Our History
How we started
In 2002, the last of the Big Banks left Elmore. Our Elmore locals knew that this was a major detriment to our local economy – so the Lions club was enlisted to establish a steering committee of passionate community members to address it. Elmore’s neighbouring community of Lockington was experiencing a similar issue, so the two communities partnered to establish a whole new concept of banking in both towns. At this stage, Lockmore Financial Services Ltd was established – the Community company that operates our Community Bank.
Whilst there was already a suitable space for a bank branch in Elmore, that wasn’t the case in Lockington. Meanwhile though, the local mechanic was closing up shop – which meant that the town was going to lose access to fuel sales. This was a perfect opportunity to create a Community Centre for the town, incorporating fuel sales, a library, a community centre and of course, our new bank branch.
Working alongside our partners at Bendigo Bank, $8million of pledges of support were raised from our locals, demonstrating not only that the demand existed, but also that our locals are an incredibly passionate bunch.
On 03 December 2003, the doors to Community Bank Elmore were opened for the first time, closely followed by Community Bank Lockington on 03 March 2004.
The Establishment of Community Bank Rochester
It was early 2010, and our Elmore & Lockington branches had been open for 7 years, which meant our neighbours at Rochester were seeing the real impact that Community Banking can make. Whilst the Big 4 Banks were still in town, it was clear that Rochester locals wanted more from their banking. A steering committee was established to drive the establishment and encourage locals to raise the required $500,000 in pledges. Pledge boxes were placed in local businesses and a number of community information nights were held. This target was achieved in September, which allowed the steering committee to progress to the next stage. In December 2010, a location for the Community Bank was secured at 24 Gillies Street – the same place we call home today.
The next stage of the journey was in August 2011, when we released shares in Community Bank Rochester for purchase. From this date forward, the focus of our steering committee was to sell $500,000 worth of $1 shareholdings to local residents, traders and business people. The aim was to have more than 300 local shareholders. Amazingly, on the Prospectus launch night, over $400,000 was raised. This set a record for the highest number of pledges received in one session in Community Bank history. The community continued to rally and ended up rasising over $680,000 which allowed the dream of a Community Bank in Rochester to become a reality. On October 19, 2011, the doors to Community Bank Rochester were opened for the first time.
Where we are today
The structure of our community bank remains the same today as when we first started. We have 750 local shareholders that own the business and receive yearly dividends. A board of local directors oversee our strategy & ensure that we continue to serve our community in the best way possible. Bendigo Bank supplies and operates the banking systems. Our team of local banking experts provide exceptional service to our customers. Income is shared and our profits are returned to the community in the form of grants, sponsorships, scholarships and dividends.
Our local Community Bank turns 20 in December 2023, and throughout this time has distributed over $2.25 million dollars back to our communities, whilst providing employment and services across three townships. This banking concept has had an incredible impact on our communities of Elmore, Lockington, Rochester and surrounds.
We all have to interact with a bank. We all have to pay interest, fees and charges. It makes sense to bank with a bank that thoroughly supports our community – your local Community Bank.
Meet our amazing team
Our Board
Helping our local community.
Jo Holloway – Chair
Jo has been with our board since April 2021, and stepped up to the Chair role in February 2023. Jo’s background is in Agriculture, having grown up on a family dairy farm in Allansford. He completed a Bachelor of Agricultural Science at CSU in Wagga Wagga and is currently employed as an Area Manager with Semex Pty Ltd.
Jo is heavily involved with the local sporting community, following BLU Cricket Club and signing as co-coach of the LBU Football Club’s 2nds team in 2023. He is also a mad Essendon and Melbourne Storm supporter! On a personal level, Jo lives in Lockington with his wife, Bridget, and their new addition Albie, who was born in November 2022.
Brad Drust – Deputy Chair
Brad joined our board in April 2014, and acted as our Chair between November 2016 and February 2023. He is now our Deputy Chair.
Brad’s background is in natural resource management; having worked for over 20 years in technical and management roles. He is currently the Chief Executive Officer at the North Central Catchment Management Authority, leading the organisation to deliver a range of community, environment and compliance programs. Brad holds a Bachelor of Arts (Geography) / Bachelor of Science (Environmental Science) and Masters of Business Administration. Brad is an Elmore local and is involved with a number of community groups in the area – such as the Elmore Swimming Pool, the Elmore Community Hub committee, and as a Director at REDHS.
On a personal level, Brad lives with his partner Meg, and their two sons Luke & Tom.
Lea Holmberg – Director
Lea joined our board in June 2021. She has a particular interest in the health space – holding a Bachelor of Health Science, and working as a Registered Nurse in roles across our 3 communities of Elmore, Lockington and Rochester. She is also Level 2 yoga instructor and small business operator.
Lea has a passion for community, having been involved with a number of community groups – including the Lockington Preschool and primary school committees, Rochester Secondary College Parents & Friends committee, Elmore Netball Club, Tuesday Tennis committee and Friends of the Cemetery. Lea lives in Milloo with her husband, Greg.
Ian Maddison – Director
Ian joined our board in July 2018. During his time with us, he has contributed a huge amount to our Community Bank and local towns of Elmore, Lockington and Rochester – he even served as our Deputy Chair for a period of time. Ian’s background is in business and agriculture. He was the Principal of Maddison Livestock & Property Pty Ltd from 2002 – 2018; managing 10 full-time and part-time employees. Previous to this, he was Business Manager of Gippsland & Northern / Dalgety’s / Wesfarmers Echuca from 1992 – 2002 and a Dairy Farmer from 1980 to 1990.
Ian is heavily involved in his local community. He was previously a committee member of Lockington Bamawm United Football Netball Club and spent 3 years as their President. Ian also served two terms as Campaspe Shire Councillor, including two years as Mayor. On a personal level, Ian lives in Lockington with his wife Kathi and they share 5 children and 11 grandchildren.
Stuart Wilson – Director
Stuart is the most recent addition to our board – officially commencing with us as a Director in February 2023. Stuart was born in Rochester, grew up on a farm in Girgarre, moved to Essendon in late Primary School, then returned to his hometown of Rochester around 3 years ago. Stuart is a Principal at Ray White in Rochester – but real estate is certainly not his only forte. He is also a qualified aircraft engineer, he holds a Business Management Degree, and is also a professional Santa Claus!
Stuart loves his football. He is a volunteer at the Rochester Football Netball Club, and a passionate Collingwood supporter in the AFL. Stuart lives with his wife Suwa and fur baby Thomas.
Lauren Ross – Executive Officer
& Company Secretary
Lauren joined our team in August 2021. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Melbourne and has spent the majority of her career working in banking. She has experience working for Bendigo Bank, ANZ and Community Sector Banking in a variety of roles across branches, call centres and head office.
Lauren lives in Huntly with her husband, Cam, their daughter Maya, and their two sausage dogs Leo and Frankie.
Leo Bruinier – Contract Finance Officer
Leo is a sole trader and was contracted to perform bookkeeping, financial accounting and finance assistance to the Board in October 2016. He is very knowledgeable in Community Bank accounting with over twenty years’ experience being part of the audit team that audited Bendigo Bank when the Community Bank concept was conceived and twelve years of auditing Community Banks for Bendigo accounting/audit firms.
Leo is a CPA with 24 years of accounting experience. Leo has played football and cricket in the Bendigo district for many years. He is very community minded and is a member of several community groups holding treasurer and secretary roles plus provides ad hoc advice to several more.
Sharon Ebsworth – Executive Officer & Company Secretary
Sharon joined our team in September 2023, having previously worked for Bendigo Bank in the corporate sector. Alongside her extensive banking experience, Sharon also has experience in events management – having previously owned her own events management business.
On a personal level, Sharon lives in Moama with her husband and their 17 year old son.
Meet our amazing team
Our Branch Team
Helping our local community.
James Pietromonaco – Branch Manager
James joined Community Bank Elmore, Lockington and Rochester in May 2022. James has been part of the Bendigo Bank family for a long time now, originally starting as a Customer Service Officer at Bendigo’s Pall Mall branch back in 2014. James has a strong lending background and loves working with our customers to achieve their financial goals.
James grew up in Strathfieldsaye and still lives there today. Outside of work he is a keen cricketer and has been playing at Mandurang for the past few years.
Want to get in touch with James?
0413 852 757
James.Pietromonaco@bendigoadelaide.com.au
Meg Parker – Assistant Branch Manager
Meg joined our team as Assistant Branch Manager in July 2023. Prior to this role, she worked at a number of branches across Bendigo Bank, in banking and digital roles. Meg is a Bendigo girl, and joined our team because she loves the sense of community in our three towns. Want to get in touch with Meg?
0413 871 058
Meg.Parker@bendigoadelaide.com.au
Lily Wareham – Customer Relationship Officer
Lily joined our team, originally as a Trainee Customer Service Officer, and has progressed through the Customer Service Officer role into the Customer Relationship Officer (or ‘CRO’). As a CRO, Lily is our expert on account openings, credit cards and personal loans.
Lily is expecting her first baby in April 2023, and will be on maternity leave for 12 months, returning to us in March 2024.
Paige Adam – Customer Relationship Officer
Paige joined our team in March 2023, having had experience working at other Community Banks in the past. Paige grew up in Geelong and moved to Bendigo in 2019 – she now lives in Epsom with her husband Corey and their German Sheppard Nala.
Paige is passionate about community and is so excited to build new connections with our Elmore, Lockington and Rochester locals.
Want to get in touch with Paige?
0427 801 712
Paige.Adam@bendigoadelaide.com.au
Helen McCaskie – Customer Service Supervisor
Helen, alongside Tanya, is our longest serving employee, and has been with us since our Community Bank’s establishment in 2003! Helen is an Elmore local and is keenly involved with a number of community organisations – such as the Elmore BNS Ball committee and the local football netball club.
Want to get in touch with Helen?Helen.McCaskie@bendigoadelaide.com.au
Tanya Niven – Customer Service Officer
Tanya, alongside Helen, is our longest serving employee, and has been with us since our Community Bank’s establishment in 2003! She is an Elmore local that loves spending time with her family and heading along to the local footy/netball on the weekends.
Want to get in touch with Tanya?Tanya.Niven@bendigoadelaide.com.au
Wendy Wright – Customer Service Officer
Wendy joined our team in February 2009. You’ll usually find her at our Lockington branch, but she does occasionally help out at our Elmore & Rochester sites too. Wendy lives in Lockington with her husband, Chipper, and she loves spending time with her children & grandchildren.
Want to get in touch with Wendy?Wendy.Wright@bendigoadelaide.com.au
Fiona Cuttriss – Customer Service Officer
Fiona has been with our Community Bank since July 2014. She works as a Customer Service Officer across our 3 sites. Fiona is a Rochester local, and outside of work enjoys spending time with her husband, 4 children and 9 grandsons.
Want to get in touch with Fiona?Fiona.Cuttriss@bendigoadelaide.com.au
Lauren McKee – Customer Service Officer
Lauren has been a member of our team since September 2017 and currently works part-time across our three branches. She is an Elmore local and is heavily involved in her community. She has played over 300 games for the Elmore Football Netball Club, she is involved with OLSH Primary School and you may even find her filling in as a Lifeguard down at the Elmore Swimming Pool. Lauren loves spending time with her husband Nick, and kids Sunny & Zayde.
Want to get in touch with Lauren?Lauren.McKee@bendigoadelaide.com.au
Morghan Hughes – Customer Service Officer
Morghan joined our team as a Customer Service Trainee in March 2022. She grew up in Goornong and Fairy Dell, and currently lives in Avonmore. Outside of work, she plays netball for Colbinabbin, and on a personal level, Morghan married her partner Tom in August 2022.
Want to get in touch with Morghan?Morghan.Hughes@bendigoadelaide.com.au
Jenny Johnson – Customer Service Officer
Jenny joined our team in July 2023, having previously worked for Community Bank Tongala and Community Bank Kyabram. She is an Elmore local that loves getting involved in her community. A fun fact about Jenny? She used to be an Irish dancer!
Want to get in touch with Jenny? Jenny.Johnson@bendigoadelaide.com.au
Tasman Smith – Customer Service Officer
Tasman joined our team in August 2023. He grew up in Emu Creek and now lives in Bendigo – travelling across to our 3 Community Banks for work each day. He joined our team as he wanted to work somewhere where he could create personal connections with customers and for an organisation that gives back to the community.
Want to get in touch with Tasman? Tasman.Smith@bendigoadelaide.com.au
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