In this issue of Member Matters:

  • A message from BankVic Board Chair, Lucinda Nolan
  • The PPWPA 30 Year Celebration
  • 2023 VPL Children's Christmas Appeal
  • Police Week at BankVic
  • Eastern Health Foundation events
  • Best Workplaces to Give Back - We've risen up the ranks!
  • And more!

On behalf of BankVic, I’d like to wish you a Happy New Year and best wishes for a prosperous and joyful 2024.

The last quarter of the year was a busy time for us here at BankVic, with a number of campaigns and events that have highlighted the positive impact of our partnerships that support our members and the communities they serve.

We were delighted to be invited to attend the 2023 Victorian Ambulance Union (VAU) Delegates Conference, spending time with our valued emergency services members, and spend time celebrating the Past and Present Women's Police Association’s (PPWPA) 30th year of supporting and campaigning for women’s’ rights in the policing community. Our commitment to the community and the wellbeing of those who have served is unwavering, and it's events like these that remind us how supportive of a community it is.

For the fourth year, we were major partner for the Victoria Police Legacy Children’s Christmas Appeal, raising awareness and funds for gifts and hampers for young police legatees and their families during the festive season. BankVic and VPL have a strong shared history, and it is incredible to see the support that Police Legacy gives to families when they need it most.

 We were proud to be included in the list of Australia’s Top 20 Best Workplaces to Give Back for the third year in a row – up from number 24 in 2022, and 37 in 2021. As a member-owned bank and a certified B Corporation, BankVic is driven by more than a desire to maximise our profits – we are inspired by our purpose to go further for our members and their communities.

 On a final note, we recently published our Annual Report for 2023 which outlines both our excellent financial performance for the year, as well as giving members a rich insight into the progress and commitments towards our members, our people, and our community. We also held our AGM, with no resolutions required to be passed.

As we look forward into 2024, we have a busy year ahead that brings you even better banking with some exciting new launches.

We hope you enjoy this issue of Members Matters.

Lucinda Nolan

CHAIR

PPWPA celebrates 30 years of supporting women in policing

A huge congratulations to the Past and Present Women's Police Association (PPWPA) for an incredible event celebrating 30 years of supporting and campaigning for women's rights in the policing community.

BankVic is proud to support the PPWPA every year through our sponsorship of the Sandy Langlands Wellbeing Grants.

Rachel Morley, our Chief Growth and Experience Officer, had a ball at the event, hosted by the fantastic Neary Ty, with guest speaker Rochelle Jackson (presenter of The Crime Couch podcast) who shared stories about her incredible career. 


Victoria Police Legacy Children's Christmas Appeal

BankVic was again proud to support the Victoria Police Legacy (VPL) Children’s Christmas Appeal to raise funds for gifts for police legatee children and their families. 

BankVic and VPL have a strong shared history, and it is incredible to see the support that Police Legacy gives to those who are celebrating Christmas without a loved one. BankVic team members also donated their time to help pack hampers for legatee famlies, utilising some of the two days of Community Service/Volunteer leave we offer.

All donations were gratefully received by VPL and its young people and families

National Police Remembrance Day - the day we stop to remember

Thursday the 29th September is National Police Remembrance Day – an opportunity to join the Victorian Police and wider community to pause and pay tribute to those who have lost their lives whilst on duty.

BankVic staff and branches took part in commemorating the day, with Blue Ribbon Foundation fundraising in all locations. BankVic team members Annie and Alex got an early start to their morning at Flinders St Station, shaking tins and collecting money for the cause.

VAU Delegates Conference

We were delighted to be invited to attend the 2023 Victorian Ambulance Union (VAU) Delegates Conference recently, with one of our fantastic Relationship Managers, Bec, onsite for the full two days to chat with delegates, and our CEO Anthony De Fazio invited to present to the conference attendees.

VAU is a valued and long-term partner of BankVic, and we are so proud to be the bank for first responders - a very special community.

Best Workplaces to Give Back - We've risen up the ranks!

We were delighted to be included in the list of Australia’s Best Workplaces to Give Back for the third year in a row – breaking into the Top 20 at number 19 – up from number 24 in 2022, and 37 in 2021.

This award acknowledges our ongoing work supporting our people, members, and communities, through initiatives including donation matching, workplace giving, volunteer days, and investments in over 40 community grants, partnerships, and scholarships.

Head to the Best Workplaces to Give Back website for more info.

Police Week at BankVic

Bookended by the Wall to Wall Ride and National Police Remembrance Day, Police Week at BankVic was an opportunity to recognise and commemorate the dedication and sacrifices made by police officers.

Throughout the week, BankVic invited our valued partner organisations to share what Police Week means to them, featuring videos from The Police Association Victoria, Victoria Police Legacy, Crime Stoppers Victoria, Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation, Neighbourhood Watch Victoria and the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR).

These organisations share a collective commitment to supporting police in Victoria and we are so proud to partner with them.

We thank all partners that took part in Police Week - you can you view their videos messages here.

2023 LETR Torch Run

We were so proud to support our partner, Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) again this year, as they presented Special Olympics Victoria with a donation of over $270,000 – a new record! The Law Enforcement Torch Run is an initiative of Special Olympics Australia and the police force to develop fundraising activities to provide financial support to Special Olympics, enabling regular sporting opportunities for people with an intellectual disability.

BankVic staff took part in the run, joining the Special Olympics athletes and LETR Victoria Patron, Chief Commissioner Shane Patton.

Blue Ribbon Foundation - Charity Gala 

An event the BankVic team always look forward to is the annual Blue Ribbon Charity Ball, a dazzling evening to celebrate the work of the Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation, raising funds for community and public hospital projects named in honor of police officers who have died in the line of duty.

All funds raised on the night go towards the new Blue Ribbon Foundation Police Assistance Dog (PAD) program, which provides highly trained dogs to retired members of Victoria Police. These dogs will support those who need physical and emotional support for a range of emotional conditions, primarily Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

2023 National Police Football Championships 

We were so proud to have been major sponsor for both the Victorian Police Women’s Football Club (VPWFC) and the Men’s club at the National Police Football Championships held in Perth this October – with both teams just missing out on keeping the cup in Melbourne, but putting on a fantastic display of teamwork and grit.

We can’t wait to see what they bring to the 2024 clash – here’s to next year!

Eastern Health Research Forum and End of Year Annual Meeting

Across two weeks late in 2023, we were delighted to support two Eastern Health events as part of our long-standing partnership with the Eastern Health Foundation. The Eastern Health Research Forum
showcased the valuable and innovative research currently being undertaken by the Eastern Health team, and their Annual Meeting Breakfast was an opportunity to reflect, celebrate and recognise their performance throughout the past 12 months.

It was a privilege to partner with Eastern Health on these events, and to see how our long-term partnership is providing real outcomes for people when they need it the most.

Annual General Meeting 2023

Reflecting on the accomplishments of the past year, BankVic Board Chair Lucinda Nolan and CEO Anthony De Fazio highlighted our continued commitment to member experience, financial sustainability, and our work with our community partners.

We also shared our focus on digital transformation, financial literacy, and scam awareness - all of which make it an exciting time to be at BankVic.

Here’s to another year of growth, innovation, and continued service to our incredible members!

BankSafe with BankVic

As scams and fraud continue to rise, it’s more important than ever to know how to protect yourself online.

At BankVic, we take online security seriously and so recently we launched our BankSafe with BankVic HQ – a hub that hosts a range of resources and information to help you keep your personal and financial information safe - whether you’re banking online or in person.

From our Online Safety Series with Crime Stoppers VIctoria, Top Tips to avoid scams and our membership with IDCare, this is a great resource to ensure you and your family is banking safely.

For more information, visit bankvic.com.au/banksafe