Community benefits from Community Bank’s generosity

A NUMBER of organisations, clubs, health and education facilities in South Gippsland have received a very welcome boost thanks to the generosity of the Toora & District Community Bank®, Foster branch & Meeniyan Agency.

The annual Promontory Community Grants Presentation Night was held on the evening of Tuesday June 17 at the MDU Function Rooms in Meeniyan and attracted a large crowd which included representatives of community organisations, Community Bank staff members and members of the bank board, the Promontory District Finance Group Ltd.

Promontory District Finance Group Ltd (PDFG) chair Rob Liley explained that the grants were possible thanks to the time and effort put in by the board members, some of whom have held these roles for over 16 years, keeping the organisation up and running and ploughing close to one million dollars back into the community during that time.

“The Board is very happy to listen to details of your contributions to the community and to invest in your projects,” said PDFG director Llew Vale.

“Everone has their own reasons for where they bank, but next time, consider the Community Bank and give them the opportunity to see if they can service your needs with their exception range of products and services,” he said.

A total of $40,051 was disbursed to the very happy recipients by Community Bank staff members and PDFG board members in the form of framed certificates, and a representative of each organisation was then asked to explain how the funding would be put to use.

Samantha Park – Manager of the Community Health Centre, Foster, and the Youth Assist Clinic, was thrilled to accept a grant of $10,000, and explained that this will be of great benefit to the Youth Assist Clinic which, now in its third year, is constantly gaining momentum.

The grant will enable the continued operation of this very worthwhile service which offers health care and support to young people who otherwise have very little in the way of support, helping them to achieve the best outcomes.

Cheerfully accepting Fish Creek and District Primary School’s grant of $3000 was principal Michelle Turner, who explained that this money will be put to use in helping the school and the Fish Creek Development Group to transform the kitchen into a multi-purpose room which would have additional uses including as an ICT and learning centre.

Once the transformation is complete, the school hopes to instigate further projects as part of the KidsMatter framework.

Members of the Foster Bowls Club were also very grateful to receive a $3000 grant which will go towards the purchase and installation of solar panels.

Other recipients include:

• The Meeniyan Tourism and Traders Association – $2581 for wi-fi access in the Meeniyan Town Hall, which will be of benefit to those attending classes in the hall, as well as community members and visitors to Meeniyan;
• MDU Football Netball Club – $3500 for redevelopment of the netball courts;
• South Gippsland Specialist School – $4000 for engine room equipment.
• Port Franklin Sport Club – $2400 for upgrading of the club’s basketball facilities;
• The Toora Pool Committee – $2000 for a new pool inflatable;
• The Meeniyan Golf Club – $2000 for an upgrade of the club’s kitchen;
• Toora Tennis Club – $2000 for the concreting of each end of the tennis courts;
• Port Welshpool Working Group – $1400 for new blackout blinds, which will extend the facility’s usability by making it a more appropriate venue for functions such as weddings receptions and parties;
• The U3A Writers Group – $1170 for the publication of a collection of literary works;
• The Toora Bowls Club – $1000 for the publication of a book on the history of the club;
• The Bennison Recreation Reserve – $1000 for the replacement of water pipes;
• Stony Creek Riding Club – $1000 for an arena rake;

Following the presentation, many stayed on to enjoy the delicious supper, with catering provided by members of the MDU Football Netball Club.

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