The Office for Volunteers congratulates the National Australia Bank and The Advertiser for being awarded the Premier’s Business Award in Volunteering for their support to the South Australian volunteer sector.

National Australia Bank

The National Australia Bank received its award in recognition of its Staff Volunteer Program, which provides two days of paid volunteer leave each year for any staff member wanting to undertake voluntary work for not-for-profit organisations.

Each year, NAB recognises volunteer groups through the national NAB Volunteer Awards. Of the total $364,000 in prize money, $52,000 is awarded to South Australian community organisations. NAB also coordinates the Staff Volunteer Grants Program, which encourages and celebrates staff-led initiatives undertaken as part of the volunteer program.

Mr Richard Hockney, NAB’s State General Manager Business and Premium Banking for SA and NT, said NAB was thrilled to win the award.

“This award is a credit to our staff who have been enthusiastic supporters of our Staff Volunteer Program,” Mr Hockney said.

“Volunteering is integral to working at NAB, and it’s an area in which we strive to lead.

“We believe NAB’s involvement with the community doesn’t end with the financial services we provide to our customers.

“Our involvement extends to supporting the communities in which we live and work.

“For NAB, fostering a spirit of volunteering enhances our team ethos and helps us to work together to build a better business in the State.”

In the 18 months to May 2006, NAB in South Australia supported its employees to undertake 410 days – representing more than 3000 hours – of volunteer work.

The Cancer Council SA, St Vincent de Paul Society, Conservation Volunteers Australia, Bedford Industries, the Childhood Cancer Association, Lions International - Youth Of The Year Quest and SIDS and Kids are just some of the organisations supported by NAB employees through its Staff Volunteer Program.

The Advertiser Newspaper

The Adveriser was awarded a Premier’s Business Award in Volunteering for Outstanding Effort in the Promotion of Volunteering.

The Pride of Australia medal program being run by the Advertiser honours 10 everyday Australians who do extraordinary things to contribute to Australian life.

Two features of the program make it outstanding. Firstly, it seeks to specifically acknowledge the unsung heroes, those who are not high profile Australians and whose contribution is not widely known. Secondly nominees must reflect the core value of giving and not receiving and the basis of their actions and choices have been made for the good of other people and their community, rather than for themselves.

An outstanding program that will no doubt honour some outstanding citizens of South Australia.