General News
5 December, 2025
Grants support community
Community Bank Avoca, Maryborough and St Arnaud has again backed local projects with $53,700 in the spring community grant round.
Nine local organisations have shared in the funding which aims to strengthen wellbeing, inclusion, safety and community connection across the region.
It’s funding made possible through the community banking model which reinvests local banking revenue into community led initiatives.
For local community groups, that funding makes the difference between making a project a reality or just leaving it as a dream.
That is true for the Central Goldfields Historic Machinery Society, who received funding to get their electrical upgrades over the finish line.
The community group’s president John Hanley said there was no hope for the project without outside help.
“We wouldn’t have even attempted to put power on if we never got these grants,” he said.
Aging members and the limits of fundraising meant their project was out of reach.
That’s because it was more than an electrical upgrade, instead, they wanted to connect electricity for the first time.
“We couldn’t even meet there to have a meeting,” Mr Hanley said.
“We had our last meeting there with a couple of make up lights just so we could have it in the shed.”
He said connecting power was an over $20,000 project, but one they achieved, thanks to outside funding.
Two Bendigo Bank branches chipped in, the local community bank alongside Maldon and District, as did GrainCorp, and the Central Goldfields Shire Council.
“We’re like any small organisation that doesn’t make very much money. If it wasn’t for the Bendigo Banks of this world, we wouldn’t have anything,” Mr Hanley said.
Soon the Central Goldfields Historic Machinery Society will be able to have a meeting, in their own shed, with the lights on.
“That’s a big step for a club to be able to have a meeting in your own shed,” he said.
The community bank’s funding also helped get Zonta Club of Central Goldfields’ ongoing advocacy campaign underway.
Their coffee cup campaign promotes respectful relationships during the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.
Their chair of service and advocacy Bronwen Haywood said the project includes 10,000 cups shared with businesses and organisations across the region.
They can be found in Dunolly, through Maryborough and into Carisbrook, as well as in Talbot and Avoca.
“The community and the cafes have been really supportive,” she said.
While the campaign is still underway Ms Haywood said they’re already looking to the future.
She said Community Bank Avoca, Maryborough and St Arnaud are keen to continue supporting the project next year.
“We’re very grateful to the community bank,” she said.
The other community initiatives to receive funding include:
Maryborough Community House to launch a new neighbour-hood lunch program that builds on the success of Harmony Day.
Royal Flying Doctor Service Victoria to support volunteer connection and wellbeing for the Flying Doctor Community Transport Service in St Arnaud.
ASTERIA Services to deliver interactive NAIDOC Week wildlife activities from 2026 to 2028, celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture.
Interchange Loddon Mallee (Lifely) to establish a disability inclusion and wellbeing hub offering group programs for young people in Maryborough.
St Arnaud Citizens Brass Band to improve heating and cooling in its well-used community hall.
Avoca Friends of the Pool to provide free family pool passes for local school children, helping build water safety skills.
Avoca Riverside Market Committee to deliver activities that increase community engagement and participation.
They join a $2.7 million legacy of providing grants, sponsorships and volunteer support since 2009 according to Community Bank Avoca, Maryborough and St Arnaud.
Chair of Avoca District Co-operative Limited Donna Wardlaw, who runs the community bank in partnership with Bendigo Bank, said the funding highlights the ongoing strengths of the model.
“We exist to support the people and organisations that make our region a wonderful place to live. These grants enable connection, participation and access to support close to home, because local banking allows us to give back locally,” she said.
Branch manager Joel Condon said community support, through their banking choice, drives ever dollar invested.
“We are grateful that our customers continue to back their local bank and their local com-munity,” he said.