More local groups benefit from bank grants

A further 14 community organisations will be able to proceed with key projects after the latest round of grants presented by Drouin and District Financial Services, the local shareholder group of Drouin and District Community Bendigo Bank.

More than $113,000 was distributed in the latest round of grants taking to more than $1 million the amount distributed during the past three years.

Further community investment announcements will be made later this month.

Recipients of the most recent grants included the Baw Baw L2P program that received funding towards buying an additional vehicle to be used help disadvantaged 16 to 23 yearolds achieve the required hours of supervised driving to obtain their licences.

Sanctuary Lifestyle Village’s workshop and men’s shed has been assisted with a grant towards equipment, repairs, maintenance and replacement of tools.

Warragul Cemetery Trust will install a new air conditioner in the reception service area and Warragul Primary School will install new directional signage around the site to assist visitors and increase safety for students.

A grant to Warragul Presbyterian Church will enable access to a life-saving defibrillator to serve the Ellinbank area.

Baw Baw Food Relief received funding for a second laptop computer to help boost efficiency for volunteers and St Vincent de Paul Society’s Drouin conference’s annual will benefit with a grant to support its annual Christmas hamper project.

Also receiving grants were the Corey Maric Youth Support Foundation that provides professional mental health support to at risk youth and Fairview Village at Warragul’s Homes for Homeless Women project.

Longwarry and District and Drouin Lions clubs also benefited from the bank’s distributions, the Longwarry club for its food relief program and the Drouin club to assist build a shed to store equipment used for its fundraising efforts.

Financial help with meeting the cost of installing display shelving and cabinets in the social room at Ellinbank recreation reserve and outdoor furniture at the Drouin Golf Club was also provided.

Respect Group at Drouin, formerly Lyrebird Village for the Aged, received funding towards renovation of the Waratah wing.

Above: The annual Christmas hamper project run by the Drouin conference of St Vincent de Paul Society received financial backing with a grant from Drouin community bank. Accepting the grant from director Sean Walsh were, from left, Sinead Hickmott, Isabel McLean and Barbara Durrand.

The ongoing work of Longwarry and district Lions club’s food relief program was supported with a grant accepted by Debbie Brown from Drouin community bank vice-chairman Matthew Williamson.

Respect Group at Drouin, formerly Lyrebird Village for the Aged, was represented by Melanie White (left) when it received a Drouin community bank grant from director Vanessa Marsh towards some renovations.

Assistant manager of the Drouin community bank Katy Slater (left) presented a grant to Warragul cemetery trust’s Merren Perry, Marie-Therese Tuck and Ken Ipsen.

Delighted to receive a grant towards a new vehicle for Baw Baw L2P program from bank assistant manager Katy Slater (right) were from left Lyn Plew and Julie Kleverlaan.

Accepting a grant towards the cost of outdoor furniture at Drouin golf club was manager Randall Mitchell with Drouin community bank manager Rob Hutchinson (left).

A grant accepted on behalf of Warragul primary school by Michelle Cottier from Drouin community bank assistant manager Katy Slater will enable new signage to be erected at the school.

Corey Maric Youth Support Foundation’s Kay Mitchell (left) and Kate Maric Mitchell were presented with a Drouin community bank grant.

Baw Baw Food Relief’s Jan Morton (left) and Jan Davies with Drouin community bank customer service officer Jade Dance.