Community bank presents $88,000 to local groups
The latest grants by Drouin and District Community Bank to volunteer organisations has brought its contributions to more than $5.7 million since it was formed.
The grants are distributed from profits derived by Drouin and District Financial Services, the local franchise for the bank.
Almost $88,000 worth of grants were presented last Thursday by chairman Rod Dunlop in the fourth allocation this financial year.
Further grants to be announced in May will take the annual allocation beyond the $176,000 distributed in the 2017-2018.
Mr Dunlop pointed out that the grants were spread far beyond the Drouin area and ranged from assisting volunteer activities that supported the very young to the elderly.
At the presentation at Lyrebird Village for the Aged at Drouin last Thursday recipients were:Baw Baw Shire Combined Churches Food Relief to assist buy the building they it currently occupies in Pearce St, Warragul.
Drouin Croquet Club for a marquee to provide shade, shelter and to help promote the club.
Drouin Uniting Church Playgroup for new equipment, furniture and other items to help meet growing demands since its formation four year ago.
West Gippsland Music and Drama Festival to assist staging of this year’s festival at the West Gippsland Arts Centre in Warragul.
St Vincent de Paul St Ita’s conference’s Christmas hamper distribution to needy families.
Sonshine Toy Library for storage units and batteries for toys at its two locations, Warragul and Drouin.
Olivia’s Place, Warragul, for a new customer relationship management system to support and encourage the current 50 families during pregnancy and early parenting.
Longwarry and district Lions Club food relief that distributes more than 200 food hampers every fortnight to needy people over a wide area including to Phillip Island and Beaconsfield.
BlazeAid to help restore about 600 kilometres of farm fencing destroyed by the Bunyip Forest fire in March.
Lyrebird Village for the Aged, Drouin, to replace 10 beds and 55 mattresses taking the value of the community bank’s grants to Lyrebird Village beyond $1 million.