17/07/2025
Rural community organisations across Australia are invited to apply for funding to upgrade local hall and community centre facilities through Rabobank’s newly-launched Community Hub Improvement Program.
The program – which is planned to run annually – has an overall pool of $120,000 available, providing the opportunity for 12 selected applicants to receive funding of $10,000 each to go towards improvements to their local rural hall or community centre.
The program is being funded by food and agribusiness banking specialist Rabobank’s Rabo Community Fund, which – since launching in 2021 – has invested into initiatives designed to support the vitality and sustainability of rural and regional communities.
To be eligible for consideration, the local hall or community centre must be: based in rural Australia, defined as a building or space that is open and accessible to the local community, provide services that the local population wants and needs, and is seen as playing a vital role in supporting vibrant and inclusive communities.
Launching the new program, Rabobank Australia CEO Mark Wiessing said as a bank focussed on agriculture and rural communities, Rabobank recognised the important role community hubs and halls play in regional Australia, where halls and community centres can be far more than just buildings and can be the “heartbeat” of the community.
“The Rabobank Community Fund is very pleased to make this funding available to help local halls and community centres continue to function as key locations that foster community participation and engagement in rural areas,” he said.
“These venues are often key meeting places for farming communities – providing safe, trusted spaces for locals to gather, especially in isolated areas. They can also serve as important places of refuge and recovery centres in times of emergency and natural disasters as well as venues for training sessions and workshops for local communities to access valuable education opportunities.”
Mr Wiessing said many halls and hubs have deep roots in their communities, built by locals working cooperatively and pooling resources.
“As a bank which is a global cooperative, we recognise the value of working cooperatively in local communities,” he said.
“These hubs and halls may be modest in size, but their impact can be monumental. They’re where memories are made, resilience is built, and community spirit thrives.”
Mr Wiessing said the Rabobank Community Hub Improvement Program funding could be used for any work that improved the interior or exterior of the nominated hub.
As part of the application process, applicants will need to detail how the building is currently used, what they would do with the funds, and how the proposed improvements would help increase the facility’s usage.
Rabobank Community Hub Improvement Program applications open on Thursday, July 17, 2025, and close on Sunday, August 24, 2025. Funding recipients will be announced in early October 2025.
To apply, and for further information on the Rabobank Community Hub Improvement Program, please visit the Rabobank website, or click here.
Mr Wiessing said the Rabo Community Fund is funded by an annual contribution from Rabobank Australia and New Zealand and guided by the Rabo Client Councils (comprising 90 of the bank’s farming clients, who are passionate about contributing to their local communities). The fund is focused on helping address key agribusiness industry and community challenges. These relate to six key themes, focusing on agri education, rural wellbeing, sustainability, adaption and creating rural/urban connections.
Rabobank Australia & New Zealand Group is a part of the international Rabobank Group, the world’s leading specialist in food and agribusiness banking. Rabobank has more than 125 years’ experience providing customised banking and finance solutions to businesses involved in all aspects of food and agribusiness. Rabobank is structured as a cooperative and operates in 38 countries, servicing the needs of more than nine million clients worldwide through a network of more than 1000 offices and branches. Rabobank Australia & New Zealand Group is one of Australasia’s leading agricultural lenders and a significant provider of business and corporate banking and financial services to the region’s food and agribusiness sector. The bank has 87 branches throughout Australia and New Zealand.
Media Contacts:
Denise Shaw
Head of Media Relations
Rabobank Australia & New Zealand
Phone: 02 8115 2744 or 0439 603 525
Email: denise.shaw@rabobank.com
Will Banks
Media Relations Manager
Rabobank Australia
Phone: 0418 216 103
Email: will.banks@rabobank.com