July Donations

• 28-Jul-09

A Dunedin undertaking that brought together oral stories about growing up in war time was just one of the community projects funded by the Otago Community Trust this month.

 The Dunedin people, now in their 70’s and 80’s, recorded their early experiences in a book they’re publishing themselves, because they felt their collective stories should not be lost. 

“We may have been seen and not heard as children growing up in war-time, whether it was the UK, Holland or New Zealand, but we certainly heard what was happening, and it had a profound effect on our lives,” project co-ordinator Mrs Isobel Veitch explained. “Some have experiences of their fathers fighting in both world wars; and some of the Dutch people in our group recall the severe food shortage, for instance.”

Their book which received $3000 from the Otago Community Trust, is being launched at the Otago Early Settlers Museum in September.

Eighteen Otago organisations received $180,000 from the Otago Community Trust in July , said CEO, Mr Keith Ellwood.

Dunedin’s Civic Orchestra, the Southern Sinfonia was given $55,000 by the Trust. The annual grant assists the orchestra with the costs of putting on concerts and running education programmes around Otago.

Meanwhile the Kaitangata Primary School has received $40,000 to fit out its new school/community hall.  

WOW productions received $15,000 to produce two shows over the next year. The St Kilda Brass Band also received $15,000 to purchase instruments, and the Balclutha Bowling Club received $15,000 to fit out its new pavilion after fire destroyed its former building.

The Southern Sinfonia

The Southern Sinfonia is Dunedin's only professional orchestra, and one of four regional orchestras in New Zealand.

Its schedule over the year includes presenting a five-concert series, plus schools, chamber and Proms concerts, and education programmes for students to improve their skills through interaction with Sinfonia players. There is also music education and participation programmes, including masterclasses and workshops.   The Southern Sinfonia regularly accompany productions by resident and touring opera, ballet, musical and choral companies.

Kaitangata Primary School

The Kaitangata Primary School is “absolutely delighted” to have received $40,000 to fit out the school hall currently being built, allowing it to get new seating, blinds and to equip the kitchen. “It’s the icing on the cake for us” Principal Joyce Beck said.

The new building, which replaces a dilapidated 100-year-old hall, is a major focus for the Kaitangata community at present. Everyone is looking forward to being able to use it by the end of the year, with the school eagerly anticipating school assemblies, indoor sports and wet day activities, and the rest of Kaitangata having a well appointed facility available for functions and community events.

WOW Productions

WOW Productions is a Dunedin Theatre Company which has been staging professional productions in different venues around the city for the last 13 years. Otago Community Trust donations ensures the theatre can help bring good quality New Zealand work to Dunedin audiences.

The Otago Community Trust is this year assisting the company with two productions over the next few months. “Glorious” by Dunedin writer Richard Huber will premier at the Fortune Studio this year, and “Backwards in High Heels” by New Zealand playwright Stuart Hore will have its Dunedin premier in early 2010.

Donations