By Oliver Lees
Community Bank Lancefield is turning 20 this month.
The Bendigo Bank branch opened in Lancefield in 2001 through the initial donations of members of the community.
Lancefield Community Bank company secretary Bronwyn Meadows Smith said the bank received approximately 200 individual $1000 donations to get the bank up and running.
“At the time, a lot of the banks were pulling out of regional towns, Lancefield had lost all their banking services, so it was an ongoing livelihood for people,” she said.
Since that time the bank has serviced more than 5000 customers and returned more than $2 million to the Lancefield and Romsey community through grants and sponsorships.
A Romsey branch was established in 2005.
Lancefield and Romsey Community bank chair Suzie Ewart said since opening, the bank had continued to grow.
“Thanks to community support, and the hard work of our branch staff, we have been able to build the business steadily over the past 20 years,” Ms Ewart said.
“We plan to continue to share this success with our communities through future grants and sponsorship programs and shareholder dividends.”
Russell Pattinson served as director of the bank for the majority of its history before the bank’s current director Tony Ede took over last year.
Staff member Leanne Showler has been involved with the group since its inception.
Ms Ewart said the bank’s growth has allowed the company to explore further pathways to channel profit into community infrastructure and services.
“Our branches were set up by the community, for the community, so we are always looking for ways we can help strengthen and improve our ability to support and give back to the communities we are part of,” she said.
“Residents, traders and community organisations have all learned the benefits of banking locally.”
Community Bank Lancefield and Romsey will celebrate their 20th birthday in Lancefield on Friday, October 22, with an event open to the public.
