Regional Australia Bank provides more than $100K to local groups

More than a hundred community, sporting and not-for-profit support groups from around the Inverell district gathered together on Wednesday to find out just how much they'd be receiving.

Starting in tiers, various groups were called up to collect their bonus payments, ranging from $60 to $11,000.

Inverell's Community Men's Shed were on the receiving end of $3000 along with Operation: Operating Room who received $4941.

Inverell Prostate Cancer Support Group benefited from $5727 and Inverell Disability Services Inc received $10,908.

The biggest donation on the night went to Inverell's Breast Cancer Support Group and an emotional president, Trish Keightley accepted the $11,198.

She thanked Regional Australia Bank, specifically local staff members.

"Briefly, in 18 months we've been able to give 48 woman and children financial support and that's for any type of cancer. We've been thankful to have the funds to not just support those going through breast cancer, but any cancer locally.

"Last year we made a $5000 donation to Inala House in Tamworth and having recent contact with staff there, Inverell is still the biggest user of the service.

"We thought the donation to Inala House would be a way of helping everyone and we'd like to continue that support. This program gives us the confidence to be able to do what we do and we appreciate that," Trish said.

Regional Australia Bank chief executive Kevin Dupé said the Community Partnership Program changed the way the bank engaged with its community entirely.

"We would not have the kind of engagement we do now without our community. If we did not meet all of you, the people that make the world go around; the volunteers.

"We've seen significant growth in this program, Inverell is the third $100,000 branch and there's a fourth one charging at it."

To find out more about the Community Partnership Program, head to Regional Australia Bank's website.