15 years- Canterbury Surrey Hills Community Finance Ltd by Inner East Community Finance Limited

CANTERBURY SURREY HILLS COMMUNITY FINANCE LIMITED

C E L E BR AT I NG 15 Y E A R S A N D $ 5 . 6 M I L L I O N B AC K TO T H E CO M M U N I T Y

CANTERBURY SURREY H ILLS CO MMUNITY FINANCE LIMITED

C E L E B R AT I N G 15 Y E A R S AND $5.6 MILLION BACK TO THE COMMUNITY

Contents 07

Having the right people 40

Message from our Chairman 08

Supporting our community 44

Message from our Founding Chairman

Focusing on youth 56

Message from the Bendigo Bank Chairman

Introduction 14

The people who have led our company

Our companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s journey 16

The people who helped start our branches

Bringing back local banking services

The community organisations we have supported

Message from the Bendigo Bank Chairman Congratulations and happy 15th birthday to everyone connected with Canterbury Surrey Hills Community Finance. You have all achieved a great deal: yy Earned $5 million in surpluses which has been reinvested in local projects, support and facilities, each dollar of which will have generated more activity. yy Built a stronger local community. yy Established a sustainable long term business which can continue to

provide local support. After such success and 15 years later, it would be easy to forget how radical

Expanding the business 27

and prescient were the original idea and effort to create Canterbury and Surrey Hills Community Finance Limited. It took a big leap of faith and financial commitment and a great deal of hard work by volunteers and staff. And it survived a global financial crisis soon after establishing its third branch in Ashburton.

Canterbury Surrey Hills Community Finance Limited is referred to throughout this publication as the CASH Group.

But in a year when the Royal Commission into misconduct in the financial services industry has revealed so much appalling behaviour, your bank and your community are salutary reminders of what our industry should be

Published in 2018 by Canterbury Surrey Hills Community Finance Limited

doing and why it is so important. We exist to help our customers and their

Shop 2, 143 Maling Road, Canterbury, Victoria, 3126, Australia

communities prosper.

Publication production managed by Anna Gration

We have seen a great deal of change in the industry over the past 15 years.

Written by Jennifer Flynn

Customers now expect to be able to transact with their bank instantly

Design by Blick Creative

and securely from wherever they are in the world, and from their mobile

Printed and bound in Melbourne by Bambra

phone. And itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s likely there will be more change than ever before over the

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

next decade as we adapt to the new digital world. So there is a lot to do. Everyone at Bendigo Bank looks forward to working with you.

Copyright Canterbury Surrey Hills Community Finance Limited 2018. The publisher has made every effort to obtain all relevant copyright licences.

Robert Johanson Chairman Above: Robert Johanson is the Chairman of the Bendigo & Adelaide Bank.

Bendigo & Adelaide Bank 7

Message from our Chairman Reflecting on the past 15 years and our company’s success, I’m so grateful to those who enabled this to happen. Firstly, thank you to those in Bendigo Bank, who had the vision 20 years ago

Since the company became profitable, we have returned monies to the

to develop and support community banking, and those who continue to

community across all areas—sporting, disability, aged care or youth to name a

support the model and its success.

few. Importantly, everyone in our community can apply for funding support.

Secondly, thanks to our shareholders who wanted to keep banking present

Our commitment to community and community banking has brought us to

in the shopping strips of Surrey Hills and Canterbury, and then in Ashburton

where we are today. We’ve returned over $5 million to the community and

and Balwyn which by then were seeing the material impact of community

we have a strong business of almost $800 million in footings that continues

banking investment in their community.

to grow. It is a business with firmly entrenched values of caring for the

Thirdly, our staff provide the best service and demonstrate daily the benefits

community and customers at its core.

of banking with a Community Bank®, including caring for our customers’

In the future, we believe we can continue to provide growing support for

needs. They also participate in many of our community activities and attend

our community. We are looking to larger projects and more significant

many sponsored events and functions on the company’s behalf.

support, which will embed community banking even further into the fabric

Finally, but in effort most importantly, I’m very grateful to my fellow

of our community.

Directors throughout the journey so far, and those who participated in the steering committees to open our Community Bank® branches. In particular I want to recognise the efforts of founding Chairman Dick Menting, who was instrumental in bringing banking back to both Canterbury and Surrey Hills. Dick was Board Chairman for 10 years, then became the company’s Chief

Juliann Byron Chairman Canterbury Surrey Hills Community Finance Limited

Executive Officer for a period, and is still an active Director today. Dick and the board’s commitment has been outstanding and together we’ve created a very professional organisation that balances business and community driven objectives.

Right: Juliann Byron is the Board Chairman.

Message from our Founding Chairman

I learned about community banking from the people driving the Warburton campaign and other branches subsequently opened in the Yarra Valley. When David Bradshaw told me that Maling Road’s last bank was going to close, I was ready. The initial phase was obtaining letters of support from locals. Bruce Chisholm, a founding Director, and I spent many days at a card table outside Kenn Buckley’s IGA in Maling Road. I formed many friendships throughout my community banking journey, with many locals but also with many Directors of other community banks. My mentor

Initially, the Bendigo Bank community banking model was driven by the large number of branch closures by the other banks, especially in country Victoria. However, it became apparent very quickly that other factors would drive the rapid expansion of the Community Bank® model. There is the promise of significant investment in community organisations and projects, and the camaraderie of the volunteer Directors who assisted each other in the many facets of community banking.

was Max Papley from Lang Lang. We learned much from each other—Max the very efficient organiser and people person, and me with a long banking background. Our success is largely attributed to two factors: first, the drive of our Directors to make the CASH Group a major funder of community projects; and second, the capacity of two of our Senior Managers, Michael Petering and Nick Coker, to provide great personal banking service to our customers. We have seen many staff come and go, and they all contributed to the personal service that we are known for in our communities. I am very proud that the CASH Group has always been regarded as a forerunner in developing better operations and community involvement. This would not have been possible without the contributions of all of our Directors and staff. In particular, I thank Juliann Byron for the dedication she showed, initially in ‘cleaning up’ our accounting and legal/secretarial requirements. Since becoming Chairman, Juliann has been involved in virtually all changes for the better in the past five years. For a number of years, we have been regarded as the largest Community Bank® group in Australia, because we have the largest amount of business on our books. We are not quite there yet with the amount of funding that we have provided to our communities, but we are closing in on that record as well. Any help that you as a reader can give us, by referring new business, will make our CASH Group even stronger, and increase the assistance we can offer to our communities.

Dick Menting Founding Chairman Left: Dick Menting

Canterbury Surrey Hills Community Finance Limited

was the founding Board Chairman. He is still a Director. 10

The Community BankÂŽ model requires partnerships with local people and community enterprises to provide communities with quality banking services, employment opportunities, a local investment option for shareholders, and importantly, a source of revenue for projects determined by local people.

Introduction When Michael Petering arrived for his interview as the Business Development Manager for a newly established community banking company, he wondered what he’d got himself into. “I knocked on the door of a residential home in Mont Albert, and I was invited to sit at one end of the dining table. At the other end were six interviewers—three Directors from the company and three people from Bendigo Bank,” said Michael. “As I left the interview, I remember thinking I’m not sure how long this role would last—maybe 3 months max,” he admitted. What he’d got himself into was helping build a community banking business from scratch—Canterbury Surrey Hills Community Finance Limited (the CASH Group). The company has lasted considerably longer than 3 months—it is Australia’s largest community banking company and is celebrating 15 years of providing local banking services and supporting the community. This success reflects the commitment of the many people involved in the company—steering committee members, board members, shareholders, staff and indeed the people in the community who bank with one of the company’s branches. It started with the simple aim of bringing local banking services back to suburban shopping strips, and has grown into a social enterprise that’s helping to build strong and prosperous communities. It has a board that is not afraid to try new things, adapting its service model over time to meet customer needs—changing branch opening hours to

“

Above: Michael Petering was the CASH Group’s first Business Development Manager.

reflect demand, hiring Mobile Relationship Managers who can visit customers at their home or business, and upskilling branch staff to build better relationships with customers. The board is also always looking for new ways to foster partnerships with community organisations. “Our community banking model is so innovative—I don’t think people realise just how innovative it is. I’d like to keep innovating. I want us to keep thinking about what our customers need. How can we use technology to service those

It really was a joy presenting the community banking concept at local club events, talking directly with customers and local businesses, but the highlight was presenting at annual general meetings. Seeing so many passionate people getting involved in their local community—it was an honour and a privilege to be a part of.” Michael Petering, former Business Development Manager

needs? How can we use our Community Investment Program to encourage young people to be leaders and entrepreneurs?” said Daizy Maan (Director). In the pages that follow, you’ll read the company’s story. Right: Surrey Hills Community Bank®.

May 1998

November 2001

August 2002

November 2005

July 2008

June 2011

July 2017

ANZ closes its branch on Union Road, Surrey Hills

Feasibility studies are prepared for both the Surrey Hills and the Canterbury Community Bank® branches

Michael Petering is appointed Business Development Manager

CASH Group records $100 million of banking business and over 4000 accounts

CASH Group listed on the Bendigo Stock Exchange

CASH Group records over $323 million in total business

Boroondara Youth Foundation established

November 2011

Gary Johnson is appointed as a second Mobile Relationship Manager

Commonwealth Bank closes its branch on Toorak Road, Hartwell

October 2000 Commonwealth Bank closes its branch on Union Road, Surrey Hills

December 2001 Both Surrey Hills and Canterbury Community Bank® branches assessed as viable

February 2003 The Hon. John Lenders MP (Victorian Government Finance Minister) opens the Surrey Hills Community Bank® Branch Grace Smith is the first customer

June 2006 CASH Group records its first annual year profit and banking business (deposits and lending) exceeds $110 million

October 2008

July 2007

Bank® Branch

The Hon. John Brumby MP (Premier of Victoria) opens the Ashburton Community

June 2017

Rob Hunt (CEO, Bendigo Bank) opens the Balwyn Community Bank® Branch

CASH Group records over $670 million in total business

CASH Group forms the Ashburton Steering Committee

1998–2001

2002–2004

2005–2008

2008–2011

2011–2013

2016–2017

2017–2018

November 2000

February 2002

August 2003

April 2008

July 2009

June 2013

January 2016

June 2018

Surrey Hills Steering Committee forms, and starts seeking pledges to establish a Community Bank®

The Surrey Hills and Canterbury steering committees merge (at the request of Bendigo Bank)

Feasibility study is prepared for the Ashburton Community Bank® Branch

Nick Coker is appointed Senior Manager

CASH Group records almost $450 million in total business

Nick Azar is appointed as a Mobile Relationship Manager

2010

May 2002

March 2016

Canterbury Steering Committee forms, and starts seeking pledges to establish a Community Bank®

Dick Menting is appointed as the company’s first Chief Executive Officer

CASH Group records $728 million in total business and returns more than $5.6million to the local community

July 2001

The Hon. Steve Bracks MP (Premier of Victoria) opens the Canterbury Community Bank® Branch

Canterbury Surrey Hills Community Finance Limited (CASH Group) prospectus is issued

August 2001

Dick Menting is appointed Chairman of the board; David Orford is appointed Deputy Chairman

Commonwealth Bank closes its branch on Maling Road, Canterbury

2001–2002

January 2004 CASH Group makes its first financial contributions back to the community

October 2004 CASH Group breaks even on a cash flow basis

CASH Group forms the Balwyn Steering Committee

2011

Juliann Byron is appointed as

Anna Gration is appointed as the Marketing Manager

Chairman of the board

Feasibility study is prepared for the Balwyn Community Bank® Branch

Bringing back local banking services

“ I had a constant stream of people coming into my family’s real estate office,

Surrey Hills was affected first, when the Commonwealth Bank announced it

and they were angry about another bank closing on our shopping strip [Union

would close its Union Road branch in 2000. A group of concerned citizens met

Road, Surrey Hills].”

at the Surrey Hills Neighbourhood Centre, and formed a steering committee to

Damien Hudson, Director

examine options for restoring local banking services. “My primary concern was getting banking services back on Union Road. People were worried about strip shopping and how it would last without a bank. We

For the CASH Group’s founding Directors, establishing Community Bank® branches was about bringing banking services back to local shopping strips, at least initially.

“ I’d been concerned about bank closures since 1998, when the Commonwealth Bank closed its branch in Hartwell. To me, it was very important that people have access to services like banking, especially elderly people and families with young children.” Bob Stensholt,

wanted to ensure the viability of the Union Road shopping strip,” said Damien Hudson (Director). The committee considered several options when it first formed. Initially, the committee tried to keep the Commonwealth Bank branch open on Union Road. “I stood outside in the drizzle the day after the Commonwealth Bank

Board Deputy Chairman

announced it was closing the branch, collecting signatures to keep it open,”

“ David from the garage contacted me in 2001 when the Commonwealth Bank

petition didn’t work. “The Commonwealth Bank told us it wasn’t that the

announced it was going to close its Maling Road branch. He was concerned about what would happen to Maling Road without a bank.” Dick Menting, Director (former Board Chairman)

remembered Bob Stensholt (Board Deputy Chairman). Unfortunately, the Surrey Hills branch wasn’t profitable, it just wasn’t profitable enough,” explained Damien. Once it was clear the Commonwealth Bank was not going to reverse its decision, the committee considered other options. “We considered a credit union model, but there was no clear path to success. It wasn’t clear who would own the company and how it would operate,” said Damien.

Bank branch closures were a common occurrence during the 1990s and 2000s, as banks rolled out automatic teller machines, phone banking and then eventually Internet banking. As founding Director Bruce Chisholm explained, “These closures weren’t just happening in rural and regional areas; many metropolitan communities were also left without local banking services.” These metropolitan communities included Surrey Hills and Canterbury, in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs. Traders were concerned that bank closures would undermine the viability of local shopping strips. The businesses themselves needed easy access to banking services; and they were concerned that without

alternative. Bendigo Bank had an operational model for Community Bank® branches and a clear process for establishing the branches. There was also a lot of media about community banking at the time. According to Damien, it was the obvious choice. Just 8 months later, the traders on Maling Road in Canterbury were in the same position as those on Union Road. The Commonwealth Bank announced it would close its Maling Road branch in August 2001. Again, people tried to convince the Commonwealth Bank to keep the branch open, but to no avail.

a local bank, fewer people would visit local shops, resulting in fewer customers

“I started another petition, with help from Dick [Menting] and Bruce

and falling trade.

[Chisholm],” said Bob. “We collected some 3,500 signatures and sent them to

“Our surveys showed supporters were angry at the arrogance of the big banks and their tendency not to listen to their customers,” recalled Bruce.

By contrast, the Bendigo Bank Community Bank® model was a clear

David Murray [then Commonwealth Bank CEO] in Sydney. But it didn’t work.”

Above: The Surrey Hills Committee mobilised community action.

The mock funeral on Maling Road

So, local community members formed another steering committee. Dick Menting, who chaired the Canterbury Steering Committee, was involved in

“

establishing the Warburton Community Bank® Branch, so he knew what was involved in setting up a Community Bank® branch.

The traders and businesses are acutely aware of the additional cost of now having to travel to Balwyn or Camberwell to do their banking.”

Both steering committees continued their efforts, attracting supporters and obtaining pledges, which indicated the level of community support for each

More than 150 people turned out for a mock funeral on Maling Road, when the Commonwealth Bank closed its branch in August 2001.

branch. Each committee had to demonstrate it could attract pledges from 300–400 people, and raise around $550,000. Tables manned by steering committee members were a common sight on both Union Road and Maling Road. “Both committees established rosters for people to man card tables,” explained Bruce. “There was usually one on Union Road and one on Maling Road. But we also targeted events like school fairs, sausage sizzles at elections, etc.” Dick Menting was a common face, over the years manning tables from Canterbury to Hawthorn.

“We’re here to mourn the passing of the bank, not to honour it,” said Bob Stensholt, at the time. “The community is sad and angry.

an independent feasibility study. The steering committees had to raise the

everything we can to replace it with a bank owned and run by the community.” A coffin was taken away in a hearse, followed down Maling Road by protestors holding placards and wearing black arm bounds.

Dick Menting, Director

Once they reached their pledge amounts, each committee also commissioned

This hurts the elderly and ignores the disabled. We need to do

money for these feasibility studies. The money was returned if the feasibility Above: The Canterbury community rallied when another bank closed.

studies were successful. However, if the feasibility studies failed, the steering committees lost that money. Luckily, these feasibility studies indicated sufficient banking business for full Community Bank® branches in both Surrey Hills and Canterbury.

Left: Melanie Price helps deliver the Community Bank® surveys.

What is a Community Bank®?

yyCommunity members had to pledge financial support in terms of business for each branch, and reach minimum numbers both in dollar value and the number of supporters before we could proceed to the next stage—conducting an independent feasibility study. yyIf the feasibility study showed a branch was viable, the community

LEFT: The CASH Group released a single prospectus for the Surrey

Canterbury Surrey Hills Community Finance Limited is a partnership between our community and Bendigo Bank. We have a franchise to operate each branch, which means we control the capital in our community and keep the profits in our local area.

Hills and Canterbury branches, and then separate prospectuses for Ashburton and Balwyn.

We oversee the branch, and control operational decisions such as opening hours, staffing levels, the services offered and how profits are distributed. credit risk and provides deposit protection. As part of this partnership, we

Being involved in community banking is a big time commitment. But the local community put $1.1 million of trust in us when we started the CASH Group. That’s a huge amount of skin in the game. It’s a privilege to protect and grow that investment.” Damien Hudson, Director

capital for each branch. yyOur company is led by a board of Directors, made up of committed members of our community. They live locally, many of them work locally, and they’re all involved in supporting local community groups. Over the past 15 years, 31 people from our community have given their time and energy to make CASH successful (see p. 62 for the list of board members). yyOur local community is where we draw our business—the residents

Bendigo Bank provides the banking infrastructure and support, covers the

“

then had to purchase share subscriptions, to provide the start up

share the revenue on banking business with Bendigo Bank. Importantly, CASH is also a partnership with the community. The ‘Community’ in ‘Community Bank®’ is not just a name. Community members have been involved from the start, and community members are still the driving force behind our success: yyEach branch started with a steering committee, comprising committed members of our community. Close to 70 people have been involved

who have home loans and deposits, the local traders who use our business banking services, the community groups (sporting clubs, welfare organisations, community groups, schools and early childhood providers) who bank with us. When our Surrey Hills branch opened in 2003, the company had around 325 customers; we now have 9,355 customers spread across four branches. yyOur local community is also where we invest around 60 per cent of our profits. yyWe create employment in our local area, contributing to continued economic growth. Many of our employees live locally, which means they also spend locally.

in establishing community banking in our area, including the people involved in the West Hawthorn campaign (see p. 68 for the list of steering committee members).

23 22

The idea for the steering committees to merge came from Bendigo Bank. Because the branches were only 1.5 km apart, it was concerned that competition for customers may undermine the viability of one of the branches. Not surprisingly, both committees were originally a little reluctant. Damien Hudson and Bruce Chisholm explained this reluctance: “ The power of community banking is parochialism.” Damien Hudson, Director “ Parochialsm is one of the strengths of community banking. But it can also be a weakness and sometimes it can get in the way. ” Bruce Chisholm, Director Both committees were concerned about how their supporters would feel about the merger. “We asked the residents of Canterbury and Surrey Hills

The company raised $1.1 million in capital from the initial share offer. 2003, by the Hon. John Lenders MP (the Victorian Government’s Finance Minister at the time). A local Surrey Hills resident—Grace Smith—helped cut the ribbon: “Anytime we needed something done to set up the bank, Grace Smith was there to help,” said Damien. “She delivered so many flyers, questionnaires and feasibility surveys around Surrey Hills. When we were opening the branch, I told her I needed her help with a little job. She thought I meant helping with cups of tea, or something like that. She was very surprised when I handed her a pair of scissors and told her that the job was to cut the ribbon.”

and surrounding areas to pledge funds for separate companies. We wanted

The Canterbury Community Bank® Branch opened around five months later, on

to find out if any residents would object to the two committees merging,”

Friday 8 August. Then Victorian Premier, the Hon. Steve Bracks MP opened the

explained Dick.

branch. The next day, the community celebrated with a street festival.

After a couple of months of consideration, the committees merged in early 2002 and released a prospectus for Canterbury Surrey Hills Community

“

The Surrey Hills Community Bank® Branch was opened on Friday 28 February

Left: Grace Smith opens an account at our Surrey Hills branch.

Finance Limited in March 2002. The board consisted of 12 Directors, six from each steering committee: Dick Menting (Chairman) Canterbury

David Orford (Deputy Chairman) Surrey Hills

Colin Fulton

Canterbury

Gary Dowel

Surrey Hills

Heather Brown

Canterbury

Damien Hudson

Surrey Hills

Catherine Charles

Canterbury

Andy McKay

Surrey Hills

Bruce Chisholm

Canterbury

Ann Price

Surrey Hills

Russell Wittick

Canterbury

Bob Stensholt

Surrey Hills

D H Bradshaw, Canterbury Surrey Hills Community Finance Limited Newsletter, Summer 2004/05

The founding Directors agreed the group coalesced very well once the decision to merge was made. “At the end of the day, we all wanted to offer an old fashioned banking service—where our staff have relationships with customers. A place where you’re a person, not just a number,” said Damien.

The convenience of having a bank branch in Maling Road again is a great asset for the local traders. When the Community Bank® branch opened, we decided to transfer our banking over to them. We have been more than happy with the facilities they offer, and find the staff to be efficient, friendly and courteous. We thank them for the personal attention we receive and professional service.”

Left: Then Premier Steve Bracks opens our Canterbury branch.

Finding suitable branch sites

Expanding the business

Under the franchise agreement with Bendigo Bank, franchisees are responsible for finding suitable premises to operate as bank branches. Sometimes, that’s not as simple as it sounds, because the buildings used as bank branches have some strict structural requirements.

Once opened, the Surrey Hills and Canterbury Community Bank® branches flourished. Much of this early success is attributed to the company’s first Business Development Manager, Michael Petering. Michael joined the company in August 2002, and immediately got down to business.

“

I started with the company before either of the branches opened, so I didn’t have an office for the first 6 months. But I had a car, a boot full of application forms and a seat at Dick Menting’s dining table. Fun times, that’s for sure.” Michael Petering, former Business Development Manager

Luckily, the CASH Group quickly secured the former Commonwealth Bank branch site on Union Road for the Surrey Hills branch. Finding a site for the Canterbury branch was not so easy. Initially, the company negotiated to secure the former Commonwealth Bank site on Maling Road. However, negotiations with the building’s owner were very difficult, so the board abandoned this site.

“I was keen to get back to local branch banking, and the idea of a start up

According to Michael, having local shareholders who were passionate about the

opportunity really interested me. I knew very little of the Bendigo Bank

success of their local community bank was instrumental in gaining early traction

Community Bank model, so the community aspect was news to me when I

and success. “In the early days, people would walk down the road, open the door

sat down at the interview,” explained Michael.

and yell ‘It’s great to have you guys here’. Dealing with those local shareholders

“I had to build a portfolio from scratch. Starting with an empty briefcase

was exciting,” recalled Michael.

The company also considered a site on Canterbury Road, but in the end,

scenario was completely new to me and, frankly, refreshing,” said Michael. “We

Newspaper stories at the time reported Michael attracted more than $3 million

agreed on the current site with Australia Post (who owned the site at the

were a small team, and we started with little or no knowledge about Bendigo

in banking business by November 2002 (‘New bank closer’, Progress Leader, 11

time). Tim Warmington, who owns Tim’s Bookshop, agreed to subdivide

Bank systems or processes, but we soon worked it out.”

November 2002). “Michael established a really strong lending book, and lending

his shop.

Building relationships with the locals was the key to Michael’s success. He visited all the traders and businesses in Union Road and Maling Road to discuss their banking needs, and targeted opportunities for new home loans and Top, Right: We used the former Commonwealth Bank site on Union Road (top) and part of the old Post Office on Maling Road (right).

business loans. He did the same with shareholders. And he offered incentives

is so critical to a bank’s success,” explained Dick Menting (Director). “Deposits might stay with a bank for 1–2 years, but lending tends to stay much longer— between 7 and 10 years on average. And many of those original customers are still banking with us.”

for people to switch their banking to the new company—waiving establishment

Over the next few years, the board and the staff concentrated on steadying the

fees, valuation fees, solicitor costs and settlement fees for anyone establishing a

branches, growing banking business and making the company profitable. In

new loan or transferring an existing loan before the Surrey Hills branch opened.

2006, the company announced its first annual profit and paid shareholders their first dividend. “It’s only a minimal dividend, but it’s proof we are on the right track,” said Dick Menting (Director and Board Chairman at the time).

The board was very involved in both building banking business and engaging with the community. “In those early years, we connected with many of the community organisations that we still have strong relationships with today,” recalled Juliann Byron (Board Chairman). “Board members were vital for

Watching the company grow

[Damien Hudson] said traders near the bank had reported a boost in turnover of up to 15 per cent since the branches opened, as well as efficiencies achieved from less travel to banks. Chairman Dick Menting said the continuing growth showed the community had ‘embraced the

telling the community banking story.”

return of friendly and convenient branch banking to the area’.

The board’s composition changed quite significantly in the company’s first

‘Community banks are flourishing’, Progress Leader, 3 November 2003

four years, with new members filling vacancies created when founding Directors left the board. After more than three years with the company, Michael Petering also moved on in 2006. Darren Roche was the company’s next Business Development Manager, followed by Anthony Yeates. It took some to develop a strong financial basis for the Surrey Hills and Canterbury branches, but once it had, the board turned its attention to expanding the business. You see, it had bigger ambitions than just two Community Bank® branches. The first target was Ashburton. Around the same time as the Surrey Hills and Canterbury steering committees were established, a third campaign for a community bank was running in Ashwood. Bob Stensholt and Andy McKay

The long awaited opening of the Surrey Hills Community Bank® was celebrated by over 300 people on the last day of February. … All involved in the undertaking to open the bank were overjoyed to see their efforts come to fruition … ‘The bank is back in town’, Surrey Hills Neighbourhood News, no. 123, April/May 2003

were also involved in these efforts to establish this community bank. The

branch, which the CASH Group would operate. “We considered establishing a sub-branch in the chemist shop on the corner of Warrigal Road and High Street Road,” explained Bob Stensholt (Board Deputy Chairman). “But then the chemist shop changed hands and the new owner wasn’t interested. The Ashwood committee lost momentum, and we were busy with Surrey Hills and Canterbury.”

than 1,000 clients,” Mr Menting said. “We believe that we can reach $30 million by our birthday—and that is what we are aiming for.” ‘A birthday to bank on’, Progress Leader, 16 February 2004

After two years in business, the Surrey Hills and Canterbury community banks have opened more than 3,000 accounts and the branches’ cash flow has entered the black. … The Surrey Hills Community Bank® had opened more than 1,800 accounts and generated about $45 million worth of business since opening its doors two years ago. … The Canterbury branch, which opened in August 2003, had generated about $35 million of banking business and opened more than 1,400 accounts.

proposal proceeded to feasibility stage, but Bendigo Bank did not support plans to open a standalone branch. Rather, it suggested opening a sub-

“The bank currently has just over $27 million worth of business with more

“In only four months, the Surrey Hills branch has already attained nearly $14 million worth of business and is well ahead of its target. Even Canterbury, which is not in full operation, has already achieved more than $3 million in

‘Banks in the black’, Progress Leader, 12 April 2005

The people of Surrey Hills and Canterbury have enthusiastically supported their Community Bank® branches. The company, founded by the

business.” Dick Menting,

community, has achieved $100 million of banking business since opening

Canterbury Community Bank opens’, Surrey Hills

exceeded.

Neighbourhood News, no. 125, August/September 2003

Colleen Gilbert at OfficeSpot says that many Surrey Hills businesses were now doing their banking locally. “This has definitely increased foot traffic, particularly at lunch time,

the two branches in 2003. The milestone of 4,000 accounts has also been ‘$100 million milestone’, Surrey Hills Neighbourhood News, no. 138, October/November 2005

The community based financial institution’s 2005-06 annual report will

which is great news for the Union Road eateries.”

show both bank branches made profits.

‘The Community Bank boosts local shopping’, Surrey Hills

‘Bank moves into profit’, Progress Leader, 4 July 2006

Neighbourhood News, no. 124, June/July 2003

But the desire for a bank in the area didn’t die. The CASH Group was

After 15 months of solid community effort (including manned card tables, of

were willing to switch their banking to us. But our branches in Surrey Hills,

interested in establishing a branch in Ashburton. Not because the area lacked

course), the Ashburton Community Bank Branch was opened on Wednesday

Canterbury and Ashburton were not convenient, especially the lack of parking

22 October 2008 by then Premier of Victoria, the Hon. John Brumby MP. The

on Union Road and Maling Road,” explained Dick. “The solution was to

branch recorded its first profitable month some 21 months later in July 2010.

provide them a shopfront in Balwyn.”

“

banking services—Ashburton had the four major banks operating on High Street.Rather, the board was interested in supporting the many community groups in the area, such as the Craig Family Centre and Samarinda Ashburton

Our company has been the first Community Bank® company to prove that Bendigo Bank Community Bank® branches can compete with all majors present in a metropolitan area.”

Aged Services. “This was the first time in the suburbs of Melbourne that a Community Bank

was proposed for primarily delivering benefits back to the community, rather than banking provision as a driver,” said Gordon McFarlane, former Director. “The plan was to grow the company and the returns to the community.” The CASH Group board established a steering committee in July 2007, formed from community members. Gordon McFarlane chaired the Ashburton Steering Committee, before later joining the board and becoming the company’s Treasurer. Because it was supported by the CASH Group, the new Ashburton branch did not have to raise so much money in pledges—$250,000, not the $550,000 needed for Surrey Hills and Canterbury.

Canterbury Surrey Hills Community Finance Limited Annual Report 2009-10

This achievement was no mean feat for two reasons. The first was the global financial crisis:

So the company went through the process again: establishing a steering committee, obtaining pledges (again, it didn’t need to raise as much money,

“This exciting development [opening the Ashburton branch] happened within

because the Balwyn branch would be backed by the existing branches),

the same week that the world experienced the first labour pains of what we

conducting the feasibility study, getting approval from Bendigo Bank and

all refer to now as the global financial crisis. We witnessed the turmoil of the

then finding suitable premises. “Out came the card tables again, and the

global economic market as sharemarkets tumbled and the bubble burst,”

rosters for steering committee members and board members to man the

Nick Coker, Senior Manager.

tables over our weekends,” remembered Juliann.

The second was Bendigo Bank changing its revenue sharing model with

“The process for Balwyn was actually very quick. We received great support

Community Bank companies, reducing the flow of income from products ®

such as loans. Despite these challenges, the board didn’t stop with Ashburton. The Ashburton branch covered the southern parts of Boroondara, but the board was keen to cover the northern parts of Boroondara.

from our sponsored organisations in Balwyn, as well as the board and the steering committee. The main delay to opening the branch was finding a good location,” said Dick. Rob Hunt, Bendigo Bank CEO and the founder of community banking, opened the Balwyn branch on Friday 18 November 2011.

“We were building relationships with organisations based around Balwyn— around 20 community groups and sporting clubs—which indicated they

Left: John Brumby (then Premier) and Robert Johannson (Bendigo & Adelaide Bank Chairman) opened our Ashburton branch. Above: The community helped us celebrate our Balwyn branch opening. 30

After Balwyn, the company considered a fifth branch. In 2012, the company’s success—growing banking business and opening branches—attracted the attention of a group of local residents who wanted to establish a branch near the corner of Burwood Road and Power Street in Hawthorn. “We joined with the Hawthorn Steering Committee, and with our assistance the campaign gathered pace. We started attracting business, which added to our revenues,” said Dick. “At the time, we considered greater scale through new branches would increase our sustainability and our long term impact on the community,” added Juliann. The hard work of the board and the steering committee continued for several years, but by the end of 2015 it was obvious that the Hawthorn branch would not proceed. “Bendigo Bank decided it would not support another branch,” said Juliann. “We recognised the changes the banking industry was facing, particularly customers’ use of bank branches, and we challenged Bendigo Bank to think differently about its retail service offering. We wanted to develop an alternative to the traditional bank branch that could provide the services local Hawthorn people and businesses needed. It was sad that we were not able to proceed to the intended conclusion.” The company’s efforts to expand the business by opening more branches ended there, but not its efforts to keep growing and supporting the community.

“

… I learnt a lot about the true value of a community as I grew up. … I learnt about the creativity and innovativeness of communities where everyone is pulling together. A lot of the solutions available in the future have to come from within; they have to come from the community getting organised.” Rob Hunt, ‘A bank Director becomes regional messiah’, The Age, 1 October 2002

The company’s current position

$4.1M

$3.7M

The CASH Group is Australia’s largest Community Bank® company, in terms of footings. It currently has $728 million in lending and deposits. The board’s targets for 2017-18 were to increase lending by $71 million and increase deposits by $16 million.

$3.4M $3.1M $2.7M

“The targets the board sets are always greater than what Bendigo Bank wants to achieve. Sometimes, they’re a stretch, but I enjoy

$2.1M

the challenge,” said Nick Coker (Senior Manager). “The board wants to grow the company, so that it can hand back more to the community and make a real difference in the community.”

$1.7M $930K

$708K $391K $62K

Above: Gerard Whateley, Neale Daniher AM and David Parkin speak at a Business Breakfast.

2018

Revenue growth

2003 33

2018

$728M $604M

$489M Footings growth

$378M $268M $167M $110M $58M

$185,082

$672M 6 cents per share

$558M $445M $323M $233M

$185,082 $154,235

Return to shareholders

5 cents per share

When the Ashburton and Balwyn

6 cents per share

5 cents per share

$154,235 $154,235

Total $1,161,549

6 cents per share

5 cents per share

$155,452

branches opened the company

$145M $92M $15M

2003

2017

shares were revalued. Existing

$129,544

Shareholders were issued with

5 cents per share

bonus shares as follows: 1 for 1 (opening of Ashburton) and 1 for 10 (opening of Balwyn)

2 cents per share

$21,841 $21,841

2 cents per share

2007

Canterbury Community Bank® Branch

Ashburton Community Bank® Branch

Above: At our Canterbury branch, you’ll find Shuro Shome (Branch Manager) and Lachlan

Above: At our Ashburton branch, you’ll find James Fernandes, Olivia Chen, Gary Johnson

Quirk. They are joined by Anna Gration (Marketing Manager) and Nick Coker (Senior Manager).

(Mobile Relationship Manager), Evelyn Butler and Kathy Koulouris (Branch Manager).

Above: Every year, Maling Road closes for the Kris Kindl festival, a long standing community

Above: Every year, our Ashburton Community Bank® Branch supports The Edge Community

event to welcome the festive season. There is always plenty of food and rides, and musical acts

Fund’s Easter raffle. The Edge uses the funds to support youth in our local area.

to sing and dance along with.

Above: The Canterbury Football Club used sponsorship to establish a female football team.

Above: Our Canterbury Community Bank® Branch helped BASSCare provide synthetic golf

We also recently funded an electronic scoreboard at the reserve used by both Canterbury

and bowls for residents at Faversham House in Canterbury.

Football Club and the Canterbury Cricket Club.

Above: The Ashburton Village Festival celebrates the vibrant High Street shopping strip and the summer sunshine. The Ashburton Community Bank® Branch is a major sponsor of this

Above: We helped Camcare deliver its ‘Inspiring Warriors’ program that teaches emotional regulation and resilience, being run at Parkhill Primary School.

yearly community building event.

Surrey Hills Community Bank® Branch

Balwyn Community Bank® Branch

Above: The Surrey Hills Music Festival is the premier community music event in the area

Above: Every year, the Rotary Club of Balwyn hosts a special day for children with a disability

and our Surrey Hills Community Bank® Branch is a proud sponsor. Workshops, food, dance

and their families at the Box Hill Miniature Steam Railway. Our Balwyn Community Bank®

and community spirit combine to create this inclusive, engaging festival right in the heart of

Branch has contributed to this special day for many years.

Surrey Hills.

Above: At our Surrey Hills branch, you’ll find Emily Wellesley-Winter, Gary Johnson (Mobile

Above: At our Balwyn branch, you’ll find Dolly Li, Kamna Madan, Dot Tamburrini, Adam

Relationship Manager), Chloe Thomas, Maggie Stamoulis (Branch Manager), Helen Seargent,

Osmani (Branch Manager), Pamela Annells and Madeleine Smith.

Linda Pillay and Tegan Paul.

Above: The KBH Brumbies Hockey Club redeveloped its home ground at Elgar Park, with some help from our Surrey Hills Community Bank® Branch. More than 40 teams play from junior levels through to the Premier League.

Above: Our Surrey Hills Community Bank® has had a long relationship with the Hawthorn Amateur Football Club, providing funds to assist the introduction of female football teams, training programs and equipment purchases.

Above: Our good friends over at the Evergreen Centre have been enjoying the new bus we

Above: The Learning for Life Autism Centre in Balwyn helps children with autism to reach

helped them purchase. They now have safe and private access to all the adventures they

their full potential, with support from our Balwyn Community Bank® Branch.

organise for the active senior citizens at the centre.

Having the right people A network of strong and viable branches throughout the community certainly explains part of the company’s success. But those branches don’t establish themselves or run themselves—people do. The board is one group of people behind the company’s success. Another group of people is the staff.

An innovative and forward thinking board “The CASH Group has a very professional board and a strong skill mix of professionals, which has helped us grow the company,” according to Juliann Byron (Board Chairman). This has always been the case. Bruce Chisholm (former Director) recalled some disagreements with Bendigo Bank at the start of the process: “Bendigo Bank had its process for establishing a Community Bank®, but we didn’t necessarily agree with some of the arrangements. I think it reflected the

The board has a skills matrix, and recruits board members to address any

“

The passion and enthusiasm from the board was a real bonus as a banker. It was so good to work for local people who were so passionate about their community, and volunteering their time to make a genuine difference in their community. It’s part of the job I loved.”

shortages. “It’s always been important that the board members have the experience or skills that the company needed,” explained Juliann. “Our approach is to appoint prospective board members to committees first. It allows people to see the CASH Group in operation, and understand what we do and how we do it. And it means we get to know people and see whether they fit with the company and what we stand for.” It’s true to say that not all Directors really understand the ‘community’ aspect of community banking when they first get involved with the company. “I didn’t really understand the community aspect at the beginning,” confessed Juliann. “My family has a business on Maling Road, so I was interested because I wanted a bank on Maling Road. It wasn’t until I started talking with Dick [Menting] that it made sense to get involved with the community.” But according to Dick Menting (Director), the community aspect is something that Directors pick up pretty quickly.

“Our staff are the professional face of the company. I am constantly impressed by them and their contribution to the community,” said Juliann. Overseeing daily operations is CASH Group Senior Manager, Nick Coker, who joined the company in July 2009. He was already working with Bendigo Bank, running a business banking centre in eastern Melbourne. Part of his job was organising business banking for Community Bank® branches in the area. Nick’s strong leadership has been essential to the company’s success. He brings to the company a depth of experience, and his preparedness to attend many community group functions, both by by himself and with Directors. “I loved the local factor of community banking. When the Senior Manager role with the CASH Group became available in 2009, I saw it as an opportunity to move into community banking. I wanted a role that was more about building relationships with customers,” said Nick. The other frontline staff are the four branch managers, the two Mobile Relationship Managers and 18 Customer Relationship Managers and Officers. Nick and the board have worked very hard to create a ‘one team’ culture across the four branches. Staff can move between the branches, so they

Michael Petering, former Business Development Manager

have opportunities for advancement that are not available at single branch companies. Nick considers himself lucky to have a board that is always considering the strategic objectives and driving change, and looking for ways to meet

background and experience of the people on our steering committees and then

customers’ needs. “We know that people are time poor, and less inclined to visit

our board.”

a branch, so the company employed a Mobile Relationship Manager. Now we have two,” said Nick. “Likewise, we have some multilingual staff, recognising our

Damien Hudson (Director) agreed. “Our board has always been fairly sophisticated.

diverse customer mix. The board immediately saw the value that these staff

We’ve always had lots of well educated people with relevant skills and strong

create for our customers. Rather than ask why would we have staff who can

opinions about how to do things. We put a lot of effort into preparing a prospectus,

speak more than one language, their question was why not?”

to maximise community engagement.” Above: Some of the current Directors and staff helping keep our business strong.

Professional and committed staff

Behind the scenes, the company also bolstered its capacity. Dick Menting

stepped down from his role as Board Chairman and was appointed as the company’s first Chief Executive Officer in 2013, to support the board. At the same time, Juliann took on the role of Chairman. Dick was very active in the community, and spent much of his time building relationships with sponsored organisations. Bob Stensholt was also very involved, managing the marketing and sponsorship activities for several years. However, when Dick retired and Bob returned to full time work, the board took a different approach and appointed a Marketing Manager, Anna Gration. “The size of the Community Investment Program and the number of community groups we dealt with had grown enormously. After Dick retired and Bob’s work commitments grew, board members (with support from managers) found it difficult to engage effectively with our community,” said Juliann. Anna helps manage the Community Investment Program and strengthen relationships with the community groups and organisations the company supports. The board is supported by a Company Secretary and Treasurer. Michael Sapountzis has been the Company Secretary since 2016 and Ian Dinnison is the current Treasurer.

Above: Our board members and staff are driving our success. 42

Group takes a more grass roots approach. We see our relationships with customers and sponsored organisations as partnerships,” said Nick Coker, Senior Manager. “We have business goals, certainly. But we also have social goals, and we see these as mutually reinforcing. Growing our business means we have money available to help the community. And just as importantly, helping the community is how we grow our business. It’s our point of

We need to continue to concentrate on increasing business levels, as through this the bank will be able to establish a significant and powerful grant scheme to redistribute bank profit to the local area, particularly helping not-for-profit organisations who improve the area in which we live. As always, this relies on the support of the local community by using the branches. Our customers can be assured that their decision to bank with us directly benefits the local area.

The CASH Group distributed its first community payments in early 2004. The early contributions were very modest—by April 2006 (around three years

$3.13M

the community.

schools and early childhood services. Indeed, the CASH Group returns 60 per cent of its profits back to the community, via the Community

rewarding. Those small amounts, along with the promise of more, was a great story, with people realising this model had great potential to have

$2.5M

a significant impact locally,” recalled Michael Petering, former Business Development Manager.

$2.3M

But the program quickly gathered momentum. In the 12 months between June 2007 and June 2008, total contributions grew from $50,000 to $500,000.

$1.8M

The figure reached $1 million in July 2010, and now exceeds $4 million. Initially, the organisations that received sponsorships were largely ones with

$1.5M

connections to company Directors, such as cricket clubs, football clubs,

Investment Program. It is so much more than simply handing out money through sponsorships and grants though. It’s about building relationships to build strong and prosperous communities.

$999K

Over time, the company looked to build relationships with a broader range of organisations, and to establish some signature projects, which would build

$509K

the company’s profile. The first of these signature projects were: yyredeveloping the Lynden Park clubrooms (used by the Camberwell Sharks Junior Football Club and the Burwood Uniting Canterbury Cricket Club) yyfunding a new scoreboard at the Camberwell Sports Ground (used by Old Scotch Football Club and Camberwell Magpies Cricket Club).

Daizy Maan, Director

$2.8M

“Seeing real outcomes in the local community, albeit small ones, was very

I think the CASH Group is a social enterprise. We invest 60 per cent of our profit back into the community.”

y Contrib t i ut un

ayments

projects, programs, sporting clubs, disability services, aged care, welfare,

2018

$3.7M

after the Surrey Hills branch opened), the company had returned $15,000 to

neighbourhood centres, scout groups and schools. Every year, the CASH Group makes an extraordinary contribution to community

$4.46M

“

nP io

Dick Menting, ‘$100 million milestone’, Surrey Hills Neighbourhood News, no. 138, October /November 2005

difference in a crowded banking space.”

Cumulative community contribution payments

“Banking, generally, is about making money for shareholders. The CASH

Tot a l Com

Supporting our community

$230K $41K

$4.46 million

Pre-2007 44

Getting noticed in the community

Building a new community resource “Redeveloping the pavilion at Lynden Park was our first big example of leveraging a significant community project,” said Bob Stensholt (Board Deputy Chairman). “Dick [Menting] and I spoke with Vince Haining (Director

A challenge for the company from the beginning has been getting the community to notice what it’s doing. “We really need ways to ensure the community is aware of what the CASH Group can provide,” said Juliann Byron “We’re good at generating this recognition internally, but we need to get our stories noticed externally.”

Infrastructure, City of Boroondara), to get council support.” The CASH Group distributed around $110,000 between Lynden Park’s tenants—the Burwood Uniting Canterbury Cricket Club (summer tenant) and the Camberwell Sharks Junior Football Club (winter tenant). The council provided the rest of the funding.

The company signed 10 year agreements with the grounds’ tenant clubs— the Camberwell Magpies Cricket Club (summer tenant) and the Old Scotch Football Club (winter tenant). Under the agreements, the company agreed to fund the scoreboard, while the tenant clubs pledged to acknowledge the CASH Group’s contribution, via advertising, and by the clubs and their members banking with the company. Old Scotch Football Club President at the time, Tim Shearer, had this to say: “Each party has made a long term commitment to each other. The Community Banks are making a long term commitment to the tenant clubs … and the tenant clubs have made a 10 year sponsorship pledge to the Community Bank®. The Old Scotch Football Club is genuinely delighted to be working with the Community Bank® who have a wonderful sense of community spirit and understand the great work that local sporting clubs do for the community at large.” Some 12 years later, the CASH Group will fund a new scoreboard for Camberwell Sports Ground. Andrew Whittaker, Director and Chair of the Community Investment

One option is major sponsorship projects, such as the Lynden Park and Camberwell Sports Ground redevelopments.

and Marketing Committee explained why: “We have a long standing and strong relationship with the Old Scotch Football Club and Camberwell Magpies Cricket Club, both tenants of the Camberwell Sports Ground. Our partnership has been mutually beneficial with members and supporters of Above: Helping build the Lynden Park pavilion was our first large community investment.

both clubs choosing to bank with our branches and we have been able to provide funding to support their projects”.

Putting a ton on the scoreboard

In February 2006, the CASH Group announced it would provide $100,000 to build an electronic scoreboard at the Camberwell Sports Ground. “With its significantly improved financial position, the Community Bank® is making the important and long awaited transition from smaller support to substantial and powerful community assistance,” said Leigh Smith (Director) at the time.

Right: The Camberwell Sports Ground scoreboard was another large community investment.

“Community banks rely on a few dedicated people who spend time with sponsored organisations, developing relationships which then attract customers,” said Bob Stensholt. “The most successful relationships are still the ones where a Director or a manager is closely involved with the organisation. Increasingly, it’s our managers that are building these relationships—our Senior Manager Nick Coker, our business development managers Nick Azar and Gary Johnson and our Branch Managers Shuro Shome (Canterbury), Kathy Koulouris (Ashburton), Maggie Stamoulis (Surrey Hills) and Adam Osmani (Balwyn).” According to Nick, keeping a community organisation engaged comes down to its committee. “We really need advocates within each group— people who lead by example, by switching their banking to a CASH Group branch, for example,” he said. “Much of our efforts with sponsored organisations is to establish and foster relationships with these advocates.”

The second success is when sponsorship has a big impact on the recipients. The buses for Belmore Special School, Alkira, Samarinda, Burke and Beyond etc. are good examples. “These buses make such a difference to the lives of the people who use them,” said Nick. “It’s a thrill to see children with disabilities have opportunities to go on excursions, for example. It’s something they wouldn’t have been able to do otherwise. Sometimes these sponsorships don’t generate much direct business for the CASH Group; they are just the right thing to do.” “The board recognises that forging strong ties with sponsored organisations— be they sporting clubs, community groups, schools—is a business opportunity. But, we also need to support those organisations because they support those in need,” agreed Juliann Byron (Board Chairman). “The company is looking for deeper engagement with the community,” said Juliann. “We’re always looking for ways to create new partnerships with local community groups, especially with the fall in face-to-face banking services. We need to ensure we can spread our message even though we have fewer opportunities to see people and explain how community banking works,” she explained.

“

It’s not always about the amount. It’s about the impact of that sponsorship. In the early days we gave the Ladies Probus Club of Surrey Hills around $100. They were so excited because it helped fund some of their activities.” Damien Hudson, Director

The board has definite plans for the future. “For the past few years, we have been accumulating some funds for capital programs,” explained Juliann. “We

Helping some of our community’s vulnerable people Over the years, the CASH Group has helped many community welfare organisations, such as Burke and Beyond (for people with special needs), Samarinda Ashburton Aged Services (for elderly people), Camcare, the Belmore School (for children with special needs), Alkira (for people with special needs) and the Balwyn Evergreen Centre (for elderly people). Burke and Beyond got involved with the CASH Group, via Dick Menting

know about a couple of projects, which if they proceed, give us an opportunity

(then the Board Chairman).

to be involved. This type of community commitment keeps us relevant to the community and our customers.”

“Dick Menting approached us, and asked if we would be interested in having the CASH Group sponsor us. Government funding doesn’t cover large capital expenses, so we rely on private funding. We accepted CASH’s offer

The board sees two kinds of success when it comes to sponsorships.

and transferred our banking to the Community Bank® at the same time,”

The first success is when sponsorships lead to business growth. This kind of

explained Bruno Cyr, Burke and Beyond’s CEO.

relationship often happens with sporting clubs, especially those with big membership bases. The company has identified a number organisations

“With that initial $55,000 donation, we bought a vehicle for our Canterbury

that it has really good relationships with, and is focusing on getting staff out

service. It meant we could take our clients, who have an intellectual

to meet with these groups, to keep those relationships going.

disability, to various activities. Last year [2017], the CASH Group donated another $33,000, which we put towards another vehicle.”

Above: Children from St Paul’s Anglican Kindergarten in Canterbury 48

are creating masterpieces for the kindergarten’s annual art show.

49 49

Mark Zentgraf (CEO, Samarinda Ashburton Aged Services) told a similar story. “Samarinda Ashburton Aged Services has had great support from the CASH

The company also helped Camcare to purchase a car that’s used by staff and volunteers.

Group. Initially it was two buses—one for Samarinda Lodge and one for

“Support from our local Community Bank® branches means we can help

Ashburton Support Services. Just this year [2018], they approved $60,000

some of Boroondara’s most vulnerable people,” said Jane Broadhead (CEO,

for a new bus with a wheelchair lift. The buses mean people can go on

Camcare). “Our Bouncing Back and Evolving program is a good example.

excursions, and be picked up and taken home from activities or lunches

Our aim is to help women affected by family violence to understand the

either at the Seniors Centre or at Elsie Salter House, our day program for

effects of abuse on them and their children. We also want to help them

those with memory loss,” said Mark.

identify and build on their strengths; help them to be more assertive and

“Samarinda began a relationship with the CASH Group and several of our

give them strategies to help in their long term recovery.”

committee members were on the Ashburton Steering Committee. Two

A more recent relationship is with the Boroondara Cares Foundation. The

of our CEOs have had home loans with Ashburton as well. One of them,

CASH Group sponsors the CHANCES Scholarship Program, which helps

Katrina, is in the CASH video saying ‘our home loan got Samarinda a bus’

talented and motivated young people to overcome barriers to educational

(meaning her family home loan!),” he said.

success. The program aims to provide opportunities and support for young

“Samarinda has always sought funding and donations from many sources, but our relationship with the CASH Group is a community partnership that was very attractive. Each helps the other—very much in line with Samarinda’s motto ‘locals for locals’”.

people who are experiencing financial disadvantage and social isolation. A recipient, Emelia, for example, has been cast to give a monologue as Anne Frank through her Arts Company. She couldn’t have done this without her CHANCES scholarship.

Camcare is another local organisation with whom the company has a strong relationship. Camcare helps people in the community through times of adversity, such as unemployment, ill health, financial stress and hardship, relationship difficulties, homelessness and security issues. Its services include child, youth and family services, wellbeing and support services, information and practical assistance. In 2018, the CASH Group contributed $60,000 to help Camcare support vulnerable families in Boroondara via programs such as: Right: Our Community

yyBouncing Back and Evolving program, for women affected by

Investment Program is

family violence

helping create a more

yyEmotionally Resilient and Connected Students (ERACS) program, which

inclusive community.

supports young people vulnerable to or showing signs of disengaging from school. Above: We helped Camcare purchase a car, so that staff can visit some of Boroondara’s most vulnerable people.

Supporting our community’s diversity The CASH Group has supported around 280 community organisations in the past 15 years These groups fall into four main categories:

Community support

Sporting clubs

This category includes aged care and seniors services, and welfare and

We support clubs that provide opportunities to all ages, gender

disability support services.

and ability. In recent years, football and cricket clubs have received

With the [Community Bank®] contributions, more children have been supported by The Edge Community Fund, allowing them to attend school camps, receive assistance with school requirements and kinder fees, and miss out on.

would have struggled to meet the minimum standards required

Anne Bishop (Coodinator), The Edge Community Fund

by Football Federation Victoria. With your help, we have delivered

This part of our Community Investment Program includes special interest

We support school and preschool events and functions, and fund purchases

groups, community and trader events, and our investment in youth programs.

such as equipment and sporting goods. We fund a leadership program,

The Boroondara Emergency Services Award recognises Emergency

We also have several school banking programs.

[Community] Bank®. In a landscape which at times is barren of suitable sponsors, the Bendigo [Community] Bank® continues to be a reliable friend and partner. Robert Lambert (Community Chair), Yarra Bend Rotary Club

The Bendigo [Community] Bank® has supported our community carols

support.

Without your contributions, our new club [Alamein Football Club]

Education

have proceeded with this award without the assistance of Bendigo

programs. These large clubs also provide significant banking business

attend sporting and other recreational activities that they otherwise

Community groups and events

Services personnel who have given ‘Service Above Self’. We could not

significant contributions to develop girls’ and women’s teams and

volunteer awards and a financial inclusion program at Swinburne University.

Our local Bendigo [Community] Bank® is a big part of our community. We value their support and are thankful for the partnerships they provide, not only in our own school but across our community. We get offers from other financial institutions to join their school banking programs; however none

excellent training and development programs to young women across a broad age group. Jason Williams (Media Manager), Alamein Football Club and Ashburton United Soccer Club

Clubs like [Hawthorn Amateur Football Club] simply could not continue to exist without our partners’ support and we thrive on the mutual benefit the Community Bank® receives from HAFC players and members in exchange for Community Bank® support to HAFC. HAFC prides itself on providing exceptional support back to Community Bank®—especially via members’ home loans. David Clancey (Committee), Hawthorn Amateur Football Club

stack up to the Bendigo [Community] Bank® in terms of commitment to our school and being a true community bank. Travis Paterson (Acting Principal), Surrey Hills Primary School

held in Canterbury Gardens for past 13 years. Their support has allowed us to improve each year with lighting, sound and promotion which also means we are able to attract more of the community each year. Lyn Jerram (Secretary), Canterbury Council of Churches

Right: We’re helping many in our community, both old and young.

Total community contribution

Community groups and events yyCommunity projects $330,000 yyYouth groups $73,279

$950,851

Community groups and events

yyLions / Probus / Rotary

$1,128,484

$196,386 yyTraders

Community support

$138,321 yyOther $212,865

$2,095,478 Sporting clubs

$279,697

Community support

Education

yyDisability $301,607

$1,161,549 Shareholder dividends

$5,616,060 Total

Sporting clubs yyBasketball $122,726 yyBowls $61,317 yyCricket $769,105 yyFootball $614,119 yyHockey $70,626 yyNetball $101,619 yySoccer $150,058 yyTennis $66,698 yyOther $139,210

yyAged Care $276,635 yyOther $550,242

Education yyEarly childhood $34,277 yySchools $222,420 yyUniversity $23,000

Focusing on youth The CASH Group has always been very involved in supporting youth in the community. Just look at the number of youth-related organisations that receive support via the Community Investment Program—schools, early childhood services, university programs, junior sporting clubs, scout groups, and welfare support organisations for young people. And the support is not just financial. Company Directors are also passionate about developing young leaders in our community. The company has three youth projects—the Boroondara Youth Foundation, the Business Boardroom Program and the Magic Moments Youth Leadership and Business Summit. It

CASH Group to be involved, and we agreed. We had

“

I wasn’t confident when I first joined the board, but now I’ve found my feet and my voice. It’s been an amazing learning experience for me, seeing how a publicly listed company operates. It’s very different from what I’m used to. I work in the world of startups, where everything happens so quickly. The CASH Group board is more measured. Everything has a process and I’m learning the value of those processes.” Daizy Maan, Director

foundation seemed a good way of establishing the CASH Group’s presence in the area.” individuals and groups aged 14–25 years who have a ‘community focused’ idea. The grants committee is made up of young people, who decide on which applications will be funded. Under the original for the foundation, while the CASH Group contributed the funding for grants. The Boroondara Youth Foundation effectively stopped when the government funding ended, but when Juliann became Chairman, she was keen to pursue the company’s youth programs. “The board agreed

part of a public company committee. They advise the board and committees, presenting the youth perspective on company activities. They also drive the youth programs now—contacting schools, finding students to be involved in projects, etc.” “The CASH Group gets the benefit of their feedback and ideas on how to better engage with young people,” added Juliann. “The Youth Advisory Committee helped the company improve its social media presence,” agreed Daizy Maan (Director and chair of the Youth Advisory Committee).

and ran a holiday program for refugee families living in Melbourne (supported by the Heathgrove Study Centre and Friends of Refugees Melbourne). Local high school and university students volunteered their time to receive some training and then run the holiday program over two days.

a new facilitator for the foundation. It is one of the few foundations that is still operating and is true to the ‘by youth, for youth’ mantra. Currently, the grants committee has young people from Box Hill High School, Auburn High School and Swinburne

Juliann. “The committee gives them an opportunity to develop their skills as

yy Refugee holiday program—Fifteen young people designed, planned

to support the foundation again, so we employed

“The board felt it needed a way to keep the youth we encounter from our

“We have all this fantastic youth, and we wanted to embrace them,” said

The Boroondara Youth Foundation has supported many and varied programs over the years:

program, the Victorian Government funded a facilitator

High School, Ashwood High School, Camberwell

Chairman). The board recognised the benefits would flow both ways.

Helping young people help other young people

The foundation provides grants of up to $1,500 to

also has a Youth Advisory Committee, established in 2015.

University,” said Juliann.

programs engaged with the company,” explained Juliann Byron (Board

just opened our Ashburton branch, and the youth

‘By youth, for youth’—Boroondara Youth Foundation

The CASH Group is very proud of how the foundation has helped young people in the community.

The Boroondara Youth Foundation was established in 2008, a joint venture between the Victorian Government at the time and the Bendigo Bank. “The youth foundations were related to the Neighbourhood Renewal Program, which targeted areas of disadvantage. Ashburton was one of the targeted areas, because it has some large areas of disadvantage,” explained Bob Stensholt (Board Deputy Chairman). “The Bendigo Bank approached the 57 57

yy Ashwood High School ‘Wake Up Week’—Twenty student leaders

yy Autonomous Fire Ranger—Jonathan (a year 11 student from Bialik

The foundation is also how Daizy Maan first became involved with the CASH

at Ashwood High School implemented the week long event that

College) received a grant to develop his STEM project. The ranger

Group. “Someone from the foundation came to my high school; they were

focused on mental and physical wellbeing. The students ran activities,

combines unmanned aerial vehicles (or drones) and some complex

looking for young people with ideas,” said Daizy. “I didn’t have any ideas, but I

encouraged random acts of kindness and created fun spaces around

software, to automate certain tasks and processes usually only possible

was drawn by the idea of empowering young people. Then right at the end,

the school to boost student morale, increase empathy and build

by flying over an area. The device has huge potential in rural Victoria,

she said they were also looking for volunteers to assess applications, so I put up

resilience and relationships between staff and students. ‘Mindful

where it can look for visual clues about bushfires. Jonathan is working

my hand.”

Monday’, ‘Turn Up Tuesday’, ‘Wind Down Wednesday’, ‘Thoughtful

with Swinburne University and the CFA to further develop his idea.

Thursday’ and ‘Fit Friday’ provided opportunities for fun, connection and reflection.

yy Sustain Me—Eleanor Meyer and Stephen Halpin created a mobile app that explains exactly how to recycle waste, so less of it ends up in landfill. The inspiration came from wondering if it’s possible to recycle broken glass, or whether you can recycle different types of plastic.

“Young people making decisions is very empowering. I learned some really important skills, about managing conflict of interest and the rules of good governance, and some hard lessons too. When you have a limited amount of money, some people will have to miss out. We had to look at the impact each project will have on the community, and only the ones with the most impact received money.” Daizy rejoined the foundation when it was relaunched in 2013. “Seeing her enthusiasm for youth and social enterprise, we convinced her to join the board,” said Juliann.

‘An eye opening experience’— Business Boardroom Program Each year, the CASH Group invites four students from local high schools to find out what’s it’s like to run a publicly listed company, as part of its Business Boardroom Program. The students are involved in a range of activities, such as attending two board meetings throughout the year, attending one committee meeting every month, and visiting Bendigo, to see how head office operates. The students usually come from the accounting/ economics/legal studies subject areas. The program started in 2007, as the Junior Observers Program, with students sitting in on board meetings. “The idea came out of discussions with other Community Bank® companies at various conferences,” said Dick Menting (Director). “We were looking for ways to connect with younger people.” Initially, the program ran for only one year, but then it was revived in 2013. Juliann explained why: “The program aligned with our new youth focus. Then, Geoff Rowles (who was a Director and our Company Secretary at the time) became involved and took it on as his own. The program has been running ever

“

yy Crepes for Change—This social enterprise supports young people who are or are at risk of experiencing homelessness. Via its catering and food vans, the enterprise offers employment and training opportunities for young people experiencing homelessness. All profits also go towards eliminating youth homelessness.

since and is now managed by the Youth Advisory Committee,” she said. More recently, the program has become more immersive. “We wanted students

We focused on applications from young people. We want to help young people to take risks. We need to let them take risks and learn from those experiences.”

to be more engaged in the program. Not just come and sit in on some meetings,” said Daizy. “So, they write a reflection at the end of each meeting, describing what they learned. They also present at the Annual General Meeting.”

Daizy Maan, Director

yy African drum night—“One of my favourite projects was an application from a 14 year old girl, who wanted to run an African drum and dance night in the community. She realised there weren’t enough community events for people from African backgrounds in our community,” said Daizy Maan (Director). 58

Right: Presenting at the Annual General Meeting is one of the skills students develop as part of our Business Boardroom Program.

‘Growing the youth of today into the leaders of tomorrow’ — Magic Moments Youth Leadership and Business Summit

Letting students look behind the scenes The students who have completed the Business Boardroom Program have some very positive things to say about the program.

“Being a part of the Business Boardroom Program throughout year 11 was

“The Business Boardroom Program helped to shape my goals and aspirations

such an eye opening experience. It enhanced my learning by bringing the

for the future. I learnt beneficial skills, such as leadership and professionalism,

textbook to life, allowing me to see how a company operates first hand.”

often not taught in school. This program was an amazing, once-in-a-lifetime

– Tiffany

opportunity that has helped guide my career in accounting and finance. ” – Manon

“The program gave me a solid understanding regarding modern corporate

“The Business Boardroom Program was an incredible insight into the inner

governance and will assist me in pursuing my future career within the

workings of a listed public company. Through the program, I was able to get

business world.” – Emma

a view into the governance and corporate matters of the company, including

In 2013, to further extend the company’s youth programs, the CASH Group started awarding scholarships for young people in the community to attend the Magic Moments Youth Leadership and Business Summit. Every year, young people hear from local and international speakers discussing personal development, leadership and business skills, particularly involving community outcomes.

how all legal and social obligations to stakeholders were managed. The

Juliann had seen the program’s impact while attending a presentation

program was a fantastic opportunity, and has shown me how businesses

evening by neighbouring Community Bank® companies. “The young people

“The Business Boardroom Program gave me great insight into how the

can succeed by building and leveraging strong relationships with their local

who attended the summit gave a very compelling presentation,” recalled

community banking sector operates and functions. I now look forward to

communities.” – Nikhil

Juliann. “So the board agreed to support sending some of our local young

taking this knowledge and not only applying it to the classroom but using

people on the program. As part of our sponsorship arrangement, the young

it in future endeavours.” – Angus

people who attend the summit present their experiences to the board and at the Annual General Meeting, something many of them would not have been able to do before attending the summit.”

Above: Young people learn new skills at the Magic Moments Youth Leadership and Business Summit.

The people who have led our company

Andy McKay

February 2002– February 2006 Andy chaired the Surrey Hills Steering Committee. He wanted to establish a bank, so that elderly

Russell Wittick

February– December 2002 Russell started as a member of the Canterbury Steering Committee. When the company started, he was the business manager at Strathcona Baptist Girls Grammar School in Canterbury. The school was one of

Dick Menting

February 2002–present Dick was the company’s founding Chairman, and previously spent 35 years in banking, finance

the early days, and very generously offered its facilities for public meetings and board meetings.

Heather Brown

establish the Canterbury Steering

February 2002– October 2004

Committee, after one of the local

Heather was a member of the

traders contacted him when the

Canterbury Steering Committee.

Commonwealth Bank decided to

As a trader on Maling Road, she

close its branch on Maling Road. He

was worried about how not having

had been involved in establishing

a bank could affect businesses on

the Warburton Community Bank®

the local shopping strip.

and administration. He helped

Branch. Dick is still a Director.

the company’s main supporters in

people and people with young

Colin Fulton

children would have access to

February 2002– March 2004

local banking services. He was also concerned about local traders, who noticed a drop in business

Colin was a member of the

because people who use banks no

Canterbury Steering Committee.

longer came to Union Road.

He supported the company

Ann Price

because it was a community effort and the profits would go back all the hard work in establishing

February 2002– October 2004

the bank was worth it when the

Ann joined the Surrey Hills

into the community. He felt that

community got behind it.

David Orford

Damien Hudson

February 2002–present

February 2002– February 2009

Damien was a member of the

David was a member of the Surrey

formed when the Commonwealth

Hills Steering Committee, and became Deputy Chairman of the board. He joined the community banking cause because he

Surrey Hills Steering Committee, Bank closed its Surrey Hills Branch on Union Road. He remembers the constant stream of people through his family’s real estate office on

Steering Committee after telling her husband if she wasn’t willing to do something about local banks closing, she should stop complaining.

Bruce Chisholm February 2002– October 2006

of Bendigo Bank) at a school

connect with the local community.

reunion in Bendigo. As one of the

Drawing on her legal and HR

company’s founding Directors, he

background, she drafted many of

February–June 2003

served on the board for four years.

the company’s early governance

Bob Stensholt asked Shane to

Gary Dowel

the board, but left shortly after, when his work took him and his family to Sydney.

later that year, Gary joined and brought with him his experience

John Andricciola

from East Malvern. He was one of

June 2003–June 2005

the founding Directors of the CASH

a good financial position, Gary felt he’d devoted enough of his spare time to the company.

Catherine Charles

Bob Stensholt

February 2002–present Bob started protesting against bank branch closures in 1998, when the Commonwealth Bank closed its branch in Hartwell.

February 2002– September 2003

He helped start the Surrey Hills

Catherine was part of the

many of his constituents. He

CASH Group. She and her family

His interest in community banking

had recently moved to Melbourne

organisations via the company’s

sprang from a conversation he

from Sydney, and the steering

Community Investment Program.

had with Rob Hunt (the CEO

committee was a way for her to

Damien is still a Director.

house. He was then invited to join

Hills Steering Committee formed

a sign in a local business window.

pleasure in helping community

challenging, at Dick Menting’s

opened in 2000). When the Surrey

Steering Committee, after noticing

about losing local banking services.

spreadsheet, which was often

Malvern Community Bank® (which

and later a founding Director of the

to the community. He took great

calculating wages on an Excel

involved in establishing the East

board, and with the CASH Group in

Canterbury branches, given his experience. He remembers

worked in East Malvern, and was

Group. After three years on the

help set up the Surrey Hills and accounting qualifications and

Gary lived in Surrey Hills, but he

Canterbury Steering Committee,

Union Road, who were concerned

to care for her young family.

February 2002– April 2005

Bruce joined the Canterbury

wanted to give something back

policies. She left the board in 2003,

Shane Healy

Steering Committee because the closure on Union Road affected

John and his wife had a small accounting practice in Burwood and he was recruited to help with the company accounts and became Treasurer when Russell Wittick left the board. He left the board when his family moved out of the area. His company still helps with the accounts and he is now on the board of a Community Bank® company where he lives.

joined the Canterbury Steering Committee for the same reason. Bob is still a Director and is Deputy Chairman of the board.

branch when it opened. She

clubs that played at Lynden Park.

and governance and audit

was passionate about giving

The CASH Group became a

committees. She left the board

the community a voice, keeping

major sponsor, as part of the

after a year, to start a family.

business local and fostering

clubroom refurbishment. After

community participation. She put

the refurbishment, Leigh was

her graphic design and marketing

asked to join the board. Ten years

skills to good use as the chair of

later, after having sat on most

the marketing committee.

committees and chairing some, Leigh resigned, feeling it was time

Ern Hermeler

July 2005–July 2006

Juliann Byron

October 2004–present Juliann joined the board as Company Secretary. Her family owns a business on Maling Road, and like many traders, they thought local banking services were important to maintain Maling Road’s viability. Juliann later became the Secretary and Treasurer, and now chairs the board.

Liz Grant

May 2004– October 2009 Liz was one of the first traders on Union Road to transfer all her accounts to the Surrey Hills

Ern had a senior role at the Bendigo Bank for many years. He

for some fresh faces on the board.

Derek Mortimer

Committee. He wanted to offer

May–August 2008 Derek joined the board for a short

after he retired, to share his

period as the Company Secretary,

banking experience and remain

bringing his considerable

involved in community banking.

experience in dealing with the community sector (from working

February 2006–July 2011 Trevor was a Maling Road trader, who brought his considerable marketing and retail experience to the board.

Leigh Smith

January 2007– January 2017 Leigh was the sponsorship manager for the Camberwell Sharks Junior Football Club, one of

September 2008– November 2016

Gordon joined the board after

joined the CASH Group board

Trevor Kempton

Gordon McFarlane

at Moore’s Legal).

Cathy van der Zee September 2008– October 2009

Cathy worked with Dick Menting (at City of Boroondara) and Bob Stensholt was her local member. She’d lived in Ashburton for many years, so accepted when they asked her to join the steering committee to establish a new branch. She later joined the board, sitting on the marketing,

chairing the Ashburton Steering a banking service in Ashburton that wasn’t just about profits for shareholders. He became the Treasurer, and stayed on the board for eight years. He left the board when his family moved out of the area.

Michael Hills

September 2008– March 2010 Michael joined the board after helping set up the Ashburton branch (as a member of the Ashburton Steering Committee). He liked the idea of a bank that would be involved in its local community. And he thought a bank in High Street would also give people a convenient local alternative to existing financial institutions.

Jane Martino

July–September 2009 Jane lived in Glen Iris and had her own marketing company. She brought this experience to the board.

Zoe Hart

Geoff Rowles

April 2012– November 2015

of the board the following year.

be on the foundation’s grants committee, helping to assess funding applications from young people in the community. She now chairs the company’s Youth

Bank so a business associate put

Advisory Committee, and joined

him in touch with Dick Menting.

the board in 2016.

He started as the Company

Zoe had worked with various

on the board, he helped establish a

her to join the board.

was 16, she volunteered to

to the community, via a Community

Secretary in 2010, before joining

so the existing Directors invited

Committee, becoming a member

Geoff was interested in contributing

July–September 2009 community groups in the area,

Youth Foundation. When she

the board in 2012. During his time comprehensive board governance system, and then decided to move on, to allow new people with new

James Grant

ideas to join the board.

February 2017–present

John Grace

March 2011– November 2013

James joined the board in February 2017, after 12 months of helping with special project work.

John was a well known local

Andrew Whittaker

identity. He was a cricket umpire

May 2016–present

for many years, owned a sporting uniforms company and worked

After retiring from full time work

with several local Catholic parish

in various management consulting

offices. He contributed this

and executive management roles,

experience and strong community

Andrew saw the CASH Group as

commitment during his time on the board.

Daizy Maan

an ideal way of giving something back to the community that he

February 2016–present

had lived in for nearly 30 years.

Daizy first got involved with the

2015 as chair of the Community

CASH Group via the Boroondara

Investment and Marketing

He was attracted by the social enterprise model of community banking, and wanted to use his 34 years of experience in the banking sector in a more positive environment. He’s enjoying working with like-minded people, who want to keep the company growing, so they can continue supporting the local community.

He joined the CASH Group in

“

The contribution we make to our local community is extraordinary. Many projects simply wouldn’t have been possible without our support.” Andrew Whittaker, Director

The people who helped start our branches Surrey Hills Steering Committee

Canterbury Steering Committee

Balwyn Steering Committee

Andy McKay (Chair) Ken McAlpine Ann Price Damien Hudson Gary Dowel Peter Lindstrom Bob Stensholt David Orford Michael Kendell Dennis Whelan David Blackwell Richard Chua Boyd Fraser Bridget O’Leary Ian Prescott

Dick Menting (Chair) Janet Clark Russell Wittick Bruce Chisholm Mark Newstead Kenn Buckley Colin Fulton Heather Brown Catherine Charles Graeme Martin Michael Ricketson Mike Headberry John McRae Bob Stensholt

Greg McKie (Chair) Dick Menting John Grace Gary Chan Peter Moran Robert Clark Di Gillies Terry Cheshire Deidre Brown Phil Cramer Geoff Rowles Christopher Miller Nicholas Tragas Peter Knox Tim Petony Tom Hickie Fong Tee Juliann Byron Meaghan Adams Ken McQualter Nick Coker

Ashburton Steering Committee Mary Halikias-Byrnes (Chair) Gordon McFarlane (Chair) Hal Hobbs Cathy van der Zee Allan Clausen Jennifer Easson Coral Hassett Harold Johnston Rebecca Lyster Dick Menting Bob Stensholt Margaret Warland Michael Hills 68

“

West Hawthorn Steering Committee Jeff O’Meara (Chair) Dick Menting Juliann Byron Michael Hallinan Nick Coker Glenys Thomson Graeme Yole Bob Malseed Grant Lancashire Dunan Mansie Mike Feehan Neil Excell Bob Stensholt Susanne Wynd

Establishing the bank brought people together. People who wouldn’t necessarily have even met each other became friends. And many of these connections have endured.”

The community organisations we have supported

Damien Hudson, Director

Ashburton YMCA

Boroondara Scouts

Ashwood High School

Boroondara Symphonic Band

Ashwood Netball Club

Boroondara Youth Foundation

Ashwood School

Bowen Street Community Centre

Atoms Basketball Club

Box Hill / Kew Brumbies Hockey Club

Auburn Bowls Club

Box Hill Athletics Centre

Australian Electric Traction Association

Box Hill Ballet Association

Australian Youth Band

Box Hill Cricket Club

Camberwell Grammar Friends of Kayaking

Box Hill Miniature Steam Railway Society Incorporated

Camberwell Grammar School Friends of Hockey

Box Hill RSL Bowls Club Box Hill Tennis Club

Camberwell Grammarians Theatre Company

Box Hill U3A Inc

Camberwell High School

Box Hill United Soccer Club

Camberwell Hockey Club

Box Hill/Canterbury Chess Club

Camberwell Lacrosse

Balwyn Cricket Club

A Alamein Football Club Alamein Neighbourhood and Learning Centre

Balwyn Evergreen Centre Balwyn Football Club Balwyn Junior Football Club Balwyn Primary School

Alkira

Balwyn Traders Association Inc

Amaroo Neighbourhood House

BassCare

Angel Babies Foundation

Belmore Special School

Ashburton Bowls Club

Boroondara Cares (formerly Foundation Boroondara)

Ashburton Community Centre Ashburton Girl Guides Ashburton Primary School Ashburton Support Services Ashburton Traders Association Ashburton United Junior Football Club Ashburton United Soccer Club Ashburton Uniting Tennis Club Ashburton Willows Cricket Club

C Camberwell Area Multiple Birth Association Camberwell Central Bowls Club Camberwell Dragons Basketball Club Camberwell Girls Grammar School

BUGS Gymnastics Bulleen Cricket Club Burke and Beyond Burwood Bulletin Burwood Cricket Club

Boroondara Chinese Senior Citizens Association

Burwood District Bowls Club

Boroondara Cricket Club

Burwood Tennis Club

Boroondara Eagles Football Club Boroondara Family Network

Burwood Uniting Canterbury Cricket Club

Boroondara Hawks Junior Football Club

Burwood Village Traders’ Association

Burwood Neighbourhood House

Boroondara Netball Association Boroondara Park Primary School

Camberwell Magpies Cricket Club Camberwell Sharks Jnr Football Club Camberwell South Netball Club Camberwell South Primary School Camberwell United Tennis Club CamCare Canterbury and District Preschool Canterbury Community Action Group Canterbury Cougars Basketball Club Canterbury Council of Churches Canterbury Cricket Club Canterbury Football Club Canterbury Girl Guides Canterbury Girls Secondary College Canterbury Junior Chess Club Inc. Canterbury Junior Football Club Canterbury Norwood Baptist Kindergarten

E East Burwood Football Club East Burwood Junior Football Club East Camberwell Baptist Church East Camberwell Tennis Club East Malvern Golf Club Eastern Cricket Association Eastern Cricket Umpires Association Eastern Football League Eastern Lions Soccer Club Eltham District Horse and Pony Club

F Fight MND Fintona Girls School First Balwyn Scout Group First Glen Iris Scout Group

Canterbury Tennis Club

Florence Road Pre School

Canterbury Toy Library

Friends of Ashburton Train Station

Ceres Calisthenics Club Inc.

Friends of Back Creek

Chatham Primary School

Friends of Same Inc.

Country Women’s Association

Friends of Wattle Park

Hawthorn Amateur Football Club Hawthorn Basketball Association Hawthorn Bowling Club Hawthorn Citizens Junior Football Club Hawthorn Community Garden Hawthorn Cricket Club Hawthorn Magic Jnr Basketball Hawthorn Rowing Club Highfield Rd Uniting Church Tennis Club Holy Trinity Anglican Church Surrey Hills

CWA Boroondara Branch

Inner Eastern Community Road Safety Council

Deepdene Uniting Cricket Club Down Syndrome Australia

Interchange Inner East

Nunawading Football Club

K Kew Swimming Club

St Mary’s Salesian Amateur Football Club

St Michaels Primary School

Unit Committee TS Melbourne Inc.

Rossbourne School Rotary Club of Balwyn Rotary Club of Box Hill Central Rotary Club of Box Hill Inc

Learning For Life Autism Centre

Old Carey Grammarians Association

Rotary Club of Hawthorn

Life Education Victoria

Old Carey Grammarians Football Club Old Scotch Collegians

Rotary Club of Mont Albert & Surrey Hills

Old Scotch Cricket Club Old Scotch Cycling Club

Mad Cat Theatre Company Magic Moments Foundation Male Bag Foundation Maling Precinct Protection Group Maling Probus Club Maling Rd Business Association Marcellin Old Collegians Cricket Club MCC Kew Sporting Club Melbourne Ballet Company Men’s Arthritis Self Help Group Mont Albert Primary School Mont Albert Village Traders Association MPL Squash Inc

The Pearl Project

Roberts McCubbin Primary School

Rotary Club of Glenferrie

The Edge Community Fund Inc

St Kevins Old Collegians Cricket Club

Lac Viet Performance Group

Lynden Park Scouts

St Dominics Primary School

Roaring 40s AFL 9s Football Club

Old Camberwell Grammarians Football Club

Lions Club of Box Hill

St Barnabas Cricket Club St Dunstans Anglican Church

Rotary Club of Camberwell

St Augustine’s Anglican Kindergarten

Riversdale Soccer Club

Mont Albert Cricket Club

Koonung Heights Netball Club

Northern Suburbs Fly Fishing Club

Greythorn Park Tennis Club Inc

Crepes for Change

Deepdene Bears Cricket Club

North Balwyn Tennis Club

Greythorn Falcons Junior Football Club

Craig Family Centre

North Balwyn Netball Club

Glen Iris Rd Uniting Church & Community Centre

Hartwell Uniting Cricket Club

Nazareth Care

Richmond Central Amateur Football Club

North Balwyn Inter Church Council

Glen Iris Primary School

Hartwell Childcare Association

North Balwyn Cricket Club

Glen Iris Junior Football Club

N North Balwyn Combined Cricket Club

Elgar Park Cricket Club

Canterbury Scouts

City of Camberwell Tennis Club

Friends of South Surrey Park

Rotary Club of Canterbury

St Pauls Kindergarten

Trinity Willison Cricket Club Inc

St Tom’s Hope Ltd

STC South Camberwell Cricket Club

Victoria Police

Strathcona Baptist Girls Grammar

Victorian Obedience Dog Club

Summerhilll Park Kindergarten Surrey Hills Baptist Children

Surrey Hills Cricket Club

Wattle Park Primary School

Surrey Hills Ladies Probus Club

Waverley Bridge Club Inc

Rotary District 9810

Surrey Hills Music Festival

Waverley District Netball Association

Rowen Street Kindergarten

Surrey Hills Neighbourhood Centre

Waverley Hockey Club

Surrey Hills Netball Club

Whitehorse City Council

Surrey Hills Primary School

Old Trinity Grammarians Amateur Football Club

Samarinda Ashburton Aged Services

Surrey Hills Progress Association

Whitehorse City Friends of Decussy Enclave

Sauzal Folkloric Dance Group

Surrey Hills Traders Association

Our Holy Redeemer Primary School

Scotch College Junior School

Surrey Hills Uniting Church T/C

Our Lady’s Primary School

Scotch College Rugby Union

Surrey Park Football Club Surrey Park Junior Football Club

Scouts Australia - Camberwell Showtime

Parkhill Primary School

Scripture Union Victoria

Surrey Park Sporting Club

Pied Piper Toy Library

Second/Seventh West Waverley Scout Group

Surrey Park Swimming Club

Solway Primary School

Swinburne Senior Secondary College

South Camberwell Basketball Club

Swinburne University

South Hawthorn Tennis Club

Swinburne University Amateur Football Club

Old Scotch Soccer Club Old Scotch South Yarra Football Club

Playstation Incorporated Power Neighbourhood House Probus Club of Ashburton Probus Club of Balwyn Central Probus Club of Canterbury

South Yarra Football Club

Surrey Park Lacrosse

Swinburne Football Club

Whitehorse Colts Junior Football Club and Netball Club/Pioneers Senior Football Club Wyclif Cricket Club

Y Yarra Bend Rotary (formerly Rotary Club of Kew) Yarra Gospel Incorporated

Spina Bifida Foundation Victoria Inc.

supportingourcommunity.com.au

Branch Contact Details

Canterbury Community Bank速

Ashburton Community Bank速

Surrey Hills Community Bank速

Balwyn Community Bank速

Shop 2, 143 Maling Road, Canterbury, VIC 3126

241 High Street, Ashburton, VIC 3147

107 Union Road, Surrey Hills, VIC 3127

411 Whitehorse Road, Balwyn, VIC 3103

(03) 9885 2666

(03) 9890 7188

(03) 9836 8029

ashburtonmailbox@ bendigoadelaide.com.au

s urreyhillsmailbox@ bendigoadelaide.com.au

balwynmailbox@ bendigoadelaide.com.au

(03) 9836 9466

E c anterburymailbox@ bendigoadelaide.com.au

SU PPOR T I NG O UR CO MMU N I TY. COM . AU