Dig in for bank

By Kelly Yates
ORGANISERS of Tooradin’s first bank have thanked the community for its support and are calling for more people to help out.
The Bendigo Community Bank steering committee says it has more than 170 people who have pledged more than $600,000 to the campaign.
They say they just need another $50,000.
The bank will have extended opening hours, which will include opening on Saturday mornings.
Fifty per cent of the profits generated by the branch will go towards local community projects and the other half will be returned to its shareholders.
Steering committee member Dianne Loft is urging residents to support the bank by pledging.
“If Tooradin residents want a community bank, they’ll have to dig deep and donate to get the idea off the ground,” she said.
The nearest banks are in Pearcedale, Koo Wee Rup and Cranbourne.
The steering committee will be holding an information night with representatives from the Bendigo Bank giving updates on the campaign on Tuesday 3 June at the Tooradin Sports Club at 7.30pm.
Ms Loft said the proposed bank would be in Tooradin’s main retail area.
The Steering committee hopes the branch will be open late this year or early 2009 and will service the areas of Blind Bight, Devon Meadows, Cannons Creek, Tooradin, Warneet and Cardinia.
For further details contact committee chairman Graham Elso on 5998 7197.