August Donations

• 25-Aug-09

A total of $147,300 was donated to 31 Otago organisations by the Otago Community Trust last month.

The Oamaru Operatic Society received $14,000 towards the production of “Cats”, the Berwick Pool Trust was granted $5,500 to refurbish its pool, and the Roxburgh School received $15,000 for a playground/fitness trail.

Oamaru Operatic Society

It’s the first time the production “Cats” has played in Oamaru later this month, and interest from the community is huge.

Cats has a big cast of singers, musicians and dancers, both local and national favourites, including a Shortland Street actor, and some exciting new faces. Forty two adults and 60 children will be on stage, supported by a large crew including a 12-strong make-up team. Nationally-recognised director Duncan Whiting from Blenheim is directing the production, which is choreographed by Jenny Grant, also from Blenheim.

The Oamaru Operatic Society is particularly looking forward to staging the production, its first full show in the newly refurbished Oamaru Opera House. Having put on many productions in the Opera House prior to its major renovation, the society is thrilled at the chance of performing in the beautiful new surroundings and using the well appointed facilities, including a reinstated orchestra pit.

Fitness Circuit, Roxburgh School

The fitness circuit planned by the Roxburgh School is for the whole community, not just school children.

The $15,000 will be spent on equipment that can be used by adults as part of a fitness programme, so individuals and sports teams including rugby and netball from the wider community can work on fitness and strength. Aimed specifically at building upper body strength, it will also be used as part of school fitness programmes, and by the 160 Roxburgh school children during interval and lunchtime.

The four “cubes of activities” in the circuit are designed to be fun as well as healthy, so the school is expecting considerable interest and lots of use when they’re installed.

Berwick Pool Trust

The Berwick pool is well used by the lower Taieri community and by groups using the nearby Berwick Camp, but desperately needs its roof replaced.

Berwick Pool Trust chairperson Alex Morton said the pool, which was part of the Berwick School before it was closed in 1997, is too valuable to lose, so a major fund-raising effort is underway to replace the clearlight roofing and install solar heating. The Otago Community Trust has donated $5,500 towards the project.

“Swimming’s a vital skill to have, and the pool becomes a real focal point for the larger community in the summer months, as well as being part of the Berwick experience for Berwick Camp users.”

Donations