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Unity Bank had the opportunity to attend the VTHC Women's Conference on the 5th of September, 2025. It was an extremely successful event with a variety of different organisations attending and representing their core business products and services.  Unity Bank conducted a prize draw, with one prize up for grabs.  Congratulations to our winner Debra, who attended the conference and entered our competition! Debra won a Myer Hamper! We hope you enjoy your prize Debra!! We would also like to thank everyone who attended the event and visited our Unity Bank stall.

Unity Bank had the opportunity to attend the ETU State Conference from the 1st to the 2nd of July 2025. It was an extremely successful event with a variety of different organisations attending and representing their core business products and services.  Unity Bank conducted a prize draw, with one prize up for grabs.  Congratulations to our winner Ben, who attended the conference and entered our competition! Ben won a $1,000 EFTPOS gift card! We hope you enjoy your prize Ben!! We would also like to thank everyone who attended the event and visited our Unity Bank stall.

August 7 is National Aged Care Employee Day, a time to recognise and celebrate the dedication, compassion, and commitment of aged care workers across the country. We see this day as an important opportunity to show our appreciation for the individuals who play such a vital role in supporting our communities. Standing with our key workers Aged care employees are an important part of our communities, providing essential care and dignity to some of the most vulnerable Australians. We proudly support aged care workers through our membership, partner networks, and tailored financial services, recognising them as a vital part of our broader key worker community. As a mutual bank, our mission is driven not by profit, but by people. That means backing essential workers with products and services designed to ease financial stress and help them thrive, like our Essential Worker Home Loan, created specifically for those in caring and community service roles. Values-based banking that makes a difference Our support for aged care employees reflects our values-based approach to banking, one guided by integrity, fairness, and a commitment to social impact. We believe financial services should be a force for lasting positive change, benefiting not only individuals but the broader community. That’s why we continue to back initiatives that uplift essential workers and invest in those who give so much. Being named the 2024 Finder Innovation Award winner in the Social Impact Innovation category is a testament to our dedication to developing products and services that go beyond expectations, delivering real, meaningful support where it’s needed most. Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) in action Our Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategy reinforces our focus on social responsibility and community wellbeing. Supporting aged care workers sits firmly within our social impact pillar, acknowledging that sustainability includes caring for those who sustain our communities every day. We also engage with organisations aligned to this vision, amplifying the impact of those who advocate for aged care staff, enhance training, and promote wellbeing within the sector. To all aged care employees, thank you. Your care, dedication, and hard work make a real difference every day. You help bring comfort, dignity, and connection to so many in our communities. Find out more about how we’re backing essential workers and building stronger, fairer communities through banking with purpose.  

National NAIDOC Week 2025: Celebrating culture, history, and achievement National NAIDOC Week 2025 will be celebrated across Australia from 6 July to 13 July, providing an important opportunity for all Australians to come together to recognise, reflect on, and celebrate the rich history, diverse cultures, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. NAIDOC stands for National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee. The Week is an opportunity for all Australians to learn about First Nations cultures. It has grown from a day of advocacy in the 1930s to a nationwide celebration of the oldest continuing cultures on Earth. National NAIDOC Week 2025 marks 50 years of celebrating Indigenous culture, spirit, and leadership. This year’s theme, The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy, honours not only the achievements of the past but also the bright future ahead, empowered by the strength of young leaders, the vision of communities, and the legacy of Indigenous ancestors. How to get involved National NAIDOC Week is celebrated through events held across the country, both in First Nations communities and in schools, workplaces, and communities. To get involved: Attend cultural and community events – Join local festivals, art exhibitions, storytelling sessions, performances, enjoy BBQs, marches, sports events. Take part in ceremonies – Experience smoking ceremonies, Welcome to Country, and traditional dances. Celebrate Indigenous excellence – Learn about the NAIDOC Awards and outstanding Indigenous leaders. Explore local history – Discover the stories of Traditional Owners and your area’s Indigenous heritage. Support Indigenous businesses – Buy from Indigenous-owned stores and artists. Everyone is encouraged to take part, whether by joining local events, supporting Indigenous-owned businesses, exploring the works of Indigenous authors, or having meaningful conversations that foster understanding. Find local NAIDOC events in your area or learn more about the NAIDOC awards. As we journey through 2025, NAIDOC Week remains a powerful reminder of the importance of unity, respect, and reconciliation among all Australians. Let’s walk together in celebration and solidarity, honouring culture and ensuring the voices of First Nations peoples continue to be heard and valued. Indigenous initiatives Through our relationship with the Australian Mutuals Foundation, we’re proud to support Barnardos Australia’s Yurungai Learning Centre, an after-school program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander primary school children that offers homework support, cultural enrichment activities, and nutritious afternoon meals. Through this partnership, we are helping build pathways for strong, resilient Indigenous communities and contributing to a more inclusive and compassionate Australia. As a member owned bank, we are committed to making banking easy, inclusive and accessible for all of our members. We are a participating lender under the Victorian Homebuyer Fund, with the Victorian Government helping to fast-track eligible Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participants’ path to home ownership, requiring only a 3.5% deposit and eligible for up to a 35% shared equity contribution. We have also recently commenced work on developing our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) to sustainably and strategically take meaningful action to advance reconciliation.Based around the core pillars of relationships, respect and opportunities, RAPs provide tangible and essential benefits for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, increasing economic equity and supporting First Nations self-determination. We look forward to sharing more as we progress our RAP and supporting initiatives. For more information about NAIDOC week visit the NAIDOC website.  

Win a holiday getaway and help kids get to where they need to be! The Australian Mutuals Foundation, with generous support from Transport Life and Leisure, is running a raffle fundraiser to help Barnardos Australia buy a much-needed new bus.Every ticket sold brings Barnardos’ Yurungai Learning Centre in Waterloo one step closer to their goal - and gives you the chance to win an unforgettable holiday escape!The Barnardos Australia Yurungai Learning Centre in Waterloo provides essential services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, including homework help, cultural learning, life skills development, and nutritious meals. For many children, the bus offers a reliable means of reaching the Centre. However, the current bus is nearing its end of its usability and urgently needs replacing.Raffle PrizesTwo winners will each receive a holiday package worth up to $1,200, choosing from eight stunning NSW coastal destinations: Batemans Bay, Byron Bay, Hawks Nest, Nambucca Heads, Port Macquarie, The Entrance, Tweed Heads, or Woolgoolga.Key Dates• Raffle opens: 1st May 2025• Entries close: 5:00 PM AEST, 30th June 2025• Winners drawn: 2nd July 2025Enter the raffle and read the terms and conditions at: www.australianmf.org.au/yurungai-bus-raffleYour participation will help provide safe transportation for children to access vital educational and cultural programs. Thank you for your support! About Barnardos AustraliaBarnardos Australia is a leading non-government, non-denominational child protection charity in Australia. They work together with children, young people and families to break the cycle of disadvantage, creating safe, nurturing and stable homes, connected to family and community. About the Australian Mutuals Foundation (AMF)The primary purpose of the AMF is to provide a vehicle for Mutual Banks, Credit Unions, Building Society and Cooperative banking to assist needy children in Australia, and to alleviate poverty in some of the poorest communities in South East Asia and the Pacific by the creation of sustainable cooperative financial organisations.

World Environment Day, held every year on 5 June, is a global initiative dedicated to raising awareness and driving action for the health of our planet. Recognised worldwide, it serves as a powerful reminder of our shared responsibility to protect the environment. In 2025, the theme Beat Plastic Pollution calls on individuals, governments, and industries to confront one of the most widespread and harmful environmental issues facing our world today. Launched by the United Nations in 1972, World Environment Day has become the leading international platform for environmental awareness and action, engaging millions of people across more than 150 countries. As the planet faces mounting challenges, including climate change, deforestation, biodiversity loss, and pollution, this day encourages reflection, awareness, and decisive action to protect ecosystems and human health.   Why plastic pollution matters This year’s theme, Beat Plastic Pollution, highlights a critical and urgent issue. In 2024 alone, over 400 million tonnes of plastic waste were generated, according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). A significant amount of this waste ends up in oceans, rivers, and natural landscapes, harming wildlife, contaminating food chains, and accelerating climate change. In March 2022, 175 nations agreed to create a legally binding treaty to end plastic pollution, marking a pivotal step toward global accountability. Yet, without further action, plastic waste is projected to nearly triple by 2060, potentially reaching one billion tonnes annually.   What you can do You don’t have to be an environmental expert to make a difference. Small changes in everyday habits can spark powerful, lasting impact. Here are some practical actions you can take: Reduce your use of single-use plastics—carry a reusable water bottle, shopping bag, and utensils. Avoid Single-Use Plastics: Say no to disposable bags, straws, cutlery, and bottles. Recycle properly by following local guidelines and avoiding contamination. Support brands and businesses that prioritise sustainable packaging and practices. Educate others about the impact of plastic pollution and advocate for systemic change. Participate in local clean-up efforts, environmental events, or social media campaigns to raise awareness. Even small changes in daily habits can create powerful ripple effects.   A future without plastic pollution Plastic pollution is not just an environmental issue, it threatens human health, food security, and climate stability. Yet, it remains one of the most solvable environmental challenges of our time. Let 5 June be more than just a date on the calendar, because when we choose to beat plastic pollution, we choose a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable future for ourselves and for generations to come.   Our impact As a member-owned bank, we’re always striving to make a positive impact, and we are committed to a more sustainable future for our members and their communities. We recognise the importance of sound practices as part of our responsibility to members, employees and the communities in which we are part of. One way we seek to do this is by trying to reduce the environmental impact of our business operations, via a number of key initiatives: Introduction of recycled PVC cards and environmentally conscious collateral across the G&C Mutual Bank suite of debit and credit cards, with plans to extend this to Unity Bank cards in the future. Development of our Responsible Banking Policy, guiding our approach to lending and investing with respect to our Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Strategy. Undertaking a Greenhouse Gas Assessment to better understand and reduce our emissions. Comprehensive recycling program at our Elizabeth Street Head Office through our building management operating a four-bin waste system: dry waste, organics, mixed recycling, and paper and cardboard.   Together, through conscious action and collective effort, we can help protect the planet and shape a brighter tomorrow.