A Celebration Of Community Spirit

On Monday, May 27, the Home Hill & Ayr Community Banks hosted their annual Community Grants Presentation Night, gathering the community to highlight the bank’s dedication to supporting local initiatives and celebrate significant milestones in their journey.
This year, 39 organisations received a total of $369,557 in grants, supporting areas like Youth Services, Sporting Facilities, Mental Health and Wellbeing, Community and Cultural Facilities, Environment, and Employment, on top of an additional $35,750 already distributed throughout the year.
South Burdekin Community Financial Services Limited Chairman Darren West opened the evening by recognising the contributions of his fellow directors, all volunteers, with three having served since the bank's inception.
He also acknowledged Senior Branch Manager Chantel Michielin, the dedicated staff of both branches, and special guests including Burdekin Shire Mayor Pierina Dalle Cort, Deputy Mayor Max Musumeci, and Councillor John Furnell.
Mr West provided a brief history, recalling the bank's formation in 2003 when a group of community-minded volunteers initiated a steering committee to establish a Bendigo Community Bank in Home Hill.
Despite the challenges of the Global Financial Crisis, the bank steadily grew, gaining a loyal customer base and ultimately took over the last remaining major bank in Home Hill in 2011.
The bank's move to the new Home Hill location in 2015, within the IGA complex, significantly enhanced customer interaction.
In 2016, the bank acquired the Charters Towers portfolio, followed by the purchase of the Ayr branch in 2017, which brought in a diverse customer base.
In 2021, the bank expanded by taking on the Agribusiness portfolio for Ingham, and in 2022, it acquired the Bowen branch, further increasing customer engagement.
Highlighting the essence of a Community Bank, Mr West mentioned the first community contribution in 2008, a modest $1,075, which has since grown substantially.
“The whole idea of a Community Bank is to provide banking services to our communities, to generate profits that are then distributed back into those communities,” he said.
“We have injected a total of $1,491,554 into our community through grants, sponsorships, and dividends.
“This has only been made possible by the support from our Home Hill, Ayr and Bowen communities and those people and organisations that have decided to bank with us.”
Mr West concluded with a call to action, encouraging the community to bank with Community Banks to further increase funding opportunities.
“Imagine the volume we could create and how much extra funding we could provide to the community going forward,” he urged.
The evening then proceeded with the presentation of individual cheques to each organisation, with representatives sharing how the funds will benefit their projects and the community.

The community gathered for the presentation of Home Hill & Ayr Community Banks Community Grants earlier this week. Photo credit: Chantel Michielin

2024 Community Grant Recipients
Home Hill Chamber of Commerce
Ayr Golf Club
Burdekin Art Society Inc
RSL Sub Branch Home Hill
Burdekin Football Club
Millaroo State School P & C Assoc
Ayr Rifle Club
Lower Burdekin Landcare Association
Home Hill Cricket Club
NQ Employment
Burdekin School
Home Hill Tennis
Home Hill Golf Club
Brandon Bowls Club
Home Hill Choral Society
Ayr Pastoral, Agricultural and Industrial Assoc Inc
Home Hill Boat Club
Burdekin Sub Branch of the Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia Inc
Rita Island Progress Association
Zonta
Burdekin Netball Association
Burdekin Men's Shed Association Inc
St Stephen's Greek Community of Home Hill & Ayr
Burdekin Potters
Jarvisfield Primary P&C Association
Home Hill Community Kindergarten
Burdekin Artisan Community Association Inc
Lower Burdekin Celtic Dancing Association
Burdekin Community Association
Burdekin Chaplains
Burdekin Junior Rugby League Football Club Inc
Home Hill State School P&C
Ayr Surf Lifesaving Club
Burdekin Brass Band
Burdekin Junior Eisteddfod
Bowen Seagulls Rugby League
Bowen Netball Association
Ayr Tennis Association
Burdekin Neighbourhood Centre

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