Regional Australia Bank gives back over $26,000 to the Quirindi community

 
Now in its tenth year, our Community Partnership Program continues to grow from strength to strength. And we’re proud to inform you this year’s community donations were the biggest yet. In fact, for the first time we smashed the million-dollar milestone with a whopping total of $1,028,402.00. Now that’s something to raise the spirits in this difficult time of droughts.
 
Quirindi certainly found plenty to cheer about, with Regional Australia Bank awarding $26,282.55 to the local community at the Quirindi Community Partnership presentations event held at the RSL.
 
The donations will be divided amongst a number of worthwhile local organisations and businesses. Some of this year’s recipients include:
 
Willow Tree Bowling Club Ltd
 
Willow Tree Bowling Club have been involved with the Community Partnership Program since its inception ten years ago.
 
Over the years, they have put all the donation money into the upkeep and refurbishment of the club.
 
In January 2017 the club was struck by tragedy when it burnt to the ground.
 
But now plans are afoot to restore the club to its former glory and all donations received will be going towards building costs.
 
Regional Australia Bank wishes them all the best with their efforts, and hope that this year’s donation helps them get the club back on its feet as soon as possible.
 
Quirindi Rugby Club Inc
 
Quirindi Rugby Club has been participating in the Community Partnership Program for about 5 years.
 
They have used the donations to upkeep the club and try and encourage more youth participation.
 
This year, with the severity of the drought, they are looking at installing rainwater tanks to help with the watering of the pitch. 
  
Richard Braebrook, the President of the club, had this to say. “It’s great to have Regional Australia Bank looking after the regional clubs, grass roots clubs.  Whether it be footie, hockey, cricket, netball they all provide a distraction, a chance to forget about the drought for a moment and have a bit of fun with your mates. It’s great to have a bank supporting this.”
 
Quirindi Canter Inc
 
Quirindi Canter does a fantastic job of providing support to young people with fulltime care needs in the Quirindi district.
 
They first joined the Community Partnership Program 8 years ago after being told about it by some of the girls in the branch.
 
The donations they receive go towards helping young people in fulltime care with such diverse items as cash donations, fuel vouchers, disability discoes, a companion dog for a young autistic girl, and even a new saddle for a disabled rider.
 
This year, the funds will continue to be used for a number of good causes, including helping the special needs group at the high school to build a veggie garden.
 
Aside from celebrating 10 years of our Community Partnership Program, 2018 also represents the 50th anniversary of Regional Australia Bank. And for us, the greatest gift is the knowledge that the bank has been able to contribute more than 2.5 million dollars to deserving community groups over the last few years through the Community Partnership Program.
 
As Joe Coppola, Branch Operations Manager, Regional Australia Bank, explains, “we’re passionate about giving back to our community and empowering customers to support local community groups they feel strongly about because we realise that helping people provides the best reward.”
 
The Community Partnership Program allows new bank customers to open a transaction account and at the same time pledge their support for a group or organization close to their heart. 
 
Regional Australia Bank then calculates the average annual balance of all supporters’ accounts and donates 1% of the total to the cause on the customers’ behalf – all without costing them a cent. 
 
With more and more people getting on board, the Community Partnership Program has continued to grow at over 30% per year ­– and provides invaluable donations to various local grass roots clubs and community groups.
 
“The Community Partnership Program is just one of the ways in which we assist our customers and communities,” said Kevin Dupé, Regional Australia Bank CEO.  “Regional Australia Bank is proud to
continue delivering the Community Support Program in 2018, enabling it to continue enhancing the quality of life and a strong sense of community for the regions it serves.
  
“Our customer owned structure means that not only do our clientele benefit from fairer fees, competitive interest rates and the local expertise, they also know they’re benefiting Regional Australia by helping it prosper and thrive.”
 
In addition to the Community Partnership Program, Regional Australia Bank also gives 5% of its net profits back to the community through sponsorships to local clubs and community organisations, as well as contributing to regional infrastructure projects. 
 
“The Community Partnership Program represents community activism at its best and we want to thank all our loyal members. Because without your ongoing support, this invaluable donation scheme would not be able to thrive.
 
“After all, it’s the opportunity to make a difference, to build better communities and to create better places to live that drives so many of us – so it’s fitting that our customers, who are also members of our communities, lead the way in initiatives like this one,” says Joe.
 
Here’s to the next 50 years!
 
A full list of Community Partnership Program Quirindi beneficiaries has been included below.
 
- Ends -
 
Contact:
Sara Crowe, C7EVEN Communications, 02 6766 4513 / 0438 197 559
Airlie Horton, C7EVEN Communications, 02 6766 4513 / 0412 037 908
 
It is requested that Regional Australia Bank is not shortened to an acronym and always referred to in full as Regional Australia Bank. 
 
Quirindi Community Partnership Beneficiaries:
 
Willow Tree Bowling Club Limited
Quirindi Rugby Club Inc
Quirindi Canter Incorporated
Quirindi Rural Heritage Village Incorporated
Quirindi C.W.A.
Quirindi Pony Club Inc.
Quirindi Junior Rugby Club
Rotary Club of Quirindi Inc
Spring Ridge Public School P&C Association
Wallabadah P & C Association Usfeller Trust
Blackville Community Art Show
Borah Creek Bushfire Brigade
 Quirindi Swimming Club Incorporated
Quirindi Village Miniature Railway Inc
Friends of Quirindi Library
Quota International of Quirindi Incorporated
Quirindi Primary School P&C Association
Quirindi Show Society Inc.
Willow Tree Branch of NSW Farmers' Assoc.
Quirindi District Rescue Squad Incorporated
Quirindi Womens Bowling Club
The Quirindi Polocrosse Club Inc
Lions Club of Quirindi Inc
Australian Red Cross Society NSW Division Quirindi
Lions Club of Willow Tree Inc
Quirindi Junior Cricket Association Incorporated
North West District Council of RSL Sub-Branches NSW
Quirindi High School P & C Association Incorporated
Quirindi & District Little A'S
Quirindi Netball Assoc Inc