Community Trust's Latest Funding Round Strengthens Regional Resources with $747k Boost
7 Nov 2024
Youth development, historic preservation, and food security initiatives are set to receive significant support as Otago Community Trust announces $747,956 in grants through its October funding round.
A cornerstone grant of $200,000 was awarded to the Lawrence Chinese Camp Charitable Trust for Stage 1 ground works of their historic restoration project. This ambitious initiative, focusing on the Empire Hotel and Stables, will begin following recent resource consent approval. The first phase encompasses comprehensive site preparation, including archaeological monitoring under University of Otago supervision. Once the whole project is completed, the restored heritage buildings will serve as cultural and educational spaces, showcasing Chinese New Zealand history and the cultural diversity brought to New Zealand in the 1800s.
"We're very grateful for the grant from the OCT that'll enable our Trust to restore and develop the historic Lawrence Chinese Camp,” said Denise Ng, Chair of the Lawrence Chinese Camp Charitable Trust. “We expect that this will help put Lawrence on the map as a visitor destination enroute to Central Otago."
The October funding round also placed significant emphasis on youth development. The Saddle Hill Foundation Trust received $35,000 to enhance its youth programmes in the Taieri area, offering specialised programs designed to develop leadership skills and personal growth delivered through schools as well as through activity-based and adventure learning. Meanwhile, Up-Cycles Charitable Trust secured $8,000 to launch an innovative Bike Ambassador Programme across six Central Otago schools. This initiative will train 40 young leaders in cycling advocacy and comprehensive outdoor first aid certification, creating a ripple effect of cycling promotion throughout the community.
As the summer holiday season approaches, three vital food security initiatives across Otago are receiving crucial funding support to address escalating community needs. The Alpine Community Development Trust has been granted $30,000 for its comprehensive food security program in the Upper Clutha region. Caversham Baptist Church will utilise its $7,000 grant towards providing holiday food parcels for the local community and the Oamaru Combined Churches Christmas Parcels Trust received $2,000 to expand its holiday initiative, building on last year's distribution of parcels.
Looking ahead to 2025, Pacific Trust Otago has been granted $25,000 for its fourth annual Moana Nui Festival, scheduled for March 29 at Forsyth Barr Stadium. This free, family-friendly festival serves multiple vital purposes - showcasing nine distinct Pacific cultures, it preserves Pacific cultural heritage, strengthens intergenerational connections and fosters cross-cultural understanding in the wider Dunedin community.
“Moana Nui brings together our local Pasifika communities, celebrates their cultures, and lets us share these rich traditions with the wider Otago and Southern region community” said Amy Sai Waqawai, Moana Nui Festival Coordinator. “It also connects everyone with local service providers and businesses, aimed at enhancing health and well-being. Plus, it provides a fantastic way to pass down cultural knowledge and skills to our youth.”
Completing the October funding round, the Arts Capability partnership with Dunedin City Council distributed $34,789 across eight organisations, supporting various capability-building projects including website upgrades, workshops, and strategic planning initiatives.
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Otago Community Trust Grants, October 2024 |
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Alexandra |
Up-Cycles Charitable Trust |
$8,000.00 |
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Balclutha |
South Otago Historical Soc Inc |
$18,250.00 |
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South Otago Agricultural & Pastoral Soc |
$5,000.00 |
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Dunedin |
Kati Huirapa Runanga ki Puketeraki |
$7,500.00 |
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iD Dunedin Fashion Inc Soc |
$2,500.00 |
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WOW! Productions Trust |
$4,738.00 |
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NZ Chinese Assn, Otago & Southland Branch Inc |
$4,000.00 |
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GASP! Dance Collective |
$4,588.00 |
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Castle Charitable Trust |
$2,000.00 |
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Dunedin Civic Orchestra Inc - T/a Dunedin Symphony Orchestra |
$4,463.00 |
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Dunedin Writers and Readers Festival |
$5,000.00 |
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Dunedin Tracks Network Trust |
$105,000.00 |
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ADL |
$23,462.00 |
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Pacific Trust Otago |
$25,000.00 |
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Saddle Hill Foundation Trust |
$35,000.00 |
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Broad Bay Boating Club Inc |
$15,000.00 |
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iD Dunedin Fashion Inc Soc |
$21,000.00 |
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Athletics Otago Inc |
$22,000.00 |
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Dunedin Santa Parade Trust |
$16,000.00 |
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Dunedin Tamil Society Inc |
$7,500.00 |
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Caversham Baptist Church |
$7,000.00 |
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Kaikorai Kindergarten |
$2,000.00 |
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Parent to Parent - Otago Branch |
$5,000.00 |
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West Harbour Arts Charitable Trust |
$2,500.00 |
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Christ Loves All Nations |
$3,000.00 |
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Dunedin Branch Pony Club |
$3,760.00 |
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Dunedin Edinburgh Sister City Society Inc |
$6,000.00 |
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SuperGrans Dunedin Charitable Trust |
$10,000.00 |
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Ignite Consultants |
$3,000.00 |
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Milton |
Lawrence Chinese Camp Charitable Trust |
$200,000.00 |
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Moanariri Crib Owners Association Incorporated |
$3,400.00 |
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Taieri Mouth Multisport Event |
$1,000.00 |
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Mosgiel |
St Marys School - Mosgiel |
$5,000.00 |
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Taieri Network |
$3,500.00 |
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Oamaru |
Oamaru Combined Churches Christmas Parcels Trust |
$2,000.00 |
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Waitaki Summer Music Camp |
$3,330.00 |
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Oamaru Victorian Heritage Celebrations |
$8,000.00 |
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Otago |
Royal NZ Foundation of the Blind Inc |
$15,000.00 |
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Skeggs Foundation |
$23,400.00 |
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Māori and Pasifika Education Trust |
$25,000.00 |
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Other |
Central Otago District Council on behalf of the Central Lakes Health Services and Assets Project |
$15,000.00 |
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Waik/Palm |
Palmerston Playcentre |
$20,000.00 |
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East Otago Blokes Shed Soc Inc |
$5,065.00 |
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Wānaka |
Alpine Community Development Trust |
$30,000.00 |
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Wānaka Rowing Club Inc |
$10,000.00 |
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