July 30th, 2025Clunes’ Bendigo Bank agency to close

The Bendigo Bank agency at Clunes will close on October 21 this year – which means the Clunes NewsXpress Newsagency might also going.
Owners Cynthia and Craig Drewer say they cannot afford to continue the business without the bank’s partnership.
Cynthia, pictured, said ideally someone would take on the Tattslotto and newsagency and keep the business going.
“Otherwise when bank closes we’ll have to walk away. Craig has already started applying elsewhere. Fingers crossed it continues. It’s too much of a hub in town not to keep going.”
A Bendigo Bank media release, dated July 22, says Bendigo Bank’s purpose is to feed into the prosperity of its customers and the community.
“The bank operates the second-largest regional branch network and has more branches per customer than any other Australian bank. Bendigo Bank’s agency model, established more than 30 years ago, enabled the Bank to offer limited banking services via third parties in areas where there was not enough customer demand to sustain a branch.
“Following a review, Bendigo Bank has concluded that its agency model can no longer be supported due to decreasing customer use and other relevant factors and will be retired from October 2025.”
Social media has gone into overdrive with the news, evenly divided with anger towards the Bendigo Bank and appreciation for Cynthia and Craig.
“Bendigo bank and shareholders mission statement should change as they are not for the community. Craig and Cynthia are very caring people, they do a wonderful job for the community.”
“I hate to see this for you both, and (with) the amazing supportive service you give to all of us in Clunes. I’m always so grateful to you guys. I hope we don’t lose you.”
“So sad to see this happen. Cyn and Craig such beautiful people.”
“As a community we will lose a couple who for the last eight years have fought their own fights including Covid and robbery, and now for this to happen is typical of large corporate groups who have only money on their minds and sod the small towns and communities. Well done to Craig and Cynthia for everything you have given to Clunes.”
“I am shocked by these actions. Especially when Craig and Cynthia have been so loyal. They do a wonderful job for the community.”
“The bank has given Clunes a real kick in the guts. After years of gloating about their support of small towns, their decision to close agencies will have a lasting effect on the small towns selected. Withdrawing banking services is not community minded. Further funds could be saved by the Bendigo Bank withdrawing the ‘Better Big Bank’ advertisement. We would like to congratulate Craig and Cyn on the excellent job they have done. They don’t deserve this treatment.”
In March 2019, The Local reported that Clunes residents gathered to support all affected by the attempted burglary of the Bendigo Bank ATM from the Clunes Newsagency. About 500 people took part in the March 17 event, arriving with fold-up chairs and picnic baskets, with a few donning green and orange for St Patrick’s Day. The gathering was billed as a “Picnic on Fraser”.
Cynthia and Craig were swamped by locals wanting to reassure and support them.
“We’re overwhelmed,” Cynthia said at the time. “We’ve had so many people come up and hug us, tell us they’re right behind us. It’s just amazing.”

Words: Donna Kelly | File image: Kyle Barnes