Upper Yarra Community Enterprise Ltd operates COMMUNITY BANK WARBURTON and COMMUNITY BANK YARRA JUNCTION under the Bendigo Bank brand with profits reinvested back into our local Upper Yarra community.
Our Vision - INVESTING IN COMMUNITY TO BUILD COMMUNITY
The Community Bank Model
Community banking operates on a 'profit-with-purpose' model, where profits are reinvested back into the community that generated them. Unlike traditional banks, we are independent and dedicated to benefiting our community.
Established over 24 years ago, we're proud to be local. As an independent company with a volunteer Board of Directors, we operate under a Franchise Agreement with Bendigo Bank, one of Australia’s largest and most trusted banks. While it might seem complex, it’s actually quite simple "The Community Wanted a Bank, and The Community Bought a Bank" with more than 300 community banks across Australia now forming part of the Bendigo Bank network.
Since opening our doors in 2000, we have established TWO COMMUNITY BANKS and supported more than 375 Community Groups, Organisations and Projects.
Reinvesting profits back into the local Upper Yarra community through Grants, Sponsorships, Scholarships and Donations, currently topping a whopping $5 MILLION and growing.
That’s something we’re really proud of from our volunteer board members, to our branch staff and it shows in the dedication, passion and skills everyone contributes to our team.
When you choose community banking you’re supporting a model where everyone benefits. It’s a win-win for all. Support us to Support our local community!
💜 Community Bank Warburton – opened 25 February 2000
💜 Community Bank Yarra Junction – opened 25 February 2008
Franchisee – Upper Yarra Community Enterprise Ltd
OUR COMMUNITY INVESTMENT PROGRAMS
COMMUNITY GRANTS ROUND
An annual program APPLICATIONS TYPICALLY OPEN FOR TWO ROUNDS PER FINANCIAL YEAR.
If your community group, club or organisation has a wish list project, upcoming event or activity that you are planning then a community grant could be just the help you need to make it a reality.
- Proposals need to be within or service the Upper Yarra region as defined by postcodes 3799 and 3797.
- All categories of community groups are invited – sports and leisure, education, culture and the arts, health and social, children and youth, the elderly and animal welfare to name a few
- Applications are invited from organisations (not individuals) and are assessed on their capacity to benefit the local Upper Yarra community and to promote the Community Bank Warburton and Yarra Junction branches.
- Applicants must have an ABN or have a Project Partner who holds an ABN
- Funding cannot be provided retrospectively.
- New applications will not be eligible until all previous funding provided by Upper Yarra Community Enterprise/Community Bank Warburton and Yarra Junction has been satisfactorily acquitted.
Refer to the Community Grants Guidelines for full details of the Eligibility criteria
REFERENCES
>Quick Reference Grant Applications Checklist
>Community Grants Guidelines – UYCE Warburton and Yarra Junction
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COMMUNITY DEFIB PROGRAM
An annual program OPENS FOR APPLICATIONS IN JULY
From July 2023 we introduced this NEW initiative. We are committed to providing 24/7 Community Accessible Defibs, purchasing up to 5 units per year and allocating them to worthy organisations and groups. Approximate allocation $15,000 per annum. There is no need to source quotes. If successful a defib will be allocated to your group and provided by Community Bank Warburton and Yarra Junction.
We know defibrillators are key to surviving a cardiac arrest and these defibs help keep people safe and save lives. It's just another way we are having a big impact every day.
TO CELEBRATE OUR 20TH BIRTHDAY IN 2020, OUR GIFT TO COMMUNITY WAS TO PROVIDE TWO 24/7 COMMUNITY ACCESSIBLE DEFIBRILLATORS - ONE OUTSIDE EACH OF OUR COMMUNITY BANK BRANCHES. TO READ ABOUT OUR 20TH BIRTHDAY GIFT TO COMMUNITY CLICK HERE
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SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM FOR FIRST YEAR UNI OR TAFE STUDENTS
An annual program OPENS FOR APPLICATIONS IN NOVEMBER
Open to local Upper Yarra students who are embarking on first year tertiary studies at University or TAFE this program offers financial support to our Youth to follow their academic dream.
Since its inception in 2014 it has provided an impressive $48,000 of financial support to 31 students who live, study or work in the Upper Yarra.
Supporting students towards tertiary study is part of the branches’ commitment to provide opportunities for our Youth and ultimately build a stronger Upper Yarra community. It’s just another part of our Community Investment program that we are very proud of. Better banking, Big Impact.
THE LATEST COMMUNITY INVESTMENT NEWS
Current Round
COMMUNITY GRANTS ROUND #2 2024/2025
APPLICATIONS open 8.00am 01 April 2025
APPLICATIONS CLOSE 5.00pm Wednesday 30 April 2025 (AEST)
CLICK HERE to apply
For projects your community group/organisation is looking to undertake from 01 July 2025.
All applicants will be notified by email of the outcome.
Thank you to All applicants and GOOD LUCK.
FOR UPDATES follow us on FACEBOOK or bookmark this website.
*This Community Investment initiative is administered by Community Enterprise Foundation™ on behalf of Upper Yarra Community Enterprise Limited and made possible by the generous support of Bendigo Bank - Community Banks Warburton and Yarra Junction.
For assistance or queries with any of the programs
Contact Upper Yarra Community Enterprise Ltd by email admin@upperyarra.net.au
To view our Privacy and Disclosure Statement click here
RECENT PROJECTS SUPPORTED THROUGH OUR COMMUNITY INVESTMENT PROGRAM INCLUDE.....
Community Grants Round 2024/2025 Round #1 Recipients
12 inspiring projects receiving financial support with a total of $37,785 awarded to:
ADRA Community Care Centre Redwood
Receiving $3,872
For their Signage Project to refresh the front entrance to their Warburton premises
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Edible Garden Warburton – Community Garden
Receiving $6,782
For their Garden Shed project to complement their separately funded Water Tank project (Yarra Valley Water)
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Reefton Volunteer Fire Brigade
Receiving $1,000
For their project to replace damaged trestle tables
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Upper Yarra SES
Receiving $3,700
For their IT infrastructure improvements
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Warburton Millgrove Football Netball Club
Receiving $5,000
For their Electronic NETBALL Scoreboard project
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Warburton Tennis Club
Receiving $1,000
For their Tennis Outreach Program taking Tennis to our local primary schools
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Warburton Valley CEDA – Warburton Valley Community Economic Development Association
Receiving $1,000
For conducting their quarterly member business forums
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Warburton Volunteer Fire Brigade
Receiving $2,725
For their Computer and Network upgrades project at the Warburton Main Station
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Yarra Junction Bowling Club
Receiving $2,500
For their Clubroom Furniture Upgrade project
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Yarra Junction Community Group Incorporated
A new group established just last year
Receiving $5,000
For their Public Art (Yarra Junction) project
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Yarra Ranges Film Society
Receiving $2,700
For their annual Warburton Film Festival – this year they will be celebrating the 40th edition // June 13-15 so pop it in your calendar
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Yarra Valley ECOSS
Receiving $2,500
For the UpCycles venture based at their Wesburn location
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Community Grants Round 2023/2024 Round #2 Recipients
16 inspiring projects receiving financial support with a total of $58,177 awarded to:
- Forever Friends Animal Rescue - Special Needs Project $8,000
- Cire Services Incorporated - Halloween Street Party Yarra Junction 2024 $5,000
- Warburton Fire Brigade - Warburton CFA Satellite Station and Support Vehicle Equipment $5,000
- Gladysdale Primary School - Little Apples Playgroup Project $4,000
- CFA Reefton Fire Brigade - Retention of Volunteers & Community Engagement Project $4,982
- Warburton Advancement League - Community Christmas Carols 2024 $2,000
- Body of Wellbeing Ltd - My Body’s Story-Empowering Futures Project $9,555
- Tender Funerals Greater Eastern Melbourne - Talking Tender in the Upper Yarra $1,100
- Little Yarra Steiner School - Improving Cultural Responsiveness-Community Connection at LYSS Project $2,000
- Warburton Advancement League - Dignity Project at The Redwood Centre Warburton $1,330
- The River Folk Festival - The River Folk Festival 2024 $3,500
- Upper Yarra Adult Horse Riding Club - UYARC Official Horse-Riding Clubs Assoc Vic Show 2024 (Wesburn) $810
- Yarra Junction Junior Netball Club - Coach Education Program for Club Volunteers $1,000
Congratulations to our worthy recipients. We are proud to support these community groups whose dedication and hard work makes a significant impact in our Upper Yarra community
Follow us on Facebook for updates on their projects.
AND A WORD FROM ONE OF OUR RECIPIENTS.....
"We would like to thank Upper Yarra Community Enterprise Ltd and Warburton and Yarra Junction Bendigo Banks for the support and commitment. It has allowed us to achieve our vision of expanding the festival and engagement of the Giro Della Donna weekend to embrace the local community and riders young and old. A wonderful partnership!”
Michael Hands, Corporate Cycling Co-Founder and Director and GDD Event Director