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 »

‘FINANCIAL LITERACY’ – mention these two words to anyone that loves facts, figures, stats, graphs and maths and you will capture their attention but mention these two words to a

120 Year 9 High School Students placed in twelve groups of ten (& sometimes more) for a Careers Quest Day and just watch their eyes glaze over.

What’s Careers Quest and why would you talk to year 9 Students about Financial Literacy I hear you ask? Careers Quest is a programme run by Hunter Valley Youth Express where they invite Industry Representatives within the Local Community to come along to the High Schools and talk to the year 9 students about their chosen careers. Wish it had have been available when I went to High School but hey that was back in the Dark Ages!

Our spiel is aimed at the student’s level to gain their involvement, and we ask them questions as follows-

What is a TFN? How do you get one? Why do I have to give my TFN to my Employer? What is a BSB? Why is it important to know what it is? What would you think you would need a loan for? What happens if I loose my job and cannot pay my loan?

Our 15 minute blurb takes us down the road of CRAA or VEDA Check? What is it? What’s a Default? Why can’t I get a loan when I have a Default? And the one that gets the most response is “Do you know of someone with a really big mobile phone bill?” That’s enough to get anyone talking and they most certainly do know someone and usually proceed to tell the story. “Yeah I’ve got a friend who is in big trouble with his Mum & Dad!” Ah! So we have sparked some interest! Wow they have learnt something! How easy was that and they didn’t even realise they were being educated!

Maybe I’ve been to your school? Send me a blog if I have and let me know what you thought! Did you get the gist of it all OR do you still have a question? Is there something we can do to assist you at school level as a way of helping you in your chosen career? We are listening………………

Maree Henry

Branch Manager- Kurri Kurri

February 9th, 2009 | Leave a Comment »

I recently attended the annual AJ Edden Charity Golf Day, which aims to raise funds for special needs children. This year at the Shortland Waters Golf Club the event raised over $25,000 with donations going to Cameron Park School, Glendon School, SIDS and the Hunter Orthopaedic School.

The event has been running for 12 years with approx. $350,000 raised over this time to help the special needs children. This is a great example of how our Hunter Community can come together to help with a needy cause, and an event I have been proud to be a part of and contribute to on behalf of Companion Credit Union.

A quick plug- an event like this wouldn’t be successful without the preparation, organisation, and dedication that Peter Hiscox of AJ Edden and his team of helpers put in and having the support of Mark Richards and Gary Harley and we can’t forget the support of all the businesses and people who donate to this worthy cause.

Congrat’s again on Peter on this successful event and we look forward to being with you again in the coming years! (as always I am hoping for a better result…)

Mark

Results from the day: Click Here

December 15th, 2008 | Leave a Comment »