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Back to News & ArticlesPartnerships with Purpose - our CEO's experience
As I joined my Bank First colleagues recently, in folding and counting thousands of school uniform items, I reflected on why we partner with organisations like State Schools' Relief (SSR). It's far from a tick-the-box effort, or a surface level photo opp.
This partnership is the very reason we - a mutual bank - exist. To give back to the communities who give so much. To offer support not only through our financial services and products but through our people, our time, our energy and our funds.
Partnerships with purpose
We make good money so that we can do good things with that money. And we employee good people who want to do good things too.
SSR has a vision that every Victorian child will be able to participate with the same pride and dignity as their peers. Whether that's wearing the right uniform, having the right equipment for camp or obtaining a pair of glasses to read the board, they work tirelessly to ensure swift access to school basics for all children in need.
Sadly, despite their massive efforts, the number of requests for help are at their highest in the 96-year history of the organisation – an unfortunate reflection of our times.
It was both humbling and joyful to get dusty amongst the uniforms and school bags and hats in the SSR warehouse with my team and do our bit to help the crew complete the stocktake efficiently so they can get on with distributing much-needed winter items.
SSR was founded by school principals and Bank First was established by teachers – there's a purpose and synergy to this partnership. In our own way, and together, we're making a difference.
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