Heritage Nanango Community Branch celebrates 20th birthday
17 December 2021
Heritage Nanango Community Branch has commemorated its 20th birthday by saying thank you to the community with a week of celebrations.
Celebrations kicked off on 11 December with the Heritage 20th Birthday Rainbow Run, followed by a free sausage sizzle and outdoor radio broadcast by Crow FM on 13 December, and culminating in an impressive fireworks display, sponsored by Heritage, at Nanango’s Christmas Carnival on 16 December.
Heritage Nanango provides locals in the area access to a full range of banking services, and is a joint venture partnership with the community, represented by Heritage Nanango Community Funding Ltd (HNCF). Under the joint venture agreement, HNCF’s share of the profits are distributed back to the community in the form of grants to support charities, sporting clubs and other worthy local organisations.
Since opening in 2001, the Heritage Nanango and HNCF have put over $4.5 million back into the local community, through the grants and sponsorships alone. They also contribute via wages paid to local staff, and payments made for all the other services that are needed to keep the branch running.
To date, over 150 grant recipients have received a helping hand through support from Heritage Nanango. The biggest project to date is Heritage Lodge, which saw $750,000 contributed over a few years. In conjunction with CTC South Burnett and South Burnett Regional Council, this project included the construction of eight independent living units.
Local clubs, organisations and events have also benefitted from grants and sponsorship from the community branch. Other projects include the All-Abilities Playground at Butter Factory Park built in conjunction with South Burnett Regional Council, and expedited by community fundraising.
Heritage Bank CEO Peter Lock said, “It’s amazing to think that a community of just over 3000 people has been able to create something so special that gives so much back.
“As other banks withdrew from Nanango, the Heritage Community Branch was there to provide financial services to residents of the district, while contributing to community organisations, programs and projects.
“By working together Heritage and the people of Nanango have developed a style of banking that truly lives up to our vision of putting people first.
“I’d also like to recognise the amazing contribution of HNCF which has done a magnificent job in championing the local community through the joint venture with Heritage.”
HNCF Chairman Wendy Zerbst said the success of the partnership had far surpassed the expectations of all involved.
“There would barely be a person in Nanango who hasn’t been touched in some way with funding from HNCF over the past 20 years.
“We’re absolutely delighted to bring the community together to say thank you and recognise the fantastic contribution of everyone who has contributed to the branch’s success.”
Heritage Bank has partnered with local communities throughout Queensland with community branches also located in Crows Nest, Highfields, Millmerran, Karalee, Palmwoods and Forest Lake.
PHOTO (L-R): Heritage Nanango Community Branch Manager Lochlan Ezzy, HNCF Chairman Wendy Zerbst and HNCF director Jane Hodgkinson (back) , Heritage members Evelyn and Athol Jensen, and Heritage Nanango Senior Member Experience Officer Neil Trenerry.
