Its history began after the last Lockington bank closed its branch in 2002.
The resolute community then purchased the local garage. It developed the building into a rural transaction centre containing a community bank, laundrette, op shop, computer facilities, car wash and the town’s only fuel outlet.
Since LDBC’s inception, just shy of 50,000 volunteer working hours have been donated by the community members at the front desk alone, and an average of 35 active volunteers have supported the organisation as a whole each year.
In the first six months of the centre’s operation, fuel sales averaged 1000 litres per day; 20 years later, that figure has grown to almost 3000 litres a day.
• In 2006, Lockington Neighbourhood House was launched.
• In 2007, government grants of $80,000 were donated to purchase underground fuel tanks with increased capacity for bulk fuel purchases.
• In 2010, funding was secured for a men’s shed when it opened on April 15.
• In 2017, Campaspe Shire Council awarded a contract for the Lockington Library Depot.
• In 2017, LDBC purchased the adjoining plumber’s shed precinct, which has been developed into a multi-purpose meeting room and community garden
• In 2021, an adjoining corner block was turned into a pump track.
The centre will commemorate its 20th anniversary with Community Bank Elmore, Lockington and Rochester with a community morning tea on Tuesday, February 27 at 10.30am.
The address of the LDBC is 9 Lockington Rd, Lockington.