The main highlights for the year are as follows:
- Total Assets increased by $8.8M to $268.2M as at 30 June 2009. Loan balances outstanding increased $6.1M (or 3%) to total $215.3M at the end of the financial year.
- Loans funded during the year totalled $51.4M, down slightly from the previous year, with home mortgage lending accounting for the bulk of new loans.
- The balance of Members Funds on deposit increased by 6% year on year with Term deposits making up the majority of the $13M in member deposit growth.

Important Dates:
- By 30th October registered members will receive a copy of the Annual Report in the mail
- 23rd November 6.30pm deadline for Proxy forms to be lodged
- 25th November 6pm, Annual General Meeting (Maitland City Bowling Club, Rutherford)

To RSVP for the Annual General Meeting phone 49911744 or email agm@companion.com.au  

Ray

We strive to be an employer of choice. We understand that it is important to provide an atmosphere where individuals can strive to perform to their full potential. In order to achieve this we encourage a positive learning culture through comprehensive training and career development initiatives.

If you are interested in a rewarding career with Companion Credit Union, check out our current vacancies and send in your resume  

** We currently have job vacancies, applications close the 9th October 2009**

There are four components for this challenge:
Fundraising, Physical, In Country Project Work, along with Community Service.

My fundraising was a personal achievement for me. It started with selling chocolates to our members, local communities and staff. I contacted local businesses talking to them about my challenge and fundraising, with many letters being sent out.

This pushed me to limits I had never anticipated, taking myself “out of my comfort zone”. We had to raise at least $3000 to participate in the program. By raising the money, many people became aware of CUFA, who it was and what they do, especially the Cambodian Children’s Literacy Program. This is a program that is funded by the CUFA Cambodian leadership Challenge: The program mainly focuses on 7 to 9 year olds in poor regions of Cambodia. There are nearly 6000 children participating in over 156 classes in Battanbang, Prey Veng, Takeo and Kandal Provinces throughout Cambodia. The children are taught how to save, financial literacy skills and eventually open their own savings account at a local savings bank. It is run by local CUFA Project Field Staff.

The Physical Leadership component of the challenge involved riding a push bike through provinces of Cambodia for four and half days riding over 265kms.

Before leaving for Cambodia I had reserved feelings about the bike ride as it had been many years since I rode a bike. But with a few weeks of training and gym work (many spin classes) it helped me achieve what I set out to do.

Arriving in Siem Reap on a very hot and humid afternoon we were fitted for our bikes then went for our first practice ride. Nothing had prepared me for what I was about to encounter; the traffic which I soon learnt “give way to the biggest,” stay on the right of cars, tuk tuks, cyclos and a variety of the animal kingdom passing me by. But with the help from the Raw Travel Boys who supplied our bikes and rode along with us I was eased into the ride and gradually realized to just go with the flow.

As a team of eight people with different occupations, personalities and ages we worked together to form a common goal. It involved a lot of patience, understanding and companionship; making sure we cycled together over 265kms. We endured pain, temperatures, humidity and many a long ride along main highways and dusty dirty and very bumpy roads.

Each participant had different strengths and weaknesses enabling some to finish earlier than others but always encouraging and urging everyone over the finish line. Along the way we were met by friendly children waving and saying “Hello” from the side of the road.

Our In Country Project Work started in Battambang; visiting two local schools where the Financial Literacy Program is run. We joined in with the children’s lessons. It was very humbling to see the children appreciate our visit. Part of this exercise was Roll playing and Presentations. (Through an interpreter) It was very satisfying to see their smiling faces when receiving a simple ruler or pencil and being so attentive and engaging. Children want to save their money for their future. A new school uniform or further their education or help their parents.

Also while in Battambang we were honoured guests at the opening of a local Savings Bank. This bank is called OMUNY. The local community welcomed us with a fanfare of music and colourful banners, tents and people eager to witness the opening of their new savings bank. After the formalities we were treated to local cuisine and traditional Khmer dancing and a tour of the savings bank. It was a privilege for each participant to open an account at the Bank.

While visiting the villages we had a greater appreciation and insight into their everyday living. Through talking to local village people, we heard of their hardship and struggles within their everyday life and how the project that CUFA is running enables them to live a better quality of life.

The Cambodian Leadership Challenge has certainly taken me out of my comfort zone; from fundraising; to project work and community development. The opportunity has given me a broader world view of a culture that has strengthened from such horrendous history arising from the Khmer Rouge Regime. The smiles on their faces give hope to a better quality of life in the future.

I have learned that we all have different strengths and weaknesses. We all worked towards a common goal, each participant bringing their individual ideas, giving us the ability to develop, participate and allowing us to have increased awareness and confidence within ourselves.

This has been an exciting, adventurous and very rewarding challenge. I have returned with increased knowledge, enthusiasm and team building skills I can utilize on my return to the workplace. I can share my knowledge and awareness of the work Credit Unions are doing overseas.

I would like to thank CUFA for allowing me to participate in this challenge also a big thank you to CUNA Mutual for their sponsorship to allow the program to run.
Thank you to Companion Credit Union for sponsoring me to participate in the challenge. To the staff, family and friends for your support and donations who have encouraged and helped me achieve this amazing journey on the Cambodian Leadership Challenge 2009. I hope I can inspire other staff members to take up this challenge in 2010.

A Few Things I Have Learnt.
*Water is precious and never to be taken for granted again.
*Some people overcame their fears by eating cooked spiders –Tarantulas (and some didn’t).
*You don’t need material things to be happy.
*Angkor beer is pretty good.
*Air conditioning is wonderful.
*I didn’t need my handmade padded bike seat by the end of the ride.

Thank you (Or Kun)
CHRISTINE AUSTIN
MEMBER SERVICE CONSULTANT
COMPANION CREDIT UNION

'local children enjoying the Financial Literacy Program'

'Enjoying the beautiful scenery'

'The crew from Raw Travel who supplied the bikes & rode the whole journey'

'Tarantula - The tastes of Cambodia'

'The Cambodian Leadership Challenge Team'

'The end of the road'

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

Deregulation of the Finance industry, and most importantly for Australia, the establishment of APRA. (Australia Prudential Regulation Authority), in some ways has protected the Australian borrowers from the situation that has occurred and continues to have an effect overseas. This is especially true within Credit Union’s I can’t see why the same scrutiny has not been afforded to the store credit industry that has flourished in today’s market.

Enough of that, what I would especially like to address are a couple of ways that I have managed changes which have taken place over the past 9 years in the time I have been an employee of Companion Credit Union. Change in any institution is not always greeted with enthusiasm by all staff, but true to Companion Credit Union values I believe that teamwork is the best approach to change management. In a competitive and volatile market, we as an institution need to give excellence in customer service. It would serve us all well to remember that our core business is Finance and Investment.

The success of any enterprise is the capability of its staff to communicate – my preferred method is face to face. I like to interact with people, listen to their views and hopefully find ways that Companion Credit Union can help with their financial success. I believe that it is always important to find the strength of each individual, this is especially true with our staff, by identifying our individual strengths and work on our weaknesses, we are able to give our members the best service available. It is surprising how much more you can develop a relationship – be it with a customer or a staff member – when in a face to face situation.

2009 Gunnedah Business & Service Awards

On Saturday night 14 March I, along with Jan & Sandra and our partners attended a very successful Gunnedah Business and Service Awards night hosted by the Gunnedah District Development Board Inc. Jan Snape was nominated for the Customer Service Award – Individual.

Jan was among 50 individual nominees and prior to the night this list had been culled down to 14 finalists, Jan was among that final list. On the night Jan was awarded first place. It was pleasing to be part of the night and my congratulations go to Jan and I must add we were impressed with Jan’s acceptance speech. We had an extra bonus on the night – our Muswellbrook Branch Manager Dario and his band provided the Music (Kyda Rock).

They say a picture speaks a 1000 words and the attached photo says it all …

(Jan – it was Sandra’s idea for the nomination – I just acted upon it and left it up to your fellow staff members and customers to do the voting !)

A strong and supportive team can provide that exceptional service we strive for in Companion Credit Union.

If you would like to discuss feel free to come and see me, my door is always open!

Peter Dutton
Area Manager
Gunnedah

The staff of Companion has got in behind this terrific cause with three participants and a host of supporters from the administration staff, branches and members getting in behind the Mo’s.

Ten days in, and a few itchy chins later, more than $300 has been raised by our teams supporters for Beyond Blue and Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia.

Prostate Cancer: because every year 2,900 Australian men die from prostate cancer and over 18,000 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer.

Depression in Men: because one in six men experience depression at any given time but most don’t seek help.

To support the Mo’ Bros from Companion, go to www.movember.com.au and click on “donate to a team” and either type in the team name (I am a Walrus) and follow the prompts from there.

Alternately, you can donate via the participating individuals, by clicking on “Donate to an individual” and typing in the individual’s name.

Adam Currie (Day 13)
No Walrus’ were harmed in the formation of this fine week 1 effort by the resident IT guru Adam.
He works well under pressure, so big improvements expected in the coming weeks. Dark hair, a considerable advantage.

Adam Currie

Mark Bramley (Day 13)
Slightly hampered by the physics of light reflecting on the colour white. (So Mark says). Big improvements expected for next update from the Executive Manager Member Services.

Mark Bramley

Paul Roderique (Day 13)

Years of living in the harsh climate in semi Antarctic conditions have caused evolution to enable the Lending Manager from NZ to warm his top lip readily. Just like Mundine, Paul is feeling confident about taking on all-comers for the title. Feeling little pressure at this stage, is looking forward to a challenger stepping up in the next week or two.

Paul Roderique

Get Donating, and stay tuned for our week 3 update!
Mo’Bro Paul