Bendigo, the patrol’s naming rights sponsor, ended its 10-year sponsorship agreement in circumstances clouded by conflict and money troubles within the patrol.

The bank’s logo has since been blacked out of signs on the patrol’s Albion Park hangar. 

Patrol general manager Harry Mitchell has not returned the Mercury’s phone calls regarding the development. 

Mr Mitchell, who was also the patrol’s board president until recently, has referred inquiries to a new board vice-president, Maurie Baston.

A changing of the guard occurred following an annual general meeting on February 26. 

Members of the former board froze the patrol’s accounts with Bendigo Bank on March 4, citing concerns about unpaid debt. 

Two days later, the patrol’s chief pilot, Warren Gengos brought forward his retirement, citing unpaid wages and offering just five hours notice.

Bendigo Bank this week confirmed its patrol sponsorship had “ended”.

“The bank has supported the aerial patrol for more than a decade and will pursue other local sponsorship opportunities,” was all a spokeswoman would say.

According to Mr Baston, the new board reactivated the patrol’s accounts with Bendigo, then moved those funds to another bank. 

He believes Bendigo Bank dropped its support in response to “one-sided” reporting of Mr Gengos’ departure and the circumstances that led to the patrol’s grounding. 

“This [split] is less than amicable, but understandable in light of all the one-sided stories,” Mr Baston said. 

“I don’t think you can be surprised that they pulled the sponsorship.” 

Mr Baston said the patrol’s Air Operator’s Certificate remained attached to the service and not its departed chief pilot. 

“A new chief pilot has been interviewed and is due to go to CASA tomorrow,” he said. 

“We have access to money and are paying people.”