Frontier Services was delighted to receive $10,000 from the Commonwealth Bank today recognising the shared Centenary celebrations for both organisations this year.

In celebration of its Centenary year, Commonwealth Bank announced it will be distributing $100,000 amongst ten community organisations around Australia.

Frontier Services is one of the 10 organisations to be presented with a congratulatory Centenary grant of $10,000.

Commonwealth Bank was born through an Act of Parliament in December 1911 and in July 1912, the first branch opened to the public in Melbourne. Frontier Services is the successor in the Uniting Church to the Australian Inland Mission, which was founded in 1912, making it eligible for this grant.

This celebration of fellow 100-year organisations is part of the Bank’s Centenary Staff Giving Back initiative. Staff Giving Back enabled Commonwealth Bank staff to make suggestions on how they thought the Bank could make a difference to the lives of Australians.

Frontier Services National Director Rosemary Young said she was thrilled to receive the surprise contribution from the Bank.

“It is wonderful to know that Commonwealth Bank staff all over the country extend their personal generosity to include the people of remote Australia,” she said.

“After years of drought and more recent flooding rains, it takes extraordinary resilience just to hang on to hope in the areas we work. The support of Commonwealth Bank staff provides a tangible expression of connection which we hope might be emulated by others during this year in which we celebrate the mantle of support which has been there for outback Australia for a century.”

Commonwealth Bank CEO Ian Narev said: “The Centenary Staff Giving Back program is an important initiative because it enabled our staff to put forward ideas that they believe will have an impact on communities in which they live. This idea immediately stood out as it provides an opportunity to congratulate these very worthy, and yet also humble, community organisations in reaching this remarkable milestone.”

Commonwealth Bank presented the $10,000 grant to Frontier Services today at the National Office in Sydney.

Frontier Services and its predecessors have provided a network of support for the people of remote Australia for 100 years, and continue to deliver a wide range of services including remote ministry, aged and community care, health care, children’s services, community support and volunteer assistance.

This year Frontier Services celebrates the extraordinary vision of its pioneers and the enormous contribution of so many throughout the century. It will also be a celebration of the incredible hope, spirit and resilience of the people living and working at the heart of nation.

Thousands of people across the country will celebrate the Centenary and a number of exciting events are planned. Go to our Centenary page to find out more.