From the CE
Welcome to our first Newsletter for 2017. The Otago Community Trust team is pleased to be back in the office after the Christmas break and we have been busy processing applications, visiting community groups and responding to a wide variety of enquiries.
The Trust held its first board meeting on Tuesday the 21st of February where trustees approved over $588,000 to 50 Otago community groups. Both Staff and Trustees consider it a great privilege to be able to assist such a wide variety of community projects.
Prior to the first board meeting in February, staff and trustees took the opportunity to spend a day visiting several community projects across Dunedin. By visiting with the Community Trustees and Staff can see first hand how our donations are making a difference. We would like to extend a big ‘Thank You’ to all those individuals and groups who took the time to share, show and educate us on the work they do and the projects they have undertaken or proposals that are underway. Some photos of our day are included within this newsletter.
It is hard to believe that we are now in March and autumn is upon us. A reminder that the Otago Community Trust funding round for large projects ($100k +) closes on the 31st of March. The Trust has two rounds of applications for donations over $100k+ and this is the first for 2017. For donation applications of this size, it is important that you ring the Trust office to discuss the project with us before submitting the application. Decisions can be expected in May.
The Trust will be making a significant announcement mid-March with respect to further funding assistance to our Education sector. The Trust has identified education of Otago's young people as a priority area for funding and we are pleased to be initiating positive funding changes as a result.
Barbara Bridger, CE
|
|
Our Recent Donation Rounds
In its first board meeting for 2017 the Otago Community Trust has approved over $588,000 in community donations to 50 community groups across Otago. The largest donation approved in February was $95,000 to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Dunedin to assist with the roofing restoration of Dunedin’s Dominican Priory.
Chief Executive Barbara Bridger said the Trust was pleased to provide support to the restoration of this category one Heritage New Zealand building.“The preservation of the Dominican Priory will be a major enhancement to Dunedin City. It is one of Dunedin’s iconic buildings and its restoration will complement the growing interest in and appreciation of Dunedin as a heritage city. The Trust has also contributed over $100,000 to the restoration of the Dunedin Prison and we can see the real value in maintaining this majestic architecture.”
The February media release and full list of donations is available via the below link:
Trust kicks of 2017 funding - approving over $588,000 in community donations
We would like to remind all Otago community groups that no matter what size donation you are seeking (big or small), the team at the Otago Community Trust are always happy to help. A full summary of recent donation recipients can always be found on the Otago Community Trust website.
|
|
Learning and Development
Below is a snapshot of a number of learning and development programmes, new blogs and funds that maybe of interest.
|
|
|
Maree Crabbe - Parent Workshop / Seminar
The Otago Community Trust in conjunction with St Hilda's Collegiate School is proud to offer an Otago wide workshop / seminar for parents of teenagers and pre-teens being presented by Maree Crabbe. For interested parents this will address the important issues our children are faced with through the internet, media and various social media sites.
The workshop assists parents to understand the impact of pornography on young people and what they can do to address it. It is a difficult topic that should not be ignored. Maree is an engaging, informative and expert speaker who works all over Australasia. We would urge you to take the time to attend. The workshop / seminar will be held on Tuesday 7th March from 7.00 - 9.00pm at the Otago Boys' High School auditorium.
If you can't make the workshop the 'It's time we talked' website can be found HERE. The website provides useful information on how you can navigate through this challenging topic.
|
|
|
Central Otago - Peter Kenyon Workshops
A community enthusiast and social entrepreneur, Peter Kenyon has worked with more than 2000 communities in Australia and in 59 countries seeking to facilitate fresh and creative ways that stimulate community and local economic renewal through his organisation, Bank of I.D.E.A.S. The Otago Community Trust is pleased to be supporting the Central Otago District Council with the hosting of the workshops.
Mr Kenyon will be holding two sessions in Central Otago in early March. The first on Wednesday 8 March at The Cellar Door in Alexandra aims to inspire, motivate and celebrate Central Otago's communities and the community groups working within them. The evening session will be held from 5 - 9pm is open to all and is a chance to hear stories about community-led development around the world; envision what it could mean for our communities in Central Otago; be inspired and make new connections.
The following evening, Thursday 9 March, at the Cromwell Presbyterian Church Mr Kenyon will run a workshop targeted at communities within the Cromwell basin from 5-9pm. In an interactive session he will lead participants to explore where their community is now, where it wants to be and how they can get there. You can learn more via the Central Otago District Council website HERE
|
|
|
Malcam Charitable Trust - Lifelong Learning
The Malcam Charitable Trust is a Dunedin based youth development trust, facilitating quality experiences that enable young people to make successful transitions. An exciting new initiative the Trust is embarking on in Autumn is a Lifelong learning programme. Malcam are developing blended learning courses to begin late autumn to teach adults a range of topics from coding to internet technology. The aim will be to use online courses from leading universities (Stanford, M.I.T., Harvard etc) using Coursera an online learning host. Each week students can come along to learn with a group of people who also wish to up-skill. Malcam will have all the necessary equipment, resources and a technology specialist on site to ask questions and help you through the material.
Lifelong learning allows us all to continue to up-skill in order to remain attractive to employers. Upskilling in tech need not be as daunting or as boring as you thought! You can learn more about Malcam Charitable Trust HERE or register your interest using our online contact form HERE.
|
|
Our Otago Success Stories
Below are a handful of projects that the Otago Community Trust has recently supported.
|
|
|
Macandrew Bay School - Pool Upgrade
Macandrew Bay School has started the school year with a splash! The school pool upgrade is now complete and what a great project to see unfold. The Macandrew Bay School fundraised close to $90,000 for its required upgrade. Macandrew Bay School Principal Bernadette Newlands said “It was great to have our pool back and operational". Watch the short video below to see just how this school community have created something special for their school & wider community. The Otago Community Trust was pleased to be one of many funders to support this project. We congratulate Macandrew Bay School & the school community on their tremendous effort.
|
|
Kaka Point Surf Life Saving Club
|
|
|
|
The Otago Community Trust was pleased to assist the Kaka Point Surf Life Saving Club with a $4,500 donation towards the cost of purchasing a twin-hull surf canoe and paddles earlier this year. The surf canoe is a pivotal piece of equipment for the surf lifesaving club. All water active club members, which the club currently has 80 of, will benefit by having this craft to use not only at a club level but enabling members to be competitive at surf carnivals through to New Zealand Surf Nationals. Surf competition is important, building confidence therefore making better lifeguards along with having a heap of fun in the water. The under 19 team from Kaka Point Surf Life Saving Club, competed last year at the Eastern Bay Energy Trust New Zealand Surf Life Saving Championships at Ohope and put in a very strong performance. The club hope that with the new surf canoe the team will have a real chance to go further in future championships.
|
|
|
|
Joss House - Offical Opening
It is always pleasing to see a project reach completion and this was especially true for the relocation of Joss House. The small nondescript weatherboard cottage was once an integral part of Lawrence's Chinese settlement. The building which is owned by the Lawrence Chinese Camp Charitable Trust was part of a project that took three years to come to fruitution. According to Heritage New Zealand research, of all the Chinese camps established in Otago the one outside Lawrence was the largest and, with that at Cromwell, the longest surviving. In 2015 the Otago Community Trust provided a $5,500 donation to assist with the cost of moving the heritage building back onto its original site at the Lawrence Chinese Camp and in 2009 donated $25,000 to the purchase of the building associated with the house.
The Joss House was loaded onto the back of a Fulton Hogan truck, and very carefully taken just a few kilometres to Lawrence's western end, where it was placed on pre-prepared foundations and piles next to the brick-clad Chinese Empire Hotel. The Lawrence Chinese Camp Charitable Trust is hoping to gradually bring this once-bustling settlement back to life.
|
|
|
Test Cricket at the University of Otago Oval - Not to be Missed
|
|
|
|
There is nothing quite like an International Cricket match. The Blackcaps vs South Africa 1st Test Match kicks off on the 8th of March and promises to be a great encounter. The Otago Community Trust donated over $100,000 to the embankment project undertaken by Otago Cricket. Staff and Trustees had the privilege of visiting the University of Otago Oval last week and were very impressed with the ground. It will be great to see it showcased to the world during the test series.
|
|
|
Looking Forward - Save the Dates
Below are some key dates to save in your calender's over the next two months.
|
|
|
Harbour Street Jazz - Jazz & Blues Festival
|
|
|
|
The Harbour Street - Jazz & Blues Festival will run from the 17th to 19th of March. Oamaru and in particular the Oamaru’s Victorian Precinct is fortunate in that it has a number of venues, as well as Harbour Street itself, which are ideally suited to hosting a weekend festival. The festival also has a educational element with workshops held over the weekend encouraging young artists to attend. 2017 marks the 5th year the festival has been run and it has attracted some very big name entertainers such as Midge Marsden, Edwina Thorne and Doug Caldwell.
The Otago Community Trust is pleased to have provided a $13,500 donation towards the event and it is great to see a wide number of local supports committed to the festival. The Criterion Hotel, Loan and Mercantile Function Centre, The Penguin Club, Birdlands Wine Co., Star & Garter Restaurant and The Brydone Hotel and Scotts Brewery along with The Oamaru Whitestone Civic Trust have all offered their support and practical assistance for the event.
This year's event is destined to be spectacular, check out the full programme via the tab below.
|
|
|
Festival of Colour: 4th – 10th April 2017
|
|
|
The Otago Community Trust is once again pleased to be supporting the Festival of Colour in 2017. The Festival brings transformational moments and unforgettable experiences to the whole region. This year the organisers highlight that they are are ‘bringing the world to Wanaka’ with an outstanding programme of local, national and international arts. Get ready to surf the Festival wave for seven days and nights of world class music, dance, theatre, comedy, visual arts and Aspiring Conversations. Tickets get snapped up quick so don't miss out.
|
|
|
Minister for Youth's New Zealand Awards 2017
Nominations close Wednesday 22nd March
The New Zealand Youth Awards recognise and acknowledge the diverse contributions young New Zealanders make to our society, with ten Awards across eight categories. These categories celebrate qualities such as leadership, giving back, being a change maker and young people who have supported youth activities in areas such as the arts, culture, sport or the environment. There are also awards for youth groups, individual young people or organisations that have supported or championed young people in any type of activity. It would be great to see nominations for some of our talented young Otago youth, so don't be shy nominations are now open. Reminder close of date for nominations is Wednesday 22nd March - Midday. |
|
|
|
|
Minister Nikki Kaye announces that nominations for the New Zealand Youth Awards 2017 are now open. Learn more at nzyouthawards.org.nz
|
|
|
Closing Date - Large Donations $100k +
The Otago Community Trust has two rounds of applications for donations over $100,000; the next closes on the 31st March. For donation applications of this size, we advise that you ring the Trust office to discuss the project with a Donations Advisor before submitting the application. Decisions can be expected in May.
|
|
|
|
|
