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2025 Dick Menting Community, Sports Club Award – Peter Knox
November 13, 2025Over more than 30 years, Peter Knox has transformed Mont Albert Cricket Club into a central hub of the local community. His contributions have strengthened community ties, provided educational pathways for young people through sport, and supported hundreds of individuals by fostering an inclusive, welcoming, and vibrant environment. Peter’s motivation has always been clear: to…
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2025 Dick Menting Community Champion Award – Mary Muirhead OAM
November 13, 2025For over 20 years, since co-founding Learning for Life Autism Centre, Mary Muirhead has been a tireless advocate for autistic and neurodivergent children. Her leadership, generosity, and quiet determination have shaped not only our organisation, but the lives of countless families across Victoria. Mary’s deep belief in the power of connection – our “village” –…
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2025 Dick Menting Community Champion Award – Rochelle Anderson
November 13, 2025Rochelle’s unwavering dedication to community wellbeing is evident not only in her capacity for leadership but in her willingness to pursue innovative, practical solutions for those in need. Rochelle was the initiator and a co-founder of You Matter in 2019, an organisation that was created to assist women and children escaping domestic violence by establishing…
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Partnership with Sport and Life Training (SALT)
October 31, 2025Through our partnership with Sport and Life Training (SALT), we’re helping to build stronger, healthier sporting communities from the ground up. Over the past 12 months, SALT has delivered transformative programs to several local sporting clubs, addressing the many factors that influence mental health and wellbeing. Thanks to our support, clubs are able to access…
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Nurturing Community Spirit Through Grassroots Sport
October 31, 2025Over the past 12 months, we proudly supported 68 sporting clubs across 16 different sports- reinforcing our ongoing commitment to grassroots and sport and helping ensure participation is accessible to people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities. We’ve supported local clubs with vital resources- from uniforms and equipment to coaching development, facility upgrades, and wellbeing…
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Helping Young People Reach Their Potential Through Education
October 31, 2025Over the past 12 months, we increased our support for the education sector- funding vital projects that make a real difference in the lives of young people. Our investment in Education is helping to create a more inclusive and equitable future for students of all abilities and backgrounds. We provided Belmore School with essential equipment to…
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Building Confidence and Inclusion for Local Children
October 31, 2025Our funding to The Edge Community Fund is helping ensure every child has the chance to belong, grow and thrive. By supporting local young people in Ashburton, Ashwood and Chadstone, the fund provides access to vital developmental opportunities- from playgroups and kindergarten to school camps, sports, and community activities- helping to build confidence, connection, and…
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Expanding Fair Access for Children with Autism
October 31, 2025Our significant funding contribution to the Learning for Life Autism Centre this year has played a vital role in ensuring that children with autism- and their families- receive the support they need, when they need it most. Through our support, Learning for Life has been able to expand their Fair Access Program, which directly removes…
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Building Inclusive Spaces to Reduce Social Isolation Among Older People
October 31, 2025Our support enabled Balwyn Evergreen Centre to establish the Evergreen Connections Cafe- a welcoming social hub designed to reduce isolation and foster connection among older community members. This safe, inclusive space encourages social interaction beyond structured activities, strengthens community ties, and provides access to vital information through peer support and guest speakers. The cafe is…
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Helping Women Reconnect, Rebuild, and Re-enter the Workforce
October 31, 2025We provided funds for the Go Girls Work Ready program. The program supports women from all walks of life- whether long-term unemployed, recovering from illness, survivors of domestic violence, teen mothers, migrants, or those facing other challenges- are empowered to rebuild their confidence, re-enter the workforce, and embrace leadership opportunities. The program supports women to…
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Empowering Local Clubs to Drive Positive Change Across Our Community
October 31, 2025We supported several Rotary and Clubs, recognising the valuable role these organisations play in fostering community spirit and building meaningful connections among members. Through their volunteer efforts and local initiatives, they contribute to a wide range of charitable projects, social activities, and community development programs. By backing these clubs, we help strengthen their capacity to…
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Investing in Local Traders to Build Thriving, Connected Communities
October 31, 2025We continue to invest in local Traders Associations, recognising their role in driving economic activity, fostering local pride, and creating vibrant community hubs. Our support extends to a variety of initiatives- including multicultural events, seasonal festivals, and marketing campaigns- all designed to attract visitors, celebrate cultural diversity, and strengthen the visibility of local businesses. In…
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Supporting Local Neighbourhood Houses and Community Centres
October 30, 2025We strengthened our support for local neighbourhood and community centres, recognising the vital role they play in supporting residents- particularly those facing hardship. These organisations deliver essential services such as food relief, disability advocacy, and assistance for the vulnerable groups. Our investment in these centres reinforces our commitment to social equity and local resilience, ensuring…
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Strengthening Health Services in Melbourne’s Inner East
October 30, 2025In Partnership with Eastern Health We made a landmark investment in Eastern Health, driven by a deep commitment to strengthening public health services across Melbourne’s Inner East. Our funding will deliver immediate, measurable benefits- such as critical new equipment- and support long-term advancements through Research and Innovation Grants and workforce training. This investment empowers Eastern…
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$1.3 million – Community Investment in the past 12 months
October 30, 2025Over the past 12 months, we have invested more than $1.3 million into initiatives that deliver real benefits to our local communities. Our support spanned four key areas- Community Support, Community Welfare, Education, and Sport. In total, we awarded 180 grants and sponsorships to local organisations, helping to drive meaningful change where it’s needed most….
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$10 million Community Investment
March 3, 2025Thanks to our shareholders and customers, we have provided $10 million in sponsorship and grants to this local community since the opening of our first branch 22 years ago. Your banking has helped support the clubs, projects and organisations at the heart of our local community. More than 400 local community organisations have benefited from…
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Eastern Health Partnership
January 16, 2025We are pleased to announce our investment of $400,000 to Eastern Health for a two year partnership. This partnership was motivated by a strong desire to increase our business’s impact in the health sector and to ensure that high quality public health services remain accessible to all residents of Melbourne’s Inner East, both now and…
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2024 Dick Menting Community Champion joint winner-Anne Bishop
November 14, 2024Now in its 20th year, the Edge Community Fund is a registered charity. Over that time The Edge Community Fund has supported nearly 600 vulnerable kids and families in Ashburton, Ashwood and Chadstone and surrounding areas so that the children can participate in activities such as school camps, scouts, community sport and group activities such…
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2024 Dick Menting Community Champion joint winner-Natalie Dixon-Monu
November 14, 2024Rev Natalie Dixon-Monu has been the Coordinator and the Minister of Boroondara Community Outreach (BCO) for the past 17 years. BCO is a place of ‘refuge’ for vulnerable people doing it tough. It provides a safe and supportive community for those looking for a place to belong and to contribute. It is a place where…
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Delivery of cultural and leadership education sessions.
October 14, 2024We have made a significant investment and developed a partnership with Sport and Life Training (SALT) to deliver their programs to our local sporting clubs at no cost to the club. SALT is dedicated to creating sporting clubs and team environments that cater for both the competitive and personal development needs of young people through…
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Building a stronger community through community events.
October 14, 2024 We support several local community festivals and events, partnering with event organisers, such as Trader Associations, to deliver events that promote connection and a positive impact for the shopping precincts. “It is imperative that Maling Road be a thriving, successful shopping strip. It provides so much to the local and broader community. Our events…
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Providing sporting opportunities for all.
October 14, 2024 Our commitment to grassroots sporting clubs remains strong. We understand the profound impact participation in sport has on individuals and communities. By providing funds for equipment, uniforms, and facility upgrades, we help sports clubs keep participation costs low. Our women’s team has gone from struggling to get a team up each week in 2023…
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Scholarships to fuel success and support talented individuals.
October 14, 2024There are exceptional students in our community who are disadvantaged by their financial and family situations. Together with Education Chances, we have provided scholarships for 45 students attending local secondary schools. These scholarships provide students not only with financial assistance but a growth mindset and a motivation to pursue and achieve their potential. These scholarships…
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Enhancing the lives of people living with a disability and those most at risk in our community.
October 14, 2024 Our Community Investment program addresses local needs by providing grants to organisations that assist those most disadvantaged. With the increase in demand for food relief due to rising cost-of-living pressures, we have supported neighbourhood houses and welfare services, ensuring they can continue providing essential food relief. Additionally, we have funded the purchase of vehicles…
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