Dunedin Prison receives funding boost for stage two restoration

3 Mar 2020

Media Release

Otago’s historic Dunedin Prison is gearing up to commence further restoration work in the coming months. The Dunedin Prison Charitable Trust were awarded a $100,000 grant last week as Otago Community Trust kicked off its funding for 2020.

Owen Graham, chairman of the Dunedin Prison Charitable Trust said the trust board was extremely pleased to have received a $100,000 grant from the Otago Community Trust toward its ambitious stage two restoration.

“This funding boost is a vital contribution to the overall project cost of around $660,000 for re-roofing of the three cell blocks as well as repair and repainting of the cell block windows and exterior.”

Mr Graham said through such a generous grant it is now possible for the Dunedin Prison Trust to make a formal application to the Lottery Grants Board for further funding support.

“We are hoping the project will start in late September / early October 2020 if everything goes to plan.”

Dunedin Prison is a Heritage NZ Category 1 Listed building classification in view of its historical significance and rarity. It is recognised internationally as a rare example of a purpose-built courtyard prison.

Other organisations benefiting from grants in February included Tuapeka Health Incorporated who received a $57,000 grant to assist with the cost of ongoing provision of Health Care Services in the Lawrence district. A sizable grant of $84,682 was also awarded to social services agency Methodist Mission Southern for a new Driver Licencing Programme that will be aimed at supporting higher-risk / higher-need individuals who have come to the attention of the New Zealand Police.

Otago Community Trust chief executive, Barbara Bridger said the Driver Licencing Programme is a new joint initiative between Otago Community Trust, New Zealand Police, Ministry of Social Development and Methodist Mission Southern (MMS).

Ms Bridger said police during their duties regularly encounter people who do not hold a current NZ Drivers licence. 

“These unlicensed drivers suffer negative consequences through the judicial system (fines, court appearances, disqualification, confiscation etc…).   They also have restricted access to employment opportunities because of not having a current driver’s licence.” 

The programme being funded will see the delivery of four learner class 1 licence courses, four restricted class 1 licence courses for up to 48 individuals in 2020, with potential in 2021 to also run four full class 1 licence short courses.

“It is hoped that this new driver licensing programme will help keep higher-risk / higher-need individuals out of the justice system”, said Bridger.

The Otago Community Trust gave a total of $946,847 to 53 community organisations in February.

 

Otago Community Trust Grants, February 2020

Alexandra

Dunstan High School

$41,650

 

REAP - Central Otago

$10,000

 

Alexandra Community Advice Network Inc

$2,000

 

Alexandra Volunteer Fire Brigade

$10,000

 

Sticks 'n Stones Inc

$55,000

Balclutha

Balclutha Playcentre

$2,700

 

Tuapeka Health Incorporated

$57,000

Dunedin

Dunedin Returned Services Choir

$3,000

 

Otago Sports Car Club Inc

$17,500

 

Coastguard Dunedin Inc

$10,000

 

Dunedin Indoor Sports Venues Trust

$50,000

 

Arcade Theatre Trust

$16,500

 

Fire in Ice Outrigger Canoe Club Inc

$11,730

 

Malcam Charitable Trust

$14,000

 

St Joseph's Cathedral School

$20,000

 

Social Impact Studio - University of Otago

$10,000

 

Cosy Homes Charitable Trust

$31,973

 

Kavanagh College

$8,700

 

Cancer Society of NZ Otago & Southland

$20,000

 

Waikouaiti District Museum Soc Inc

$10,830

 

Parafed Otago

$10,000

 

Youthline Otago Inc

$40,000

 

Moana House - Downie Stewart Foundation

$45,000

 

Dunedin Prison Charitable Trust

$100,000

 

Dunedin Midwinter Celebrations Trust

$14,000

 

Pirates Squash Rackets Club Inc

$3,000

 

Maori Hill Community Centre Society Inc

$25,000

 

Dunedin Youth Orchestra Inc

$7,780

 

Musical Theatre Dunedin Inc

$30,000

 

Dunedin Wildlife Trust

$10,000

 

Andersons Bay Community Kindergarten Inc

$3,720

 

Otago Neighbourhood Support Charitable Trust

$5,000

 

Dunedin City Council - Puaka Matariki Celebrations

$12,500

 

Brighton Surf Life Saving Club (Dunedin)

$30,500

 

Methodist Mission Southern

$84,682

Oamaru

Oamaru Multisport Club

$3,630

 

Oamaru Poultry Pigeon & Canary Society

$2,000

 

East Otago High School

$4,000

 

Filipino Waitaki Incorporated

$4,000

 

Citizens Advice Bureau - North Otago

$5,000

Otago

Blue Light Ventures Incorporated

$1,100

 

Age Concern Otago Inc

$20,000

 

Young Workers Resource Centre Inc

$2,930

 

Arts On Tour NZ

$7,000

 

The CanInspire Charitable Trust

$2,100

 

Read NZ Te Pou Muramura Incorporated

$4,000

 

The Parenting Place - Attitude Youth Division

$7,500

 

Otago Southland Area of NZ Pony Clubs Association Inc

$33,000

 

Royal NZ Foundation of the Blind Inc

$7,600

 

TalkLink Trust

$3,722

 

Shakespeare Globe Centre New Zealand

$4,000

Wanaka

Disc Golf Wanaka Inc

$4,000

 

Mt Aspiring College

$7,500