General News
17 December, 2025
Community Bank backs local projects
COMMUNITY Bank Avoca, Maryborough and St Arnaud have awarded more than $53,700 in Spring community grants, supporting nine local organisations to strengthen wellbeing, inclusion, safety and community connection across the region. The announcement was made at the bank’s recent Annual General Meeting, celebrating another year of investing local profits back into Avoca, Maryborough and St Arnaud.
Avoca District Co-operative Limited (ADCL) operates the local Community Bank branches in partnership with Bendigo Bank.
This unique model ensures that revenue generated through local banking is reinvested into community-led initiatives.
Spring grant recipients include:
● Avoca Friends of the Pool to provide free family pool passes for local school children, helping build water safety skills.
● Avoca Riverside Market Committee to deliver activities that increase community engagement and participation.
● Maryborough Community House to launch a new neighbourhood lunch program that builds on the success of Harmony Day.
● Royal Flying Doctor Service Victoria to support volunteer connection and wellbeing for the Flying Doctor Community Transport Service in St Arnaud.
● ASTERIA Services to deliver interactive NAIDOC Week wildlife activities from 2026 to 2028, celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture.
● Interchange Loddon Mallee (Lifely) to establish a disability inclusion and wellbeing hub offering group programs for young people in Maryborough.
● St Arnaud Citizens Brass Band to improve heating and cooling in its well-used community hall.
● Central Goldfields Historic Machinery Society for electricity upgrades.
● Zonta Club of Central Goldfields to deliver a coffee cup campaign promoting respectful relationships during the 16 Days of Activism.
Avoca District Co-operative Chair Donna Wardlaw said the funding highlights the continuing strength of
the community banking model.
“We exist to support the people and organisations that make our region a wonderful place to live. These grants enable connection, participation and access to support close to home, because local banking allows us to give
back locally.”
Branch Manager, Joel Condon, said customer support drives every dollar reinvested.
“People choose to bank with us because they receive friendly, personal ervice and they know their banking helps fund community projects just like these. We are grateful that our customers continue to back their local bank
and their local community.”
Since 2009, Community Bank Avoca, Maryborough and St Arnaud has returned over $2.7 million to the region through grants, sponsorships and volunteer support.