Community Bank Bellarine chronicles 25 years of giving back

COMMUNITY Bank Bellarine is marking 25 years of giving back to the region with the release of a book chronicling its growth and enduring commitment to the community.

The book, titled A Community Builds a Bank, traces the bank’s history, from its beginning in Portarlington in 1999, to the opening of its Drysdale branch in 2009 and finally its 25th anniversary celebrations, which took place last year.

Breaking down each year of trade, it celebrates the organisation’s milestones — including the completion of its purpose-built Murradoc Road site in 2021 — it’s community impact and people who have helped make it all happen.

*A Community Builds a Bank* traces the bank’s history, from its beginning in Portarlington in 1999, to the opening of its Drysdale branch in 2009 and finally its 25th anniversary celebrations, which took place last year. Photo: ELLIE CLARINGBOLD.

Among the pages is a photo of Portarlington local Liam Dowie. He is pictured in a pram at 10 months of age, at a community meeting held to discuss the possibility of opening Community Bank Bellarine.

Dowie was one of the bank’s first account holders, and now 25 years old, is still a customer.

A Community Builds a Bank was unveiled to supporters, major grant recipients and other stakeholders at Terindah Estate last week.

Former board secretary Sandra Baldwin, who spent 14 years with the organisation, stepped in as the organisation’s “unofficial historian” to help capture the bank’s legacy within its pages.

Among the pages is a photo of Portarlington local Liam Dowie. He is pictured in a pram at 10 months of age, at a community meeting held to discuss the possibility of opening Community Bank Bellarine. Dowie was one of the bank’s first account holders, and now 25 years old, is still a customer. Photo: ELLIE CLARINGBOLD

Ever passionate about the work of the community bank, Baldwin said it is important its history isn’t lost.

“It’s an amazing story because the first year of business, in 2000, the total business was $13 million. In 2024, which is 25 years, it was $450 million.

“And that business was built on a volunteer board, on the shareholders having the faith and the loyalty to us to invest in the bank, and the management and staff.

“They’ve gone through the GFC [Global Financial Crisis of 2007-2009], gone through COVID, and they’re just steaming ahead, and they’ve given more than $3.5 million back to the community.

Former board secretary Sandra Baldwin, who spent 14 years with the organisation, stepped in as the organisation’s “unofficial historian” to help capture the bank’s legacy within its pages. Photo: BELLARINE PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIO

Chairperson Kerry Trewin presents Sandra Baldwin with flowers to thank her for her efforts compiling the book. Photo: BELLARINE PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIO

“How many businesses — a small business it started out as — have that sort of success?”

She said working on the book brought back memories of all the good work the organisation has been involved in.

“My pleasure was always the grants presentations, and actually being involved and seeing the difference that the money made.

“It might just be to a little soccer team of youngies and they got new jerseys…and one time we gave five iPads to an aged care [residence]. It was wonderful because the people that were in the aged care [residence] could communicate with their grandchildren through social media.”

As Community Bank Bellarine has grown, so too has its impact, and in recent years its grants program has provided significant contributions to organisations like Farm My School and Food Assist 3223, and events such as the National Celtic Folk Festival and the Portarlington Mussel Festival.