In this issue of Member Matters:
- A message from BankVic Board Director Rhyll Gardner
- Police Week 2024
- Welcoming the Australian Federal Police Association
- GoodCompany Awards
- Peer Support Dogs program
- Law Enforcement Torch Run Gala Ball
- Blue Ribbon Foundation Charity Ball
- Royal Melbourne Hospital Celebrating Excellence Awards
- VA Delegates Conference
- Victoria Police Legacy Christmas Lunch
- How we are addressing financial abuse
- A report on our Annual General Meeting
- Little Copper Club winners.
As we start 2025, we hope all members and the wider BankVic community had a very Merry Christmas and a safe, healthy, and happy new year. This is our 51st year of serving the police, emergency services, and health sectors as their member-owned bank – and we appreciate your continuing support.
The past 12 months involved a lot of healthy evolution for BankVic, with our team working very hard across many significant projects to maintain the competitive and professional standards we hold ourselves to. All the while, we monitor and revise our products and services to reflect what you tell us you need from your bank.
We rounded out 2024 supporting a swathe of events and awards right across the spectrum of our member and partner community, which we have included in this edition of our member newsletter for you. Looking at all the photos of people whose careers and achievements we support and celebrate, gives us great pride at what we are able to do in this area for you.
With a seemingly-endless number of scam and fraud attempts coming via email, phone, SMS and online platforms, we are very conscious of the role we can play in helping to keep your money as safe as it can be. Our partnership with Crime Stoppers Victoria is particularly important in this regard. We thank CEO Stella Smith and her team, for the collaborative way our two organisations work so well to produce helpful and informative resources for you, and the wider community. You can see some of this at bankvic.com.au/banksafe
I am very proud to be one of your directors, and offer my reflection about the diligent and professional way the whole Board works and functions. We are stewards of your bank and hard-earned savings, and we are all very grateful for the trust you place in us.
Rhyll Gardner
DIRECTOR
Police Week 2024
As the bank established for police and by police, BankVic takes great pride in commemorating the work our police members do in serving and protecting the community. We do this year-round, but with extra focus during Police Week.
We joined our police members at a number of events:
- We participated in the Wall to Wall Ride for Remembrance as support crew for the Victorian cohort of the national tribute and memorial event, and joined them in Canberra for a memorial service
- We attended the National Police Bravery Awards that honoured two officers for their service and sacrifice in maintaining community safety
- We presented a session at The Police Association Victoria’s delegates conference, and were on hand to support police with their banking needs and goals
- And we supported the launch of the 2024 Victoria Police & Emergency Services Games, where first responders have the opportunity to come together in friendly competition across a variety of sports.
Our members are at the core of everything we do, and we are very grateful for the hard work they do to keep all of us safe, when we need them most.
Welcoming the Australian Federal Police Association
In September we announced our newest partnership, with Australian Federal Police Association (AFPA). Our partnership was particularly special timing, being confirmed as we approached our 50th Anniversary.
We are very proud to be welcoming the Australian Federal Police Association to the BankVic community, and have already been around the country helping AFPA members with their banking and financial wellbeing needs.
GoodCompany Awards
We were thrilled to be #22 in the 2024 GoodCompany Awards (previously Best Workplaces to Give Back), and in the top 30 for the third year in a row. We are also proud to be one of only three banks
in Australia listed in the GoodCompany awards.
The GoodCompany awards celebrate organisations across Australia that are going beyond profits to enrich their communities, and who ensure giving back is a core part of their culture.
This achievement reflects BankVic’s continuing commitment to build on our strong foundation of giving, including:
- paid volunteer leave that can be used with any charity or partner organisation
- uncapped donation matching
- the growing impact we are seeing from our incredible community partnerships.
More about the GoodCompany Awards is available at goodcompany.org
2024 Annual General Meeting
The 2024 BankVic Annual General Meeting (AGM) was held in a virtual format on Tuesday 12 November 2024.
The Special Resolution (as outlined in the Notice of AGM and Explanatory Statement) regarding amending the constitution was passed with 88% of votes cast in favour of the resolution. As a result, BankVic’s constitution gives full effect to our certification as a B Corp and is aligned with our purpose and values.
You can watch a recording of the AGM here.
Peer Support Dogs bring out the smiles
It’s been a busy and friendly time for the North West Metro Peer Support Dog Program. They have visited over 70 stations and engaged with more than 900 Victoria Police members during these visits, some of which have followed significant critical incidents to provide support and companionship.
Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with many commenting on the opportunity to take a break and relax in the company of these very good boys and girls.
Law Enforcement Torch Run Gala Ball
The 3rd Annual Law Enforcement Torch Run Gala Ball was held recently, to help raise funds for the extraordinary athletes of Special Olympics Australia.
Chair Lucinda Nolan presented the Alumni Athlete Leadership Award to the very deserving Bill Hallam. We are very proud partners of the Law Enforcement Torch Run and privileged to spend an evening celebrating the achievements of all Special Olympics Australia athletes.
Blue Ribbon Foundation Charity Ball
We were proud to sponsor and attend the Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation Charity Ball held in November.
Our long-standing partnership with Blue Ribbon Foundation supports their work delivering community projects named in honour of police officers who have died in the line of duty.
(L-R): Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton, BankVic CEO Anthony De Fazio, Fire Rescue Victoria Commissioner Gavin Freeman.
Royal Melbourne Hospital Celebrating Excellence Awards
We supported The Royal Melbourne Hospital’s Celebrating Excellence Awards in November, and presented the People’s Choice Award to the Clinical Assistants team.
This award is recognition from colleagues for their contributions to the RMH, their commitment to patient care and living the RMH values.
(L-R): BankVic CEO Anthony De Fazio, members of the Clinical Assistants team, and RMH Foundation’s Executive Director Sue Parkes.
VAU delegates conference
The 3rd Annual Victorian Ambulance Union Incorporated Delegates Conference was held in September and we were there to support members and help with banking questions and needs.
Thank you to the VAU team for the invitation. We value and appreciate your collaboration and our partnership.
Victoria Police Legacy Christmas Lunch
The Victoria Police Legacy Christmas Lunch was held in early December, and is a highlight of the police calendar that brings together partners and children of police who have passed away.
We feel honoured to partner with a warm and supportive organisation like VPL, who offer police legatees connection and community.
Thank you VPL for everything you do. As sponsors of the lunch for the past six years, we are proud to work together with you.
Respect and Protect: a firm no to financial abuse
As a member-owned bank established by members of Victoria Police, we take very seriously the devastating impact financial abuse and coercion can have on those who experience it.
The use of financial levers to control, abuse or manipulate others, is something we as a bank do not tolerate, and this has been formally acknowledged through becoming a signatory to the Respect and Protect initiative.
More details on how we are addressing financial abuse are available here.
Little Copper Club winners
Congratulations to these winners of the Little Copper Club Savings Awards, which were drawn on Monday 9 December:
- Chloe Phelan
- Lachlan Curran
- Nash Cox
- Chester Byers
- Elaena Sea
- Chloe Mullavey
- Lucas Hill
- Luca Renou
- Jacob Leahy
- Georgia Fernandez, and
- James Aldridge.
