The Cambodian Leadership Challenge is a fundraising program that is run by CUFA. The challenge involves taking the everyday worker such as me out of their true comfort zone; to participate in a life changing journey.

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'

August 4th, 2009 | 3 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 »

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 »