Alison, Ruth and Rose from the Raymond Terrace Branch

Well done to the Raymond Terrace branch staff for a great effort with their fundraiser BBQ in support of Camp Quality.

On Saturday 3 July Ruth, Alison, Rose and their partners Craig, Mick and Wayne fired up the BBQ to raise funds for the Foundation partnership with Camp Quality supporting their Junior Camps. The funds raised totalled close to $600, a fantastic effort.

We would also like to thank all the local businesses who kindly donated items for the BBQ and raffle:
- Brown’s Butchery
- Bake & Break Cafe Bakery
- Australian Shark and Ray Centre, Port Stephens
- Emily Russell, Mary Kay Beauty Consultant
- Pure Surf Industries
- Nunzia Hair & Beauty
- All About You, Hair
- Biondi’s Restaurant

July 6th, 2010 | 1 Comment »

The Bash Crew: John Kopfler (the bash car mechanic & owner of All Care Car Services Kurri), Denise and Andrew Crane with Kurri Branch Manager Maree Henry

Variety the Children’s Charity holds annual Variety Bashes Australia wide. This year 40 cars took part in the 2010 Newcastle Variety Bash which began on Sunday 16 May at Spears Point and, following a week of travelling through NSW towns, finished on Saturday 22 May in Newcastle. Companion Credit Union supported the Bash by sponsoring the car entered by Companion members Andrew and Dee Crane from Kurri Kurri.

The Newcastle Bash raised a net of $300,000 which goes directly to assisting individual children suffering one, or multiple of, 74 different conditions. The support is in the form of specialised equipment and experiences as well as organisational equipment grants to children’s intensive care units, children’s emergency transport services, children’s support and educational organisations.

Variety is a not-for-profit, non-government funded organisation and relies on individual donors, corporate donors and sponsors like Companion to improve the lives of Australian children.

Well done to the Cranes for their effort in this year’s Bash.

June 8th, 2010 | Leave a Comment »

I promised you all I would update you on my Cambodian Challenge progress so you can see how my fundraising and fitness is progressing. So far I have raised about $3,095 with the help from some great local businesses who I would like to acknowledge- Companion Credit Union, Bridges Financial Planning, Cowan Manufacturing, Rebel Sport, Maitland Hire Rutherford, Rennie Golledge Pty Ltd and CUNA Mutual Group. Also a big thanks to my colleagues at Companion Credit Union who have been helping to sell (OR eat) my fundraising chocolates- thanks for your support.

My training has been getting more intense as I prepare for the trip, I did an 8km bike ride to Largs the other day but I need to increase my distance, I have also been hitting the gym with Spin Class and Body Blitz and boy I am feeling every bit of it! I had to go and buy those padded bike pants as the seat on my push bike is vicious, but it hasn’t really made any difference to tell the truth…

I attended a Leadership Course last week in Sydney to prepare for the trip and met some of the others that I will be cycling along side of through Cambodia. I leave on the 6th of July which is very soon, and I am getting pretty excited and a little anxious about what lies ahead for me when I arrive in Cambodia. But I am very sure this is the trip of a lifetime and will be benefit many young Cambodians.

Its not too late to donate

Thankyou everyone who has helped me prepare for the Cambodian Challenge and I will see you when I return on the 17th July,

Chris Austin

June 29th, 2009 | Leave a Comment »

Companion said ‘We’re Listening’

Guess what? We meant it!

Over the past month the exclusive members only Companion Community Grant has given away over $20,000 to 57 local not-for-profit groups. Members nominated organisations they thought could use a helping hand, and a panel of members helped distribute the funds to the successful recpients.

Now that’s listening to your members!

If you would like to register your interest for the 2010 grant let us know

Photos of the presentation days and the list of recipients can be found here

Feel free to share your Community Grant Story here by clicking on ‘Leave a comment’

Cas. S

June 22nd, 2009 | 2 Comments »

Yesterday morning was far to cold to be getting up earlier to meet and greet the receipts of the Community Grants for my area (Raymond Terrace), but I’m glad I did, it was a great morning. The Sun was streaming through the front windows of the Raymond Terrace Branch and everyone was happy with there hot coffee’s and very yummy muffins.

People were introduced and networking and chit chat followed, with everyone learning more about each others organization and how they play are part in our local community. Formal proceedings started with Ray O’Brien (Cheif Executive of Companion) giving a quick welcome and a background on the community grants program and how we hope this will be accepted and continued in to the future. Our next speaker and presenter was Deputy Mayor Bob Westbury who gave a speech acknowledging community groups and not for profit organizations and all there tireless work that they do. Each recipient was asked to give a small overview of their organization upon receipt of there grant. Photo’s were taken by our very talented and creator of the grant- Marketing Manager Cas Scott. Local press The Port Stephens Examiner was in attendance so there were smiles all round.

More Coffee and muffins followed with no one wanting to leave as we had all become quite cozy in the morning sun. But alas the real world awaits. Praise was forthcoming about the launch of the program with the general consensus being that this was a wonderful way for Companion to maximize the way the funds were to be disbursed. With our membership base being able to nominate an organization that they felt strongly about or an existing Companion organization being able to nominate themselves. As our recipients said their goodbye’s, business cards were exchanged and all hoped that we would all be back to do it again next year. I’m sure I heard them whisper to each other about Ray hoping there maybe a bigger sponosrhip pie next year!!!!!

Recipients for Raymond Terrace/ Salamander Bay: Port Stephens Outrigger Canoe Club, Hunter Volunteer Centre, Riding for the Disabled and Raymond Terrace Christian Education Association.

A full picture gallerywill be on this website in the coming weeks- so keep an eye out for it.

Mel.S
Raymond Terrace Branch Manager

June 12th, 2009 | Leave a Comment »

Two weeks ago I decided to do something totally different to what I would normally do, I decided to cycle around Cambodia. The ride is to raise money to develop Children’s Literacy in Cambodia.

This is part of a CUFA (Credit Union Foundation of Australia) initiative, which teaches the value of saving to young children. And working at Companion Credit Union I realise how important basic financial skills are that we take for granted.

First there are two things I must do before I can go to Cambodia;

1. Find a bike to train on (yes that’s right, I’m a novice cyclist to say the least)
2. Raise $3,000

All of the $3,000 goes directly to the Cambodian Children’s Financial Literacy Program. And I would like to ask for your help!

No donation is too large or small, and all donations over $2 are tax deductible. Donations can be made securely over the internet through the CUFA website.

Donate here

I would like to say a BIG thankyou to the following for their contribution to this worthy cause;

- Companion Credit Union
- Bridges Financial Planning
- Cowan Manufacturing
- Rennie Golledge Pty Ltd. 
- Rebel Sport 
- Maitland Hire Rutherford

I will also be posting some updates here as the weeks progress to let you know how my training and fundraising is going. If you have any training tips out there I would love to hear them!

Christine Austin
Companion Credit Union, East Maitland Branch
Novice Cyclist and Fundraiser for Childrens Literacy

June 4th, 2009 | 2 Comments »

A big THANKYOU to all of our members that have nominated a local organisation for the Companion Community Grant. We have had over 50 nominations, and the level of community spirit is astounding.

For those of you wondering what happens next, here it is;

The judges meet this Friday the 22nd of May to determine the successful applicants. The judges are Companion Credit Union members that have volunteered their time to represent you all, and I thank them for giving us their time.

Successful recipients should expect a phone call early in the week of the 25th May, to notify you and also to invite you to the cheque presentation.

Unsuccessful recipients will be notified in writing to the supplied mailing or email address on the application form.

Presentation dates will be confirmed on our website shortly.

Talk soon,
Cas

May 18th, 2009 | Leave a Comment »

Companion Credit Union is proud to be part of the Hunter & Gunnedah community, and as a way of showing our support for our community the Companion Community Grants Scheme has been created.

$20,000 is available to be donated to the local community and we would like you to tell us how to donate it.

If you know of a not for profit club, group or charity, that could use a helping hand, why not nominate them to share in our grant scheme? Applications are open from 15 April to 15 May and nomination forms can be found here or you can pick one up at your local branch.

This is our way of saying ‘Thank You’ to our members and the local communities serviced by our branches, and as a member you have a say in who gets the funds by getting involved.

So if you know of a sporting club, charitable organisation or community group that could use some extra funds, let us know.

Do you know a local group that will benefit from nominations?

Bill Hudson
Singleton Branch Manager

April 20th, 2009 | Leave a Comment »

In the Autumn edition of our Companion Newsletter, I commented on the hectic start to the current year. And what a start it has been.

The disruption to international credit and liquidity markets has dominated our horizon for many months now, and the collapse of several major financial institutions in the US, UK and Europe have made headlines all around the world. It seems certain now that a global recession cannot be totally avoided.

Here in Australia we have been confronted with numerous challenges on very different fronts, not the least being the heat wave conditions across the south of our country in late January that culminated in the catastrophic bushfires that devastated regional Victoria. And at the same time our neighbours to the north in Queensland were severely disrupted by major flooding. How bizarre was that.

And how generous have we been as a nation. At a time when all the financial commentators were telling us to batten down the hatches and prepare for major economic pain, people from all around this country dug so deep in support of those in so much need.

As I said in my newsletter article, I sense is that there is some bright light appearing at the end of the tunnel, and I look forward with optimism for things to improve in the back half of 2009 and into early 2010.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a happy and joyful Easter season. If you are on the roads, please take care and stay safe.

Most of all, enjoy the break

Kind regards
Ray

April 9th, 2009 | Leave a Comment »

I’d like to introduce you to Cessnock District VRA Rescue Squad; you’ve probably heard of them but may not be quite sure what service they provide to the local community.

All members of the squad are volunteers and receive absolutely no financial payment for their service. The squad is generally made up of around twenty accredited rescue operators and trainees as required. The squad is on call 24/7.

Coverage area is from F3 roundabout Beresfield, Buchanan, Freemans Waterhole, Kulnura, Wollombi, Pokolbin, Keinbah, Sawyers Gully, Cliftleigh and points in between. They have sheds at Cessnock and Kurri both housing a primary response rescue truck and a fully equipped 4wd.

The squad is called upon for transport accidents (planes, trains and automobiles), animal rescues, searches, inland waterway rescues, vertical rescues (cliffs etc), domestic and industrial rescues, storm and tempest response along with any assistance required by all other emergency services. They average between 100 and 200 call outs per year, however during events like the June2007 storm they attended more than that in 1 week.

The major point I would like to make about the squad is that they are primarily self funded (funds from community, businesses, grants and other duties) some corporate and government funding is received. The Cessnock District VRA Rescue Squad is widely regarded as one of the best equipped and trained rescue squads in NSW. There are many reasons for this, however the primary reason is due to the commitment and dedication of the volunteer members who strive to continually set the benchmark and provide the people in the Cessnock Shire with the best rescue service possible.

What I would ask is if you have been helped in anyway by the Squad let us know about it, we will display it here as a response, and most importantly when you see them providing car parking at all the major events in Cessnock and Pokolbin, drop a gold coin in the donation buckets or alternatively they do have money boxes in various businesses e.g. Cessnock – KFC, Video Ezy, BP Aberdare, Millfield – Paxton – West Cessnock and Bellbird Takeaways and at Kurri – KFC, Kurri Workers Club and BP Stanford Merthyr. Unfortunately we never know when we or a member of our family will need their assistance. I personally would like to thank them for “lending a helping hand, anywhere, anytime”.

Gail

March 2nd, 2009 | Leave a Comment »