November 2009 Donations

Otago Community Trust announces November donations

A project to restore Larnach’s tomb at Dunedin’s Northern Cemetery has been given a major boost from the Otago Community Trust. The Trust has donated $75,000 to the Historic Cemeteries Conservation Trust for the restoration of the famous tomb, which has suffered from many years of vandalism and neglect.

Donations totalling $254,000 were given to 25 organisations throughout Otago by the Otago Community Trust over November.

Other major donations included $30,000 to improve administration facilities for the Te Whare Pounamu Dunedin Women’s Refuge, $20,000 to the Wanaka Bowling Club for a clubhouse upgrade, and $35,000 for the second annual Careers Festival.

Larnach’s tomb

William Larnach was a prominent Dunedin businessman and MP in Dunedin in the late 1800’s. His tomb, modelled on First Church, was originally built at the Northern Cemetery for his first wife Eliza Jane, and has many magnificent architectural features. It’s hoped the restoration project, which will cost around $350,000, will be carried out over the next year. Trust spokesperson Stewart Harvey said the Trust was fortunate to have a skilled stonemason and stained glass tradesmen available in Dunedin to carry out the restoration. He said the Trust’s donation was a great boost to the project.

Te Whare Pounamu

The administration for the Te Whare Pounamu Dunedin Women’s Refuge, which was spread over two sites has now been consolidated into one building. Not only has that freed up valuable space and helped secure one of the Refuge’s safe house, where some of the administrative work had been carried out, the reorganisation also means much better meetings areas at the new facility, which will be put to good community use.  Spokesperson Ricky Carr said some of the $30,000 grant from the Otago Community Trust will be put towards installing a lift in the administration facility to make meeting spaces accessible to all. This will allow the Trust to extend its education programmes, including a planned Healthy Eating Healthy Action initiative, and to share with other the community organisations the Trust works with.

Otago Careers Festival/Mayors Taskforce for Jobs

The Otago Community Trust is again investing in next year’s Otago Careers Festival, following on from the success of the inaugural event. The festival, to be held in May 2010, provides an opportunity to raise awareness of the skill needs in Otago, and the huge range of career opportunities available. Activities include a wide range of workshops and open days, open to people throughout the region.

Wanaka Bowling Club

The $20,000 grant from the Otago Community Trust to the Wanaka Bowling Club will be put towards extending the clubrooms. The extensions will widen the existing facility, making it more accessible for community groups, and will also improve toilets and storage space.

 
Other Donations

Alexandra
Alexandra Pipe Band Incorporated	$1,500
Balclutha
South Otago Athletic Club	$6,000
Tahakopa School	$750
Cromwell
NZ Society of Genealogists – Cromwell Branch	$1,500
Otago Polytechnic – Central Otago Campus	$5,000
Dunedin
City of Dunedin Choir	$7,500
Disability Information Service	$5,000
Dunedin Bird Club	$500
Dunedin City Council – New Year	$4,000
Dunedin Opera Co Inc t/a Opera Otago	$15,000
Lifeline Christchurch	$8,500
Literacy Aotearoa (Dunedin ) Inc.	$5,000
North End Rowing Club Inc.	$8,000
Saddle Hill Foundation Trust	$5,000
South Dunedin Christian Network	$1,000
Milton
Waihola Looking Forward Inc.	$4,500
Oamaru
Scout Association – St Patricks	$750
Waitaki Summer Music Camp	$1,000
Roxburgh
Roxburgh Baptist Church	$8,000
Waikouaiti/Palmerston
Cavalcade Host Town Comm Inc.	$3,000
Wanaka
Challenge Wanaka Sports Trust	$3,000