Bannockburn and District Community Enterprise News & Events

Community Enterprise grants allocated

The Bannockburn and District Community Enterprise has increased its contribution to community projects by more than $32,500 after allocating its latest round of grants.

The $32,543 granted at the November meeting takes the Community Enterprise's total donations to more than $117,500 since it was formed in 2007.

Among the recent recipients was the Bannockburn Rural Fire Brigade, which will receive $4143 to fund a defibrillator for one of its fire trucks.

A further $10,5000 was allocated to the Inverleigh Bowls Club towards a project to floodlight its greens, providing opportunity for additional use of the club facility.

Meredith Kindergarten will receive $7900 towards updating play equipment and providing shade sails for sun protection.

Two projects in Shelford were supported. Shelford Playgroup will receive $4000 towards play equipment, while the Shelford Public Hall was granted $6000 to help provide a hot water heater, floor coverings and additional bench space.

Community Enterprise chair Jeanette Watt said board members were proud of their contribution to the district.

"We are pleased to be receiving grant applications from such a diverse range of community groups who meet our funding criteria," she said.

"We carefully consider each application and believe we are making a real difference to the successful groups and their projects."

The Bannockburn and District Community Enterprise is a group of volunteer local residents who are supported by the Bendigo Bank in fundraising to assist community projects.

The Community Enterprise earns commission from all Bendigo Bank accounts that are linked to the Enterprise. There is no cost to bank customers and all that is required to link accounts is a form that can be filled out at the Bannockburn branch.

The Bannockburn and District Community Enterprise is one of five in the region and is also one of the most progressive. As well as allocating grants four times a year – February, May, August and November – the Board is accumulating funds for a major project.

Applications for the next round of grants will close on January 31, 2012.
Further information is available from the Bannockburn branch of the Bendigo Bank.

Annual General Meeting

Bannockburn and District Community Enterprise is continuing to have a positive impact on community groups in the area, with grants totaling $27,740 allocated in recent months.

The Bannockburn and District Community Enterprise held its annual general meeting for 2011 in July.

Outgoing Chairperson Valerie Zielinski, in her report to the Board, said grants allocated to community projects since 2008 now total more than $85,000.

After guiding the Board through its first three-and-a-half years, Valerie has taken on the role of Vice-Chair. The new office bearers are:

Chair: Jeanette Watt
Vice-Chair: Valerie Zielinski
Secretary: Kath Kelly
Treasurer: Bindy Rentsch

The remaining Board members are Gina O’Toole, Bill Hughes, Liz McDonald, Ron Watt, Doug Gadd and Nic Redman.

Successful events in the last year have included the second Free Community Fun Run, held at the Bannockburn Golf Club in April; providing a chef to demonstrate healthy food preparation at the Bannockburn Farmers’ Market in December; and hosting the Barwon Sports Academy Community Sports Day in March.

Grants allocated in the 12 months from July 2011 total more than $38,000.

     

GMHBA Sponsorship

Health fund GMHBA is continuing its support of Bannockburn and District Community Enterprise activities by extending its sponsorship for another two years.

GMHBA has allocated $2500 for each of the next two years to support health and well-being projects in Bannockburn and district. Previous sponsorship has enabled the Community Enterprise to host two free community fun runs, a mental health education night, Farmers’ Market cooking demonstrations and host the Barwon Sports Academy community sports day.

Grants Assist Community Groups

Bannockburn and District Community Enterprise is continuing to have a positive impact on community groups in the area, with grants totaling $27,740 allocated in recent months.

At its most recent grants meeting, the Community Enterprise Board granted $10,000 to the Bannockburn Golf Club to purchase a new mower for use by its band of volunteer groundskeepers. The mower will be used for maintaining the sandscrape surrounds.

In the November round of grants, the following was allocated: Inverleigh Cricket Club, $1000 for a scoreboard on the second oval; Teesdale Recreation Reserve Committee, $13,500 for materials to replace and extend decking; Teesdale Primary School P&F, $890 for a sign advertising catering; Leighdale Pony Club, $2350 for safety and competition equipment.

The Bannockburn and District Community Enterprise is a group of volunteer local residents who are supported by the Bendigo Bank in fundraising to assist community projects.

The Community Enterprise earns commission from all Bendigo Bank accounts that are linked to the Enterprise. There is no cost to bank customers and all that is required to link accounts is a form that can be filled out at the Bannockburn branch.

The Bannockburn and District Community Enterprise is one of five in the region and is also one of the most progressive. As well as allocating grants four times a year – February, May, August and November – the Board is accumulating funds for a major project.

Enterprise supporting Community Sports Day

Bannockburn will be the pilot for a series of Community Sports Days by the Barwon Sports Academy.

The Community Enterprise is sponsoring the day, on March 20, when elite BSA coaches and athletes will be at Victoria Park to share their knowledge and love for a range of sports.

Aimed at primary to early secondary school students, the day will give participants hands-on opportunities to experience several sports. Local sporting groups have also been invited to be involved as a way of recruiting new members.

Aimed at primary to early secondary school students, the day will give participants hands-on opportunities to experience several sports. Local sporting groups have also been invited to be involved as a way of recruiting new members.

Second Annual Fun Run

With support from GMHBA, the Community Enterprise will hold its second annual Free Community Fun Run on Sunday, April 10.

The run, to be held at the Bannockburn Golf Club, will start and 9am and include two and five kilometre courses. Walkers, joggers and runners are invited to participate in the all-ages event.

The fun run will again be followed by a barbecue and giveaways. For more information, email bannockburnfunrun@hotmail.com.

Farmers' Market Feature

Bannockburn and District Community Enterprise Board members attended the December 2010 Farmers’ Market in Bannockburn, where the Board sponsored an appearance by ‘Nomadic Chef’ Adrian Millman.

Using ingredients sourced from market stallholders, Adrian entertained and educated market visitors while preparing a range of delicious dishes. There was plenty of free taste-testing to follow.

Board members took the opportunity to talk to market-goers about the Community Enterprise. With support from GMHBA, the event was part of the Board’s health and well-being program and proved a successful way of spreading the word about the group’s voluntary work.

Annual General Meeting

Bannockburn and District Community Enterprise held its 2010 annual general meeting in July, with Valerie Zielinski elected unopposed to continue as chairman.

Other executive positions were filled Jeanette Watt (secretary), Liz McDonald (minute secretary) and Dean Teesdale.

Board members Kath Kelly, Nic Redman, Ron Watt, Doug Gadd, Bill Hughes and Gina O’Toole all agreed to honour their commitment for the next 12 months.

Chairmans Annual Report 2010

Click Here to view the 2010 Chairmans Report.

Community Enterprise support exceeds $38,000

The financial contribution of the Bannockburn and District Community Enterprise to local projects has exceeded $38,000 following the group’s latest round of grants.
At our February meeting Board members voted to grant $1,278 to assist in the purchase of new equipment for the Teesdale Auskick program. A further $1,000 was granted to fund day trips by the Golden Oldies Men’s Group, for men who would otherwise be isolated from their community.

Grants toward the end of 2009 also supported a wide range of projects throughout Bannockburn and district. They included providing funds for first aid and a band at the Lethbridge Primary School Fair; a gym mat and equipment for the Inverleigh Playgroup; playground equipment for the Teesdale Pre-school; supporting Carols by Candlelight at Teesdale Primary School; and an animal farm visit at Bannockburn Playgroup.

The Community Enterprise is also providing funds for the materials for an all-weather shelter at Victoria Park in Bannockburn. The Board considers grant applications four times a year. Forms are available from the Bannockburn branch of the Bendigo Bank.

Community Run a Hit

As part of our commitment to Health and Well-Being projects, we conducted a free fun run at the Bannockburn Golf Club on Sunday, May 23. The event was a huge success and is now planned to become an annual event. Stay tuned for the date for the 2011 event, which will be held in late March or early April.