women’s Trust - “Be the Hero” Program. This is an innovative, web-based violence prevention program for young men, conceived, designed and produced by the Women's Trust. It has received fantastic support and is currently being utilised by Year 9 students through Victorian regional and metro high schools.
To find out more click here.
5 Star Homes for a brighter future!
bankmecu customer, Environment Victoria, and the 5 star homes alliance has achieved a commitment from the Victorian State Government to deliver a green makeover for ALL Victorian homes. That means raising Victoria’s existing houses from an average of 2 stars, to 5 stars – making all houses water and energy efficient.
Click here to find out how you can help.
Alternative Technology Association Free Webinar
The Alternative Technology Association (ATA) in conjunction with bankmecu presents a series of free online presentations to share practical knowledge about energy efficiency, sustainable building and water conservation at home. Webinars will be broadcast live for view over your web browser, and will be available for playback on demand afterwards.
The Alternative Technology Association (ATA) provides independent advice on how to make homes cheaper to run, more comfortable to live in and environmentally-friendly to 100,000’s of Australians. A not-for-profit organisation, ATA has over 5000 members across Australia and New Zealand walking the talk in their own homes.
To find out more click here.
Canberra
Kippax Community Garden project
bankmecu invests in the Kippax Community Garden project. With other supportive stakeholders, the aim is:
• Have fresh food available for people accessing emergency relief as well as children and families living in disadvantage.
• To give children and families in disadvantage have a grounded educational experience in food production.
• That socially isolated and excluded individuals have an opportunity to be engaged with other individuals and groups in a non-threatening and productive way (providing a source for psychological growth and health).
• A partnership with the local Aboriginal Community will enable cultural education and experience for all involved regarding ‘bush tucker’ (introducing cultural awareness and a valuing of diverse cultures in our community).
To learn more about the Kippax Community Garden project visit www.kippax.com.au
Menslink
On 25 October bankmecu supported the annual MENSLINK Business Breakfast. bankmecu hosted a table of ten people to participate in a business breakfast to hear about the work Menslink does in the ACT and surrounding areas. Business, government, politicians, academia, and the community sector came together to receive an insight into the challenges faced by our young men, especially those who feel socially isolated and disadvantaged through circumstances or disability. Guests learnt about why mentoring young people is such an excellent way to contribute to society and build leadership skills.
Incorporated in 2002, MENSLINK is a charitable, non-profit community association that supports young men by promoting their value, well-being and social participation. Over the past decade or so, MENSLINK have assisted over a thousand young men achieve their full potential.
For more information, contact Menslink at www.menslink.org.au or 02 6239 4699