Coolalinga & Districts Community Bank, which is 28 kilometres south-east of Darwin, began as a bold vision by local business people determined to create a bank that truly served its community. 

Today, it sits at the heart of a growing, vibrant rural region.

From the moment customers walk through the door, it’s clear this is no ordinary bank. The bank operates as part of the nationwide Bendigo Bank community network, providing trusted walk-in face-to-face services and financial safeguards, and friendly staff, which reflect its people-first philosophy.

And there are other major differences … apart from opening on Saturday mornings and between 9.30am to 5pm weekdays. The bank also offers walk-in personalised services.

While major banks give their billions of dollars in profits to distant shareholders, Coolalinga & Districts Community Bank has 365 shareholders, nearly all of them still living locally – and returns 80 percent of its profits directly back into the local community.

THE BANK SUPPORTED BERRY SPRINGS PRIMARY SCHOOL’S GROWING GREEN WITH KIDS CAMPAIGN

Since being founded on 18 September 2006, the bank has proudly given about $2 million back to the community in grants, donations and sponsorships. This includes supporting local sporting and community clubs and charities, volunteer fire brigades, wildlife groups, rural shows, camp drafts and rodeos, community organisations, events and schools. 

And it supported the building of an air-conditioned community room at the Humpty Doo golf club.

Many young Territory athletes have been helped to compete interstate and even overseas.

The bank also supported Berry Springs Primary School’s Growing Green Kids and recycling project by donating a work ute. 

The principal welcomed the donation, saying it would play a fundamental role in the school-based sustainability programs for pre-school up to year 6 students. 

The bank is also a strong supporter of Careflight, which offers a vital aerial health service to remote and regional communities.

“Careflight is a crucial service in the rural area,” says bank Executive Officer and Chair Jan Young, who has been involved with the bank from the start.

THE BANK DONATED $91,000 TO CAREFLIGHT’S HELICOPTER TRAINING PROGRAM 

Coolalinga & Districts Community Bank also lends marquees and a barbecue trailer to community groups.

“We support many organisations, clubs and individuals,” says Ms Young. “We’re very community minded. And that’s as it should be – that’s why the bank was established, to serve our community.

“We’re looking forward to celebrating our milestone birthday. Our customers and shareholders and dedicated team are very much part of that success, and I think we’ve got a lot to be proud of.”

Known as the Better Big Bank, the Bendigo community banking model nationally has returned more than $416 million to Australian communities since 1998, funding more than 9320 projects, including hundreds of scholarships for students facing financial hardship.

Coolalinga & Districts Community Bank services a wide range of customers from throughout Litchfield, Palmerston, Jabiru, Adelaide River and Dundee Downs.

To find out more about how this community bank can help you drop, in and have a chat with the friendly knowledgeable team.

“They know local and will make it easy for you.” 

Jan is the head of a six-strong volunteer management committee of long-term Territorians – the other board members are former MLA Kezia Purick, former Litchfield Mayor Maree Bredhauer, Kirstine Cossens of Ironbark Aboriginal Corporation, Claire Bell from AA&P and Dean Walkley. TQ 

CONTACT

Chair: 0457 882604

Coolalinga & Districts Community Bank16-19/460 Stuart Hwy, Coolalinga NT 0839

(08) 8983 4111

Operating hours:Mon-Fri 9.30am-5pmSat 9am-12pm

BANK CUSTOMER RELATIONS OFFICER STACEY CAMPBELL AND DYLAN CHAPMAN