A powerful ally has lined up alongside a Commonwealth Bank customer who is staging a public protest meeting on Friday in a bid to prevent the closure of the Millicent branch.
Customer Dorothy Carr has called on the community to gather at the Millicent Italian Social Club at 7pm in a bid to keep the doors open of the George Street landmark beyond May 8.
Although he cannot accept her personal invitation to attend, Ms Carr is grateful for the backing of Federal Member for Barker Tony Pasin.
He has a prior commitment on Friday, but he is worried about the fate of the four staff positions and a large commercial building erected almost 60 years ago.
Mr Pasin has written to Ms Carr and stated he is seeking a meeting with senior bank management to express his concerns and those of the community.
“The Commonwealth Bank has been an important regional service for the Millicent community and surrounding areas over such a long period of time,” Mr Pasin said.
“I would also encourage those within the community that have felt left down by this decision to consider changing to an alternative banking institution that does currently have a local branch within the township.”
Ms Carr has received an apology for non-attendance from Member for MacKillop Nick McBride as he also has a prior commitment.
She has arranged for a resident to be the meeting moderator and remains hopeful a representative from Wattle Range Council can be present.
Ms Carr has also arranged protest petitions which can be signed at a number of Millicent businesses.
In a previous statement, the bank said the closure had been due to a decline in face-to-face transactions and the preference by Millicent customers for on-line banking services.
Since Mr Pasin’s stance was revealed, The South Eastern Times again approached the bank for comment, but it restated the reasons for the closure.
