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Victorian floods: on the ground

Victorian floods: on the ground

24 November 2022

The ABA recently visited regional Victoria to see the impact of the recent floods first-hand.

The tour of Rochester and Echuca was set up to share the support available by banks and encourage customers affected to contact their bank.
The ABA also gathered feedback from impacted bank customers and the local community to hear what further help banks can offer to assist people to get back on their feet.
ABA team members unofficially attended a town hall meeting held by the Insurance Council of Australia as observers.
They also visited businesses damaged by the floods, including local bank branches, and provided information to on-the-ground financial counsellors and governmental emergency agencies so they could best support those affected.

After the floods: images of Echuca and Rochester

  • Bendigo Bank, Rochester Branch, after flooding.
  • Inundated wharves of the Echuca Paddlesteamers on the Murray River
  • Kendall Beattie, Regional Manager, Bendigo Bank, James Pietromonaco, Manager, Bendigo Bank (Rochester) and Ellen Choulman, Director Business Engagement and Policy ABA.
  • Sandbagged house in Echuca
  • Street in Echuca
  • Andrew Hall, CEO of the Insurance Council of Australia, speaking at the town hall meeting in Rochester
  • Bendigo Bank, Rochester Branch, after flooding.
  • Inundated wharves of the Echuca Paddlesteamers on the Murray River
  • Kendall Beattie, Regional Manager, Bendigo Bank, James Pietromonaco, Manager, Bendigo Bank (Rochester) and Ellen Choulman, Director Business Engagement and Policy ABA.
  • Sandbagged house in Echuca
  • Street in Echuca
  • Andrew Hall, CEO of the Insurance Council of Australia, speaking at the town hall meeting in Rochester

Banks are here to support you: don’t tough it out on your own


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