Over $300,000 donated to the Knox community in 2025
As 2026 begins, Community Bank Ferntree Gully is reflecting on another strong year of local investment, gifting more than $300,000 to sporting clubs, volunteer emergency services, playgroups, and community not-for-profit organisations throughout Knox in 2025.
The 2025 funding helped deliver new equipment for junior sports teams, resources for early learning centres, and support for volunteer-run programs that serve families, seniors, and vulnerable community members. Many of these groups rely on community-driven funding to continue their work, making the bank’s contributions especially meaningful.
The branch, the first Community Bank established in Knox, has now contributed over $6 million to the region since opening in 2000. For 25 years, its community-owned model has ensured that banking profits stay local and directly support the people and organisations that make Knox thrive.
Chair Etienne Clauw said the bank’s long-standing commitment to community support remains at the heart of its work.
“Our purpose has always been to back the groups who strengthen our community,” he said. “The impact we’ve been able to make over 25 years is only possible because locals choose to bank with us.”
Branch Manager Bash Keshtiar said the 2025 contributions reflect the diverse needs of the region and the dedication of the volunteers who keep local organisations running.
“In 2025, we were proud to support local sporting clubs, schools, kindergartens, and a wide range of community groups,” he said. “These organisations play a vital role in creating opportunities, building resilience, and bringing people together.”
Across its 25-year history, Community Bank Ferntree Gully has helped deliver playground upgrades, mental health initiatives, emergency response equipment, scholarships, and countless local projects that might otherwise have struggled to find support.
As the branch enters 2026, it remains focused on strengthening the fabric of the Ferntree Gully community and encouraging local organisations to apply for upcoming funding rounds.
“When locals bank with us, they’re investing in their neighbours, their kids, and the future of our community,” Mr Clauw said.
