June 2007

Community Trust of Otago announces June donations

A $386,000 grant from the Community Trust of Otago will assist with the construction of the Visitor Centre at the Orokonui Eco-sanctuary, due to begin shortly.

Trust CEO Keith Ellwood said a total of $1.31 million was distributed by the Community Trust of Otago to 50 organisations throughout Otago in June.

Another major recipient was "The Festival of Colour" which was given $50,000 to organise the biennial Southern Lakes Arts Festival in Wanaka in April next year.

The Trust also announces its annual donations to regional sports organisations in Otago for sports development.

Twenty six regional sporting organisations received a total of $744,900 for sport development activities over the next 12 months. Sport Otago is the largest recipient at $160,000 for seven programmes.

Otago Natural Heritage Trust Orokonui Eco sanctuary

The Orokonui Eco Sanctuary is another step closer to opening, with construction of a Visitor and Education Centre about to begin. The Trust donated $386,000 towards this, having previously granted $365,000 towards predator-proof fence construction.

The Centre, on Blueskin Road , will provide international and local visitors with facilities including interpretive displays, an education room for seminars and a café.

The Otago Natural Heritage Trust aims to restore the ecosystem in the Orokonui Valley to pre-human times, providing a safe habitat for threatened species of plants, lizards and birds such as kiwi, takahe and kaka for future generations to enjoy.

The cornerstone of the project, the predator fence, has been in place for a year, eradication of pests is close to completion, and the project is now focusing on a revegetation programme and building a walking track, as well as the construction of the Visitors Centre adjacent to the sanctuary.

Contact: Ms Chris Baillie ph: 03-482-1755

Festival of Colour receives support  

The Southern Lakes Arts Festival Trust will be celebrating the arts along with the colour of Central Otago in autumn in the third “Festival of Colour” in Wanaka, April 28 to May 3 next year.

This is the third festival which will feature New Zealand (and world) premieres of a play, and of musical and dance works. As well there will be a programme of visual arts, music, plays, and a day of free street theatre aimed at giving young and old alike in the community access to the arts. Shows will tour the region across from Tarras to Clyde and Glenorchy during the Festival week.

Because of the beauty of Central Otago in April, director Philip Tremewan said the festival attracts people to the town for the week as well as enjoying strong local support.  “Being centred around colour has given it a distinctive theme amongst festivals, which has proved very successful in previous years.”

The $50,000 will assist with organisational costs.  The Community Trust of Otago also supported the 2007 festival.

Contact:  Philip Tremewan ph: 021-642-152

Sport development in Otago gets major boost

Community Trust of Otago grants to Sport Otago will assist it to deliver sports development services in the region, encouraging more people to get active more often.

Funding to its CoachForce programme will help provide a coaching programme and resources to “coach the coaches” in biking, athletics and hockey in Otago.

In addition, funding will be provided to regional sporting support and development that recognises the specific sporting needs for Sport Central, Sport Waitaki and Sport Clutha, a grant Sport Otago Chief Executive John Brimble said is much appreciated.

The Trust also assists in a joint initiative with the Halberg Trust Sport Otago Sport Opportunity programme which helps Otago people with a disability participate or compete in sport. “Providing support and resources is making a very significant difference to those who would not otherwise be able to get involved in sport, or to get out and about,” Mr Brimble said.

Contact: John Brimble ph: 474-6353

Smaller Donations

For further information please contact:

Chairperson –Bill Thomson– ph 03-418-0020
Chief Executive – Keith Ellwood – ph 03-479-0994