The Regional Australia Bank has supported more than 30 local organisations over the past year and returned more than $70,000 in funding to local community groups.
Through the Bank’s Community Partnership Program (CPP), now in its 22nd year, regional Australia Bank’s funding has helped to strengthen 2,300 clubs, schools, health services, emergency volunteers and grassroots charities across regional Australia.
This year a total of $2.79 million was returned to community groups.
The Regional Australia Bank Cobar branch announced its 2025 CPP recipients at a function at the Cobar Bowling & Golf Club on Monday night.
Donations to local community groups ranged from $400 up to $8,550, which the Cobar Rodeo Committee earned this year.
David ‘Crocket’ Brown, Cobar Rodeo Committee president, said the donation was a huge boost for their “little committee” and helps to keep their event going each year.
Cobar Junior Rugby League earned $7,840 which club president Graeme Barton said was a great help to kick off the new season.
Cobar Netball Association are planning on carrying out court maintenance with their senior and junior club donations totalling $4,016; Cobar Preschool ($4,110) will be doing some backyard improvements; Cobar Mobile Children’s Service will use their $2,232 for their bus registration and ongoing running costs; Louth Public School’s $2,092 will provide more learning resources for students; Cobar Swimming Club’s funding ($1,683) will go towards bus hire; Cobar Public School’s donation of $1,313 will help keep the school canteen running; Cobar Clay Target Club has earmarked a couple of shooting discipline projects for their funding of $1,231; and Cobar Business Association advised they will put their $1,006 towards the running costs of this year’s Christmas Street Parade.
Sue Cox, a volunteer with two other groups who benefited from the CPP this year, the Great Western Gallery and the Cobar Show Society, said “it was a great help to us all”.
CEO of Regional Australia Bank, David Heine joined local staff and regional staff at Monday’s function and spoke about how Regional Australia Bank’s ethos is to “place people before profit”.
“We want to protect and grow the community and create a future for regional Australians,” Mr Heine said.
“It’s our job to find the good that money can do.
“Every dollar is going back into projects and initiatives in this community.
“Through the Community Partnership Program this year, we donated around 13 per cent of our profits back into communities,” Mr Heine said.
“That compares with an average of 0.6 per cent from the big four banks, and around five per cent from other mutuals.
“It shows the scale of impact a member-owned bank can deliver when people choose to bank for their community.”
Me Heine said celebration events like Monday night’s also recognise the volunteers, leaders and organisations making a difference in every region.
