20 Stories for 20 Years

Every project, grant, and act of generosity tells a story.

For 20 years, Border Trust has been shaping stories of impact, resilience, and community spirit. As we celebrate two decades of local giving, we invite you to revisit these moments with us.

Over the next 20 weeks, join us as we highlight stories of real people, real change, and real impact 🎥

Time to rewind to 2021 and revisit our very first winning recipient – Junction Support Services and their Therapy Dog Program 🐾

Meet Toast, the specially trained therapy dog providing comfort and support to young people in care, youth refuge residents, and those accessing counselling services. Toast plays a vital role in building resilience, offering emotional and psychological support, and attending counselling sessions.

In 2022, PCYC Albury was the proud winning recipient of the Give500 grant, enabling them to deliver a free 12-month Kinder Gym program for 120 local children – a chance to play, make friends and simply have fun.

“Through the grant, children from diverse backgrounds have accessed the many benefits of gymnastics, including improved physical health, enhanced social skills, and increased self-confidence. By strengthening participation in physical activity amongst disadvantaged families, the Give500 grant has contributed to building a more vibrant, inclusive, and healthier community.” Club Manager Tim McLaren said.

We’re revisiting our 2023 Give500 winning recipient, The Carevan Foundation’s Ruffy Swags Project.

The Ruffy Swags project produces swags for rough sleepers and those experiencing homelessness in our region. These swags provide more than just shelter – they offer warmth in winter, breathability in summer and portability for those without a permanent place to stay.

“It’s not about finding homes for people – it’s about finding beds for people.” A simple concept with a deeply meaningful impact!

This week we celebrate the 2024 Give500 winning recipient Albury Wodonga Volunteer Resource Bureau as part of #20storiesfor20years.

The Cultural Exchange Program offers a range of activities that support people from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) backgrounds by building confidence, improving literacy, fostering friendships, and promoting cross-cultural understanding. This funding helps keep the essential bus service running and supports a multilingual staff member, ensuring the program remains accessible and effective.

Meet Lester & Son Funeral Directors, serving the Albury Wodonga region since 1907, they’ve supported local families with care and compassion for generations.

Their support for Border Trust reflects their deep connection to community, “We wanted to give back to the community, and Border Trust is a great vehicle to ensure the money we donate will go directly into the community that we support.” – Tony Egan, Funeral Services Director.

By becoming a Foundation Builder, Lester & Son is helping shape a stronger, more connected region and inspiring others to do the same.

We love showing our donors the real impact they help create.

As part of L❤cal Giving Month and our 20 Stories for 20 Years series, we’re revisiting the day we showed Anthea Hancocks, CEO of the Scanlon Foundation, some of the incredible local projects they’ve supported through Border Trust.

Thank you, Scanlon Foundation, for your ongoing and generous support towards these projects and our community.

Throughout our 20 years of connecting locals who care to causes that matter, we love introducing donors to recipients.

It’s in these connections, between those who give and those who do, that we see the heart of local philanthropy in action 💛

With no government funding, The Carevan Foundation relies entirely on the generosity of the community to deliver meals, support, and dignity to those experiencing homelessness and those in need across our region. Their work is powerful, practical and powered by local giving. Last year we had the absolute pleasure to introduce longtime Border Trust donors, Sue and Michael Houlihan, to Leanne from Carevan.

“The beauty of Border Trust is that it is a conduit between us (Adroit) and local charity groups. Border Trust know what our values are and can connect us with local charities that align with those.” – John Gray, Adroit Insurance & Risk

For 20 years, Border Trust has been the trusted bridge between people who care and causes that matter. With deep local knowledge and proven know-how, we connect the generosity of donors like Adroit Insurance & Risk with the passion and purpose of our community groups, ensuring funds go where they can do the greatest good.

As L❤cal Giving Month comes to a close, we celebrate Hume Bank.

Hume Bank are our Premium Foundation Builder and we thank them for helping to make 20 years of local giving possible.

Their unwavering generosity has been vital to the work we do. With Hume Bank by our side, we are stronger 💙

As we revisit this project as part of #20Storiesfor20Years, we’re reminded of the power of community.

After the Black Summer fires, the Playles Hill Project Group set out to reimagine a neglected Corryong space, and the result is breathtaking.

At its heart is a newly built Labyrinth, a single winding path designed for mindfulness, reflection and stress relief. With stunning views and space to gather, it’s a place for peace, purpose and connection.

What started with a grant from the Towong Community Bushfire Disaster Relief Fund has bloomed into something truly special 🌱

The Dartmouth Community Garden is more than just delicious fresh produce – it’s a space for connection, learning, and resilience. Locals benefit from homegrown food, social interaction, water security in emergencies, and hands-on experiences for kids learning to grow, harvest, and prepare produce. 🍅🍏

🍽 The final lunch of the 2024 Multicultural Lunch series was a feast for the senses – and the soul.

Hosted by the Albury Wodonga Volunteer Resource Bureau, the 2024 Multicultural Lunch series were a joyous celebration of diversity, connection, and shared stories.

Thank you to Jessica Velasquez and her family for generously sharing their culture, their food, and their journey 💛

The 2024 Multicultural Lunch series was generously funded through Border Trust by Kim’s Table, friends and family of the late Kim Caunt.

Give500: The Story So Far… 🙌

With just 2 days left to donate, we’re celebrating the impact of Give500 in this week’s #20storiesfor20years.

Since 2021, Give500 has turned collective giving into real, local change – funding local organisations that make our region stronger.

Give500 is proudly supported by Albury Business Connect.

Throwback to 2021 – Bowls GR8 for Brains 🟡🧠

Funded through the 2021 Border Trust Community Grants, Bowls GR8 for Brains created social lawn bowling sessions to tackle isolation and support mental health in a fun and interactive environment.

“Really, it’s just improving people’s lives and having a lot of fun doing it.”

Lifeline Albury Wodonga – ensuring no one faces their darkest moments alone 💙

In 2023, Lifeline Albury Wodonga received a $5,000 grant through Border Trust’s Community Grants Program to support their Crisis Support Training Project, thanks to the generosity of ACE Radio 2AY & Edge FM and philanthropic partner, Handbury Foundation.

Because of local donors, organisations like Lifeline can continue offering hope, connection and support when it’s needed most.

Building skills and brewing confidence ☕

In 2015, Belvoir Special School in Wodonga received funding through a Border Trust Community Grant to help grow their on-site school café.

With new equipment, students were able to build real-world skills in a supportive environment while creating a space that brings the whole school community together.

Empowering students and strengthening connection. That’s local giving in action.

Throwback to 2015 – Great Outdoors Project | Wodonga Girl Guides 🌿🏕️

Back in 2015, a Border Trust grant helped the Wodonga District Girl Guides gear up for adventure—literally!

It wasn’t just about buying tents. It was about building confidence, creating connection, and strengthening community. All made possible by local giving.

Rolling through recovery 🛹 | Drop In Take Off

After the 2020 bushfires, connection and confidence were more important than ever for young people in the Towong Shire.

Thanks to the 2023 Towong Community Bushfire Disaster Relief Fund, Drop In Take Off delivered tailored skateboarding programs to students at Corryong College and Tallangatta Secondary—building skills, confidence, and connection in a supportive space.

Designed for children and young adults affected by the fires and facing barriers to social connection, the program offered more than just the chance to land a trick.