Drysdale banks on community

Jessica Benton
DRYSDALE residents are digging deep to establish a Bendigo Community Bank.
Project steering committee chairman Chris Reymers said the community had so far pledged over $175,000 to the campaign.
“We’re hoping to reach $200,000, so we’re almost there,” Mr Reymers said.
“We’ve got about $25,000 left to raise and hope to hit that target by the end of May. Our aim is to have at least 300 people on the pledge list.
“We’re calling on everyone in Drysdale, mums and dads, small and large business owners, schools, social and sporting organisations, to consider pledging their support for the campaign.
“An indicative pledge of support doesn’t have to run into the thousands of dollars, with the minimum amount being $500.”
Mr Reymers said the concept of the bank was “very much community focused”.
“More and more people are finding out what the community bank is and what they do for the community,” he said.
“One third of profits go toward dividends, one third is used for community grants and one third is maintained for future expansions.
“So much goes back into the community because it’s owned by the community, that’s the main difference to the major banks.”
Mr Reymers said the new bank would take over the premises of an existing Bendigo branch in Spring Street.
A shop next door had been purchased for expansions, he said.
Mr Reymers asked anyone with pledges for the community bank to phone him on 5251 2145.