Media Release

5 December 2012

ANZ volunteer programme to give back to Young Farmer Contest host communities

ANZ is launching a major new staff volunteer programme to mark the 10th anniversary of the bank's sponsorship of the Young Farmer Contest.

The ANZ Young Farmer Staff Volunteer Programme will encourage ANZ staff to get involved with local community projects in provincial centres across New Zealand where the seven Young Farmers 2013 Regional Finals will be held.

ANZ's Managing Director, Commercial & Agri, Graham Turley, says: “ANZ is proud to have been associated with the Young Farmer Contest for ten years and we wanted to celebrate this milestone with an initiative that gives back to the communities that have taken this contest to their hearts. So, as contestants get stuck into competition at the Regional Finals, our staff will be rolling up their sleeves to do their bit for local communities.

“Whether it's sprucing up a local playground or painting a community hall, the ANZ Young Farmer Staff Volunteer Programme will see ANZ staff supporting some great projects nominated by the communities hosting the Regional Finals. At the same time it will help promote the ANZ Young Farmer Contest and further demonstrate our commitment to the agri sector.”

ANZ is writing to customers introducing the new volunteer programme and encouraging customers to nominate local community projects. The bank will then put forward three of the top ideas per region and encourage customers to visit their local branch to vote on them. The winning project for each region will be announced at each of the seven Regional Finals.

ANZ staff, along with members of the New Zealand Young Farmer network, will aim to complete the seven projects soon after the winners are announced. The ANZ employees will complete the work using paid staff volunteer leave provided by the bank.
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