Skip to main content
Financial Assistance Hub

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


Latest news

1 / 3
Media Releases
New ABA Chair appointed to lead banking industry
3 December 2025

ANZ CEO Nuno Matos has been appointed as the new Chair of the ABA Council, as banks continue their focus on meeting the needs of customers as well as playing a crucial role in the Australian economy.  At the ABA’s Annual General Meeting today in Melbourne, ING CEO Melanie Evans was also reappointed as Deputy… Read more »

Read more
Media Releases
Banks welcome draft scams codes progress
29 November 2025

The ABA welcomes today’s release of draft industry designations and framework for scams code obligations for banks, telecommunication companies and digital platforms – reinforcing the importance of an ecosystem approach in the fight against scammers. ABA CEO Simon Birmingham said the draft materials were the next piece of the puzzle in ongoing efforts to drive… Read more »

Read more
Transcript
ABA CEO Simon Birmingham interview on ABC Pacific Beat
28 November 2025

E&OE Radio Interview ABC Pacific Beat  28 November 2025  Topics: Loan scams impact seasonal workers; Scam protection tips Host: Welcome back to Pacific Beat. Seasonal and PALM scheme workers in Australia are being advised to stay vigilant and not share their personal details with anyone. It follows an alert issued by Commonwealth Bank warning about scams targeting seasonal workers…. Read more »

Read more