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Community Impact Stories
Here’s a great story: we’ve proudly invested well over $2.5M into local community projects and we’re not stopping there. On top of that, we invested in a Community House for all, creating a space where everyone belongs. We partner with local organisations and the business sector to resource and grow in the community space, including funding our Community Partnerships Lead role to drive even greater impact. We love sharing the stories of how our investment helps the community thrive.
Capturing History, One Lens at a Time
We were proud to support the recent “Elaine Thru the Lens” exhibition by the Meredith History Interest Group which a powerful snapshot of community, history and the people who make our region special. Held as Part One of a two-part project, the exhibition featured historical and contemporary photos of Elaine and surrounds. Part Two will be a published book and is coming next year, capturing even more stories for future generations. The group has also published “Steiglitz Thru
A Trailer for Trees
Thanks to Sparktank funding the local Leigh Catchment Group now has a brand new lockable trailer and tools to support tree planting events for decades to come! • Over 6000 plants in the ground already this year • Partnerships with groups like Rotary, CWA, Bunnings and The Med Shed • A boosted sense of appreciation and team spirit among volunteers. And we're here for all of it! Group Secretary Jess Higgins-Anderson said, “Being part of the Sparktank event was a real pleasure a
Growing the Game from the Ground Up
Mount Clear Cricket Club has powered up junior development with new training gear, subsidised playing tops for U13–U17 Girls teams, and created a more engaging, fun environment for all. • Better coaching tools • Reduced costs for families • Higher energy, more participation! “We’ve been able to provide improved training opportunities… and it’s had a big impact on the enthusiasm of our players," said Richard Matters, Junior Parent and Senior Cricketer. Local sport thrives when
A Century of Rotary, Captured in Print
We said 'YES' to supporting the Rotary Club of Ballarat publish a stunning 419 page coffee-table book celebrating a century of service. It was launched in the very room it all started, in the City of Ballarat Town Hall’s Trench Room. The launch was brilliant: 90 people attended, Tracey Hargreaves officiated, speeches were given (including from our Branch Manager Randall and Partnerships Lead Kelly), and this local Rotary story was really celebrated. Banners, applause and lots
Sewing for Heart
This is exactly what our Community House is all about. The CWA Buninyong came together for a Sew-a-thon with nearly 30 women and girls rolling up their sleeves to cut, stitch and sew with purpose. They created over 150 cloth reusable menstruation pads to support women and girls in Uganda. It was a beautiful picture of experienced women teaching younger women, all for the benefit of other women. The room was full of energy, generosity and community spirit and we loved seeing i
Heartfelt Support for Families
When the team at Babies Above pitched at SparkTank 2024 with their idea to support families experiencing baby loss, we knew it was something special. The project was heartfelt, community-led and unlike anything else in Ballarat. Thanks to support from Community Bank Buninyong, the team at Babies Above has brought their vision to life, creating and delivering curated bereavement care boxes for local families navigating the unimaginable heartbreak of baby loss. Each care packag
Strengthening Emergency Response
The Buninyong–Mount Helen Fire Brigade has welcomed a major upgrade to its operational capacity with the arrival of a new, fully-equipped...
Rowers Go Next Level with Tech-Powered Wins!
When you're slicing through the water in a tight race, every second and every stroke counts. That’s why we were thrilled to back Ballarat High School Rowing with a Community Investment Grant to purchase new Cox Boxes and GPS units for their rowing crews. The results? Three bronze medals and a whole new level of insight and precision for crews and coaches alike! The new tech made its debut at the State Championships , where the senior boys div 2 and year 10 boys div 1 crews
Empowering Youth + Saving Lives
When it comes to mental health, knowledge saves lives. That’s why we’re so proud to support Youth Live4Life , ensuring more local young...
Dance Kept Alive for Gen Z
At Community Bank Buninyong, we’re proud to have said 'YES' to supporting the Filipino/Australian Association of Ballarat Inc. (FAABI) in...
Creating Brighter Futures
At Community Bank Buninyong, we’re proud to support the incredible work of the Aboriginal Literacy Foundation helping local students gain the skills and confidence they need to succeed. Our funding has helped provide tutors for their After-School Literacy Tutoring Program, which runs four nights a week during school terms. With the disruptions caused by Covid lockdowns, this program has been a lifeline for students to catch up and thrive. Aboriginal Literacy Foundation repres
Celebrating 150 Years in Clarendon
What a day it was at the "Back to Clarendon" celebration in October. Our Community Bank was proud to have supported the 150-year milestone by funding the lunch and afternoon tea for over 140 current and former residents who came together to mark the occasion at the Clarendon Recreation Reserve. The event marked a major milestone in local history, as the Reserve has been a cornerstone of the community since 1974! From horse races and cricket matches to sporting events and ten
Outdoor classroom for young parents
We said 'YES' to supporting the Young Parents' Outdoor Classroom at Yuille Park Community College. This is a space that is already making a difference for students and their families. Through our partnership with Yuille Park Community College Young Parents Program, we've helped the school transform an under-utilised area into a vibrant, welcoming outdoor learning space. With funding from our Community Bank and the guidance of expert landscape architects, the project is givi
Lal Lal Market Shines
As we start reflecting over 2024, we're throwing back to a project we supported in October. What a fantastic day at the Lal Lal Market with over 2,000 people involved in local fun, and the Committee couldn’t have be happier with how it went! Michaela Settle MP came and showed her support There was talented musician Gary filling the air with beautiful tunes, and Rowdy and Eliesha showcased a hands-on sheep-shearing experience! Plus there was a little bit of magic with face pai
Spreading Christmas Cheer! 🎁
We’re so proud to have supported this Reverse Advent Calendar Ballarat project through our recent SparkTank event! The Men’s Hygiene Packs initiative resulted in our community collecting essential food and toiletries, which were packed and distributed to those in need during the group's Big Blessing Day in December. Thanks to the generous contributions of our local community, Reverse Advent Calendar Ballarat was able to provide bags filled with items that truly make a differe
Hats packed for Japan
As school just finishes up, we're reflecting on another Buninyong Primary School project we supported this year. This project involved the purchase of hats for the students and staff on their unforgettable trip to Japan! We understand how important it is for young students to gain life, culture and language experiences, so we said 'YES' to this one. The trip involved 26 students and six adults exploring Tokyo, Kyoto, and Hiroshima. The hats were designed by one of the studen
Kinder 60 years young
When the Buninyong Kindergarten celebrated 60 years, we knew we wanted to be part of the party! It was a heartwarming celebration of the kinder’s important place in our community, with the most special guest in attendance. Long time local resident and former kindergarten educator Florence Goodwin who is now 103, cut the birthday cake and delighted everyone with her energy and love for the kids. Florence said “What a privilege for Florence’s little feet to step back at kinder.
Boost for Elaine’s Only Club
At Community Bank Buninyong, we understand sporting clubs are the heart of local communities. And what better example than Elaine, where...
Serving up opportunities
Our Community Bank continues support of the Buninyong Tennis Club and the Buninyong & District Tennis Association with new uniforms and balls for the Club and updated Community Bank Buninyong signage on all the nets. We understand supporting grassroots sports is key to building strong, healthy communities. By investing in local junior tennis, we’re helping encourage healthy habits, community spirit, and skill development for the next generation. We look forward to seeing what
Clovers top of their game
We are incredibly proud to support the Ballarat Clovers. The newly formed group reached out to us earlier in the year and we were quick to say 'YES'. It’s been fantastic to see the impact of our support, from helping the team purchase brand-new jerseys that have boosted their team pride and morale, to providing Community Gold cards that enabled them to secure prizes for fundraisers and host a BBQ to connect with their supporters and the local community. The Ballarat Clovers a
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