top of page

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.


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


Every step of the way
Our Community Bank was with the Ballarat Autisum Network every step of the way delivering their World Autism Day Celebratory Walk. We know how important is it is to highlight autism and provide an opportunity for families and autistic people to socialise and interact in a like-minded community. So it was a simple 'yes' from us. Network Representative Kristine Schmidt said "the event was a great success with families and autistic people coming together in a fun way to promot


Twilight talks deliver
For over 160 years the Ballaarat Mechanics Institute has played a major role in shaping Ballarat’s history and cultural identity. Today...


Hot shots front row at the AO
The Navigators Tennis Club has gone from zero to hero in the space of two years. After folding many years ago, a dedicated group of locals resurrected the club and doubled membership numberrs this season. Unfortunately at the outset the courts were in a state of disrepair and deemed unsafe by Tennis Victoria meaning they would be unable to join the Hot Shots Program. Our Community Bank jumped on board to have the courts professionally cleaned and bring them up to standard. T


A love of learning
We couldn’t jump quick enough on the Community Investment application we received from The Aboriginal Literacy Foundation. The...


Under their own steam
The Energy Breakthrough Program was again undertaken by students at Buninyong Primary School. Two teams represented the school at the...


Carers Family Day Out
Our Community Bank knows how important it is to provide children in care, and their families, experiences to bond, grow and create deeper...
bottom of page
