Community Bank provides hands-on learning opportunities

Encouraging young people to stay in rural communities, Bendigo Bank partner Community Bank Braidwood/Bungendore/Crookwell supported Braidwood Central School to purchase a tractor for their agricultural programs.

The school services a district known for sheep, cattle and forestry operations. It offers vocational education and training (VET) in Primary Industries to year 11 and 12 students, and Agricultural Technology studies to middle school students.

As part of its rural program, it raises a flock of sheep on the Braidwood common. It also sits on the Braidwood Common s355 committee to manage the Common for long-term community benefit. This includes the farming of sustainable food for members of the local community.

School activities require a working tractor for a variety of tasks and projects. Additionally, students who undertake agricultural studies must prove competence in driving and maintaining tractors. However, the tractor’s age, wear and tear, and safety concerns, made this increasingly challenging.

The cost of a new tractor could not be fully funded by the School and the Parents and Citizens (P&C) Association alone. Principal of the school, Adam Zanco noted the great benefit of building the strength of the partnership between the bank, school and community.

Community Engagement Manager, Community Bank Braidwood/Bungendore/Crookwell, Nick Fry, agreed.

“I have a favourite word at the moment, and it’s partnerships,” he said.

This partnership has allowed a range of hands-on experiences and learning opportunities for years 9-12 students to continue. It has also benefitted community groups involved in managing the town common.

“We are an agricultural-based town, and just to see our youth still engaged in agriculture is a great thing that our bank wants to be part of,” said Mr Fry said.

The Community Bank has recently celebrated returning $11 million to its local community to support projects and initiatives since its inception.

Watch the video to learn more.

Apply for community investment funding with Community Bank Braidwood, Bungendore and Crookwell