Upper Yarra Community Enterprise Ltd | February 2025

In February 2025, the Upper Yarra community marked a major milestone: 25 years of community banking, proudly delivered through Community Bank Warburton and Community Bank Yarra Junction. Since opening their doors in 2000, these local banks—operated by Upper Yarra Community Enterprise Ltd (UYCE)—have reinvested more than $5 million back into the community.

A Night of Celebration

The anniversary was commemorated on Friday, 21 February, in the scenic gardens behind Community Bank Warburton. It was an evening of celebration, reflection, and community connection.

Guests included shareholders, community groups, customers, staff past and present, and members of the public. They were treated to complimentary food, drinks, live music, and children’s entertainment. The atmosphere reflected the very essence of what community banking stands for: people coming together to make a difference.

Honouring Our Roots and Looking Ahead

The event featured official speeches from Rodney McKail, Chair of UYCE, and Rohan Sadler, Victoria Metro State Manager for Bendigo and Adelaide Bank. Also in attendance were:

• Tania Hansen, Community Enterprise Foundation Manager

• Simon Sponza, Community Banking Manager

• Amey Duffey, Yarra Ranges Region Manager

Local government representatives included Aaron Violi MP (Federal Member for Casey), Cindy McLeish MP (State Member for Eildon), and Mayor Jim Child, Yarra Ranges Councillor.

Giving Back: A $50,000 Boost

As part of the celebrations, UYCE announced an additional $50,000 in community support, pushing their total profit-sharing contributions to nearly $5.2 million. This included:

• $38,000 in community grants, supporting 12 local groups with projects starting from January 2025.

• $12,000 in scholarships awarded to four Upper Yarra students beginning university or TAFE this year.

Recognising Service and Legacy

A highlight of the evening was the presentation of a 25-Year Service Award to Roslyn Caneva, who has been with the Warburton branch since the very beginning. Ros played a pivotal role in the bank’s journey and was invited to lead the ceremonial cake-cutting, joined by Bob Murray (original steering committee and board member) and Mrs Margaret De La Rue, wife of the late Ian De La Rue OAM, the inaugural Chair.

A Gift to the Community

To mark the occasion, UYCE unveiled a community picnic table located in the rear grounds of the Warburton bank—a gift to the people of Upper Yarra and a symbol of ongoing unity. The Warburton building itself, a community-owned asset, will celebrate its centenary in just a few years.

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A Look Back: The Birth of a Community Bank

Shared by Norman Orr, Original Steering Committee Member & Board Director

The idea of a Community Bank in Warburton emerged in 1998 through a Business Victoria initiative called “StreetLIFE”, with Don Vickers leading the charge. Following an initial meeting with Bendigo Bank representatives, Don rallied a group of dedicated locals.

The first gathering was held on 8 September 1998 at St Andrew’s Hall, bringing together names like Mike Johnson, Geoff Vickers, Jed Mahoney, Wayne Davies, Patricia Stephens, Dick Leith, and Norman Orr.

Momentum quickly built. By Christmas Eve 1998, the Warburton community had pledged $80,000, and Bendigo Bank officially invited a proposal. A feasibility study was completed by May 1999, and the group unanimously agreed to proceed.

What followed was months of tireless planning. Weekly meetings, community engagement, and unwavering determination led to the opening of Community Bank Warburton on 25 February 2000.

Norman Orr reflects:

“It was an exhaustive process, but well worth it. I would not be exaggerating to say the opening of the bank saved Warburton.”

He also paid tribute to two key figures in the bank’s foundation—Don Vickers and Ian De La Rue, whose vision and leadership made it all possible.

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A Community-Owned Future

From humble beginnings to a thriving enterprise with deep local impact, Upper Yarra Community Enterprise Ltd continues to prove the power of community-led banking.

Here’s to the next 25 years of investing in people, projects, and a prosperous future for the Upper Yarra.