Today we went to Daylesford to stock up on chocolates, eat lunch at the nice cafe, and have a walk around one of the many trails. We had a great time, though it was pretty hot and our walk seemed quite a bit longer than the guide had suggested...
We spotted this poster in one of the shop windows, encouraging people to help fund and establish a local bank. This is happening more and more around Australia, where the commercial banks think it's not worth their while and pull out, community members pull together to set up their own banks, stores, post offices etc... It's great to see what people can do when they work together :)
@steeler@digitalrn - The Bendigo Bank (logo seen in the bottom right hand corner) was one of the original Community Banks in Australia, kinda started off like a Credit Union, where each customer buys a $10 share to start (non-refundable and no dividends paid except in lower fees and more competitive interest). The Bendigo Bank has now grown large enough that it is supporting this kind of venture in other Australian locations. In essence, the Bendigo Bank will become Australia's 5th player in the banking sector but it is still "community and rural minded".
Somehow we are forced to return to where it all started? With our banking costs, I think "members" (share holders) would love to have a bank which is not out to "milk" them.
@nicolecampbell I don't think we've eaten at Muffy's - we usually go to the Himalaya Bakehouse to enjoy their amazing range of yummy veggie/vegan pies, burgers, soup and cakes :)
there should be one like that here in canada but the big banks are so powerful. and don't get me started with banks. in any case, it is nice you got to have some touring time. nice photo for the challenge. i will probably do this sometime next year. it is quite an intriguing challenge and i am definitely interested in doing it,
Nice shot and concept for together. People investing in their own communitites- that's how it grows- not by making things bigger and bigger. I hope their venture succeeds beyond expectation!
Great photo and words for the challenge. I really find the community bank a fantastic idea. Somehow, we need to get back our lives from the "big boys!"
Country people don't exist in the minds of big business and politics unless it suits them, we always have to find ways to get what city folk take for granted....but that's life:)
@tabbycat We're both vegan so we don't get many choc choices - but we do visit Chocolate Mill just outside Daylesford where we can get several different types of yummy treats :)
Yay for vegans!! Me too!! Yes, I remember them having vegan choccies! Yay for the chocolate mill! I just had to go dairy-free cheese hunting for my cheesy zucchini pie! Not easy in a country town in a state that famous for it's cow cheese, but I managed some soy stuff in the end!
But maybe I`m wrong about this one. Great capture and words