By Emily Chapman Laing
The Marriott Waters Bendigo Bank branch celebrated its tenth birthday on Monday 19 June.
After the closure of the Cranbourne branch, the Marriott Waters team were excited to hit their decade milestone in the Lyndhurst community.
“The staff have been here all that time, and it’s for what we’ve achieved in the community,“ said Bendigo Bank Business Development Manager Gary Rowe.
“We’ve given about $4 million in donations to the community.“
From sponsoring sport clubs to providing emergency services vehicles to building housing for domestic violence victims, the Marriott Waters branch focuses on getting money back “out into the community“.
“That’s why we’re here, for the people,“ Mr Rowe said.
“Obviously there’s running costs with staff and rent isn’t cheap, but once that’s done our prime reason for being is to give the money back to the community.“
“Everyone gets a little bit out of what we do,“ Bendigo Bank Chairman Malcolm Wells said.
Carolynne Johnson and Ros Guertz have been employees at the branch since its inception in 2013.
“We helped set up the branch before the initial opening and we’ve been here ever since,“ Ms Johnson said.
“About a week ago we did our ten year service.“
Ms Johnson said the Marriott Waters branch is unique in its small-community feel.
“A lot of our customers have been here with us for ten years as well,“ she said.
Branch Manager Chris Wood said the wider Marriott Waters community is also “unique“.
“All of the businesses do what they can to help each other and it’s a great community,“ he said.
Staff decked out the branch with decorations, rose gold balloons, cakes, slices and alcohol-free champagne.
Mini cupcakes were supplied by Cupcake Central Bakery and smiles were provided by the proud and happy staff.
