Community

National NAIDOC Week 2025

National NAIDOC Week 2025: Celebrating culture, history, and achievement National NAIDOC Week 2025 will be celebrated across Australia from 6 July to 13 July, providing an important opportunity for all Australians to come together to recognise, reflect on, and celebrate the rich history, diverse cultures, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. NAIDOC stands for National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee. The Week is an opportunity for all Australians to learn about First Nations cultures. It has grown from a day of advocacy in the 1930s to a nationwide celebration of the oldest continuing cultures on Earth. National NAIDOC Week 2025 marks 50 years of celebrating Indigenous culture, spirit, and leadership. This year’s theme, The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy, honours not only the achievements of the past but also the bright future ahead, empowered by the strength of young leaders, the vision of communities, and the legacy of Indigenous ancestors. How to get involved National NAIDOC Week is celebrated through events held across the country, both in First Nations communities and in schools, workplaces, and communities. To get involved: Attend cultural and community events – Join local festivals, art exhibitions, storytelling sessions, performances, enjoy BBQs, marches, sports events. Take part in ceremonies – Experience smoking ceremonies, Welcome to Country, and traditional dances. Celebrate Indigenous excellence – Learn about the NAIDOC Awards and outstanding Indigenous leaders. Explore local history – Discover the stories of Traditional Owners and your area’s Indigenous heritage. Support Indigenous businesses – Buy from Indigenous-owned stores and artists. Everyone is encouraged to take part, whether by joining local events, supporting Indigenous-owned businesses, exploring the works of Indigenous authors, or having meaningful conversations that foster understanding. Find local NAIDOC events in your area or learn more about the NAIDOC awards. As we journey through 2025, NAIDOC Week remains a powerful reminder of the importance of unity, respect, and reconciliation among all Australians. Let’s walk together in celebration and solidarity, honouring culture and ensuring the voices of First Nations peoples continue to be heard and valued. Indigenous initiatives Through our relationship with the Australian Mutuals Foundation, we’re proud to support Barnardos Australia’s Yurungai Learning Centre, an after-school program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander primary school children that offers homework support, cultural enrichment activities, and nutritious afternoon meals. Through this partnership, we are helping build pathways for strong, resilient Indigenous communities and contributing to a more inclusive and compassionate Australia. As a member owned bank, we are committed to making banking easy, inclusive and accessible for all of our members. We are a participating lender under the Victorian Homebuyer Fund, with the Victorian Government helping to fast-track eligible Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participants’ path to home ownership, requiring only a 3.5% deposit and eligible for up to a 35% shared equity contribution. We have also recently commenced work on developing our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) to sustainably and strategically take meaningful action to advance reconciliation.Based around the core pillars of relationships, respect and opportunities, RAPs provide tangible and essential benefits for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, increasing economic equity and supporting First Nations self-determination. We look forward to sharing more as we progress our RAP and supporting initiatives. For more information about NAIDOC week visit the NAIDOC website.  

Important information

Updated Terms and Conditions – July 2025

Members are advised of updates to our Account and Access Facilities Terms and Conditions, effective 1 July 2025. For your convenience, we have summarised the most notable changes below: Entity name change As part of the merger approval process members approved that the incorporated name will be changed from G&C Mutual Bank Limited to Unity Bank Limited within the first 12 months of the merger taking effect. We have made the decision that the effective date of that change will be 1 July 2025 and our terms and conditions have been updated to reflect this change. This does not affect how you use your account or the services we provide. Confirmation of Payee A new section has been added to our terms and conditions with respect to the soon to be implemented Confirmation of Payee. Once live, this service will check if the account name matches the payment details you enter, helping you to make an informed decision before proceeding with a payment. This update is simply to prepare for the upcoming change and does not affect how you currently use your account. ​While we have provided an overview of the key changes, we recommend you take the time to read through the updated Account and Access Facilities Terms and Conditions, to familiarise yourself with the changes and understand how they may impact you. By using your account and access facilities after the date the changes take effect, you agree to the updated terms and conditions applying. We’re ready to help you If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us.

Changes to our incorporated name

From 1 July 2025 our incorporated name will be Unity Bank Limited. The incorporated name is the name registered with Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC) as the legal company name. As a member you will continue to see the Unity Bank, G&C Mutual Bank and Reliance Bank brands. For more information about the change please see the FAQ’s below: Why did we change our incorporated name? As part of the merger approval process members approved that the incorporated name will be changed from G&C Mutual Bank Limited to Unity Bank Limited within the first 12 months of the merger taking effect. We have made the decision that the effective date of that change will be 1 July 2025. What changes can members expect? There will be no changes for members as a result of the incorporated name change. You may notice the change in the footer of our websites, terms and conditions, letterhead, and other corporate materials.    Will there be changes to how members access the website, Service Centres or Member Services? No, there will be no immediate changes to how members contact us or access our banking services as a result of this incorporated name change. We will advise you in advance of any changes to your services.   Will this affect our product, services, rate and fees? No, there will not be any changes to our products, services, rates or fees as a result of this incorporated name change. As a member, will I need to do anything because of this change? You may be required to accept updated terms and conditions in our Mobile App. The update is only related to the incorporated name change, not how you use the Mobile App. If you have any further questions regarding this change, please contact us.

Security

Tax scams explained - and how to protect yourself this EOFY

As the end of the financial year (EOFY) approaches, many Australians are gathering documents, receipts, and tax statements. But it’s just as important to prepare for something else: staying safe from tax scams. With over $119 million lost to scams in just the first four months of 2025, scammers are exploiting every opportunity, including the tax system. To help keep you and your money safe, Customer Owned Banking Association's (COBA) Financial Crimes and Cyber Resilience team share expert tips on how to spot and avoid tax scams.What is a tax scam, and how do they work?Tax scams often involve criminals impersonating government agencies like the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) or myGov. These scammers send phishing emails or text messages to trick you into sharing personal information - such as your myGov username, password, or other sensitive details - or to get you to click malicious links.How can you protect yourself from tax scams?Here are four key ways to stay safe:1. Verify the sourceAlways double-check the sender's email address. Official messages from myGov typically come from addresses ending in @my.gov.au. Don’t respond unless you’re certain it’s legitimate.2. Avoid clicking on linksIf you receive an email or text with a link claiming to be from myGov, don’t click it. Instead, type the official website address directly into your browser: https://www.my.gov.au3. Be wary of urgency or threatsScammers often try to pressure you with urgent messages - like threats to suspend your account or offers of unexpected refunds. These are red flags. Stay calm and verify the claim independently.4. Never share personal detailsmyGov and government agencies will never ask for your password, Tax File Number (TFN), or bank details via email or text. Never share this information in response to unsolicited messages.How do you report a tax scam?If you receive a suspicious message claiming to be from myGov or another government agency, it’s important you report it to protect yourself and others from being scammed. Report it to the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) or the myGov Help Desk If it's related to the ATO: Call the ATO’s dedicated scam line: 1800 008 540Forward suspicious emails to ReportScams@ato.gov.au Take a screenshot of fake social media posts or phishing messages and email them to ReportScams@ato.gov.au More information about how to report a tax scam can be found on the ATOs website.   Published: 27 June 2025

Community

Barnardos Australia Yurungai Bus Appeal

Win a holiday getaway and help kids get to where they need to be! The Australian Mutuals Foundation, with generous support from Transport Life and Leisure, is running a raffle fundraiser to help Barnardos Australia buy a much-needed new bus.Every ticket sold brings Barnardos’ Yurungai Learning Centre in Waterloo one step closer to their goal - and gives you the chance to win an unforgettable holiday escape!The Barnardos Australia Yurungai Learning Centre in Waterloo provides essential services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, including homework help, cultural learning, life skills development, and nutritious meals. For many children, the bus offers a reliable means of reaching the Centre. However, the current bus is nearing its end of its usability and urgently needs replacing.Raffle PrizesTwo winners will each receive a holiday package worth up to $1,200, choosing from eight stunning NSW coastal destinations: Batemans Bay, Byron Bay, Hawks Nest, Nambucca Heads, Port Macquarie, The Entrance, Tweed Heads, or Woolgoolga.Key Dates• Raffle opens: 1st May 2025• Entries close: 5:00 PM AEST, 30th June 2025• Winners drawn: 2nd July 2025Enter the raffle and read the terms and conditions at: www.australianmf.org.au/yurungai-bus-raffleYour participation will help provide safe transportation for children to access vital educational and cultural programs. Thank you for your support! About Barnardos AustraliaBarnardos Australia is a leading non-government, non-denominational child protection charity in Australia. They work together with children, young people and families to break the cycle of disadvantage, creating safe, nurturing and stable homes, connected to family and community. About the Australian Mutuals Foundation (AMF)The primary purpose of the AMF is to provide a vehicle for Mutual Banks, Credit Unions, Building Society and Cooperative banking to assist needy children in Australia, and to alleviate poverty in some of the poorest communities in South East Asia and the Pacific by the creation of sustainable cooperative financial organisations.

Security

Privacy Awareness Week 2025

Privacy – it’s everyone’s business As our lives become increasingly digital, protecting personal information in today's interconnected world has never been more important. Privacy Awareness Week 2025 takes place from 16 June – 22 June with the theme, Privacy – it’s everyone’s business. PAW is an initiative that highlights the importance of privacy and the protection of personal information for individuals and organisations. Coordinated by the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) in collaboration with state and territory privacy regulators, as well as the Asia Pacific Privacy Authorities (APPA) forum, PAW brings together governments, regulators, businesses, and the broader community to reflect on privacy rights and obligations in today’s digital era. Why privacy matters more than ever In 2025, the average person uses dozens of apps and online services daily, many of which collect personal data. From smart home devices and wearable technology to AI-powered platforms and facial recognition tools, the scope of data collection is vast and often invisible. Without proper safeguards, personal data can be misused, whether through data breaches, identity theft, or unauthorised surveillance. How you can protect privacy Use strong, unique passwords always use a mix of uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols, with a minimum of 14 characters. Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): MFA adds an extra layer of protection by requiring something you know (like a password or passphrase) and something you have (like your phone). Review privacy settings on social media, apps, and devices. Be cautious on social media: Keep accounts private and think before sharing, scammers can use your posts to steal your identity. Never share your password Be cautious of phishing attempts and unsolicited communications, if it sounds too good to be true, it likely is. Act quickly if your privacy is breached: Change passwords, notify your bank, monitor accounts, watch for scams, and check your credit report. Understand data collection policies before using new apps or services. Keep your software updated to protect against known security vulnerabilities. For more information on common scams and how to protect yourself, please visit the News section of our website, or alternatively the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) has a wealth of information and advice about protecting yourself online. As always, we remain committed to your security and privacy online. To understand how we manage your personal information, please visit our Privacy page. To understand how we help to keep you safe, please refer to our Security page. Need help? If you believe someone has gained access to your personal information, even if it appears unrelated to your finances, you should contact your bank immediately. A timely response can be critical in giving you the best chance to stem any loss. If you have concerns about your Unity Bank account, contact us on 1300 36 2000. If the scam occurred on social media or a legitimate website, report it to the platform involved. For scams on Facebook, Messenger, WhatsApp and Instagram, see this step-by-step guide for reporting scams on Facebook services. You can find more information around protecting your personal information at the Privacy Awareness Week website.