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Backing Future Surfing Stars

The Surfest High School Teams Challenge draws enthusiastic teams from across NSW, with growing female participation highlighting The Mutual Bank’s commitment to inclusivity and youth development.    For the fourth consecutive year, The Mutual Bank proudly sponsors this cornerstone event, reinforcing its dedication to community, grassroots sport, and the development of future champions.    This year’s challenge will be held at South Bar Beach on 19 and 20 February during Newcastle Surfest’s 40th anniversary celebrations, as part of six community events leading up to the World Surf League Challenger Series from March 9 -15, 2026. Open exclusively to NSW high schools, the competition features boys’ and girls’, divisions, with teams of up to five surfers showcasing their skills and teamwork.  Event Director Warren Smith said:    “The continued growth of this event wouldn’t be possible without the ongoing support of The Mutual Bank. Last year we saw more schools than ever take part, including 20 women’s teams – the highest number in the event’s history. Newcastle Surfest is proud to present The Mutual Bank High School Teams Challenge as part of our 40-year celebrations.”    The Mutual Bank’s sponsorship reflects its commitment to supporting local sporting stars while championing inclusivity and the rise of women in sport. Beyond surfing, the bank also backs youth female teams in netball, touch football, and Premier League football, reinforcing its goal of creating opportunities for young women to thrive.    Matthew Dunnill, Chief Member Officer at The Mutual Bank, said:    “The Mutual Bank High School Teams Challenge is a fantastic opportunity for young surfers to gain invaluable experience and demonstrate their talent. We are proud to support an event that aligns with our commitment to helping people thrive and fostering strong community connections.”    With no entry fee and prizes for finalists, the challenge offers an accessible and exciting platform for young athletes to shine. Surfest’s 40th anniversary reinforces its status as the Southern Hemisphere’s biggest surfing festival, where local talent meets international excellence.      Many competitors in the High School Teams Challenge progress to Surfest’s Junior Championship divisions and even the World Surf League, making this event a proven pathway for emerging talent. By supporting this grassroots opportunity, The Mutual Bank helps nurture the next generation of surfing champions while promoting inclusivity and community engagement.     

Presenting Maitland Riverlights

The Mutual Bank is proud to be the presenting partner of Maitland Riverlights 2025, a spectacular celebration of culture, creativity and community spirit in the heart of the Hunter. Maitland Riverlights is more than just a festival. It’s a vibrant, family-friendly event that brings people together to connect, share stories and celebrate diversity. It perfectly aligns with our ethos of supporting regional prosperity and creating inclusive experiences for all. The program will feature an exciting array of cultural workshops, live performances and interactive activities held across various locations throughout the city of Maitland. Our CEO, Mark Williams, said Maitland Riverlights is a truly magnificent event that brings our community together to connect, swap stories and share joy. “Events like Maitland Riverlights energise our city centre, support local businesses, and contribute to the vibrancy and economic growth of our region,” said Mark. “We’re thrilled to help shine a light on Maitland and everything that makes it such a special place to live, work and visit.” Save the Date! Get ready for a week-long celebration from Tuesday 7 October and culminating with the main event on Saturday 11 October. More details about the program will be released closer to the date but you can stay up to date by visiting the Maitland City Council website: https://www.maitlandriverlights.com.au/. We can’t wait to see you there!

Mutual Care Appeal

The Mutual Bank is partnering with local community groups to help ease the pressure many local families are facing with the current cost of living.This September our branches and Head Office are collection points for donations of everyday items which charities regularly give out to assist those in need.Our Chief Member Officer Matthew Dunnill said The Mutual Bank is guided by its values of Integrity, Respect and Care and had proudly been partnering with community organisations for a number of years to support local people in need.“Our staff, Members and the wider community have always been incredibly generous - donating a few items each, which together makes a big difference,” he said.“We hope that the community will once again get behind this year’s Mutual Care Appeal by dropping even just one extra item into their shopping trolley with the thought it will help ease someone else’s burden.”Suggested donation items include:• Baby items such as wipes • Personal hygiene items such as toothpaste, deodorant and soap • Long-life products such as milk or custard • Tea and coffee • Pasta and pasta sauce • Canned fruit The Mutual Bank’s branches across the Hunter will be collecting items to donate to:• Dungog Shire Community Centre • Carrie’s Place • Maitland Region Community Support • Soul Hub Newcastle• Port Stephens Family and Neighbourhood Services • Our Circle Maitland The Mutual Bank has been helping people thrive since 1888.

Celebrating NAIDOC Week 2025 by Empowering the Next Generation

The Mutual Bank was proud to support Maitland and Kurri Kurri Hospitals in celebrating NAIDOC Week 2025, held from 6-13 July. This year’s national theme, “The Next Generation: Strength, Vision and Legacy,” placed local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth at the heart of the celebrations. This year marked the 50th anniversary of NAIDOC Week, and the opportunity to spotlight the strength, resilience, and leadership potential of young Indigenous community members. Leading the way were School-Based Trainees—Annaliese Schonig-Jenkinson (Annie), Tahlia-May Massie, and Lilly Buckland—who played key roles in organising the week’s events. Annie also proudly served as the Master of Ceremonies for the launch. Kirsten Lawrence, Acting Clinical Nurse Educator – Cultural Safety for Maitland and Kurri Kurri Hospitals, coordinated engagement with local schools, facilitating cultural activities including traditional basket weaving and dance workshops. Students from Maitland Public School participated with great pride, performing their first-ever cultural dance for hospital staff and families. Teacher, Dave Wells, expressed his pride in the students, noting their enthusiasm and commitment. The school’s choral group was also invited back to perform at a future hospital event. Our Chief Member Officer Matthew Dunnill said The Mutual Bank was proud to sponsor the cultural engagement activities. “Supporting the next generation to carry forward cultural knowledge and pride is something we’re honoured to be part of,’ he said. Special guests included CEO of Mindaribba Local Land Council, Tara Dever, staff from Bungaree and Aunty Lorraine Martyn and Aunty Lorraine Dederer who performed the cake cutting with Annie. Learn more about National NAIDOC Week and The Mutual Bank’s Sponsorship program.

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.

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