Enterprise celebrates 10 of the best

TORQUAY Community Enterprise (TCE) celebrated 10 years supporting local projects last week. TCE handed out more than $20,000 to 13 community organisations in an event held at Peppers The Sands on Thursday, bringing the total in grants and sponsorships donated over the decade to more than $275,000.

The 2017 recipients were:

• Danawa Community Garden – $1,850
• Torquay and District Historical Society – $1,000
• Ocean Mind – $2,000
• Torquay Museum Without Walls – $1,000
• Quay Residents Association – $2,000
• Geelong Guild Athletic Club – $2,000
• Surf Coast Animal Rescue Service – $1,500
• Torquay Theatre Troupe – $1,818.20
• Jan Juc Pre-School – $1,500
• Surf Coast Trail Group – $1,000
• Art of the Minds – $2,000
• Torquay Sailing Club – $2,000, and
• Spring Creek Community House – $800.

Funds for the grants are raised through TCE’s association with the Torquay branch of Bendigo Bank.

A small percentage of the banking value and business spend of the bank’s customers is delivered back as grants to the community groups.

TCE board chair Magdalena Wheatland said the event was a momentous occasion for the enterprise and some of its members, including its first chair Dean Webster and previous chair Laura O’Connor.

“It’s great to have the ability to support the community.”

Bendigo Bank’s Shane Dowling said the recipients of this year’s grants should be congratulated as well as proud of each other, for all the work they put back into the community.

“As far as I’m concerned, Australia has a culture that acknowledges volunteers in different ways, in different not-for-profit organisations, but not necessarily volunteers overall.

“So, please, be very proud of the efforts you put in, and we’re very confident you’ll use the money according to the applications.”

He said Bendigo Bank now had 14 community banks and community enterprises across Geelong and the Surf Coast.