21 Mar 2017 North Central Review (Kilmore), Melbourne (General News) THE Wallan and Kilmore Community Bank branches hosted an inaugural Emergency Services Forum on March, 14 2017 at the Kilmore Golf Club. A successful event, the forum was attended by representatives from the Kilmore and District Hospital, local CFA, SES, Victoria Police, Ambulance Victoria, Federal Member for McEwen Rob Mitchell and Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes. The event was facilitated by NorCen Director Kit Holland who asked the emergency services representatives what resources are needed to support emergency services in the area and what can the bank do in the community to produce the best outcomes. While the group acknowledged that there are plenty of grants available most of the local emergency services admitted that often their station does not meet the criteria. Initially the forum began with emergency services talking about the individual needs of the organisation but quickly turned towards discussions on how as a group they could provide better service for the community. It was a night of fruitful and thought provoking discussion, Ms Holland said. It was important to bring together this network of people to see how we as a Community Bank can provide support to those working at the nerve centre of our community, Norcen Chairman Wally Mott added. We have supported a range of grants to our communitys emergency services over the last decade from support vehicles to training equipment and even anti-theft signage. We currently have a grants program and have supported over 160 local clubs, groups and organisations, however we are always keen to look at new ways of supporting our community. As a board we have many things to consider following the evening and we look forward to many further conversations with these key representatives of our community. Since opening the Wallan and Kilmore Community Bank branches, the bank has put $2.3 million back into the community. Caption Text: Supporting our community: representatives of the Wallan and Kilmore Community Bank branches and local emergency services at the inaugural Emergency Services Forum. Licensed by Copyright Agency. You may only copy or communicate this work with a licence.