Record grants have been given out in the last year for new community facilities and services in the Epping area – fulfilling Community Bank Epping’s mission as part of the Bendigo Bank’s network to return profits to the area.

Riding for the Disabled

Tucked away on Culloden Road in Marsfield is an amazing place – the local Riding for the Disabled Centre, where every week magic happens! A big band of volunteers enable riding programs for disabled children and adults. These are more than just exercise or education lessons, they are life changing opportunities that build self-confidence and resilience.

It’s all made possible through fund-raising and donations, and Community Bank Epping has been proud to be a major supporter of the Centre in recent years. Our grants have funded:

• Solar panels on the arena roof – greatly saving on running costs
• An all-weather cover over the stabling area where horse wait to enter the arena, keeping them dry and out of the sun
• A new sponsored horse – more horses = more rides!

And our most recent grant was to install fencing on a grassed area facing the road. This was an under utilised space. Now fenced and with new pathways, there is a new area for interactive horse programs that is fully accessible from the car park. It opens up new opportunities for more great RDA experiences!

Local Schools

Helping the P&C Associations from local schools has been a frequent feature of Community Bank Epping’s grants program. They always have a long list of projects and equipment they would like to provide to the school. These ‘extras’ can enhance and support children’s learning and school experience.

In 2024, we supported 6 school P&Cs with 10 different projects – a huge variety but all very worthwhile. They are:

• Cheltenham Girls High School: Equipment for the used clothing shop, and furniture to help a new breakfast club be established
• Ngarala Public School: Peer support training materials and additional laptops and computer storage equipment
• Epping Public School: New handball courts in the playground, and furniture for Kookaburra corner – a quieter part of the playground where pupils can relax
• Epping North Public School: Materials for new works at the school’s community garden, and outdoor furniture and table tennis tables for the playground
• Denistone East Public School: New electronic signage
• Murray Farm Public School: Musical instruments and equipment for the school band program

School P&Cs are driven by parents and volunteers. They are the backbone of many schools. They run canteens, help out at sports carnivals, raise funds by running fairs and sausage sizzles, and buy new equipment.

In early 2025, 6 new grants to local primary and secondary schools were announced and will be undertaken in coming months.