It’s long been said that charity begins at home, which is why Greater Bank has long supported the communities that support us.
There is no greater demonstration of this than our state-wide Community Funding Program that has supported 480 community groups across six regional areas over the past six years.
After expanding into the South Coast in June 2018, #GreaterIllawarra has supported 135 community groups from across the region, each sharing in $165,000.
The #GreaterIllawarra program goes from strength to strength in 2022, each month giving three community groups the chance to share in $3,000, with the winner receiving $2,000 and two runners-up each receiving $500.
A recent monthly program winner, South Coast-based Fifty for a Farmer, is a group of local families in the Illawarra who have banded together to support farming communities. They are using their latest windfall to support the Royal Flying Doctor Service, who do so much to help farming families in their time of need.
Fifty for a Farmer co-founder, Kim Freeman, said food production is fundamental to our existence.
“Farming communities are the lifeblood of Australia and when our farmers are struggling, our country struggles, so we wanted to do our bit to help them through the tough times,” Kim said.
“With COVID impacting communities across the country over the past year or so, we’ve decided to put our energy towards supporting the Royal Flying Doctor Service, who do so much to help farming families in their time of need.
“As a not-for-profit that relies on donations, we’d like to thank Greater Bank for the opportunity to take part in the community funding program and for this contribution to our fundraising efforts.”
Kim Freeman, Fifty for a Farmer Co-Founder
Greater Bank’s Illawarra Regional Sales Manager, Greg Creagan, said farming communities do it tough on a regular basis.
“People in rural areas face challenges that city residents don’t have to deal with and they do it with few resources and a minimum of fuss,” Greg said.
“Greater Bank is pleased to be able to contribute to the wellbeing of regional communities through the #GreaterIllawarra community funding program and we are delighted this money will help provide vital medical services to farming families.
“I’d also like to encourage any local community group to visit our website to find out whether they qualify to nominate for the program.”
Voting in the March round of the #GreaterIllawarra Community Funding Program is open from 9.00 am Monday 7 March, with Mount Ousley Physical Culture, Frame Running Wollongong and Thirroul Junior Surf Life Saving Club in the running for a share of $3,000.
Anyone can nominate a community group doing great things in the Illawarra region to be part of the #GreaterIllawarra program. It could be a grassroots sporting club, a charity, wildlife rescue organisation, a music group, a school P&C or other community organisation - any not-for-profit group that makes your community a better place could be in the running.