Est. 2013 Issue: Vol. 2 No. 11 1 November, 2014 Please take one Printed 1,000 Emails 288
WILLUNGA ---GAZETTE---
Gazette via email
A monthly publication of the Willunga Business and Tourism Association Inc
PUBLIC MEETING ENDORSES BENDIGO BANK OPTION Bank S.A. closes its Willunga Branch and its officials face the community. Disgruntled residents attending a public meeting called by the Willunga Business and Tourism Association voted to explore banking options, in particular those on offer from Bendigo Bank. Willunga residents filled the community conference room at the Willunga Hub, to hear the Bank S.A. General Manager of retail banking, Mike Barrett, explain the reasoning behind the announcement by Bank S.A. to close its Willunga branch. Mr Barrett explained that the decision reflected customer behaviour in the market place; that numbers of transactions over the counter in Willunga had been dropping markedly over recent months, and that the expected rise in transactions after the close of the ANZ bank did not eventuate. He flagged the possibility of a limited service in the way of a restricted agency being set up in Willunga. Mr Barrett agreed under questioning that such an agency would not provide the same level of service as for instance the Westpac agency in McLaren Vale.
up in Willunga BUT for that to happen, there would need to be a significant commitment from the community, not just transactions but in savings and loans. At the completion of his presentation and following a Q&A session, the meeting resolved that:
“ this meeting is willing to endorse the option of exploring the establishment of a Bendigo Bank presence in Willunga.” Having been asked to say a few words to the residents at the beginning of the meeting, Mayor Rosenberg spoke briefly about the resilience of the Willunga community and its ability to find a way forward when faced with challenges. It was a timely reminder to all at the meeting that the community wasn’t going to roll over with nothing more than a whimper.
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Coming Up Sunday 9th Nov 2014 Williams Family Smoking Ceremony Friday Nov 14th and Sat 15th – Green Light Festival Sat Nov 22nd Willunga 175 Quiz night Christmas Tree Festival 29-30 November Concert Band Twilight Concert 16 December, Rec Park SANTOS Tour Down Under Stage 5 24 January 2015 -------
The following is a summary of the responses, all of which were supported by a large majority of those in attendance. That Bank S.A. had reneged on its commitment to stay open after the demise of the local ANZ branch – ‘we are here to stay’ That the absence of a bank offering face to face service severely affected the daily operation of local business e.g. depositing cash at the end of or during the day. That travelling to McLaren Vale to bank reduces the likelihood of customers supporting other businesses in Willunga, e.g. more regular shopping done in McLaren Vale. That an empty bank premise in any town gives out a negative message to visitors and potential new business. That Bank S.A. when faced with imminent closure failed to engage with the Willunga community in an attempt to rebuild the customer base. No attempt was made by the bank to set up a public meeting to discuss ways of keeping it as a viable operating bank in Willunga. When the meeting was asked to discuss options for the community, Ron Logan, the chair of the board of the Aldinga Beach Community Bank, a franchisee of Bendigo and Adelaide Bank, was invited to address the meeting. He was confident that if the Willunga community was prepared to support the venture, that a Bendigo Bank agency could be set Willunga Gazette – published by Willunga Business and Tourism, PO Box 22, Willunga SA 5172 www.willunga.com
Editor: Tom Laing, willungagazette@gmail.com to be added to mail list or phone or text 0421 912 800 Advertising: Column: $120.00; Quarter page $80.00; Eighth $40.00; Sixteenth $20.00; Classified: $10.00 (25% disc for members)
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