Community
26 May, 2026
Celebrating the community wins with grants
These grants will support a range of local projects that will strengthen community connection, wellbeing and resilience across the region.
COMMUNITY Bank Avoca, Maryborough and St Arnaud have announced more than $57,000 in its Autumn Community Grant Program.
These grants will support a range of local projects that will strengthen community connection, wellbeing and resilience across the region.
The funding reflects the ongoing commitment to reinvesting local banking profits back into the communities of Avoca, Maryborough and St Arnaud through the Community Bank model.
Autumn grant recipients include St Arnaud Community Resource Centre, who will now be able to create an accessible downstairs office space to better support community members.
“This project will make a real difference by creating an accessible, private space on the ground floor, ensuring more people in our community can comfortably access our services,” Resource Centre coordinator Andrew George said.
St Arnaud Community Kitchen will be able to purchase of a donut machine to support fundraising and food offerings at the community market.
“Support from Community Bank helps us continue creating opportunities for our community to come together,” Community Kitchen president Tracey Dunstan said.
“This equipment will allow us to expand what we can offer at the St Arnaud community market while helping raise funds that are reinvested back into local community activities — and let’s be honest, everyone loves a hot donut.”
St Arnaud Kindergarten Inc will also be able to have an interactive music and movement sessions supporting early childhood development.
“Programs like Declan the Music Man give our children the chance to learn through creativity, music and movement in a really engaging and joyful way,” Centre team leader Natasha Ezard said.
“In rural communities, opportunities like this are incredibly valuable, and this funding helps ensure children across both of our kindergarten locations can share in the experience.”
Avoca District Co-operative Limited (ADCL) chair Donna Wardlaw said the grants demonstrate the strength of local ideas and community spirit across the region.
“Every project we support reflects people stepping up to make their community stronger, more connected and more inclusive. It’s a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when local people back their local bank.”
Community Bank Avoca, Maryborough and St Arnaud Customer Relationship Manager Kristy Jones, who is based in St Arnaud three days a week, said the grants highlight the organisation’s ongoing commitment to supporting local communities across the region.
“While our St Arnaud branch has recently transitioned to an office model, our commitment to supporting the local community remains just as strong,” she said.
“Being based in St Arnaud, I see firsthand the impact local organisations have, and it’s wonderful to continue supporting projects that bring people together and strengthen our community.
“Choosing to bank locally means choosing to support projects like these. Our customers play a direct role in helping communities across Avoca, Maryborough and St Arnaud thrive.:”
Grant recipients said the funding would help deliver practical benefits for local communities, supporting everything from emergency response capability and accessibility improvements through to water safety and community participation.
ADCL operates three local Community Bank sites in partnership with Bendigo Bank, ensuring that revenue generated through local banking is returned to support community-led initiatives.
Read More: St Arnaud