Commonwealth Bank Staff Community Fund Grant Recipients Announced

Commonwealth Bank Staff Community Fund Grant Recipients Announced

The Commonwealth Bank Staff Community Fund today awarded over $550,000 to local communities and organisations through its Community Grants Program.

A total of 66 local community groups and charities around Australia, with initiatives that directly benefit the health and wellbeing of children, were awarded grants of up to $10,000 each.

The Commonwealth Bank Staff Community Fund was established in 1917 and is Australia's longest running employee contribution program with over 4,700 current and retired staff making regular salary contributions to support children's charities in Australian communities.

Ms Barbara Chapman, Commonwealth Bank Group Executive and Chair of the Staff Community Fund extended warm congratulations to all recipients and said the Grants Program continues to provide great opportunities for communities across the nation.

"On behalf of the Commonwealth Bank I would like to congratulate all recipients and hope that this contribution will assist them in making a difference in their local community," Ms Chapman said.

"This year we have had an overwhelming number of applicants of very high quality from all parts of Australia. A selection of recipients includes;
* Napean Youth Accommodation Services in Penrith, New South Wales, who provide services for children at risk of homelessness.
* Operation STITCHES in Richmond, Victoria which teaches young people to say no to drugs, violence and crime
* Hear and Say Centre for children who are deaf or hearing impaired in Toowong, Brisbane that teaches children to hear, listen and speak; and
* Clarence PCYC in Tasmania who provide sporting and recreational activities for at risk youth.

"The Commonwealth Bank and our people are determined to make a difference in the community and are proud to invest time and money into programs that benefit Australian communities."

Since the Community Grants Program commenced in 2007, Commonwealth Bank staff have awarded 281 grants, totalling more than $2.1 million to deserving groups.
Commonwealth Bank staff from across the country will visit recipients in their local community to congratulate them personally.

A full list of the 2009 grant recipients can be found below or at commbank.com.au/communitygrants.

ENDS

For more information contact:
George Pank
Commonwealth Bank
Ph: (02) 9378 3944

Editor's Notes:
About Commonwealth Bank Staff Community Fund
The Staff Community Fund was formed in 1917 and is Australia's longest running employee contribution program. Over 4,700 current and retired staff contribute to the Fund. All administrative costs for the fund are met by the Commonwealth Bank; ensuring 100 per cent of funds raised go directly to children's charities. The Fund now distributes over $1 million each year to support various causes that work with Australian children including Midnight Basketball, Clown Doctors and the Community Grants Program.

About Commonwealth Bank in the community
The Commonwealth Bank has been actively supporting the Australian community since it opened its doors in 1912. The Commonwealth Bank, with its community partners and people achieve social outcomes that enrich the communities in which it operates. Community support covers financial literacy through the Commonwealth Bank Foundation, the health and wellbeing of children through the Staff Community Fund, and programs in the arts, sport, welfare, and the environment.

2009 Commonwealth Bank Community Grant Recipients

NSW and ACT
Point Zero Youth Services
Assistance Dogs Australia
Southern Community Welfare
Sutherland Early Support Service
Richmond Community Services Inc.
Cure Our Kids
Hear For You Ltd.
Stewart House
Breakaway
Firstchance Inc.
Intereach NSW Inc.
Nepean Youth Accommodation Services Inc.
Chinese Parents Association - Children with Disabilities Inc.
Parramatta Mission
Greater Western Area Health Service
SDN Child and Family Services Pty. Ltd.
Medley Community Inc.
Giant Steps Sydney
Lighthouse Community Care Ltd.
Save the Children Australia
Sir David Martin Foundation
Sisters of Charity Outreach
Aboriginal Children Services

QLD and NT
A Brighter Future Charity
Hope Empowered Inc.
Mission Australia
Noah's Ark Resource Centre (Qld) Inc.
Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation
Cerebral Palsy League of Queensland Inc.
Hear and Say Centre
Loaves and Fishes Street Meet Care Service Ltd.
Scripture Union Queensland
The Leukaemia Foundation of Queensland

SA
Community Lifestyles
In 2 Life Inc.
Autism SA
McGuinness McDermott Foundation
Foodbank of South Australia Inc.
Minda Inc.
Leveda Inc.

TAS
Appin Hall Children's Foundation
Clarence PCYC
Holyoake Tasmania Inc.
Magnolia Place, Launceston Women's Shelter, Inc.
The Parkside Foundation

VIC
Ardoch Youth Foundation
Benalla Trust Foundation
Bendigo Special Developmental School
Burnet Institute
HeartKids Victoria
Kara House Inc.
KIDS Foundation
Life Education Victoria
National Trauma Research Institute
Operation STITCHES
PlayConnect Playgroup Thornbury
Port Phillip Specialist School
The Victorian Deaf Society
Women's Liberation Halfway House Domestic Violence Service

WA
Aidan's Place Inc.
Identitywa
Parkerville Children and Youth Care
The Centre for Cerebral Palsy
Landsdale Family Support Association Inc.
Women's Healthworks
Kids Are Kids! Therapy and Education Centre Inc.

SOURCE: Commonwealth Bank of Australia