The San Remo District Financial Services (SRDFS) and San Remo Bendigo Community Bank celebrated 20 fantastic years last week.
The birthday celebrations included a dinner at the Kilcunda Bass Football Netball Club attended by 150 people.
In true Community Bank style though, the birthday presents went to the community, with the bank announcing its latest round of grants, totalling over $245,000.
Welcoming the guests, Chair Peter Paul spoke of the $5 million the bank has contributed to community groups since 2003.
“If it had not been for the bank, its incredible shareholders and loyal customers, that money would not have been there to help communities,” Peter said.
“Eighty per cent of profits back to the community is an amazing thing.”
A video presentation highlighted some of the major contributions of the bank over the last 20 years.
During the evening, 19 community groups were presented with their grants.
- Phillip Island Homes for the Aged Association: $6006
- CWA - Phillip Island Twilight Branch: $5100
- Phillip Island Bowling Club Inc: $15,000
- Phillip Island and District Darts League: $1760
- Westernport Field and Game: $24,227
- The Scout Association of Australia, Victorian Branch: $8224
- Rhyll Phillip Island Angling Club: $7258
- Corinella Fire Brigade: $23,000
- Corinella Bowls Club Inc: $2200
- Coronet Bay Community Garden: $1872
- Corinella and District Community Centre Inc: $15,894
- Grantville Cemetery Trust: $7810
- Coronet Bay Luminous Galleries: $729
- Riding for the Disabled Woolamai: $22,000
- Kilcunda Bass Football Netball Club Inc: $20,000
- Bass Valley Friends of the RSL WITH project partner Bass Valley Lions Club: $4,430
- Woolamai Beach Surf Life Saving Club: $22,968
- Newhaven Yacht Squadron Inc: $52,750
- Westernport Pelican Study Group Inc: $6857
The hall at the club looked spectacular thanks to the efforts of Trudy Jamieson and Jude Watson and their dedicated helpers.
As well as enjoying a wonderful meal, guests were all treated to a slice of the enormous birthday cake – an appropriate size considering the huge contribution the Bendigo Community Bank has made to our community over the past two decades.
Phillip Island Homes for the Aged Association: $6006 for Melaleuca Aged Care – Cowes.
To purchase two new Hillrom Welch Allyn spot Vital Signs 4400 Device and stands.
CWA - Phillip Island Twilight Branch: $5100 for Fundraising Stand Kit
Supporting the resourcing and capability of the CWA Phillip Island Twilight Branch in its work to support the local community.
Phillip Island Bowling Club Inc: $15,000 – New lights for the green
To install new lighting at the bowling club to obtain better use of the green. This is the much needed second stage of the outdoor entertaining space provided by the Bendigo Bank
Phillip Island and District Darts League: $1760 – iPads and scoring equipment
To purchase iPads and electronic scoring equipment to enhance the playing experience and promote the sport of darts in the Phillip Island and surrounding community.
Westernport Field and Game: $24,227 – Kitchen renovation
To update the kitchen in the clubrooms. The kitchen area is the final piece of the clubrooms that needs attention.
The Scout Association of Australia, Victorian Branch: $8224.70 – Solar hot water system
A roof-mounted solar hot water system, with a Rinnai Infinity LPG hot water heater as a booster.
Rhyll Phillip Island Angling Club: $7258 – Kitchen upgrade
Replace outdated oven in the kitchen and install new cooktop.
Corinella Fire Brigade: $23,000 – Storage shed
To provide a second shed for the brigade, which is investigating obtaining a second vehicle through another grant and would require room for the storage of other equipment to enable it to put the second vehicle in the shed alongside the truck.
Corinella Bowls Club Inc: $2200 – Railing and green refurbishment
Grab rails to assist bowlers in stepping up from and down to the rink from the southern clubhouse end. Replace rink numbers, rink markers, and boundary markers to complete the green refurbishment.
Coronet Bay Community Garden: $1872 – Tools
To provide tools and material that are applicable for the tasks and for the members of varying age to be able to use more efficiently.
Corinella and District Community Centre Inc: $15,894 – Computer replacement
Grantville Cemetery Trust: $7810 – Project path
Install a concrete footpath, to make access easier to negotiate and add to the available interments.
Coronet Bay Luminous Galleries: $729 – Weatherproofing
Funding for walls for current large Gazebo and to purchase a new smaller Gazebo as old one is no longer usable.
Riding for the Disabled Woolamai: $22,000 – Ramps for the disabled
To install holding pens for horses and a mounting and dislodging ramp for disabled participants.
Kilcunda Bass Football Netball Club Inc: $20,000 – Seating
To replace the function chairs, as the current ones are 38 years old, and are worn out and tired.
Bass Valley Friends of the RSL with project partner Bass Valley Lions Club: $4430 – Memorial Wall
To finish Stage 2 of the Memorial Wall in Grantville, to include plaques for all the conflicts that Australia has been involved in, especially the Vietnam War.
Woolamai Beach Surf Life Saving Club: $22,968 – Club entrance upgrade
Replace the bitumen path with a concrete path. Replace the sponsors bricks with a concrete apron, plus updated signage on the wing wall with QR Code to enable members of the community to obtain information about the club, beach safety and the local environment.
Newhaven Yacht Squadron Inc: $52,750 – Water Safety and Rescue
Acquire a new rescue vessel to replace Newhaven Yacht Squadron's rescue vessel which provides rescue and safety service to all sailors and power boat operators who use Western Port Bay and beyond.
Westernport Pelican Study Group Inc: $6857 – Tracking project
To support the monitoring and tracking of pelicans around Westernport, by the Westernport Pelican Study Group Inc. to collectively find out more about the pelican and its environment.