In the wake of Tropical Cyclone Alfred, BP Redland Bay in Redland Bay became an essential hub for local residents earlier this year. The service station, owned by Matt and Trent, was among the few places with electricity. Business Banking Executive, Jose Da Silva, stated that it became a vital community center where people accessed water, groceries, and charged their devices.
The business's readiness was, in part, due to the foresight of NAB Senior Business Banking Manager, Augustine Disano. Before the cyclone struck, he assisted in increasing BP Redland Bay's asset finance limit to include back-up generators. Matt emphasized that Augustine provided more than just financial support, saying, "NAB wasn’t simply a bank to us during this critical time — it was a partner that helped us make a meaningful difference in our community."
Jose Da Silva, a Redland Bay resident himself, shared insights into the community’s resilience. He noted, "People couldn’t get in or out of Redland Bay — many locals experienced power outages for 5 to 10 days or more." He commended NAB's swift response, highlighting that NAB was the first bank to announce Disaster Relief grants.
Moreover, NAB's partnership with Disaster Relief Australia (DRA) has mobilized volunteers for clean-up operations. This initiative includes the NAB Foundation's plan to enhance its support for Disaster Relief Australia's 'NAB Foundation Recovery Crew' to $5.2 million over three years. Jose participated in recent efforts alongside NAB CEO Andrew Irvine, emphasizing, "Being part of the recovery crew is simply another way we connect with our customers and the community in times of need."