$50,000 in Grants to the Nathalia Community
At the 24th Annual General Meeting of Northern Victoria Finances Limited held on Monday 20th November, 2023 at the Nathalia Community Early Learning Centre, we farewelled two retiring board directors, Kaye Bernhardt and Sherelle Smith, and welcomed new directors Craig Kellow, Jessica Robinson, Leah McGrath and Rachael Crowther.
Kaye Bernhardt - Equally NVFL’s longest serving director, joining the board in 2002. Kaye’s is a regular volunteer at bank functions, serving as Board Chair from 2006 to 2014 and on the childcare committee from 2012 until now. Kaye has seen many highlights as a director, including opening our new Numurkah Community Bank in 2009 and Nathalia Community Early Learning Centre’s wonderful facility in 2012.
Sherelle Smith joined the board in 2014, giving 9 years as a director. Sherelle was always among the first to volunteer with any tasks that needed doing and has been involved in setting up many community events. Sherelle reluctantly took on the company treasurers role and has done a fine job over the last two years with regular reports to the board on our finances.
The company has been extremely fortunate to have people of the highest character volunteering on the board and we wish our retiring and new directors all the best.
Nathalia Community Grants Program -
12 successful grant recipients were rewarded from the record $50,000 2023 Nathalia Community Grants Program.
Northern Victoria Finances Limited is very proud to be able to return profits to the local community. Since opening 24 years ago, it has returned more than $5.4 million in community contributions.
The 13 successful community groups were presented with a total of $100,000 overall ($50,000 for Nathalia and $50,000 for Numurkah).
Nathalia grants included - Nathalia Agricultural Society Inc (Nathalia Show Signage); Nathalia Bowling Club (stove installation); UCA Nathalia Uniting Church Parish (revitalising entrances to church and hall); Nathalia Angling Club (refurbish floor of main hall clubhouse); Nathalia Lawn Tennis Club (window upgrade); Nathalia/Picola RSL Sub Branch (Nathalia war memorial restoration); Nathalia Cemetery Trust (finalise lawn South C); Nathalia & District Historical Society (protecting our history through honour board preservation); Nathalia New Years Eve Carnival ; Nathalia & District Men’s Shed (BBQ area); Nathalia Needlework Group (Quilts for comfort); Nathalia Association Cricket Club (New fridge and Ice machine).
On a final note, the community is again encouraged to give Bendigo Bank the opportunity to talk to you about your banking, insurance and investments. The more support we have, the more we can return to our community.
Jims Log
Last Monday 20th November, 2023 at the Northern Victoria Finances Limited’s AGM, we officially acknowledged Jim and Margaret Liddell’s donation of a tree stump (log), and Jim’s contributions to our Bank and our community.
The log was moved in from Jim & Marg’s property to further enhance the Nathalia Community Early Learning Centre’s playground. Jim’s Log, as it is affectionately known, has been enjoyed by children every day since it arrived and will continue to give kids pleasure for many years to come.
Jim Liddell was the founding chairman of the board that operates our local Community Bank and a great leader. Jim served 17 years as a Director and for many years after, as an Associate Director.
Jim’s drive and passion for Nathalia and our Bank never waned. He never put a limit on where we could get to, or what we could achieve. He enjoyed lengthy robust debates and had a great sense of humor. Past and present board members and of course our Manager Peter remember fondly many lengthy boardroom debates.
Jim’s visions and dreams have helped shape our community as we know it today. Jim had courage. He was never afraid to ask the big questions. What can make our town economically strong? How can we retain capital in Nathalia? What does this community need that only we can do? Jim was the driving force behind the development of strategic plans for Nathalia and Numurkah. These are such important documents and are our road maps for what we are collectively trying to achieve.
Aside from the Bank, Jim was dedicated to other community groups like Legacy and the Nathalia Football Netball Club and of course we all know what a fantastic business man he was operating our local supermarket for many years. People sought Jim’s help and advice, which he would give freely. He always tried his best to give people sound counsel and assistance, without any expectation of receiving anything in return. He was a community man and a family man. And he had an infectious smile under that beard.
Jim never sought the kudos, the glory or the legacy. Once something was achieved, he was back at the drawing board looking to plan what was next. All in all, Jim was one great bloke and its Nathalia’s extreme good fortune that Jim and his family decided to call this place home. We thank Jim’s family, his wife Margaret, Dave and Denise, Andrew and Elouise, Cath and Ben, and 8 grandchildren for being in attendance as we opened “Jim Log”.
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