Bendigo Bank has handed out over $15,000 to local community groups at a cheque presentation ceremony in Port Douglas on Tuesday night. 

At the presentations, held at Niramaya Resort and Spa, Bendigo Bank Far North Queensland manager Tony Jensen presented cheques to member organisations of Cairns Community Enterprise, including Paws for Claws in Mossman and the Clink Theatre in Port Douglas. 

Bendigo made $9596.31 in direct contributions and gave $6000 in grants on the night.

The evening was also used to announce an ambitious project by local economic development group Douglas Inc to provide free Wi-Fi in Port Douglas, which Bendigo Bank has provided funding for. 

Mr Jensen said the amount of money given indicated the success of Bendigo’s Community Bank model, where the bank’s customers nominate fundraising recipients in their local area.

“Tonight is showcasing some of the great outcomes we’ve been able to achieve, and it’s all off the back of people locally banking with Bendigo Bank,” Mr Jensen said. 

“It’s great to see everyone getting out and supporting their community like this.

Mr Jensen pointed out the success of some of the Port Douglas’s branch’s key local projects, including the provision of an oven to the Port Douglas Neighbourhood Centre, a $5000 grant to the Mossman RSL for a memorial wall project and $20,000 toward the refurbishment of the Mossman Community Hall. 

Check out Newsport's photo gallery from the night below.