Having been part of the Mt Evelyn and Montrose community for over 21 years, the Mt Evelyn Bendigo Community Bank has launched into action to provide some relief to local businesses in Montrose as they navigate the challenges that come with the extensive roadworks program in the town.
“Supporting and strengthening our community is at the heart of what we do at the Mt Evelyn Bendigo Community Bank, and local businesses are very much a part of the community,” Bank deputy chair and longtime Montrose resident Gai Williams said.
“We understand the upgrades to the Montrose round-about will provide some improvement to traffic and safety for residents and passersby, but we also know the disruption it is causing to small businesses in the process is significant.
“And so, we wanted to find a way to help these businesses stay afloat and encourage people to stop there and shop.”
The bank, located in Wray Crescent Mt Evelyn, is providing more than 100 gift vouchers valued at between $30-50 to local community groups to give to their members, to spend back in the participating stores in Montrose.
Ms Williams said she had visited schools, local residents, clubs and community groups to give them vouchers but now they are encouraged and urged to use them before the end of June.
“This not only injects some spending back into the area but also helps families and individuals who are struggling through the cost-of-living crisis right now,” she said.
Local business owners have been very grateful for the additional investment by the bank, and hope that there is more support coming for them over this extended period.
Montrose Meats owner Matt Young said the road works have definitely had an effect on the strip shops, so any initiative to support all the businesses in town was welcomed.
Participating businesses Basil Leaf, Hahndorf Chocolates, Hummingbird, IGA Food and Liquor (excluding tobacco products), Invigorate Hairdressing, La Lupa Romana, Market & Cafe 3765, Mary Eats Cake, Montrose Bakery, Montrose Barber, Montrose Charcoal Chicken, Montrose Fish and Chips, Montrose Fruit Basket, Montrose Meats, Montrose Newsagency, Montrose Pharmacy, Montrose Post Office (excluding postage costs), Montrose Seafoods, Montrose Veterinary Clinic, Mr Hummer, Petite Maison, Posie Project, Seelenko Hair Studio and The Little Flower Shoppe.
Ms Williams was very pleased to collect a number of used vouchers on Thursday 2 May and said it meant it was working.
Bank board chair John Stroud said this was a small step to helping ease what is already a difficult time for everyone.
“Our hope is to make some small inroads in relieving some of the pressure on these businesses, as well for families and individuals who are struggling through the significant cost-of-living crisis we are in,” he said.
Over the past twenty years the Mt Evelyn bank has given over $4 million back to the Mt Evelyn, Montrose and surrounding communities, making good things happen, through grants, donations and sponsorship.
This program is just another example of how banking local, means the money stays in the community. It’s local banking supporting local people, making good things happen.
If you’d like to find out more about the program, contact the branch on 9737 1833.
