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For Australians on the NSW south coast, the first six months of 2020 were nothing less than wretched. No sooner had the terror of the Summer bushfires receded than the COVID-19 pandemic emerged as a less visible but equally dangerous threat to the lives and livelihoods of our communities.
In 2020, for those towns that depend upon tourism for their sustainability, COVID-19 was an especially cruel blow, with the lockdowns dashing hopes of a trading recovery over the Easter holiday break.
Against expectations, these crises have revealed our better selves. Donations for bushfire relief poured in from all corners of the globe. Neighbours started to keep an eye out for neighbours in need of help, especially those unable to visit the shops for essential supplies.
The twin crises of the 2020 summer bushfires and COVID-19 inflicted massive stress & damage to our communities, and directly impacted Horizon members, branches and staff.
Many of Horizon's staff were personally affected by threatening bushfires, and yet they continued to show up every day with extraordinary commitment to the community and our members to ensure that the essential service of banking was available to them. If ever there was a time to test the mettle of our people it was in 2020.
"The bond that keeps us together is community, and there's nothing like a crisis to reinforce this bond"
These crises also brought a new appreciation for emergency & medical personnel, and their commitment to saving lives and lifestyles. The bond that keeps us together is community and there's nothing like a crisis to reinforce this bond.
Horizon was proud to play a part with the Australian Mutuals Foundation who provided much needed funds with grants totalling $137,500 to 15 community organisations to aid their recovery. What a difference those grants have made to the communities of Bega, Bermagui, Candelo, Cobargo, Conjola, Eden, Erowral Bay, Manyana, Merimbula, Mollymook and Tilba.
Horizon is immensely proud to be part of the communities ranging from Thirroul in Wollongong's northern suburbs, to Merimbula on the far south coast. We embrace our responsibility to support the communities that support us, and in these challenging times we are more determined than ever to provide our members with the help they need.
As a customer-owned financial institution our main concern is for our members. We appreciate their continued support and trust that they receive this back from us in spades.
How we've supported the recovery of the
NSW South Coast
- Donated bottled water and eye drops to local fire stations
- Provided a meal for BlazeAid volunteers at the Moruya Golf Club
- Supported a benefit concert in Moruya for high school students
- Communicated the available community grant funding provided by The Australian Mutuals Foundation (AMF), in partnership with the Business Council of Co-operatives and Mutuals (BCCM)
- Encouraged members to travel to the South Coast through social media, email and in our bi-annual newsletter
- Advertised businesses in bushfire affected areas through online content
- Partnered with Mogo Wildlife Park to provide a giveaway that includes a $500 gift voucher for a member to visit the zoo
Support their financial recovery by visiting these South Coast towns ...
