Media Releases

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Recreational Turf Trust granted $95k 8 Nov 2016

Oamaru’s North Otago Recreational Turf Trust was the major beneficiary of the Otago Community Trust’s October funding round. The Otago Community Trust approved a $95,000 donation to the Trust which will assist with the cost of replacing the recreational hockey turf at Centennial Park. North Otago Recreational Turf Trust chairman Ray Simpson explains that the current water based turf was originally laid in 1999 and while it has been maintained to a high standard, it is now impractical and uneconomic to continue repairing it. “The expected life span of a turf is typically 10 years and we have had 17 years out of it” Mr Simpson said.

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Another healthy contribution to EECA’s Warm Up New Zealand: Healthy Homes Programme for Otago 5 Nov 2016

The Otago Community Trust is pleased to announce that it has committed over $700,000 towards insulating more low income homes across the Otago region for the year to 30th July 2017 through the EECA’s Warm Up New Zealand: Healthy Homes Rental programme. Working with providers Smart Energy Solutions and Technobond, this funding will allow almost 1000 more low income homes to become warmer, healthier and more efficient.

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$55,000 for Oamaru’s Cycle Learning Park 7 Oct 2016

A $55,000 donation from the Otago Community Trust will assist the Friendly Bay Railway Bridge Restoration Trust with the development of a new cycle learning park in Oamaru. The park, which will be located north of the historic rail bridge, will provide a safe environment where children can learn to ride and become better educated on traffic situations in a controlled environment.

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Funding support for ‘A Pest Free Peninsula by 2050’ 1 Sep 2016

A $30,000 donation from the Otago Community Trust will assist the Otago Peninsula Biodiversity Trust with its continued possum eradication programme on the Otago Peninsula, supporting their vision - “A Pest Free Peninsula by 2050”. The Otago Peninsula Biodiversity Group (OPBG) possum control programs started in March 2011 to help protect and enhance the Otago Peninsula’s biodiversity.

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$20,000 Boost for the Milton Community Health Trust’s - Tokomairiro Community Hub 2 Aug 2016

A $20,000 donation from the Otago Community Trust will assist the Milton Community Health Trust with a building renovation project to upgrade the support and advocacy hub in Milton – the Tokomairiro Community Hub. The Tokomairiro Community Hub housed in the old BNZ building on the main street of Milton, started with two agencies and has now increased to 14 part-time agencies.

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Regional Sport Boosted by $935,500 5 Jul 2016

The Otago Community Trust is pleased to announce it has distributed $935,500 to 35 Otago sport development programmes from its Regional Sports funding round in June. Otago Community Trust Chief Executive Barbara Bridger explains that the Trust has one round of funding for Regional Sports each year. “The regional sports funding is pivotal to the sustainability of many of our regional sporting bodies. These regional sporting bodies are the umbrella groups that support hundreds of community clubs and local sporting groups across Otago with development programmes” she said.

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New Trustee Appointment for Otago Community Trust 28 Jun 2016

The Associate Minister of Finance Hon Paula Bennett has appointed Mr John Wilson as a new trustee to the Otago Community Trust, replacing Noeline Munro who retires after eight years of service to the Trust. Mr Wilson will start in his new role in July. Present trustees Kate Hazlett of Roxburgh and Lauren Semple of Dunedin have been reappointed to the Trust for a second four-year term. https://youtu.be/EmCf9lD-lsU

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Trust announces $300,000 to assist with the fit out of the Wanaka Recreation Centre 2 Jun 2016

The newly named Wanaka Recreation Centre has been given a $300,000 boost to assist with its fit out, in particular the purchase of sporting equipment and the Rebound Ace flooring after securing funding from the Otago Community Trust. The donation was approved at the Trust’s recent board meeting, where trustees granted a number of sizable donations across the region, including the announcement of a $500,000 boost to the Otago Museum.

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Otago Museum Discovery World II a step closer 27 May 2016

The Otago Museum has received a funding boost of $500,000 in the Otago Community Trust’s latest donations round. The donation will assist with the Discovery World Stage Two project (Discovery World II) and the creation of the Otago Museum science engagement centre. The donation will specifically contribute towards the cost of the interactive displays, which need to be ordered over the coming months to ensure they will be available for the planned opening in 2017.

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Central Otago multi-million dollar cycle trail project gets financial backing 15 May 2016

A $26.3 million project to connect Central Otago's trail network and create 500 kilometres of continuous trail network will be a "game changer" for the region. Prime Minister and Tourism Minister John Key announced at a function in Bannockburn on Sunday the Government would commit around $13 million towards the project, with the Central Lakes Trust contributing $11.15m and the Otago Community Trust contributing $2m.

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$400,000 Boost to Social Service Agencies across Otago 2 May 2016

The Otago Community Trust is pleased to announce it has donated $400,000 to 10 social services organisations in April. Barbara Bridger, Chief Executive comments that “the social services sector is one of our most challenging sectors when it comes to funding.The needs across Otago are not diminishing, we know and appreciate that our social service agencies are constantly encountering increased demand for services and intervention, all whilst the funding landscape is under review”. https://youtu.be/ZRaDbKJXUcQ

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Sports academies: Academy Otago 2016 intake named 23 Apr 2016

New Zealand boxing champion and Queenstown local Richie Hadlow is among a group of Otago athletes who have been named in this year's intake for Academy Otago and Academy Central Otago's talent development programme. Athletes from 13 sports have been accepted into the two-year programme which has been supported by the Otago Community Trust.