Gallery: $178,000 in local grants delivered at Palmwoods Sponsorship Night
Director, Alan Taylor (pictured centre in green) “Since 2006, we’ve given away about $3.2 million,” Mr Taylor said. “That’s not bad for a small town. But that happens because people choose to bank locally, especially with home loans — that’s what brings the money in and allows us to give it back.”
By Cameron Outridge
The Palmwoods community gathered in festive spirit on Saturday night, July 5, as more than $178,000 in local grants was handed out to dozens of community groups at the annual Heritage Palmwoods Community Branch Sponsorship Night.
Held at the Palmwoods Hotel with a Christmas in July theme, the event was emceed with flair by PCB Director Malcolm Brown and celebrated the power of community banking — and the people who make it work.
The funding is part of the Heritage Community Branch model, in which the Palmwoods Community Branch’s share of profits is returned directly to the community through sponsorships and grants. This year’s beneficiaries included organisations across sport, schools, arts and community service — with Nambour Netball Association receiving $20,000 towards their work.
Branch Manager Sophia Di Ferdinando thanked the community for nearly two decades of support and shared the origin story of the branch, which opened in 2006 after local residents pooled investments to get it off the ground.
“With the continued support of our community, after a few years we were able to pay back our investors plus interest,” Ms Di Ferdinando said. “Now, this support helps us to give back — to our groups, our associations, our schools. Thank you so very much.”
The Palmwoods branch will celebrate its 20th anniversary next year.
Director Alan Taylor outlined how the grants program works and emphasised the importance of home lending in sustaining the sponsorship model.
“Since 2006, we’ve given away about $3.2 million,” Mr Taylor said. “That’s not bad for a small town. But that happens because people choose to bank locally, especially with home loans — that’s what brings the money in and allows us to give it back.”
Mr Taylor also flagged plans to transition the not-for-profit company into a registered charity to allow tax-deductible giving and expand its potential to serve the community.
Head of Member Experience Retail, Wayne Atkinson, praised the passion of both staff and the local board, which includes Malcolm Brown, Alan Taylor and Audrey Lyttle.
“You do an amazing job,” Mr Atkinson said. “Sophie, you and your team really embed yourselves in the community. We couldn’t do what we do without the support of this community.”
Mr Atkinson also paid tribute to the branch’s Christmas “Adopt a Family” program, which supports struggling local families with donated goods.
“The back of the branch is absolutely full,” he said. “The generosity is incredible — and it shows the kind of community Palmwoods is.”
The night ended with heartfelt thanks to the volunteers who power local organisations, and a reminder that behind every grant is a team of neighbours, friends and locals working to make Palmwoods better.
“Without you, these organisations wouldn’t exist — and this night wouldn’t exist,” Mr Taylor said. “So thank you. And keep doing it.”
2025 Sponsorship Recipient List
• Palmwoods Warriors Football Club Inc - $5,565
• Woombye Snakes Football Club Inc - $6,681
• Palmwoods Cricket Club Inc - $19,000
• Palmwoods Tennis Club Inc - $5,000
• Palmwoods & Western District Junior Rugby League Football Club (Devils) - $3,800
• Nambour & Districts Netball Association - $20,000
• Nambour Wildcats Soccer Club - $7,736
• The Range Community Kindergarten Association Inc - $4,000
• Palmwoods State School P & C Association - $10,000
• Palmwoods Community Kindergarten - $2,800
• Hunchy Community Association Inc - $2,456
• Chevallum State School P & C - $5,000
• Palmwoods Arts & Crafts - $3,149
• Palmwoods Singers Theatrical Society - $2,500
• Palmwoods Rural Fire Brigade - $19,000
• Palmwoods Bowls Club - $3,500
• Eudlo Hall & Grounds Association Inc - $9,860
• Sunshine Coast Railway Modellers Society Inc - $2,840
• Chevallum State School - $10,000
• Compass Inc - $9,000
• Restoring Hope Parkinson Therapy Ltd - $3,117
• Sunshine Valley Men’s Shed - $1,584
• Little Village Choir Inc - $840
• Petrie Creek Catchment Care Group Inc - $3,258
• Giving Kids Memories - $5,000
• Nambour & District Historical Museum Association Inc - $4,000
• Palmwoods Girl Guides - $3,000
• Palmwoods Indoor Bowls Club - $2,400
