Category: MIL-OSI

NAB is providing $1,000 grants and additional financial relief to eligible customers impacted by the severe storm in NSW earlier this month.

The grants will help NAB customers who have suffered significant damage to their home, farm or business cover emergency expenses.

NAB Executive Retail, NSW, Tony Story said a range of support measures – from grants to loan payment deferrals and other relief measures – were in place to help impacted NAB customers.

“The message for families, communities and businesses in impacted areas who have suffered damage to their homes, farms and premises is that we’re here to help,” Mr Story said.

“Some of these communities are still recovering from severe flooding in May. We’re providing much needed assistance and making $1,000 grants available to help those most affected.

“NAB customers impacted in the following LGAs are encouraged to contact us as soon as possible: Gunnedah, Narrabri, Tamworth, Uralla, Walcha.”

Further support is available for NAB customers directly impacted, including:

• Loan deferral or reduced repayment arrangements for home, personal and some business loans.
• Hardship support for customers struggling to make minimum monthly payments on personal loans, home loans or credit cards.
• Deferring upcoming credit card payments.
• Waiving and/or refunding fees and charges, including merchant terminal fees and early access fees to term deposits.

NAB colleagues who have been evacuated from their place of residence or cut off from support services can also access funds to assist with accessing temporary accommodation and everyday essentials.

For further assistance, impacted customers are encouraged to visit Natural Disaster Relief and Support at nab.com.au.  If a customer is unable to access the internet, over the phone assistance is available by calling:

• Individuals: 1300 308 132 Mon-Fri, 8:00am to 7:00pm ADST.
• Businesses: 1300 769 650 Mon – Fri, 8:00am to 5:00pm ADST.

All enquiries will be assessed on a case-by-case basis by the NAB Assist team to determine eligibility. disaster relief grants for severely impacted eligible NAB customers will remain open until 11 September 2025.

Grants are not available for minor damage to homes or for damage to personal items and appliances, sheds, garages, gardens, or loss or damage to investment properties or holiday homes. NAB also has a longstanding policy to provide employees who are emergency service volunteers as much paid crisis leave as they require during emergencies.

Ron Hewlitt joined Maffra fire brigade in 1945 as a 14-year-old.  

The now 94-year-old Ron said the camaraderie he has shared with brigade members throughout the eight decades has been the highlight.  

“It’s been really good to be a member of CFA,” he said.  

“I still get together with them all twice a week for meetings, we have a cup of coffee and some biscuits and it keeps me going.” 

CFA was only three months old when Ron signed up in July 1945 and he said he signed up because a work friend who was foreman of the brigade invited him to join.  

Ron said he walked into the station and never looked back.  

“I was 14 and that was that,” he said.   

Ron attributes many of the skills he has gathered throughout his life to CFA and said he still enjoys learning new things.  

“It keeps me learning, there are so many people to meet,” he said.  

Among his favourite memories is getting called to service during the annual fireman’s ball in fancy dress uniform.  

Ron said one of the worst fires he attended was for a local garage which caught fire after some staff members spilled petrol all over the showroom floor.  

“We lost a couple of people in that one,” he said.  

“It was really a huge fire, it just swept up everything.” 

Deputy Chief Officer South East Region Trevor Owen presented Ron the medal in a ceremony in Maffra on Saturday to acknowledge his service and said it was an honour to have Ron as a big part of CFA for so many years.  

“To have a member who has seen CFA through from the very beginning is a huge privilege,” he said.  

“The knowledge and skills he is able to share with not only his brigade but with the whole organisation is invaluable. 

“Congratulations Ron on your remarkable dedication and service to CFA and your community.” 

Ron was also awarded life membership as a part of his 80-year service award.  

• Business lending grew 9.2% year-on-year to May 2025, ahead of NSW’s 7.0% growth.
• Residential property values rose across nearly all LGAs, with Fairfield leading at 14.6%.
• Residents reported higher levels of life satisfaction – and lower anxiety – than national average.

Greater Western Sydney is leading Australia’s next wave of economic growth, with the region outperforming the state in business investment, infrastructure development and community satisfaction.

NAB’s Greater Western Sydney Horizon’s Report: Spirit of Growth highlights a region on the rise, with new cities, transport links and commercial precincts reshaping the economic landscape of Sydney’s west.

NAB Metro and Specialised Business Banking Executive Julie Rynski said the region’s momentum was undeniable.

“We’ve seen historic levels of investment pour into Greater Western Sydney in recent years – and this is only just the start,” Ms Rynski said.

“From Parramatta’s transformation into Sydney’s second CBD to the emergence of Bradfield City Centre, we’re seeing a new economic engine take shape.

“Businesses are investing, families are settling, and communities are flourishing.”

The report also outlines a wave of infrastructure projects reshaping the region and driving this growth:

• Western Sydney International Airport, opening in 2026, will rival JFK and Heathrow in capacity.
• Bradfield City Centre, Australia’s first new city in a century, is under construction and will support 200,000 jobs and 10,000 homes.
• Sydney Metro West, a 24km underground line, is underway and due to open in 2032.
• WestConnex, Australia’s largest continuous tunnel network, was completed in 2023 and is already improving connectivity.
• Parramatta Light Rail has received $1 billion in funding to further enhance mobility in the region.

“These projects aren’t just about transport – they’re about transformation,” Ms Rynski said.

“They’re unlocking new business districts, shortening commutes, and creating opportunities for every kind of enterprise.”

NAB Head of Behavioural and Industry Economics Dean Pearson said residents scored higher on life satisfaction drivers, such as education (62%), personal safety (54%) and family life (54%).

“Greater Western Sydney continues to stand out as a region where economic momentum is matched by personal wellbeing and cultural vibrancy,” he said.

“As infrastructure and investment reshapes the west, it’s clear that people and communities are thriving, not just surviving.”

Notes to editors 

• Data sourced from NAB’s Greater Western Sydney Special Horizons Report: Spirit of Growth and transaction metrics across Greater Western Sydney.
• NAB has 13 Business hubs supporting growth across the region, including the opening of a new centre in Badgerys Creek.