$227K community grants handed out by Bendigo Bank

Bendigo Bank’s Community Bank® branches at Rye, Rosebud and Dromana held their annual sponsorship and grants night on 14 May handing out $227,000 in funding to local community groups and not for profit organisations.

An audience of more than 100 representatives gathered at Dromana Bay Life Saving Club for the event. More than 50 local groups received funding.

Some of the bank’s contributions included:

• $2,000 towards the extension of the Blairgowrie Community Garden
• $2,000 to the Seawinds Community Hub Boomerang Bags project
• $7,410 to the Peninsula Chamber Musicians to help them with marketing of their 12-month season
• $8,000 to the Boneo Rural Fire Brigade for the extension of their station
• $10,000 to Living Culture for support of their indigenous cultural programs
• $10,000 to the Southern Peninsula Community Support & Information Centre for their fresh food program (supported since 2012)
• Safety Beach Coast Guard flotilla $27,000 over three years, and
• $30,000 to the Game Changers sports leadership program, now in its third year.

Chairman Vin Cheers and Senior Manager Gary Sanford spoke of their pride in the strong community support that the three Community Bank® branches were able to give this year—recognising the volunteers who give their time and passion so these clubs and organisations can thrive.

“The Rye, Dromana and Rosebud branches are some of the real stars in our Bendigo Bank network. These branches are making considerable financial contributions to the southern peninsula communities, and really show the power of community banking in action,” said Bendigo Bank spokesperson, Alex Godfrey.

“They’re an illustration of why Bendigo Bank is the better big bank and a really great choice,” she said.

When people choose to do their banking at one of Bendigo Bank’s many Community Bank® branches, benefits flow to the local community around the branch. Up to 80 per cent of the profit the branch makes is returned to its community through sponsorships and grant programs like this one. It keeps money here in the local economy and contributes to the diversity, wellbeing and fabric of the local community.

Find out more at bendigobank.com.au

Photo: Barry Irving