Community bank delivers

by Gem Nostrem & Dee Dickson
7th December 2015

MORE than 130 representatives from local community groups and organisations along with shareholders, directors, regional and branch staff filled the Warrandyte Sporting Group clubrooms last month for the Warrandyte Community Bank Branch AGM and grants presentation night.

The substantial sum of $350,000 was allocated to almost 70 groups to be used over the coming year in a range of projects, community programs and infrastructure within the community. Warrandyte Community Bank Branch has now returned an impressive $2 million in grants and sponsorships to local community groups.

It clearly sends a message for locals to bank with our community bank.

With a buoyant energy in the room there was a strong sense of gratitude and inspiring stories of community hope, compassion, growth and change.

One very happy recipient was Warrandyte Primary School, which received $30,000 for its project, All Sports, All Year Round. The school sought funding to upgrade the school oval and create a space that can be used by students, teachers and community groups all year round.

WPS principal Gill Binger was thrilled upon hearing about the school’s successful application.

“We look forward to getting rid of a dry, rocky and dusty area that is difficult to play on in winter and prickly in summer, we now hope that a new oval with synthetic grass can be used all year round,” Principal Binger said.

“The redevelopment of the school oval has only been a dream so far.

“The area where the school oval is was developed with money received from the sale of the pine trees being cut down in 1991 to make way for the oval (like many state schools, WPS had a pine plantation; often a commercial venture for schools). It sits on the side of a hill where rocks/shale tumble onto the playing surface and grass is difficult to grow. Past students often talk about looking for fossils on the shale embankment.

“Warrandyte Primary is a large site but has limited ‘flat’ spaces or areas for a structured physical education. Physical education is a very important element of school activities as we recognise it can boost self-esteem and confidence. The new improved oval will enable students, teachers and other community groups to have access all year round.

“We are thrilled to have received this grant from the Warrandyte Community Bank. It will make a huge difference to the school and the students.”

Sports Chaplaincy Australia (Eastern region), represented by Doug Lyte and Stuart Rooke, shared stories of engagement with youth in sporting organisations across Australia and more specifically within the eastern region.

“Chaplains provide healthy strategies for club communities to care for players, coaches and members who can occasionally struggle to connect,” Doug said.

Sports Chaplaincy Australia is a network of volunteers relying heavily on community funding to implement their programs. It takes a fresh approach to caring for our youth with meaningful and emotion- al engagement.

“Our chaplains discretely and carefully work with vulnerable youth to bring about real change for individuals and sporting groups as a whole,” he said.

Also in attendance was Diary editor Scott Podmore, who said “it’s a fantastic result and we’re super appreciative of what and how the Warrandyte Community Bank can benefit our community.”

“It really sends a simple and clear message: imagine how much this amazing local institution could benefit the community if we all changed our banking over to our Warrandyte Community Bank? There are nowhere near enough local singles, couples, families and businesses banking with them. If you aren’t already, it’s time to wake up and make the change. There’s still only a small percentage with them, but just imagine the benefits if we doubled or tripled the amount who committed to the simple process of getting our bank to help us change over to bank with them and use its products. Way better, smarter and of much greater benefit to the Greater Warrandyte community than going with the Big 4.”

The Warrandyte Community Bank Branch Grant has already resulted in our “communication hub and heartbeat” of Warrandyte purchasing multimedia equipment for cadets and contributors. The Diary has been able to purchase a state of the art camera, recording and editing equipment for Diary TV.

If you are interested in seeking sponsorship from Warrandyte Community Bank branch, 2016/17 grant and sponsorship applications will be accepted in July/August 2016. It pays to plan ahead. Speak with your committee sooner rather than later. Look out for the grants information night in June 2016.

More can be found at bendigobank.com.au/public/community/ our-branches/warrandyte, by visiting the branch or contact Dee Dickson, assistant to board and marketing, on 0414 505 533 in the new year.