The Upwey Community Bank branch turns 20 in October and is celebrating its achievements in the lead-up to the day.
“We started celebrating a few months ago through a staff grants program which has been really well received,” chairman John Waters said.
“Staff got to choose which a not-for-profit group they wanted to donate $1000 to from the bank.
“They have then been surprising these groups with the presentations.
“In addition to this we are currently running a defibrillator grant program which has also created a lot of interest.”
Mr Waters said the bank team also had several celebration events planned in October.
Project Upwey, a group of outstanding locals who are doing great things in Upwey, are organising the Foothills Festival which will be held on Sunday 21 October.
“We will be part of those celebrations, opening our Business Centre from 11am to 1pm to share with everyone what we have done over the past 20 years,” Mr Waters said.
The festival will feature a children’s stage, roving street performers, skate demonstration, inflatable disco and grassroots market, and the local restaurants and cafes will be open for business.
“So if you haven’t been to Upwey for a while, come and see what our fantastic town has to offer – a great day out!” he said.
The bank has achieved many milestones in the past 20 years, and senior group manager Mike Fleming, who has been with the bank from the opening, is proud to be have been part of the success.
“The progression of the Community Bank model since 1998 has been a great accomplishment,” he said.
“Not only for the pioneer boards, like ours, to set up a bank and make it profitable and then be able to give money back to the community, it’s a great achievement.
“This has now occurred across Australia – the reality is that the opening of community bank branches has helped towns survive – it’s just outstanding.”
Mr Fleming said Upwey was among many towns left without a bank in the late 1990s.
“With the efforts of local people like inaugural chairman Peter Marke and fellow director Karel Coxhill, who are both still directors with our company, we were the first urban Community Bank to open its doors,” he said.
“Twenty years later, $4.5 million has been given back to our communities through grants, sponsorships and dividends to mostly local shareholders.
“Hundreds of community groups and over 1500 projects have been assisted in a variety of ways, from prizes for a trivia night to a community bus at the RSL to seed funding for new community buildings.
“And the future is looking good for our group, now with $440 million in business – we are looking forward to the next 20 years.”
