Kids take to the water

By Lachlan Ellis

A local bank has splashed some cash this summer, footing the bill for three weeks of kids’ swimming lessons in Ballan.

The Community Bank Ballan Branch paid for the entire VICSWIM Summer Kidz Program this year, which ran from Monday to Friday during January 3 to January 21.

The Bank also covered Council’s entry costs for participants and spectators, making the lessons completely free.

“Without State Government support it’s $100 per week, but with State Government subsidisation it’s $35. Bendigo Bank’s support makes that even better,” VICSWIM CEO Kathy Parton told the Moorabool News.

“The Summer Kidz Program makes swimming lessons affordable…for a lot of families the Program is the only swimming lessons children have each year, and the true costs of swimming lessons can be out of reach,” she said.

“Ballan is the first and only Bendigo Bank branch to cover the full costs of the Program. We’re very grateful for that.”

Volunteer Community Bank Ballan Board Director Barry Sims said swimming’s so important for children.

“They’ve got to learn how to swim and if possible, without the added cost”, he said.

The Summer Kidz Program has been going since 1976, and had 19,000 enrolments across 200 venues this year. However, 140 venues were affected by COVID this year, leaving around 4,000 kids unable to participate in planned lessons.

The Community Bank Ballan Branch spent just under $3000 supporting this year’s program, and has invested over $1.09 million back into the community in its 10-year history of operation.

To read the full story – Simply click on the following link

https://issuu.com/themooraboolnews/docs/mn_2022-02-15/4

in the 15 February 2022 edition
OR
pick up a paper around your town.