The trust approved funding of more than $540,000 for 26 projects across the province at its annual meeting in Oamaru last week, including a grant of $25,000 for Owaka Lions, which will go towards a new emergency helipad for the town.
Lions past president Gordon Thompson (pictured the proposed helipad’s location adjoining the Owaka sportsgrounds) said the grant would allow work to begin on the $85,000 helipad, which had been in the planning since August last year.
"At present, the emergency helicopter lands on the rugby grounds, meaning gurneys and ambulances can get bogged down in transit across the pitch if it’s been wet.
"The generous grant from the trust means the town and surrounding area will have a dedicated concrete pad adjoining the grounds with easy road access, bringing improvements to speed and safety."
Mr Thompson said fundraising would continue in order to buffer the club’s reserves, and allow it to work towards other local projects.
He hoped the helipad would be installed by Christmas.
The trust’s latest funding round will also help bolster emergency service groups elsewhere in Otago.
The Upper Clutha Radio Telephone Users Association will receive a $15,000 grant to assist with the cost of developing a duplex marine channel system for Lake Hāwea users.
The VHF channel 66 repeater station will be installed on Mt Roy in Wānaka to enable users of Lake Hāwea and surrounds to better link to Mt Roy.
In Dunedin, Kaupapa Māori Health and Social Service provider Te Kāika received a $307,000 funding boost for fit-out of its community Wellbeing Hub with specialist medical equipment.
OCT chairman Andy Kilsby said it was pleasing to be able to support Te Kāika with its vision of establishing a one-stop shop where whānau can have all their needs met.
Other organisations benefiting from grants included Waikouaiti School ($42,000 — pump track), the Oamaru Opera House Charitable Trust ($8000 — arts festival) and the Blackstone Hill Cemetery Trust ($1000 — headstone repair).
The trust also issued its annual results during last week’s meeting.
It approved $11.3 million in grants to more than 400 Otago community groups for the year ending March 31.
The trust’s net assets dropped to $284.9m, from $308.6m in 2022, due to ongoing market volatility, Mr Kilsby said.
