NEW England Mutual distributed $26,503 in Community Partnership Account bonuses to 71 Armidale community organisations at a ceremony at the local branch last week.
It represents a $14,000 increase from last year’s donations with the New England Regional Art Museum receiving $3712, the Armidale City Bowling Club $3171 and Armidale District Cricket Association $1382.
Among the other recipients were the Sporting Shooters’ Association of Australia (NSW) Armidale Branch, Training Ship Armidale, Sustainable Living Armidale, Northern Tablelands Wildlife Carers, Armidale City Gymnastics Club, Care for Children with Disabilities, Armidale Tree Group, Armidale District Netball Association and BackTrack Youth Works.
NEM Armidale branch manager, Gray Malone said there was a greater awareness of the benefits of the program with more members identifying their favourite groups to receive the cash bonus.
“It helps many hard working volunteers with the wonderful work they do for our community,” he said.
CPA’s were introduced in 2009 to give Community Mutual Group members in the Hunter, New England and Orana regions the opportunity to benefit their favoured community organisations.
Members nominate a charity or community organisation they wish to support at their local branch.
At the end of the financial year the nominated organisation receives a figure equivalent to one per cent of members’ average annual balances. This comes at no cost to nominating members.
