Funding recipients and sponsorships were announced at the Port Fairy and District Community Bank on Friday as part of its third birthday celebrations. 

Recipients to receive grants for infrastructure and development projects include the Moyneyana Festival committee ($10,000), Port Fairy Surf Lifesaving Club ($10,000), Port Fairy Cricket Club ($5,000), St John’s Church ($8,000) and the Port Fairy Football Netball Club (($12,000).  

Community grants and sponsorships were provided to Port Fairy Golf Club ($1,500), Port Fairy Citizens Band ($1500), Port Fairy Marine Rescue ($1,000), Friends of Griffiths Island ($1,000), Yambuk Hall Committee ($500) and Port Fairy Petanque ($500). 

Moyneyana Festival president Reg Harry said the funding was good news.

“It’s been a great fill up for us because our festival is run wholly and solely on support by donations and grants from the likes of Moyne Shire and the Port Fairy Festival,” Mr Harry said. “With the community bank coming on board it’s a string in our bow and helps make the festival sustainable.” 

Mr Harry said some of the funding would be used to conduct an economic impact survey to see how much money festival contributed to the Port Fairy businesses.

Mr Harry said the rest would go towards continuing to provide free family entertainment during the six week summer event which also attracted them into the CBD to support local businesses.

Branch manager Ashley King said the groups would share in the community spirit as customer support enabled the community bank to give more profits back to the community.

“We are seeing our community investments supporting growing the business and now with increasing profits we can make grants to assist developing projects which will deliver longer term benefits to the wider community and help build the community’s balance sheet”.

Mr King said the bank had also reached a major milestone of $100 million of business conducted through the branch.

Board of directors chair Ralph Leutton said the milestone was an achievement which should be celebrated by the community.

‘‘From very humble beginnings, this locally-owned business has grown dramatically to the point where it is making a significant contribution in the local community and its economy.’’

For more information about grants and sponsorships go to the branch. The next round of recipients will be announced at the company’s AGM in October.