WHEN the Community Bank Mirboo North & District opened their doors in 2010, they never thought they’d reach the significant milestone of returning two million dollars back to the district in less than 15 years.

This is one of the healthiest returns of a Community Bank, and one that the staff and directors are immensely proud of.

Being a Community Bank under a Bendigo Bank franchise means that Community Bank Mirboo North & District can strengthen their surrounding communities by returning 80 per cent of profits to the district through grants, scholarships, sponsorships and donations. 

The remaining 20 per cent enables a healthy return to local shareholders and they primarily operate as a social enterprise that exists to help the district prosper.

There are 126 community groups that have received funding from the bank over the years, who are proud to have played a part in many facility upgrades, equipment purchases, event sponsorships, scholarships for local youth, and much more.

As the Community Bank continues to prosper, more and more funding will flow back to community projects, with the sky literally the limit.

The bank will be celebrating reaching the $2 million milestone and all the groups that have received funding will become part of the $2 million club. 

To kick off the $2 million club celebrations the bank is sponsoring the Winterfest Ridgway Lantern Parade and donating prize money of $1000 to the Community Group with the most original lantern for this year’s theme of Forest and Friends. 

To be in the running for this generous $1000 prize, get together with your community, school or sporting group in Mirboo North and District and create a wonderful and unique lantern for the parade. 

The Ridgway Lantern Parade will be held on Saturday, August 3, at dusk, with the Community Bank leading the way with their pig lantern from last year, which has been turned into a wombat to fit with this year’s Forest and Friends theme.