Skip to main content

BCU within the community

Ever since we started out in the early 1970s, we’ve always been known for our commitment to our local communities. Today, whether you’re in Port Macquarie, NSW or Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, we’re still supporting our customers and the wider community. So, how do we do that?

As a customer-owned bank, our customers come first. We reinvest our profits back into providing products and services for everyone who banks with us, as well as supporting local communities. We do this through a range of programs, initiatives and activities every year, and 2024 was no different.

A look back at 2024

We started 2024 strong thanks to our partnerships with Lifeline North Coast, Orange Sky Australia and Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors. By partnering up with these three fantastic organisations we’re able to make an impact in areas that matter to our customers and their communities.

Lifeline North Coast

Lifeline North Coast covers northern New South Wales from Nambucca Heads to Yamba and operates a 24/7 crisis and suicide prevention phoneline and online chat. We know how money matters and financial stress can impact our customers’ mental health and reach into the wider community, so we’re proud to be able to support the valuable work that Lifeline North Coast does.

Along with the crisis support, Lifeline North Coast also offers face-to-face counselling, mental health education, and suicide bereavement support to the community. Demand for services sadly increases year-on-year, which is just one reason why our support is so important.

In July, our team embraced the opportunity of volunteering at the Lifeline Toormina warehouse, where they sorted and organised through community donations that were headed to local Lifeline charity shops. And, in September, several of our team members from across NSW and Queensland got involved in Lifeline’s Out of the Shadows Walk, and walked 9km in their local area to raise awareness along with valuable funds.

Orange Sky Australia

Orange Sky Australia provides practical community support for people experiencing homelessness and hardship. This hands-on support includes providing free laundry services, warm showers, and conversation to vulnerable people in more than 38 locations across Australia. With the rise in cost of living and Australia’s housing crisis, more people than ever before need the additional support that Orange Sky provides.

Back in March the BCU Stride Squad participated in Orange Sky’s Walk the Walk – a fundraising challenge to walk 122km in solidarity with the 122,000 Aussies experiencing homelessness on any given night. July saw some of our Brisbane-based team volunteer their time to help Orange Sky prepare for the 2024 Sudsy Challenge by packing up orange t-shirts for distribution to participants. And, then in September the BCU Fresh Start Squad went on to raise $1,263 by wearing one of those orange t-shirts for three consecutive days (and nights), as part of the annual fundraising challenge.

In 2024, our support has allowed Orange Sky to provide:

  • 694 warm showers in communities
  • 1,042 loads of laundry
  • 1,389 hours of conversation and connection.

Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors

BCU Bank sponsors the Koala Nursery at Australia Zoo and the Koala Ward at the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital, both of which are part of a conservation project funded by Wildlife Warriors. An iconic animal, loved by many, we know koalas are close to our customers’ hearts.

The hospital treats up to 800 koalas annually at no cost to the public, with the busiest time of year being September to February – known as ‘Trauma Season’, and our support helps the hospital provide critical and specialist care to sick and injured koalas. The nursery raises orphaned joeys in a safe environment and ensures their development means they can be released when ready. Both play a crucial role in rehabilitating and releasing animals into natural habitats in Queensland and northern NSW.

Since our partnership with Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors began, dozens of animals have been rescued, rehabilitated and released into the wild – and the BCU sponsored koala, Maxie (named by BCU customers), is no longer a tiny joey!

Into 2025

Looking ahead for this new year, one thing is clear – there is certainly a lot more of the above to come. We’ll continue to support organisations doing valuable, important work within New South Wales and Queensland, and we’ll continue to enable our customers and team members to assist those people from their local communities who are doing it tough.

As you already do your business banking with us, you probably know that we’re not like bigger banks. By choosing to bank with us, you’re an important piece of the BCU Bank puzzle. You’re not just another customer, you play an important part in making things better for local communities, so thank you!