Operation Plum Pudding
Operation Plum Pudding is one of our largest charitable projects conducted each year with over 1150 Christmas hampers and gift cards delivered to families in need across Victoria and Tasmania each year.
Hampers are packed by our retired officers and over 200 staff volunteer to deliver these direct to recipients doors in time for Christmas. This project also has a remarkable history that we are incredibly proud of:
From Humble Beginnings
In December 1956 the first 'Operation Plum Pudding' took place with staff delivering hampers packed in brown paper bags to less fortunate families across Melbourne on Christmas Eve. Hampers consisted of donated toys from staff and groceries purchased with the 6 pence per week contribution from Club Members.
A 1965 Bank Notes Article demonstrate just how impactful the hampers were back then and continue to be today:
The welcome they receive as they knock on the door of some needy pensioner on Christmas Eve is quite touching. One of the regular helpers, Margaret Outhred, of CTB Melbourne, remembers one old lady who hugged and kissed the young people who brought Christmas to her door. Another tried to persuade them to go instead to an acquaintance whose need, she said was greater.
In other cases, the old people have been too overcome by emotion to say a word, but have later written letters of thanks to the Club.
One said” I was like a child with a new toy and when I came across the lovely Christmas cake tears came to my eyes”.
Another letter, which has been treasured in the Social Club’s files for six years, says, “God bless every one of you, I never thought I would have to accept gifts: I have seen better days…. They say it is more blessed to give than receive, but I don’t know"
Frank Richards’ Legacy Lives On
In 1987, long-time CBA Geelong staff member Mr Frank Gordon Richards passed away. Mr Richards was a strong supporter of the CBA Staff Social and Charity Club (CBA SSCC), and after passing with no immediate family, he very generously left his estate to the Club to support Operation Plum Pudding. This bequest has been held in trust and continues to support Operation Plum Pudding to this day.
With the increased funds available, the number of Christmas hampers increased from 150 to over 600 over the next decade. In Frank's honour, we continue to ensure that an allocation of Christmas hampers are delivered in the Geelong area each year.
To recognise the generosity of his act of kindness, in 1996 the CBA SSCC dedicated a memorial plaque in the garden of Frank’s church – St Andrews Uniting Church, Geelong. The church was sold in 2022 and a new plaque and rose bush was unveiled at the St Albans Uniting Church garden in Geelong in May 2022.
Modern Day OPP
Over the years, the number of hampers has continued to increase with the project now delivering 1,150 hampers per year, which is a huge logistical effort. We liaise with over 30 charities and have over 200 staff volunteer to deliver these door-to-door, bringing much needed holiday cheer. Our retired officers continue to pack the Christmas Hamper boxes on 'Packing Day' which has been generously supported by the use of The Melbourne Showgrounds in recent years.
OPP has also grown to support not only metropoliten Melbourne, but also country Victoria and across the Tasman.
50 hampers are organised by our Tasmanian collegues who purchase groceries and deliver to local recipients on the Club's behalf.
During COVID the project continued with bulk deliveries sent to charities due to lock down restrictions and we have also been fortunate enough to offer extra support for flood and fire effected regions over the past few years.
How this is made possible:
OPP would not be possible without the $1 a week fortnightly membership contributions made by our Club Members. We encourage all OPP volunteers to be Club Members to help us keep this project alive. If you are not yet a Club Member please see below steps to sign up via Sidekick today: https://www.cbasscc.com.au/pages/sign-up
We are also grateful for the generous support offered from the Bank’s Leadership teams, both at a Victorian and National level as well as the CommBank Foundation and CBHS who sponsor the Project each year.
Running for almost 70 years, we are incredibly proud of the rich history of giving back by our Staff and the 30 000+ families we have been able to assist with OPP over the years - long may it continue!