Otago Community Trust announces April 2013 donations
16 May 2013
Youngsters attending the new Oamaru kindergarten, due for opening in July, will have fabulous new outdoor equipment to play on thanks to the Otago Community Trust.
A total of $357,250 was donated by the Otago Community Trust, to 17 Otago organisations over April.
Trust CEO Keith Ellwood said the Trust was pleased to be supporting the Oamaru Kindergarten Association, donating $75,000 to the project.
Association General Manager Julie Craig said the new facility, which will make use of an existing building at Oamaru’s North School, is the town’s fourth kindergarten. Fundraising and planning for the project has been massive, but the 30 new spaces it will create will make a big difference to the large numbers of under five-year-olds currently on waiting lists or missing out on pre-school education.
‘We’re extremely pleased to be able to use the money to create an outdoor area that will offer valuable play experiences including swings and a carpentry area,” she said.
Another Oamaru organisation, the Waitaki Tourism Association, benefitted by a $4,000 donation from the Trust towards hosting the “Oamaru on Fire” event, a fire, steam, sound and lighting spectacular, which will highlight Oamaru's Habour street district.
Oamaru "On Fire" will be held on May 31, featuring a family entertainment evening of lighting displays, smoke effects, controlled explosions, projected images and films and live performances from local and international acts.
The Trust is also pleased to again be supporting young people attending an Outward Bound course, providing $67,500 towards a scholarship for one pupil from every secondary school in Otago to take part. This sponsorship programme is much appreciated by the schools and has benefitted many young people who have gained hugely from the Outward Bound Experience over the years.
Other major donations this month included $80,000 to the Winter Games NZ Trust to assist with organising the 2012 Winter Games NZ, an international wintersports event that attracts world-class competition.
The Trust gave $50,000 to the Fortune Theatre Trust to assist with producing seven plays over 2013, and $60,000 to the Otago Medical Research Foundation to help fund key medical research projects in Otago.
Otago Community Trust Donations, April 2013
|
Alexandra |
Central Otago Dance Development |
$700 |
|---|---|---|
|
Dunedin |
Dunedin Poultry, Pigeon & Care Bird Club |
$300 |
|
Otago Potters Group Inc. |
$750 |
|
|
Southern Youth Choir |
$1,000 |
|
|
Southlife Church |
$2,500 |
|
|
Stage Challenge Foundation |
$4,000 |
|
|
Dunedin Performing Arts Competition Society Inc. |
$4,000 |
|
|
Otago Heritage Bus Society Inc. |
$4,000 |
|
|
NZ Salmon Anglers Association, Otago Branch |
$4,000 |
|
|
Fortune Theatre Trust |
$50,000 |
|
|
Otago Medical Research Foundation |
$60,000 |
|
|
Mosgiel |
Mosgiel Ballet Competitions Society |
$500 |
|
Oamaru |
Waitaki Tourism Association |
$4,000 |
|
Oamaru Kindergarten Association |
$75,000 |
|
|
Otago
|
Winter Games NZ Trust |
$80,000 |
|
Outward Bound |
$67,500 |
|
|
Waikouaiti/ Palmerston |
Waikouaiti Amateur Music and Drama Society Inc. |
$3000 |
For further information please contact:
Chairperson – Stuart Walker – (03) 477-3973
Chief Executive – Keith Ellwood – ph (03) 479-0994