News

September Donations

Sep/2009

Otago Community Trust announces September donations

The DunedinGasworksMuseum has been given $75,000 by the Otago Community Trust towards restoration of its fitting shop.

In total 33 organisations throughout Otago received donations of $249,000 over September, said Otago Community Trust CEO Mr Keith Ellwood.

Other larger donations included $10,000 to ID Fashion Inc for next year’s event at the Dunedin Railway Station, which will assist with the costs of the week’s programme, and in particular the Emerging Fashion Designer Awards.

A further $30,000 was donated to the NZ Masters Games for the community volunteer programme, and $30,000 to the Mornington Bowling Club for its new artificial playing surface.

The Trust has also donated $20,000 to the Ngai Tahu Maori Rock Art Trust towards its new visitor centre in Timaru, which will include an interactive, multi-sensing virtual rock art experience. While Timaru is not in the Trust’s area, it has made an exception in this case as Ngai Tahu is our iwi and Otago has several rock art locations.

Dunedin Gasworks Museum Trust

The Dunedin Gasworks Museum is internationally recognised as one of the best preserved old gasworks in the world. It’s upgrade is being done in several stages; stage one is rebuilding and refurbishing the Gasworks Fitting Shop.

The fitting shop was built around 1900, and used as a general repairs workshop from the 1920’s until the gasworks closed.  It was rebuilt shortly after completion in the early 1900’s when it was damaged during the only significant explosion the gasworks experienced.

The structure will be substantially rebuilt and repaired over the coming months, then will be refitted as it was, including reinstating a forge. The $75,000 donation from the Trust will be put towards the refit.  It’s hoped eventually the completed industrial museum will form part of a Dunedin heritage tour. 

Mornington Bowling Club

The Mornington Bowling Club is upgrading its existing green to an all-weather artificial surface, a major project that has involved considerable fund-raising. The $30,000 grant from the Community Trust is a very welcome donation towards the project’s competition.

The new bowling surface will allow bowlers to make the most of nice winter days. It will also present more opportunities for community involvement, by introducing bowls to schools and businesses, and giving community groups the option of running tournaments.  

NZ Masters Games

Dunedin has been organising a Masters Games competition since 1992, with games held in Dunedin every second year. The next games is in February 2010.

The $30,000 Otago Community Trust donation will assist with a community volunteer programme, involving around 200 community volunteers who will help with the Dunedin Master Games organisation both before and during the event. The programme involves training volunteers in all aspects of organising an event. 

Other Donations