October 2010 Donations

Healthy Homes in Otago

 The Otago Regional Council received $50,000 from the Otago Community Trust last month towards insulating the homes of families with low incomes. The council facilitates this collaborative project with several other funding agencies, including the Ministry for the Environment and Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (ECCA).

 Over 700 homes have been insulated and 400 have received new ECCA-approved heating appliances in Alexandra, Cromwell, Arrowtown, Clyde and Milton since the programme began. Not only are these families very grateful for the additional warmth, project co-ordinator Jeff Donaldson said it is also improving their health.

 “Insulation and adequate warmth has made a big difference to the target families - those on low incomes with health issues, and particularly those with children suffering from asthma,” he said.

 It’s also starting to have an impact on air quality in Otago as open fires and multi fuel burners are replaced with gas, pellet fires, heat pumps and approved burners. “Not all are able to install a heat pump, given the coldness of the winters in some of these areas, so using a more appropriate burners and educating about using dry wood makes a smaller improvement in these cases. But we are never-the-less starting to see a difference,” he said.

 A total of $368,000 was distributed by the Otago Community Trust to 37 organisations throughout Otago in October, said CEO, Mr Keith Ellwood.

 Warrington Schools received $25,000 for a major playground upgrade, to build a safe, more user-friendly multipurpose space for the school and the wider Warrington community. Oamaru Steam & Rail received $20,000 to rebuild the boiler of its steam locomotive, and the Otago Presbyterian Campsite received $25,000 for improvements to its campsite at Tirohanga.

The Trust is also pleased to continue its investment in two very popular and well-supported festivals in Dunedin. The Fringe Festival received $35,000 for next year’s festival, and the Trust also maintained its support of $35,000 for the 2011 Careers Festival.

Donations

OAMARU BACK ON TRACK

Oamaru’s famous steam locomotive should be back on the tracks by the end of the year, thanks to a major boost from the Otago Community Trust.

 The locomotive, which takes tourists over two kilometres in Oamaru’s historic precinct, had been experiencing tracking problems, and is in the Society’s workshop for repairs and maintence.

 The Trust has given Oamaru Steam and Rail $20,000 to help repair the boiler. General Manager Harry Andrew explained a significant problem with the boiler had been highlighted during this year’s 10 year survey, requiring a major rebuild. 

 Steam enthusiasts in the Steam and Rail Society have been working on restoring the locomotive using original drawings and measurements, and have called in experts from Christchurch for the boiler work. “It’s a large and expensive project, but the Trust’s funding will go a long way towards getting it back on track,” Mr Andrew said.

 “The Trust has had a major role in helping us build carriages and getting the train up and running over the years – in fact we can’t speak highly enough of their assistance,” he added.

 He’s hoping the repairs can be finished by Christmas, and that the train will be involved in the Rugby World Cup golden oldies events in Oamaru in 2011.

 The Society has plans for the train to play a bigger role in the Oamaru tourist experience, and is always looking for volunteers and assistance to maintain and expand its operations.

 A total of $368,000 was distributed by the Otago Community Trust to 37 organisations throughout Otago in October, said CEO, Mr Keith Ellwood.

 The North Otago Citizens Advice Bureau in Oamaru also received $3,500.