Social news
Cambodian Leadership Challenge
19 July 2010
CUA is helping raise money for the Children’s Financial Literacy Program, run in Cambodia by Credit Union Foundation Australia (CUFA). The money is being raised through the Cambodian Leadership Challenge, a unique 12 day event starting 18 June 2010. The event offers participants physical, emotional, and intellectual challenges, including spending four days cycling through Cambodia, as well as raising funds and awareness for the Foundation’s program.
The Children’s Financial Literacy Program aims to encourage good savings habits in children at a young age and assist village credit unions in promoting children’s membership. By developing children’s financial literacy the program seeks to create a positive long term impact on the children and increase the opportunities available to them in their transition to adult life. Money placed in local credit unions can be used to help fund a variety of much needed community development programs.
Just to qualify for this event the two competing CUA staff members, Teri Wilson and Peter Jensen, must have already raised at least $3,000 each for the Literacy Program before they leave Australia. While in Cambodia the pair will also participate in development work with the aim of helping Cambodians become more involved with their community’s financial cooperatives. When Teri and Peter return to Australia their work is still not done as they must also complete 100 hours of community service work.
CUA CEO Chris Whitehead believes that as well as providing the much needed funding for the Literacy Program, the challenge will be a very positive growth experience for the participants.
“The Challenge offers a unique insight into a country’s culture whilst also allowing for an intimate connection with communities and their financial cooperative movement: it is sure to be a life-changing journey.”
If you would like to support Teri and Peter in their quest to make a change for the better for thousands of children in Cambodia you can do so by either making a direct donation which can be accepted at any CUA branch until 12 July 2010 or directly online by visiting the CUFA website https://cufa.com.au/service/CambodiaChallenge2010/index.php
Donations of $2 or more are tax-deductible.
CUA staff ‘paw’ out their hearts to the RSPCA
03 June 2010
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CUA staff and their pets took to the streets across Australia on Sunday 16 May to support the RSPCA in gathering a million paws to walk together to raise vital funds for abused and neglected animals.
CUA has been a keen supporter of the welfare organisation for many years and CUA CEO Chris Whitehead said that staff were excited to continue the tradition and once again participate in the Million Paws Walk.
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"CUA staff, members and their families have always wholeheartedly supported the Million Paws Walk and truly believe in the cause," he said.
"This is another example of how we are truly committed to helping our local community.
“By supporting the RSPCA we are promoting responsible pet ownership while helping the RSPCA to continue its invaluable work towards providing animal shelters, supporting services and community education programs."
CUA staff volunteer at Leukaemia Foundation
19 May 2010
During March and April 2010 a number of CUA staff took advantage of their one paid volunteer day a year to help the Leukaemia Foundation prepare for its annual doorknock appeal.
CUA Head of Insurance Services Neil Kassulke reported that staff were surprised to learn exactly how many lives were impacted by leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma each year.
“The Leukaemia Foundation spends around $10 million per year providing accommodation and assistance to patients and families impacted by these conditions,” he said.
“People live in their villages or motels for around nine months while undergoing treatment.
“Overall, the Foundation’s goal is to give those impacted by these conditions some control over their chaotic lives.
“We spent our volunteer time placing receipt books, donation bags and other printed material into envelopes in preparation for the Leukaemia Foundation’s annual Queensland doorknock appeal.
“Because volunteers do this work, the Leukaemia Foundation saves thousands of valuable dollars.
“In turn this means more money is available for the continued great work and assistance provided by the Foundation.”
All CUA volunteers were interested to hear that Leukaemia Foundation staff have one unusual goal - to become unemployed. This would then mean that a cure had been found for leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma.
CUA Commercial Support Officer Angie Rushworth said the volunteering opportunity was greatly endorsed and recommended for anyone who wanted to make a difference.
“I felt a great sense of achievement and would definitely put my hand up to volunteer with the Foundation again,” she said.
“A world without leukaemia – now wouldn’t that be a change for the better!”
CUA turns lavender for leukaemia
01 May 2010
CUA is again proud to support the annual Lavender for Leukaemia campaign.
During May all CUA branches are awash with lavender, with a variety of lavender merchandise for sale.
Lavender items include teddy bears, bookmarks, potpourri, pens and soaps, with all proceeds going to assist the Leukaemia Foundation in its mission to care and vision to cure.
The lavender flower symbolises healing, cleansing and longevity. Visit your local branch today to purchase a lavender product and help make leukaemia a thing of the past.
A world without leukaemia – wouldn’t that be a change for the better!
CUA cleans up Australia
03 March 2010
On Tuesday 2 March (National Business Clean Up Day), CUA celebrated its commitment to changing our environment for the better.
CUA staff from varied divisions in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane, including board member Chris Franks, enthusiastically volunteered to help improve the quality of our environment by reducing litter in their respective local areas.
We are proud to announce that CUA’s staff involvement grew substantially on last year, with approximately10% of staff taking part in the 2010 CUA Day activities.
In Brisbane CUA staff cleaned up along banks of the Brisbane River, while the Melbourne staff helped clear up areas along the Yarra. Sydney staff concentrated on Macquarie St and surrounding areas in the CBD.
Our CUA Day helpers reported that the most common types of rubbish picked up were plastic bags, packaging and cigarette butts.
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