In celebration of a 100-year legacy of giving, Commonwealth Bank employees are giving $10 million to community organisations, with 1,000 Centenary Grants valued at $10,000 being distributed. Over 13,000 current and retired employees donate a portion of their income to the program, with the bank contributing up to $2 million each year.

Rural Outreach and Support Services received one of those Centenary Grants, after the Inverell Commonwealth Bank branch nominated it in recognition of the much needed services it provides to the local community.

“It’s a wonderful thing for (the employees) to do,” Rural Outreach manager Vicki Higgins said.

“The majority of the $10,000 will go towards our young families and people teaching them basic cooking skills and also towards healthy lunches for children at school,” she said. 

The organisation will help young mums and dads create healthy school lunches on a budget, and give children the chance to taste new flavours. A trial run with a toy library group proved popular earlier in the week. 

“We’re thrilled to be able to support organisations like Rural Outreach and Support Service in the important work they do for our local community,” Commonwealth Bank Inverell Branch manager Andrew Writer said.

He said he respected Rural Outreach’s ‘prevention is better than intervention’ approach, and supported their work with anger management workshops, and helping families with budgeting and cooking. 

“It’s especially meaningful that we are able to celebrate 100 years of employee giving, by nominating an organisation to receive a Centenary Grant in our local community,” he said.

Across Australia, Commonwealth Bank employees will be supporting local organisations that benefit youth wellbeing, access to education, and cancer research and awareness.

In total, 1,000 community organisations will receive a Centenary Grant from Commonwealth Bank, chosen by bank employees.