CommBank takes a community focus in the Hunter

CommBank takes a community focus in the Hunter

Colin Law and his team at CommBank are not just providing financial services, but also making a difference locally.

Colin, who leads CommBank’s local Business Banking & SME operation, said that his team has a strong sense of purpose when it comes to giving back to the Hunter region.

“When our team comes to work each day, we come with a strong sense of purpose, not only to deliver for our clients but also to make a positive contribution for businesses more broadly and the community we are a part of,” Colin said.

In 2015, Colin and his team led the crowdfunding initiative to save the Surfest women’s competition. Previously severely under-funded, it’s now one of the top point scoring events on the circuit; a QS6000 competition that draws top local and international talent to Newcastle. Fast-forward to 2017, and this year’s Surfest saw 85 businesses raise $140,000 to support the running costs, including a $50,000 prize pool.

“We saw a local community issue that we could solve creatively using our finance skills and business networks to crowdfund. Surfest has been such a core part of our identity in Newcastle, we wanted to do something to not only keep the women’s comp alive, but take it to the next level,” Colin said.

And it’s not just surfing that the team supports by connecting members of the business community to meet community needs. Late last year, CommBank partnered with ConnectAbility to create a unique five star dining event. Wine and Dine for Disability saw 100 guests enjoy food by four of Newcastle’s top Chefs and wine from two fantastic vineyards, each donating time and skills. The $12,000 raised is now helping ConnectAbility provide opportunities for people with significant disabilities.

“This year we want to go bigger again, aiming for 150 dinner guests and an aspirational target of $20,000 raised,” Colin said.

The team also lends a hand to Mai-Wel Group’s corporate sports day, raising funds to support opportunities for people with disability or disadvantage in the Maitland area. Although the CBA team may not have the best players in the field, they delivered in the fundraising arena, taking out both the individual and team fundraising champion awards for the past few years.

“There are a bunch of other groups we work with to support the community and promote business across the region, including the Newcastle Cricket Association, the Wine Industry Association, Hunter Culinary Association and Gen-Collective, a local organisation connecting likeminded women in business,” Colin said.

IMAGE | Colin Law and his team at CommBank are making a difference to the local community.

CommBank

CommBank is Australia’s leading provider of integrated financial services and one of the most recognised brands in the Australian financial industry. Commbank provides integrated financial services, including retail, premium, business and institutional banking, funds management, superannuation, insurance, investment and share-broking products and services.

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