The Mirror News

Bendigo Bank bonanza for community

Added 6 Jul 2011 | Added by: The Mirror | Last updated 20 Mar 2012 by Administrator ⋅ Post a comment

COMMUNITY groups across the district welcomed the Promontory District Finance Group’s grants presentation evening, held last Wednesday at the Fish Creek Football Club social rooms.

A wide cross-section of community groups received Community Enterprise Foundation Grants or were announced as recipients of Challenge Grants or Sponsorships from the Toora and District Community Bank Branch and the Foster Community Bank Branch of the Bendigo Bank.

Allen Van Kuyk, president of the Promontory District Finance Group, made the presentations, assisted by fellow board members and staff of the local Bendigo Bank community bank branches.

Mr Van Kuyk explained how this community-owned company had begun in Toora, expanded into Foster and now supported an agency in Meeniyan.

He said that under the Community Bank model, profits are distributed to the local community.

“The more the community supports the community bank branches, the greater the ability to generate funds to benefit the local community.”

There was a definite air of celebration. The recipients excitedly expressed their appreciation for the funding and outlined how they would be spending it on projects to benefit their respective community groups.

A successful year of community banking will see the Promontory District Finance Group ploughing over $33,000 back into the community by way of Community Enterprise Foundation Grants, Challenge Grants or Sponsorships:

Community Enterprise Foundation Grants

  • Corner Inlet Men’s Shed – $2,545 to erect a storage shed;
  • 1st Fish Creek Scouts – $1,350 for camping equipment;
  • Foster and District Historical Society – $3,415 for a laptop and master computer;
  • Fish Creek Community Development Group – $1,000 for a community garden;
  • Foster Uniting Church – $1,500 for Mother Goose Circle Time (early years literacy program);
  • Foster and District Community House – $964 for Manna Garden irrigation project.

Challenge Grants

  • Toora Recreation Reserve – $5,000 towards a ride-on mower;
  • Waratah Beach Surf Life Saving Club – $3,000 towards the motor for a rescue craft;
  • South Gippsland Hospital – $6,000 towards an adolescent health pilot program.

Sponsorships

  • Corner Inlet Pony Club – $3,000 towards catering equipment;
  • Meeniyan Golf Club – $680 towards a bain marie;
  • Fish Creek Football and Netball Club – $3,000 towards kitchen equipment;
  • Toora Tennis Club – $2,200 towards tennis net posts.

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