History
Yarra Junction & Disctrict Community Bank® Branch
A significant amount of work and public consultation has been undertaken in relation to the feasibility of establishing the Yarra Junction District Community BankŪ Branch of Bendigo Bank.
A preliminary public meeting was held to discuss the Community BankŪ concept and the steps required to establish a Community BankŪ Branch of Bendigo Bank in Yarra Junction. As a result‚ the Company engaged an independent consultant‚ HLM Mann Judd Consulting to conduct a feasibility study in relation to the proposal.
The results of the feasibility study were presented to the Directors at a meeting held on 27 February 2007 and it was unanimously voted to proceed towards the establishment of the Yarra Junction District Community BankŪ Branch.
Warburton Community Bank® Branch
The establishment of Warburton Community BankŪ Branch was truly a community
effort.
Representatives from the Chamber of Commerce‚ Tourist Association and Seventh
Day Adventist church joined forces and as a united body‚ successfully applied
for a Streetlife Program grant.
The grant enabled the group to initiate a business plan to assess the short
and long term viability of Warburton.
In 1998 the group‚ led by local resident Don Vickers‚ decided a priority was
to return full time banking services to the town.
A steering committee was formed and‚ under Don's leadership‚ the Community BankŪ project led to a $300‚000 shareholding plus a healthy $100‚000 over-subscription.
Warburton Community BankŪ Branch Chairman Ian DeLaRue said it was a long
and involved process‚ the branch finally opening its doors for business on February
28‚ 2000.
This was a proud moment for our community.
The real heroes were those who provided funding for the feasibility study‚
fully aware a negative result would have meant the loss of their hard-earned
contribution.
The Shire of Yarra Ranges granted $5000 to the feasibility study‚ providing
half of the funds required.
Opening our Community BankŪ branch sends a clear message from the people
of our community that they want a say in our financial destiny and are prepared
to speak with their cheque books.
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