STAFF from the Moree branch of Regional Australia Bank on Friday hosted an information evening and social game of barefoot bowls at Moree Services Club to showcase the bank’s Community Partnership Program.

About 40 members of Moree and district not-for-profits, sporting clubs and charity-driven organisations took to the undercover bowling greens, under the guidance of top guns Rod Tighe, Phillip Hobday, Lorraine Bartel and Peter Catterall.

Moree Regional Australia Bank team leader Sharna McMaster, home lending specialist Bronte Egan, and customer advisers Tiarna Bettens, Angela Drurey and Emogene King were on hand to explain how the program works and how it benefits local organisations and sporting bodies.

Organisations represented included Moree Evening VIEW Club, Moree Junior Cricket Club, Moree Motor Enthusiasts Club, Moree Freemasons, Moree Little Athletics, Moree District Band, Gurley Hall Committee, Moree Family Support, Gwydir Mobile Pre-School, Rising Sun Film Society, Bellata War Memorial Hall, Moree Show Society, Ashley Community Hall, Moree Caledonian Pipes and Drums, Big Sky Hog Chapter #6602, Moree Services Bowling Club, and Moree Lions Club, who manned the barbecue.

Moree Lions Club president Lyn Moore said being involved in the Community Partnership Program has really helped Moree Lions help the community.

“The amount of money we’ve received is amazing – the first year we got something like $26,000 and there was $24,000 one year after that,” Lyn said.

“In the last few years, there’s been well over $50,000. It’s a great concept, and helps us so much.

“We have disbursements each year – we had them earlier this month – and donate money to organisations like the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service and Cancer Council, as well as local schools, Gwydir Industries and Moree Men’s Shed and Moree Women’s Shed,” she said.

“The money from the program goes into our pool and we work out how much we can give each group or organisation. We also help local families when there’s a real need, so it’s great to have this extra money.

“It’s great to be able to give to the different charities and families, and fantastic to see other charities and organisations receiving money as well,” Lyn said.

Julie Rushby, who is involved with Moree Little Athletics Club and Moree Riders’ Club, said the Community Partnership Program is an incredible initiative.

“It’s such a great thing, and great to see the money go back to the community,” Julie said.

“For organisations like ours, it’s effortless fundraising – we’re not selling raffle tickets or cooking sausage sandwiches.

“Simply by banking with a community-minded organisation like Regional Australia Bank, means people can support groups like ours.

“Little As is a recipient and we’d really like to get Moree Riders’ Club connected as well – we’re in the process of doing that at the moment and having community get-togethers like the barefoot bowls night really helps groups and charities learn about the concept and how to get involved,” she said.

Moree Evening VIEW Club sponsors disadvantaged Australian students through The Smith Family’s Learning for Life program.

Club member Gwanita Hill, who is also involved with Moree Motor Enthusiasts Club, said money received from the Community Partnership Program is used to sponsor students.

“The program is a great idea,” Gwanita said.

“Instead of the Regional Australia Bank giving money to shareholders, they give back to the community to help organisations flourish and do things they normally can’t do because of lack of funds.

“Moree Evening VIEW Club has been part of the program for about the last eight or 10 years and Moree Motor Enthusiasts Club has been involved for 14 years.

“Both groups get donations each year, and the money really make a difference.

“With the VIEW Club, we give back to the Smith Family and we’ve now gone from sponsoring one student to three students.

“On average, we donate about $5000 extra each year to the Smith Family, and the Community Partnership Program means we have that extra money to sponsor the kids.

“Money from the program also goes towards the car club’s Fathers’ Day Car Show we have every year at Jellicoe Park.

“It’s not cheap to run that type of event, especially with insurances,” Gwanita said.

Regional Australia Bank has reported strong results from the Moree district over the years, with local groups regularly featuring among the network’s top-performing recipients.

On several occasions, community groups from the Moree region have ranked within the top 10 bonus payment recipients across the entire Regional Australia Bank network.

Some payments have exceeded $15,000, providing a significant financial boost for local organisations and helping them continue delivering services, programs and activities within their communities.

Moree branch home lending specialist Bronte Egan said the information evening explained how the Community Partnership Program works, outlined the benefits available to community organisations and answered questions from potential participants.

“The event also provided an opportunity for representatives from local clubs, charities and community groups to network with one another while enjoying a friendly game of barefoot bowls,” she said.

The Community Partnership Program operates across the Regional Australia Bank network and currently supports about 2200 registered community groups.

In the Moree branch area, including surrounding communities and villages, nearly 100 not-for-profit organisations are registered.

The program has been running for nearly 20 years and last year nearly $3 million was shared across all groups, with $166,500 going to Moree branch recipients.

“It’s such an amazing program and all it takes to grow, is awareness from members and groups spreading the word,” Bronte said.

Organisations wanting to know more about the Community Partnership Program can contact Moree branch team leader Sharna McMaster on 6776 6806 or email [email protected].