Kicking off at the Municipal Association of Victoria’s annual conference in October last year, the National Australia Bank (NAB) offered delegates the chance to benefit a nominated community program by winning $1,000 to host a community event, attended by one of NAB’s Sporting Ambassadors. Mayor Gary Bird from Horsham Rural City Council submitted the winning entry that was drawn at the conference dinner.
Working with its local service clubs, including Apex, Rotary and Lions, Horsham Rural City opted for a breakfast in the lead up to Christmas to help lift community spirits as its residents continue to battle the worsening drought.
Located in north west Victoria on the edge of the famous Grampians National Park, Horsham Rural City has a population of just over 19,000 people. The Municipality relies heavily on its agricultural sector and with Horsham being the major retail, business and service centre for the Wimmera, the drought has cast a long shadow over the whole community.
“This is a tremendous initiative by NAB to assist Councils to run a community event,” said Mayor Gary Bird. “We served 240 people breakfast in Roberts Place, an ideal location in the CBD that is easy to close off so excellent for functions like this. Over $5,000 in prizes were handed out thanks to the support of local businesses.”
Former Collingwood captain and coach, Tony Shaw, was NAB’s Sports Ambassador at the breakfast held on 15 December. Tony Shaw’s address to residents was very well received along with the presentation of the many prizes. After the breakfast, five local retailers drawn from a ballot hosted Tony Shaw as he met and chatted with their customers.
John Miatke, Business Banker at NAB’s Horsham branch said that the breakfast brought everyone together. “Support from the local radio station and newspapers helped to promote the event widely both in the lead up and during the breakfast,” he said.
NAB staged the same competition at the National General Assembly of Local Government in Canberra in late November. The winning Council was Playford in South Australia with an entry submitted by Councillor Andrew Craig. Playford is yet to decide the date and format for its community event.
