Wagga Mutual Credit Union provides grant to drive expansion of Riding for the Disabled
Announcement posted by Wagga Mutual Credit Union 11 Sep 2012
Leading financial institution Wagga Mutual Credit Union is providing $30,000 and kick starting a fundraising drive so Riding for the Disabled (RDA) can buy a much-needed $60,000 people-mover vehicle so the group can open its doors to at least 50 more clients with special needs.
Through its charitable arm titled the Wagga Wagga Regional Fund, Wagga Mutual will provide a $30,000 grant to the RDA for the vehicle, and will lead a fundraising campaign to source the additional $30,000 needed.
The Wagga Wagga Regional Fund is the local arm of the Community CPS Foundation, operated by Wagga Mutual’s parent organisation, the Community CPS Australia Group.
The grant and fundraising were announced at a special event held on Thursday night at the Botanic Gardens Restaurant, where Wagga Mutual also distributed more than $151,000 to 130 local charitable organisations via the credit union’s popular Community Reward Account.
RDA President Bev Amery says an 8-12-seater ‘people-mover’ will enable RDA staff to pick up more clients directly from around the community and transport them to the RDA for horse-riding and carriage driving programs each week.
“Thanks to the generous support of Wagga Mutual Credit Union and the Wagga Wagga Regional Fund, we will be able to put a smile on the faces of more people with special needs,” Ms Amery said.
“The joy and satisfaction of working with children, teenagers and adults with disabilities as they learn to ride and carriage drive is tremendously rewarding, and we know they, and their families sincerely appreciate every trip to RDA.”
Riding for the Disabled began in Wagga in 1975 with six clients, and now has 125 clients visiting its indoor and outdoor arenas and games and cross country paddocks at Plumpton Road each week.
Community CPS Australia Chief Executive Officer Robert Keogh says Riding for the Disabled was a most worthy recipient of the Fund’s second annual grant.
“The many volunteers and specially trained riding instructors are committed to enriching the lives of their clients with disabilities and we are delighted the Wagga Wagga Regional Fund has identified the RDA as a cause close to the community’s heart,” Mr Keogh said.
The RDA grant and fundraising campaign were announced during a presentation of more than $151,000 to recipients of Wagga Mutual’s Community Rewards Account. The account was launched in Wagga 10 years ago and has since distributed more than $1.4 million to the community.
Wagga Mutual Regional Manager Andrew Toole says the Community Reward Account is a high-interest earning account with a percentage of the balance donated by the credit union to the account-holder’s preferred non-profit group.
“At the end of each financial year, we add up the average balance held in all Community Reward Accounts and donate 1.5 per cent of the balance to the nominated organisation,” Mr Toole said.
“It’s been incredibly successful in Wagga, with more than 130 local charities, community groups and not-for-profit organisations reaping the rewards of their supporters placing their savings in a Community Rewards Account.”
The recipients of the 2012 Community Award are:
• Riverina Umpires Association
• United Hospital Auxiliaries of NSW Coolamon Ganmain Branch
• Riverina Conservatorium of Music
• Matong Public School P&C Association
• Country Hope
For further information about how to apply for a Community Reward Account and support your preferred charitable organisation, please contact Wagga Mutual Credit Union’s Community Membership Co-ordinator Karen Garrod on 6923 4057.
ABOUT THE COMMUNITY CPS AUSTRALIA GROUP
Two-time winner of Money magazine’s Credit Union of the Year award (2012, 2008) the Community CPS Australia Group is one of the largest customer owned financial institutions in Australia, with assets under management approaching $4 billion. The credit union employs 585 staff across 48 branches, servicing more than 180,000 members. Community CPS is located in South Australia and the Australian Capital Territory, and operates as Wagga Mutual Credit Union in Wagga Wagga, Companion Credit Union in the Hunter Valley and United Community Credit Union in Western Australia. Community CPS was also named Money magazine’s Best Credit Union in 2005.
The Group comprises activities in banking, the community (through the Community CPS Foundation) and professional services (wealth management, tax and accounting services via Eastwoods). For more information visit www.communitycps.com.au
Through its charitable arm titled the Wagga Wagga Regional Fund, Wagga Mutual will provide a $30,000 grant to the RDA for the vehicle, and will lead a fundraising campaign to source the additional $30,000 needed.
The Wagga Wagga Regional Fund is the local arm of the Community CPS Foundation, operated by Wagga Mutual’s parent organisation, the Community CPS Australia Group.
The grant and fundraising were announced at a special event held on Thursday night at the Botanic Gardens Restaurant, where Wagga Mutual also distributed more than $151,000 to 130 local charitable organisations via the credit union’s popular Community Reward Account.
RDA President Bev Amery says an 8-12-seater ‘people-mover’ will enable RDA staff to pick up more clients directly from around the community and transport them to the RDA for horse-riding and carriage driving programs each week.
“Thanks to the generous support of Wagga Mutual Credit Union and the Wagga Wagga Regional Fund, we will be able to put a smile on the faces of more people with special needs,” Ms Amery said.
“The joy and satisfaction of working with children, teenagers and adults with disabilities as they learn to ride and carriage drive is tremendously rewarding, and we know they, and their families sincerely appreciate every trip to RDA.”
Riding for the Disabled began in Wagga in 1975 with six clients, and now has 125 clients visiting its indoor and outdoor arenas and games and cross country paddocks at Plumpton Road each week.
Community CPS Australia Chief Executive Officer Robert Keogh says Riding for the Disabled was a most worthy recipient of the Fund’s second annual grant.
“The many volunteers and specially trained riding instructors are committed to enriching the lives of their clients with disabilities and we are delighted the Wagga Wagga Regional Fund has identified the RDA as a cause close to the community’s heart,” Mr Keogh said.
The RDA grant and fundraising campaign were announced during a presentation of more than $151,000 to recipients of Wagga Mutual’s Community Rewards Account. The account was launched in Wagga 10 years ago and has since distributed more than $1.4 million to the community.
Wagga Mutual Regional Manager Andrew Toole says the Community Reward Account is a high-interest earning account with a percentage of the balance donated by the credit union to the account-holder’s preferred non-profit group.
“At the end of each financial year, we add up the average balance held in all Community Reward Accounts and donate 1.5 per cent of the balance to the nominated organisation,” Mr Toole said.
“It’s been incredibly successful in Wagga, with more than 130 local charities, community groups and not-for-profit organisations reaping the rewards of their supporters placing their savings in a Community Rewards Account.”
The recipients of the 2012 Community Award are:
• Riverina Umpires Association
• United Hospital Auxiliaries of NSW Coolamon Ganmain Branch
• Riverina Conservatorium of Music
• Matong Public School P&C Association
• Country Hope
For further information about how to apply for a Community Reward Account and support your preferred charitable organisation, please contact Wagga Mutual Credit Union’s Community Membership Co-ordinator Karen Garrod on 6923 4057.
ABOUT THE COMMUNITY CPS AUSTRALIA GROUP
Two-time winner of Money magazine’s Credit Union of the Year award (2012, 2008) the Community CPS Australia Group is one of the largest customer owned financial institutions in Australia, with assets under management approaching $4 billion. The credit union employs 585 staff across 48 branches, servicing more than 180,000 members. Community CPS is located in South Australia and the Australian Capital Territory, and operates as Wagga Mutual Credit Union in Wagga Wagga, Companion Credit Union in the Hunter Valley and United Community Credit Union in Western Australia. Community CPS was also named Money magazine’s Best Credit Union in 2005.
The Group comprises activities in banking, the community (through the Community CPS Foundation) and professional services (wealth management, tax and accounting services via Eastwoods). For more information visit www.communitycps.com.au