Community grants and sponsorships up for grabs

BEECHWORTH’S Leanne Vickers and treasurer for recent startup pickleball club in the town is keeping fingers crossed for a grant or sponsorship from Bendigo Bank – Community Bank Beechworth & District. Among representatives from community organisations, Leanne joined last week’s information evening on Wednesday held by the bank in the Beechworth Town Hall. Attendees had the chance to gain knowledge needed to navigate the bank’s new online application process, find out about eligibility and how to register. The bank announced its 2025 grant and sponsorship earlier last month with applications kicking off from last Thursday, 1 May. Ms Vickers said the pickleball club – a growing sport around Australia - started last October at Baarmutha Park. “Pickleball is something for everyone of all ages and abilities,” she said. “We want to do the best we can for the community in running the sport. “We’re looking for sponsorship or a grant so that we can run some more ‘come and try days’ for more people to come along and have a go." A guest speaker from Bendigo Bank - Community Enterprise Foundation manager Trish Madden - travelled from near Bendigo to Beechworth for the special event. Ms Madden said people needed to plan ahead before applying. “Think about what your project is going to be - short, medium, or long term and do your research,” she said. On the hunt for funding, Blake Edwards and Katie Friedlieb representing Totally Renewable Yackandandah (TRY) said energy literacy is a key item on TRY’s agenda. “It’s about helping people understand their bills and getting assessments in their homes and businesses so they can understand what appliances to install or upgrade or what works need to be done,” he said. Mr Blake said among assets for the community, TRY were on the lookout to install community batteries and expand EV chargers town-wide for Yackandandah for more vehicle take-up. He said the face-to-face time at the information evening gave people the chance to get specific details. Beechworth Bendigo Bank board chair Ben Merritt said he hoped people gained knowledge about the application process to take advantage of available funds in four months’ time. “To get to that point, they have to apply for the grants and sponsorships, and we've just launched our online application process so they can fill out an application," he said. “We will then review the application for potential funding.” Mr Merrit said people can drop into the local branch for more information. "If an answer can't be given immediately, the branch team will contact me or our marketing grants and sponsorship manager for information needed," he said. Mr Merritt said the Beechworth and District Community Bank distributed $70,000 to community organisations in 2024/25, and a minimum of $50,000 for each of the last eight years. “Beechworth and District Community Bank has reinvested more than $700,000 back into the community in its 14 years of business,” he said. “We have a minimum of $50,000 available for sponsorships and grants in the 2025/26 financial year. “This amount may increase, as 80 per cent of all profits are invested into community projects and organisations. “The more profit the bank makes, the more money gets put back into the community.”

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