Monbulk and District Community Bank manager Troy McDonald and chairman Dave Moore hand a $500 cheque to In Schools Music musical director Andrew McAlister and his Hills Youth Jazz Orchestra, Farron Oates, Ellie Lamb, Stewart Stevenson, Robert Mercer, Stephanie Bruce, Kelly Eramus, Jayden Burridge, Emily Powell, Georgie Davies, and Krys Recke.
By Casey Neill
MONBULK’S community bank is now open for business, and looking to the town for support.
But Monbulk and District Community Bank chairman Dave Moore said the branch will return this support.
The bank will pump all surplus funds back into local projects.
At the branch opening on Tuesday 7 February, Mr Moore said: “We wouldn’t be here today without the initial efforts of the Mount Evelyn Community Bank, who brought together people from various bodies within Monbulk to see if we could open an agency of their bank.”
A steering committee was formed from that meeting.
“Our committee decided that the return to the people of Monbulk would be greater if we formed our own community bank,” he said.
“With help of Bendigo Bank we embarked on a journey to bring the bank into being.”
Mr Moore thanked directors Barry Adshead, Matt Blom, Jim Bras, Lisa Doolan, Tim Koelewyn, Leo Koelewyn, Peter Koomen, and Terry McHutchison for giving their time to the project.
He also recognised the steering committee members who could not stay on as directors, Klaus Eisele, Marilyn Sabec, and Chris Truscott.
Mr Moore said branch manager Troy McDonald has many years experience in the finance industry.
“And he also has a desire to build and support Monbulk,” he said.
Mr McDonald said the bank could not succeed without support from the town. “The reason we’re here is to support you and your community,” he said.
Chandler Ward councillor and mayor Graham Warren said residents had put in a lot of hard work over the past three years to bring the project to life.
He said the bank had a strong commitment to the community and would always be looking for opportunities to return funds to the town.
“I’ve got no doubt it will be a successful branch,” he said.
Bendigo Bank state manager Vicki Pearce encouraged community members to put their hands up for the cash.
At the opening, the In Schools Music program received the bank’s first donation – $500 – as its Hills Youth Jazz Orchestra performed.
The program’s musical director Andrew McAlister said: “It was great to be part of such a special community event with the opening of the new branch of the Bendigo Bank in Monbulk.”
He said the donation was greatly appreciated.
“Music for this band costs $100 for every song, as it needs to be written out for each instrument,” he said.
“With songs lasting three minutes, music does really add up.”
The band’s community performances last year included the Monbulk Anzac Day parade.
In Schools Music runs an extension instrumental music program from 10 local primary schools including: Macclesfield, Kallista, Upwey, Tecoma, Selby, Emerald, Belgrave South and The Patch.
“This senior ensemble provides an important role model to the three more junior bands,” Mr McAlister said.
