Bendigo and Adelaide Bank : Rotary Clubs of Australia and Bendigo and Adelaide Bank partner for National Drought Appeal

Bendigo and Adelaide Bank has partnered with Rotary Clubs of Australia to raise money for drought affected farmers and farm communities across Australia. The appeal is run by Bendigo Bank's charitable arm, Community Enterprise Foundation™ and money raised will be used to give charitable relief and aid recovery in locally identified drought affected areas.

'Ninety-nine per cent of NSW is in drought, as is South-East Queensland and parts of Victoria and South Australia. Nationally, one quarter of Australian agriculture is in severe drought,' said Philip Archer, External Relations Director - Rotary International District 9800.

'This drought has really affected us all with its far-reaching effects. Nobody is immune. We should be in this together.

'Yes, farmers and farming families are doing it tough, and the flow-on effect to other businesses in drought affected communities is huge. Whatever help and financial support we can give, whatever small thing we can do now will help rural communities get back to normality quicker.

'This is serious. But we can all help, and Rotary is up for the challenge encouraging everyone, city-based or country, to make a donation - large or small - to help those struggling to get through.'

Bendigo and Adelaide Executive, Alexandra Gartmann, said: 'With continuing drought conditions across much of the eastern states, we are committed to supporting both short term and longer-term community sustainability and recovery. Partnering and supporting the 2019 Rotary Clubs of Australia Drought Appeal aligns with our purpose and reflects our deep roots in rural and regional communities across Australia.

'The viability and prosperity of farming communities is important to the Australian economy and supporting them through the inevitable cycles of agriculture in both challenging and productive times is something government, the private sector and community can do. One of the most important considerations through drought is to maintain a focus on the wellbeing of impacted communities over the longer term.

'Many farming families and communities need both short term assistance and longer-term planning and investment. Donations to the Appeal will be directed towards addressing hardship through vital services that support farmers and their local communities, such as helping alleviate social isolation, funding mental health initiatives and supporting school and other education initiatives.

'While there are various forms of support being directed to impacted communities, increasing the resources available for those affected by drought can only further enable the eventual recovery for these communities and associated businesses.'

People can donate online at:www.bendigobank.com.au/rotarydrought or at their nearest Bendigo Bank branch.

All donations of $2 or more are tax deductible and donors will be provided with a tax receipt.

The Rotary Clubs of Australia Drought Appeal is a management account of Community Enterprise Foundation™ ABN 69 694 230 518, The Bendigo Bank Centre, PO Box 480, Bendigo, Vic 3552. The Foundation will make distributions for charitable projects by way of grants following receipt of applications from charities endorsed with item 1 Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status or other eligible Not-For-Profit organisations. (1366805 -1368724) (10/19).