Abacus congratulates mecu on winning Premier’s Sustainability Award

20 April 2009

Victoria’s largest credit union, mecu, has won the prestigious Premier’s Sustainability Award for their innovation in developing a world-first Conservation Landbank.

mecu is one of only five Victorian organisations to be awarded for leadership in sustainable development. Premier John Brumby presented the winners with their Sustainability Awards at a ceremony in Melbourne.

Abacus CEO Louise Petschler congratulated mecu, saying this award is a fantastic achievement and testament to their ongoing work in this vital area.

“mecu is a genuine market leader in their commitment to sustainability and innovation. mecu’s example is a compelling one for proving the business case for sustainability.

“mecu’s successful mix of competitive retail banking with sustainability is what makes it one of the most successful credit unions today – mecu offers members competitive banking that gives something back to the environment and local communities.

“It’s very much the ethos of mutuality: putting members and their communities first,” Ms Petschler said.

The Premier’s Sustainability Awards recognise businesses and groups that are reducing their environmental footprint and finding innovative ways to save resources and reduce waste.

mecu General Manager Rowan Dowland said it was a great achievement to receive this level of recognition.

“mecu’s Conservation Landbank enables people borrowing to build a new home a means by which to offset the loss of biodiversity associated with the new home construction. As land is cleared for construction, mecu offsets an equivalent area of land in the Landbank which is protected against any future development with a Trust for Nature Covenant.”

mecu’s Rowan Dowland said the award was an example of how credit unions can show leadership in sustainable development to the business sector.

To find out more about mecu visit: www.mecu.com.au or phone 13 28 88.

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