Driving sponsorship in communities

Sponsored
Deborah-Jane (DJ) Gillard (events and sponsorship, Noosa Pirates), Kerryn Vincart (Tewantin-Noosa branch manager), Melanie Jackson (senior manager of the Community Bank branches), and Liam Anlezark (president, Noosa Pirates).

You may not think who you bank with matters. But it does. Bendigo Bank Tewantin-Noosa, Cooroy and Marcoola customers make a real difference every day simply by banking with the Community Bank.

The Community Bank model was developed by Bendigo Bank to provide financial services to regional communities during a time when the major banks were leaving towns.

Community Banks aim to:

• Provide a physical presence for face-to-face banking.

• Help the community share in the potential growth of their local economy.

• Operate on a profit-with-purpose model, which means up to 80 per cent of profits are returned directly back into the communities that generated them.

Operated by Sunshine Coast Community Financial Services, the Community Banks have been committed to giving back to the community they serve, and its recent efforts have been extraordinary.

Local groups and events are thrilled with the financial support awarded to them including Hoofbeats Art Exhibition, Peregian Digital Hub Meet Up events, Permaculture Noosa’s Community Pavilion, Noosa Community Gardens’ pathways, and the upcoming Pomona King of the Mountain.

Each group has enriched the community spirit and connection among people from all ages and abilities.

The bank supports all Surf Lifesaving Clubs from Noosa to Mudjimba providing much-needed funding for training and equipment which help save lives.

The Community Bank is now the premier sponsor for the Noosa Pirates Open Women’s team, which has enabled them to further develop their talent in 2023.

The Noosa Coast Guard who also keep the community safe on the water 24/7 were relieved when the Community Bank took over as major sponsor with a three-year commitment to support this vital service.

To date over $2,900,000 has been poured back into the local community by the Community Bank Tewantin-Noosa, Cooroy and Marcoola network alone. Another two major funding announcements are coming this financial year.

The customers of local Bendigo Banks deserve to be proud that their banking is making such a huge difference to their communities.