Community the beneficiary of Community Bank generosity

THROUGH the generosity of the local Community Bank, a franchise of the Bendigo Bank, the coffers of community organisations and sporting groups across the Corner Inlet district have been boosted, enabling them to carry out projects that benefit the community.

The Promontory Community Grants Program presentation evening held last Tuesday by the Toora and District Community Bank Branch and Foster Branch was a very happy occasion.

Upwards of forty people, including representatives of a wide range of community organisations, staff of the Community Bank and members of the bank board, the Promontory District Finance Group Limited, came together at Foster’s Uniting Church for an evening of celebration, as thousands of dollars worth of grants were handed out.

The community was a winner with the catering, too, with the Prom Country Aged Care fund raising sub-committee getting the gig at the invitation of the Community Bank. They provided an impressive spread of delicious savouries and drinks for everyone to enjoy.

Speaking at the invitation of the current chair of the board, Allen van Kuyk, former chair and long-time active community member Llew Vale emphasised that the handing out of the community grants was only made possible by the customers of the bank. Profits from the Community Bank are ploughed back into the community, he explained. “The beauty is that we make your money go round and round in this community.”

“Give yourselves a pat on the back if you bank with us,” said Mr Vale, urging people who do not do so already to consider banking with the Community Bank so that even more money can be made available for community projects.

Board members and Community Bank staff members then took turns to hand out grants to the various groups, asking each representative to explain how the money would be spent.

Exceptionally fortunate was the Youth Assist Clinic, run by South Gippsland Hospital, which received a grant of $12,000 towards the continued provision of a mental health nurse, a nurse and a GP for the clinic, which is open every Monday during the school term in rooms attached to Foster’s main hall. Mr van Kuyk commented that the board feels very strongly about supporting the Youth Assist Clinic and other health services in the local area.

Other recipients include:

• Toora Community Hall and library – $4400 for a kitchen upgrade, including a new rangehood for the kitchen stove;
• Prom Coast Centre for Children – $600 for the Make Your Mark community art project involving a mosaic of children’s handprints for the centre;
• South Gippsland Hospital Auxiliary – $1,106 for an equipment upgrade;
• Prom Coast University of the Third Age – $850 for a public address system, which the community will be able to share;
• Toora & District Swimming Pool Committee – $1,200 for a fridge/freezer;
• Toora Bowls Club – $2,500 to complete the concrete surrounds of the club to ensure safety;
• Manna Community Garden Inc. – $1,825 for a Meeting Space;
• Foster & District Historical Society – $2,000 for enhancement of the museum, including repainting and recarpeting the exhibition room and entrance and adding new display boards;
• Corner Inlet Dolphins Swimming Club – $1,625 for bathers;
• Corner Inlet Pony Club – $850 for an arena rake;
• Toora Football Club – $2,875 for an electronic scoreboard.

Branch manager Allison Drury took the opportunity to farewell and thank Lee-Anne Van Dyke, who has for long been the administration officer for the board, and welcome her replacement, Jill Throckmorton. She also welcomed Rebecca Parker, who has recently taken up the position of Customer Relationship Manager.

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