Media releases

Westpac veterans honoured at awards ceremony

29 March, 2018

Westpac commitment to supporting veterans and their spouses has been celebrated at the 2018 Prime Minister’s Veterans’ Employment Awards, with employee Rachel Ranton taking out top honours receiving the Veteran Employee of the Year Award.

 

The awards are the first of their kind, demonstrating the importance the Federal Government and organisations place on raising awareness about the value and unique experience veterans can bring to workplaces across Australia.

 

Westpac also received recognition for its efforts to support veteran spouses and families, winning the Excellence in Supporting Spouse Employment category.

 

Westpac Consumer Bank Chief Executive and Industry Advisory Committee on Veterans’ Employment Chairman George Frazis said the awards were a proud night for Westpac and veterans across the country.

 

“As a veteran, it is incredibly humbling to be part of this event which celebrates the commitment of organisations across Australia to supporting veterans in new workplaces,” Mr Frazis said.

 

“I’m incredibly proud of the work the Committee has undertaken to raise the profile of the veteran workforce. These men and women are resilient, determined and special – our veterans bring a unique skill to corporate workplaces and we’re very fortunate to have quite a few working with us at Westpac.

 

“I congratulate Rachel and our veterans’ support team not only on their win but the incredible contribution they make to Westpac. As a bank, we are absolutely committed to supporting veterans across the country and it’s great to see our employees being rewarded for their efforts.”

 

Each year, around 5,500 people will leave the ADF and the Advisory Committee’s aim is to ensure our Australian Defence Force members can transition to civilian life effectively and smoothly and find meaningful employment.

 

Westpac Group employs more than 360 people who identify as veterans, spouses of veterans or reservists. This year alone, we have recruited an additional 20 with many more to join Westpac’s workforce throughout the year.

 

Rachel Ranton served in the Australian Army for more than a decade (including tours of East Timor and Afghanistan and is currently an Inclusion and Diversity consultant for Westpac Group. She is a member of Westpac’s employee action group for veterans.