Bendigo Bank helps you honour your family history

The launch today of Immigration Bridge will provide all Australians with the perfect chance to acknowledge their migrant ancestors, according to Bendigo Bank Chairman Robert Johanson.

Launched this morning in Canberra by Federal Minister for Local Government, Territories and Roads Jim Lloyd, and sponsored by Bendigo Bank, Immigration Bridge Australia, will be one of the most spectacular and beautiful bridges ever constructed in Australia.

Built to recognise and celebrate the significant contribution migrants from across the world have made to Australia, the footbridge will span 400 metres across Canberra’s magnificent Lake Burley Griffin.

Speaking today at the bridge’s national launch by Federal Minister for Local Government, Territories and Roads Jim Lloyd, Mr Johanson said Bendigo Bank, one of Australia’s top 150 companies, was proud to be the principal sponsor of the exciting project.

“Our company was formed in Bendigo, in country Victoria, in 1858 by local people – many of them migrants themselves,” Mr Johanson said.

“They wanted to help create a successful, sustainable community, and it was those very same ideals that have brought hundreds of thousands of migrants from 210 countries to Australia since 1788,” he said.

“Today Bendigo Bank, and the Bendigo city itself, still have a strong association with our immigrant history, with many Chinese, German and Cornish descendants.

“As an organisation, we value the contribution migrants have made, and continue to make, to cities and towns throughout Australia.

“Our sponsorship of Immigration Bridge Australia is our way of recognising their legacy while at the same time celebrating our own forebears for laying the foundations of our company.”

Mr Johanson encouraged Bendigo Bank customers, and the communities that the bank supports, to get involved with the project.

“As part of Immigration Bridge, the History Handrail project will provide the public with the chance to purchase a section of handrail to acknowledge their migrant forebears - I encourage all Australians to get behind the project and honour their family history.

“Locally, we will also encourage staff in our 360 branches across Australia to celebrate the contribution migrants have made to their communities.”

Mr Johanson said application forms for the History Handrail project were available from all Bendigo Bank branches.