We’re making a significant investment to support the mental health, wellbeing and digital literacy of local students through our Student Support Program. 

Over a three-year period, we’ll invest $250,000 in the health and wellbeing of local students through this initiative. Working with specialist partners, the aim is to help our schools deliver valuable extra curricular activities that set students up for success in life.

Inform & Empower program

We’re extremely proud to be funding this ground-breaking digital wellbeing program at local primary schools. It teaches children about life in a digital world, how to navigate it, keep themselves safe online and look after their mental health in the process. 

In 2025, the Inform & Empower program ran at Kunyung and Mt Eliza North primary schools with 1,277 students taking part. Parent information sessions have helped families get across the incoming social media ban for children, and understand and support their children to manage risks online. 

Derinya and Mt Eliza primary schools commence the program in early 2026. 

Speak & Share mental health workshops

In 2025, we funded 21 Speak & Share mental health workshops at five local secondary colleges, with 1,192 students taking part. After attending these workshops, 96% of students reported feeling more comfortable to now start a conversation with others about their mental health.

“Giving these students a space to reflect and share, has allowed them a safe space to be vulnerable and consider their values and the way they communicate with their peers. This was an incredible opportunity for our students and one that we are grateful they were able to experience,” said the student mental health practitioner at Mount Erin College.

Local students will benefit from a major injection of funding to support mental health, wellbeing and resilience.

Mt Eliza Community Enterprise (MECE) has announced it will allocate $250,000 over three years to a Student Support Program, increasing the delivery of extra-curricular mental health programs to primary and secondary schools based in and around the Mt Eliza area.

“Supporting young people has always been a priority for MECE,” said Chair, Reagan Barry. “This major funding investment will help schools engage professional service providers. We want to help take the pressure off teachers and provide positive outcomes for students and local families.”

As part of the initiative, MECE will work with local schools and service providers like Speak and Share.

Locally based Speak and Share are helping young people manage their mental health and wellbeing by encouraging open, honest conversations and challenging the stigma surrounding mental health. Their programs encourage physical activity as a powerful tool.

In 2024, MECE funded Speak and Share to provide workshop sessions for Year 9 students at Mt Eliza and Mornington Secondary Colleges and Frankston High School. This initiative will be expanded.

In addition, MECE is working with local primary schools to bring in the expertise of organisations like Inform and Empower, the Cyber Safety Project, and others who specialise in supportive mental health and wellbeing education for primary school children.

“We hear from young people, teachers and parents that there’s real need for professionals to come into schools with their research-based, innovative education programs,” said MECE community engagement officer, Alex Godfrey. “It’s something we are ready to help our local schools deliver.”

Mt Eliza Community Enterprise (MECE) is proud to have reached a significant milestone of $1 million in contributions.

Since 2010, the company has been operating Community Bank Mt Eliza, using the profit the branch makes to support local not-for-profit community groups, clubs, schools and initiatives.

“We’re thrilled to have reached this $1 million contribution milestone. The company’s aim has always been to ensure the wider Mt Eliza community is a place for local people to thrive,” said MECE Chair, Reagan Barry.

“Our contributions keep money here in the local economy, driving growth, jobs and local financial resilience.”

In 2024, MECE funded 62 local community groups, including clubs, schools and initiatives, distributing $250,000. It is on track for a similar outcome in 2025.

“This happens because we have a team of local people who are dedicated to working for our community,” said the Chair.

MECE works with Bendigo and Adelaide Bank to manage and operate Community Bank Mt Eliza. The branch is the vehicle which enables it to generate funds and make these local investments. 

“Our contributions touch the lives of most people living in the area, through a sporting club, community service organisation, school or event – whether they realise it or not,” said the company’s community engagement officer, Alex Godfrey.

“People should know that by banking with Community Bank Mt Eliza, they are making a really positive contribution. It’s why this local Bendigo Bank branch is so different from other banks, and such a powerful community asset.”

If you’re looking for better banking with a big local impact, there’s a million reasons to choose Community Bank Mt Eliza.