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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.


Hearty breakfast for kinder kids
Hunger and learning don’t mix well, so when we were approached by the local Buninyong Uniting Kindergarten to support their new breakfast...


Sound Ensures Show Can Be Heard!
The BallaRat Pack was a recipient of Community Gold earlier in the year and we are rapt they applied to our Community Investment Program...


F1 Team Flies in Singapore
We love keeping up to date with the Phoenix College F1 students. Team Hadron’s recent accolades included the Schools F1 World Finals in Singapore where they finished 19th overall. We know how important it is to provide opportunities for local kids to achieve big, worldly ambitions and this was no exception. Our support ensured the group could attend, participate and leave with an experience unlike any other. Team Hadron Representative Aston said "it's not just about racin


Backing Lucas first art show
With our support, Lucas Lifestyle Estate recently hosted its inaugural Art Show. The event was a tremendous success with over double the...


Life lessons with Ambulance Vic
It was fabulous to have Ambulance Victoria conduct life-saving CPR training and AED support at the Community House recently. This was an important project for us considering the number of community defibrillators in the area and ensuring they are used correctly in an emergency. The educational session delivered paramedic led life-saving CPR, AED maintenance training and emphasised the importance of registering and updating AED details with Ambulance Victoria. Community Bank B


Bunny rail trail opened
The "Bunny Trail" Rail Trail was officially opened by Mayor Cr Des Hudson today. The trail, which connects Mt Clear to Ballarat, was constructed by Friends of Canadian Corridor (FoCC) with support from the City of Ballarat, our Community Bank and Regional Development Victoria. We were always on board as we understood what a significant opportunity it was to contribute to such a connective and meaningful nature track for local walkers and cyclists. FoCC proposed the rail tra


Little things, big impact
Our Community Bank proudly sponsored a transformative weekend program ‘The Little Things Exhibition and Youth Wellbeing Project’ that...


Growing our future together
When the community chooses to support us, we can in turn support five local Landcare groups plant over 2200 trees as part of National Tree Planting Day. One of our strategic values is to support environmental projects in our community which is why we said ‘yes’ to a whole lot of little trees for our future. The National Tree Planting activities involved 172 volunteers getting their hands dirty for a great cause. The Upper Williamsons Creek Landcare Group planted 600 in Claren


Future's in great hands
When the community chooses to support us, we can support projects like the City of Ballarat Youth Awards. We know how important it is to inspire a new generation of future leaders and community contributors, so we sponsored the major award at the recent gala presentation. The Youth Awards are a celebration of Ballarat’s young people particularly those who are doing extraordinary things and making a difference in our community. Special congratulations to Keeley Johnson who won


Leading by example
This was our first partnership with the Western Bulldogs Community Foundation to run the Nallei Jerring Youth Leadership Program. We...


On the ball at Mt Clear
We’ve had a long-standing relationship with the Mt Clear Cricket Club and this year commenced another 3-year agreement through our Community Investment Program. We know how important it is to have our community participating and engaged in local sport and this is just one way we help support it. On field success doesn’t come without a polished engine room and Mt Clear have demonstrated time and time again they are committed to junior development and the promotion of their wom


History Book a Masterpiece
A brilliant partnership between the Sebastopol Historical Society and Sebastopol Primary School has resulted in a 200-page keepsake book...


Film Festival shines again
We again significantly supported the Buninyong Film Festival in its 29th year. The annual event has become a staple in the heart of...


Kids culinary experiences
We were invited to Scotsburn Primary School to officially open the new kitchen and share morning tea made by the students. Directors Ian...


F1 Team Flies to Singapore
They are a small group of students from Phoenix College who came third in the national F1 in Schools Competition in Sydney. Their...


Making learning happen
In the sixth year of our Federation University Scholarship Program, we were pleased to offer four student scholarships amounting to $10,000. Community Bank Chair Ian Corcoran and Community Investment Director Debbie Rybicki presented one higher education and three TAFE scholarships for 2023. (Higher Ed) Keira McDougall Studying: Bachelor of Environmental and Conservation Science (TAFE) Christopher Forssman Studying: Diploma in Horticulture (TAFE) Kait Kruger Studying: Dip


Changing culture through sport
We were fortunate to have Scott from SALT - Sport and Life Training run a session at the Buninyong Football Netball Club last week. The program is supported by Bendigo Bank and brings mental wellbeing to the forefront of influential clubs and by doing aims to change our culture through sport. Our Chair Ian Corcoran attended and spoke to the club leadership team about Community Bank Buninyong's purpose in the community and why we consider SALT the backbone of cultural change,


Notable grave tour on offer
The Buninyong Cemetery Trust has completed its latest history project. The new 'Guide to Notable Graves' depicts a trail of 36 more...


Forum held for community
This impact story hails from late 2022, but was an important partnership with the Buninyong & District Community Association (BDCA) and...


Kart club hit skids
Yep, our Community Investment Program covers a significant breadth of project types. Like this one, when we came to the Ballarat Kart Club's rescue when they needed to undertake emergency gravel works. We knew how critical it was to have the groundworks completed for the 2023 Victorian Country Series; a lifeblood event for the club. So we made it happen. Ballarat Kart Club Secretary Paul Feely said "almost every competitor tows a trailer, a lot camp, and the condition of th
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