Community Bank Gisborne and District is celebrating its contribution to building thriving communities, with $518,718 returned to the southern Macedon Ranges, funding 46 projects over the year to June 30, 2025.
Chair of Macedon Ranges Community Enterprises Ltd, the social enterprise behind the bank, Mal Carter said they were proud to be part of the largest social enterprise movement in Australia, returning at least 80 per cent of their profits to the local community each year in the form of grants, scholarships, sponsorships and donations.
“In FY25, our total contributions since our branch opened in 2008 reached $4 million, an incredible milestone that has only been possible thanks to our amazing community — our shareholders who backed our community-built business from the beginning, our dedicated branch team who deliver legendary service every day and, most importantly, our customers who support their local community by banking with us,” Mal said.
Projects supported by Community Bank Gisborne and District in 2024/25 include:
• Sponsorship of the Riddell District Football Netball League
• An emergency generator for Bullengarook CFA
• The Mount Macedon Anzac Day Dawn Service
• The Woodend Winter Arts Festival
Many other initiatives across the Macedon Ranges are also supported by Community Banks in Lancefield, Romsey and Trentham.
Overall, Bendigo Bank’s Community Bank network provided a record $50.2 million boost for grassroots and community building across 9327 projects in FY25, an increase of 23 per cent on the previous year.
More than $416 million has now been returned to communities via donations, grants, scholarships and sponsorships since the inception of the community bank model in 1998, which ensures a portion of the profits from each Community Bank are returned to the communities that have generated them.
