August 1, 2014
Community programs and projects in the Yarraman, Blackbutt and Nanango areas are $55,000 better off following the annual distribution of grants by South Burnett Community Enterprises Ltd – the group that operates the local Bendigo Bank community branches.
The fourth annual Community Grants Program presentation was held at the Yarraman Community Hall on July 17.
Bendigo staff members joined with more than 60 guests at the evening.
Yarraman branch manager Anne Woodrow said since the first community branch opened in 2005 a total of $580,000 had been distributed to local groups … “not bad for three small rural towns!”
In the first year that the program was running locally, 14 grant applications were received an 10 were funded; in 2012, 16 were received and 11 were funded; in 2013, 18 were received and 14 were funded.
This year, 26 grant applications were received and 20 were funded.
Across Australia, a total of more than $122.2 million has been distributed from Bendigo’s community bank branches.
Special guest speakers on the night were Board chairman Noel Strohfeld and South Burnett Deputy Mayor Keith Campbell.
Cr Campbell said he was “absolutely overwhelmed” by the number of community organisations that had benefited from the Bendigo bank community bank model.
A total of 20 community groups and two students were presented with cheques and certificates on the night:
- Bloomin’ Beautiful Blackbutt Festival – $1250 – annual festival
- Maidenwell Rural Fire Brigade – $2000 – renovations to training room and incident control room
- Nanango Scout Club – $2000 – replacement of ceiling
- Yarraman Sporting Group – $2000 – sporting equipment for children
- Yarraman & District Kindergarten – $1500 – update tables and chairs
- Yarraman & District Progress Association – $1652.45 – erection of storage shed
- Anglican Parish of Nanango – Helping Hands – Blackbutt – $1000 – provide support for people in crisis
- Yarraman Museum – Heritage House – $2240 – replace and erect new set of stairs
- Yarraman Amateur Swimming Club – $1829 + $2500 in advertising – towards the installation of post-mount wind-up sign
- Wild Horse FM – $2200 + $2800 in advertising – mobile van for outside broadcasts
- Yarraman State School P & C – $2000 – air-conditioning of rooms
- Nanango Educational Toy Library – $649.22 – toys relating to maths and music learning
- Nanango & District Kindergarten – $1500 – repainting of kindy building
- Yarraman Agricultural Society – $5044 – refurbish amenities block at Yarraman Showgrounds
- Cooyar Agricultural Society Inc – $2500 – relocation of building for dual use by secretary and announcers
- Cooyar Campdraft Association Inc – $2500 – erection of roof over campdraft yards
- Blackbutt & District Tourism & Heritage Association – $1288 – new displays for Nukku Nook office
- Kumbia Hack & Pony Club – $1725 – PA system
- Friends of Yarraman Creek – $2000 – resources to revegetate and secure the Yarraman Creek
- Cooyar Rural Fire Brigade – $3260.40 – 50 per cent towards 3 x VHF radios
South Burnett Community Bank® Group Scholarship Program ($5000 per annum)
- Samuel Tonkin – 2013 and 2014
- Carlie Mead – 2014
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