Greater Bank gives it up for Volunteer of the Year

Greater Bank today acknowledged its 2018 Greater Charitable Foundation Employee Volunteer of the Year, in recognition of the significant contribution its employees have made to the community over the past 12 months.

Rutherford Branch manager, Abbey Keogh, was named joint winner of this year’s award for her extensive volunteering efforts representing Greater Bank in her local area.

She consistently gives up her time to assist Starlight Children’s Foundation and their work at Maitland Hospital, as well as being involved in numerous grassroots community programs such as Maitland Riverlights Festival and Sam Poolman’s ASPIRE netball program.

Recognised for her contribution at a presentation held at Greater Bank’s Greenhills Branch, a number of organisations who have benefited from Abbey’s volunteering efforts were in attendance, including representatives from Maitland City Council and Hunter Academy of Sport.

Ms Keogh was thrilled to receive the award but attributed her affinity with charitable work to the satisfaction she gets from helping others.

“I am honoured to receive this award but volunteering is something I really enjoy so I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Ms Keogh said.

“I do it because I get a sense of satisfaction from using my time to help others. My work with Starlight is beyond rewarding; seeing children who are suffering is horrible but at the same time being able to help take their minds of their illness if only for minutes at a time is something I find truly humbling,” Ms Keogh explained.

Greater Charitable Foundation Chief Executive Officer, Anne Long, highlighted the difficult task the selection committee always has in choosing the winner and this year was no exception.

“Abbey was nominated by a number of her colleagues who submitted glowing reports of her dedication to helping those in need. Her commitment to the community was a real standout,” Ms Long said.

“She – and her co-awardee Bern Rennie – is an exemplary example of someone who has gone above and beyond in terms of supporting the community, which is something we are strongly committed to here at Greater Bank.”

More than 200 Greater Bank employees have volunteered over 1000 hours with Greater Charitable Foundation partners during the last 12 months alone.

“Our Greater Charitable Foundation partners rely heavily on the dedication of volunteers and we are lucky to have a network of Greater Bank employees who are ready and willing to give up their time to help fulfil this role and give back to those who need it most.” Ms Long said.

Also recognised earlier this year was Compliance Officer, Bernadette Rennie, who has given her time to support more than 11 different Greater Charitable Foundation charity partners since 2013.

Both Abbey and Bernadette will receive $500 each to donate back to a charity of their choice.

According to Volunteering Australia, volunteering time and hours have both increased over the past decade with 43.7 per cent of adult Australians volunteering a total of 932 million hours in 2016.