Encompass Credit Union's Community Efforts
We are proud of our association with organisations that promote ideals similar to the Credit Union. We are particularly selective in our partner programs as they must demonstrate a benefit to the community, hence working with Barnados Australia, Youth Challenge Australia, North Stars Ice Skating Stadium and the Tsunami appeal.
We are also proud of our association with the Credit Union Foundation of Australia (CUFA), an organisation that promotes social responsibility by empowering communities through access to affordable financial services both domestically and internationally. This program has successfully encouraged staff involvement in activities both overseas and at home and our staff actively participates in raising funds for those less fortunate.
We are involved in many community programs and charities.
The Boomerang Grant
A number of years ago the Credit Union, in partnership with Barnardos Australia, launched the Boomerang Grant Program to help disadvantaged families in the community. This scheme has been recognised by CUSCAL, our peak body that represents credit unions throughout Australia. CUSCAL presented Encompass with the 2005 Community Award. Barnardos Australia was also presented with the 2005 Einfeld Award by the New South Wales Department of Fair Trading. Since receiving these awards Barnardos Australia has received approaches from other companies offering new sponsorships.
Gaylene Mazurek, from our business development team, regularly interviews applicants for The Boomerang Grant to help evaluate which families are entitled to receive the interest free loan. Gaylene says ”It allows our community to get back on their feet financially as all products are new with warranty periods allowing money to be spent on food and children. It also prevents the community from the necessity of approaching ‘loan sharks’ who prey on people on welfare and charge interest rates as high as 48%”.
Youth Challenge Australia (YCA)
Due to the success of the Boomerang Grant Program, Encompass has continued to explore new opportunities to develop financial literacy programs elsewhere.
In 2007, Encompass and YCA formed a partnership to facilitate financial education workshops in Vanuatu, and to support Australian youth to participate in projects in Vanuatu. YCA is a not-for-profit, non-religious organisation that engages and empowers young people through collaborative and sustainable work with communities, to create understanding and bring about positive change. YCA works closely with local partner organisations, facilitating the involvement of teams of young Australian volunteers in a range of grassroots community development projects in Vanuatu, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Guyana, India, and Indigenous Australia.
As part of this program, two young persons will receive up to $1,500 each towards their participation fee for the Vanuatu program in 2007. Funding will also be provided for financial literacy training in Vanuatu. To apply for this opportunity, volunteers must already be included on a Vanuatu project in 2007, having undergone the YCA selection process. For application information, please go to www.youthchallenge.org.au.
Other sponsorships
Encompass is proud of its association with organisations that promote similar ideals and will continue to develop partnerships that provide a benefit to the community. By working with YCA, Encompass will continue to grow financial literacy and youth development in disadvantaged communities - and help to make a real impact in developing countries.
The Credit Union continues to sponsor organisations associated with the transport community and the general community. Organisations include RailCorp, NSW Railway Institute, State Transit Authority Bus Institute, RTA Social Club and Concord Food Services. We are actively involved in the RailCorp picnic days, RailCorp Safety Day, various State Rail Authority events, Barnardos Australia community events, City2Surf, charity golf events, BBQ's, bus rodeos and fun runs and we continue to be actively involved throughout Sydney and the Newcastle regions.
Through our staff we sponsor "Gold Coin Days" and continuously donate funds raised to charities such as the Starlight Foundation, House with no Steps, MS Society, Camp Quality, Cyclone Larry appeal, just to name a few.
Newcastle North Stars Ice Hockey
Our sponsorship of organisations associated with the general community includes the Newcastle North Stars Ice Hockey team. Their stadium has a long history dating back to the original ice rink in Wharf Road, Newcastle. Unfortunately, in 1982 the Newcastle rink closed. Eighteen years later the Hunter Ice Skating Stadium opened in Warners Bay and the North Stars were reborn. Ice-based sports immediately struck a cord with the people of Newcastle - foremost of these sports, ice hockey.
The North stars have now competed in the Australian Ice Hockey League for the past five years and have ascended to the ultimate prize in Australian ice hockey by capturing the National Championship in 2003 and 2005. For more information on the Newcastle North Stars Ice Hockey click here.
We will continue to support the general community in the future.
Petersham Training Centre
New inductees to the Rail Infrastructure Corporation receive their initial training at the Petersham Training Centre.
We recognise the importance of retaining our ties with the Rail Infrastructure Corporation and our staff make a point of greeting new trainees as they pass through Petersham.
Questions
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