The Mutual Bank Sponsors Surfest High School Teams Challenge for the Third Year

The Mutual Bank is excited to announce its continued sponsorship of the High School Teams Challenge in the lead up to Newcastle Surfest. The teams challenge taking place on Thursday, 8 May and Friday, 9 May 2025 at South Bar Beach and draws talented young surfers from across the state. Open exclusively to NSW high schools, the competition features both boys’ and girls’ divisions, with teams of up to five surfers. The event provides a fantastic platform for young surfers to showcase their skills and teamwork – all at the start of the internationally renowned Surfest competition to be held in June. Surfest sees some of the world’s best up-and-coming surfers descend on the iconic surf break of Merewether in Newcastle as they look to qualify for the 2026 Championship Tour (CT) as Newcastle hosts the first event of the 2025 WSL Challenger Series. Matthew Dunnill, Chief Member Officer at The Mutual Bank, said the teams challenge surfing event was always a highlight on the Hunter-based bank’s sponsorship calendar. “The Mutual Bank High School Teams Challenge is a great opportunity for young surfers to gain invaluable experience and demonstrate their talent,” he said “We are proud to support an event that aligns with our commitment to helping people thrive.” There is no entry fee for the event and prizes will be awarded to schools that reach the final, with the format to include two non-elimination rounds before the knockout rounds begin. Each team can have a maximum of 5 surfers with only 3 surfers competing in each heat. Surfest is the largest surfing festival in the Southern Hemisphere, bringing together amateur and professional surfers for 17 days of thrilling competition.

The Susan Roskell Toy and Gift Drive is back on for 2024

The simple things can often have a bigger impact than we could ever imagine – and that’s exactly what the organisers behind the Susan Roskell Memorial Toy and Gift Drive see every year. The Mutual Bank is once again partnering with this incredible community initiative that helps to create happy memories for families affected by hardship over the holiday season. The Susan Roskell Toy and Gift Drive was established with the goal of providing gifts and toys to children, and their parents and carers, who have been impacted by the effects of domestic and family violence, homelessness, illness and injury. The Mutual Bank’s Chief Member Officer Matthew Dunnill said continuing to be a Platinum Sponsor of the well-established and respected appeal was an easy decision for the member-owned and community focused bank. “The Susan Roskell Toy and Gift Drive aligns with our values and supports grassroots charities and community organisations, helping them to aid families seeking assistance at what can be a really challenging time of year,” Matthew said. “Our team was thrilled to take part in this project last year and we hope the community will be just as generous this year by supporting the drive – the smallest of gifts are so important as they all add up.” Todd Sheldon from Bolwarra Heights organises the annual event, which is now in its ninth year. It all started in 2016 when a request from Maitland’s Reading Cinema to support struggling families during the festive season saw Todd, his wife Penny, and their son Lachlan (who was named Young Citizen of the Year 2024 for his toy drive efforts), donating wrapped gifts to a Wishing Tree and from this, the idea of an annual toy drive was born. “It is heartening to see that with every year, the support from the community and small businesses has grown which enables us to support the ever-increasing number of Hunter families that are seeking a helping hand during the holiday season,” said Todd. As well as The Mutual Bank branches being a collection point for the gifts, the bank’s team will also volunteer over two days to help sort the donations at their Head Office in Green Hills for distribution to the charities. Community members can drop unwrapped, new toys and presents and gift vouchers into one of the large boxes at each of our seven branches – Dungog, East Maitland, Edgeworth, Maitland, Mayfield, Raymond Terrace and Rutherford.

The Mutual Bank Disability Games a winner for participants

While the Paralympics were in full swing in Paris, we had the chance to cheer on our own athletes right here in the Hunter. The Mutual Bank was thrilled to partner with Active Inclusive and Good Shepherd Support Services for a special Disability Community Day on Wednesday September 4. The day was designed to allow people living with a disability to come together and enjoy a day of fun whilst participating in some sporting activities. Around 200 participants took part in the event at No. 2 Sportsground in Newcastle, taking part in some fun events along with sports such as golf and touch football. The event was free for participants and included: A free barbecue and drinks for competitors Zumba Dance Sessions by Healthy Change Challenge Facepainting Sports round robin Appearance by some of the Newcastle Knights Face Painting Lucky door prizes, raffles Craft stations Certificate ceremony Proceeds from the day support the Susan Roskell Toy Drive and the Sione Foundation.

The Mutual Bank supports seven charities through Winter Appeal

The Mutual Bank is supporting seven local charities to help make the lives of families facing a bleak winter a little easier.   Alongside the already rising cost of living, the cold weather can be a tough time for families as they experience a rise in utility and food bills to get through the season.   The Mutual Bank’s Chief Member Officer Matthew Dunnill said no donation was too small and can be dropped into any of our seven branches.  “Local charities do such an amazing job and I’m so pleased our team has chosen to once again demonstrate one of our core values, Care, and run our winter appeal,” he said.  “I hope our Members can consider adding to the donations too,” he said.  Each branch pairs with a local charity, so you know your donation is going towards families in your LGA. Learn more about the seven organisations and the donations their collecting below:   Dungog Shire Community Centre (Dungog Branch): collecting vouchers, tinned food and pantry items, personal and feminine hygiene products. No clothing or blankets please.  Carries Place (East Maitland Branch): collecting non-perishable foods, personal hygiene items, new blankets, sleeping bags, beanies, scarves, tents and swags.  REACH Homeless Services (Maitland Branch): collecting tinned food and long-life pantry items, bottled water, warm and weatherproof clothing, personal hygiene items, sleeping bags, backpacks, umbrellas, gift cards and Opal cards.  Soul Hub (Mayfield and Edgeworth Branch): collecting tinned food (with ring top pull) and long-life pantry items, rice, pasta, dog food and personal hygiene items.  Port Stephens Family and Neighbourhood Service (Raymond Terrace Branch): collecting tinner foods and pantry items, school snacks, beanies and gloves Maitland Region Community Support (Rutherford Branches): pantry staples, soups, pasta, milo and hot chocolate sachets, winter clothing and blankets.  Lifeline (Head Office) Check out which branch is closest to you on our website: Contact Us | The Mutual Bank  

A flavoursome partnership with Maitland Taste

Maitland Taste, the city's premier culinary event celebrating locally sourced food and wines from the Hunter Valley and beyond, is returning to The Levee for a three-day extravaganza. Proudly sponsored by The Mutual Bank, Maitland Taste will run from Friday 17 May to Sunday 19 May and visitors will be treated to an unforgettable gastronomic experience featuring the finest local produce, cooking demonstrations by talented chefs and a host of family friendly activities. ‘We have loved being a part of such a fantastic showcase of the best of the Hunter Valley’s produce, and we are looking forward to some of the amazing events on the program,” The Mutual Bank CEO Mark Williams said. ‘There truly is something for all the family at this three-day event from cooking demonstrations to live music and kids’ activities, and of course, the gourmet food, food trucks and pop up eateries in the Levee.” From aromatic wines to the freshest farm to table produce, Maitland Taste celebrates our diverse landscape, offering three days of events, demonstrations and pop ups, according to Coordinator of City Events and Activation, Adam Franks. “Maitland Taste is not just about food; it's about bringing our community together to celebrate all the flavours and talents that Maitland has to offer,” said Mr Franks. As well as activities at The Levee, visitors can explore various specialty themed pop-up sites across Central Maitland, each offering unique and tantalising experiences. For more information about Maitland Taste proudly presented by The Mutual Bank, visit maitlandtaste.com.au.

The Mutual Bank is ready to ride the waves of Surfest in 2024

The Mutual Bank has once again dipped its toe into the community pool it serves to sponsor the High Schools Team Challenge at Surfest. It is the second year running the Hunter-based bank has sponsored the event, which showcases up and coming junior surfers in a team event. Preparations are well underway for the exciting surfing action featuring high school students from across NSW, to be held at South Bar Beach on Thursday 14 and Friday 15 March 2024. Being owned by its members means The Mutual Bank can invest its profits back into better products and services for its Members and support the community through sponsorship. The Mutual Bank’s Chief Member Officer, Matthew Dunnill, said sponsoring the High Schools Teams Challenge at Surfest was the perfect opportunity for The Mutual Bank to achieve its goal of helping people thrive. “The Mutual Bank High Schools Team Challenge is a great opportunity for young, surfers to showcase their talent, with a focus on teamwork,” he said. “This is invaluable experience for these young surfers, both in and out of the water, and it’s an exciting show to watch.” Surfest is celebrating its 38th anniversary this year. The event is the largest surfing festival in the Southern Hemisphere. You can learn more about The Mutual Bank High Schools Teams Challenge as part of Surfest 2024 here.