Rowan Ramsey (Grey, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Today I would like to congratulate Tumby Bay District Financial Services Ltd, which will be opening a branch of the Bendigo Bank on Friday. I will be given the honour of officially opening it next week and I am looking forward to it. It has taken over 12 months. Kevin Cook, chairman; Julie Elliott, secretary; Wayne Branson, vice-chairman; and their committee have worked very hard over the last 12 months to get a commitment of about $900,000 from the district that will support and invest in Bendigo Bank. Bendigo Bank is given the ability to raise serious amounts of money. Over the last year, since Bendigo Bank was established, the community of Cummins—which is just over the hill from Tumby Bay—has reinvested $1.2 million back into the community. Having this pool of investment to go to government and say, ‘We’ve got some dollars on the table; what have you got?’ is a great advantage to the community. I expect Tumby Bay to have similar success and I think, over the next few years, this community endeavour will pay great dividends for Tumby Bay. I look forward to being with them next week.