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Raising Eyebrows Nationwide Our success in establishing and operating our Community Bank branch has attracted enormous exposure in the national media.
Genevieve Barlow "How does it
feel for country people to walk into a bank, deposit a cheque, take out
a loan and know that their transaction will fill their own pockets, perhaps
pay for a new watering system on their local footy oval or a new swing
in the playground. "Fourth generation Wimmera grain growers Andrew and Julie Widermann switched their business when the ANZ closed in Rupanyup and contributed establishment funds for the new branch." "To them it's a chance to support their town and earn good returns."
Misha Ketchell "Six years ago, Mr David Matthews was a wheat and grain farmer working 1100 hectares in the Wimmera. Today he is co-director of a grain company turning over more than $7 million a year, employing 14 full-time staff and exporting pulses to destinations such as Sri Lanka, Pakistan, India, the Middle East and Hong Kong. And he still runs his farm." "Underlying the expediency that led to the company's birth is a strong philosophical commitment. Mr Matthews is passionate about local community and the benefits of retaining business in declining rural areas. "There are two arguments I run in favor of locating these processing functions in the production area." said Mr Matthews. "There are the direct economic benefits of money remaining in the region. The other is the improved communication or understanding by farmers of where their products are going and what they're being used for." "Though proud of this achievement, Mr Matthews is most pleased by the $20,000 a week in wages alone that his company ploughs back into the local Rupanyup community."
Rachel Hawes "Farmers Stewart
and Marian Petering are stakeholders in a grass-roots revolution against
the big banks that is sweeping country towns and cities around the nation. "The reaction has been unbelievable. We have been quite taken aback at the way it has taken off," Bendigo Bank communications manager Owen Davies said"
Waverley Gazette - August 11, 1998 "David Matthews knows the trials and tribulations of establishing a community bank. And well he should. Mr Matthews is a company director of Rupanyup and Minyip Finance Group, which has recently opened two banks in the Wimmera." "It's been a great project," he said. "The effect has been very strong on the whole community. "Everyone is so pleased, they can take some control of their future." He said the project had proved people did not have to accept banks leaving the area and showed a community had the power to implement and drive change."
Wimmera Farming Landcare Vision - June/July 1998 p.1 "As Australia's first Community Banks made their mark in the Wimmera, the townspeople of Minyip and Rupanyup took a rare opportunity to make a mark of their own on the future of bush banking."
Richard Jones "A small piece of history was made yesterday when Australia's first community-based bank board met in Bendigo." "The directors act on behalf of the 200-plus investors who contributed funds towards establishing branches in the Wimmera wheat towns, which boast a combined population of 1100" "It's a great day for us", board chairman David Matthews said. "Meeting in the Bendigo boardroom brought home to us the significance of what we have achieved as a community in a short time"
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