Healesville community banks on future

– Kath Gannaway
HEALESVILLE has taken the first steps towards establishing its own community-owned bank.
A steering committee will be formed this week following two informal meetings organised by Shire of Yarra Ranges councillor Jeanette McRae in conjunction with Bendigo Bank mentor Jacqui Hall and community members.
Ms Hall was the driving force behind the Yarra Junction Community Bank Branch of Bendigo Bank which opened in February 2008.
Cr McRae, Ms Hall and representatives of the Bendigo Bank met with representatives of community organisations and businesses to gauge support for the proposal, and the consensus was that Healesville was ready for its own community-owned bank.
Healesville businessman, former chamber of commerce president and long-term resident of the town Gary Slater said the meetings showed there was a strong desire for the town to embrace the model which was proving so successful in other Yarra Valley townships including Warburton, Yarra Junction, Wandin-Seville and Woori Yallock. “The benefits of a community-owned bank are greater community support for groups such as sporting, community and welfare groups, schools and a whole range of other organisations in the community.”
Mr Slater said he thought the support was not so much about disenchantment with existing banks, but about wanting to see Healesville enjoying the same benefits as other communities where profits flow back to those communities. “While we have not lost any of our banks, and our existing banks are endeavouring to provide more and more services, there is still that lack of ownership of the banks. With this Bendigo Bank model, the bank shareholders will be the Healesville community.”
Mr Slater said a meeting on Wednesday night, upstairs at the Healesville Memorial Hall, would formally set the project on its way.
The meeting is open to anyone who would like to explore the opportunity of being involved.
For further information phone Mr Gary Slater on 5962 6333.