A bank has celebrated its 25th birthday by handing out $250,000 of grants to South East community groups.
Community Bank Carrum Downs and its Marriott Waters branch gave grants to 30 awardees at a birthday party and presentation on 9 October.
Recipients included a Christmas twilight market, a cat adoption program, a bike donation program to refugees, a mobile kitchen outreach service, free school lunches, Skye CFA, Cranbourne Rotary Club, Cranbourne Little Athletics, Cranbourne Chamber of Commerce and Cranbourne CFA and Cranbourne Cricket Club.
“It was such a special event and a poignant time to reflect on the massive impact that Community Banking has made over the last 25 years and how we continue to help our community thrive,” the bank posted on social media.
“There were so many great stories that were shared, and so many amazing groups involved that we couldn’t possibly fit them all into one post.”
Over their 25-year history, the branches have returned 80 per cent of their profits back in the community, totalling nearly $5 million.
The full list of grants is below:
Lyrebird Community Centre – Christmas Twilight Market
Frankston Bombers FNC – Trophies / presentation night
Melbourne Roller Hockey – Junior Development Program
Pines Men’s Shed – Defibrillator
2nd Chance Cat Rescue – Cat adoption program
Skye Cricket Club – Life members and sponsors event
Door of Hope Aust. Inc. – Provide support to the Sudanese community in Australia.
Cranbourne Rotary – Support ACE Foundation. 100 pairs of glasses.
Rotary Club of Frankston North – Refurbish phones for domestic violence survivors
Belvedere Bowls Club – Prize money/membership drive
Peninsula Dragonfly’s – Boat Covers
The Sixth Child – Positive Incentive Program – 10 schools
Camp No Fear – Sensory space and equipment for special needs campers.
The Babes Project – Re-print motherhood book
Fusion Australia – Case work for social housing project
Skye Fire Brigade (CFA) – New space for members, amenities and equipment at Skye Fire Station.
Mum’s Supporting Families in Need – Hamper containers for Christmas food support.
Brainwave Bikes – Donate 20 bikes to refugees in South East suburbs.
Cranbourne Little Athletics – Replace athletics equipment
Cranbourne Chamber of Commerce – Help locals from multi-cultural backgrounds with skills to set up and operate businesses.
South Sea Roller Derby – Subsidise cost of attending roller derby tournament.
Frankton & District Netball Association – Bendigo Bank Umpire Program. Essential items for stadium.
Frankston SES – Upgrade training equipment
Cranbourne SES – New unit, SES Open Day. Attract new members and volunteers.
21st Vic. Boys Brigade Mitcham – Training course for volunteer leaders.
Elevate 180 – School lunch program (nine schools and one kindergarten. 210 meals per day – 1 year).
Seaford Tigers Cricket Club – Sport & Life Training (SALT) leadership program.
Life-Gate Inc. – Upgrade food van and trailer. Mobile kitchen outreach program.
Frankston Rovers Junior Football Club – Commercial dishwasher for safe food and drink service.
Cranbourne Cricket Club – Junior development program.