It is with pleasure that we present Otago Community Trust’s Annual Report for the 2022 financial year. As we reflect on the past year, we acknowledge the significant challenges, constant change, and the increasing need for our communities to be adaptable. We applaud our community groups for their ongoing flexibility and unwavering commitment.

Welcome to our September Newsletter. We hope this finds you all safe and well after a week of unseasonal weather. September is a busy month for the Trust, as noted below our Annual Public Meeting will be held this month in Central Otago and all members of the public are most welcome to attend.

Trustees and staff of Otago Community Trust warmly invite you to attend the 34th Annual Public Meeting of Otago Community Trust. This will be held on Tuesday 27 September, starting 4.00pm at The Cellar Door, 143A Centennial Avenue, Alexandra. All members of the community welcome.

Our intrepid Central Otago based trustees Andy Kilsby and Raewyn van Gool were delighted to attend the official opening of the Snow Farm’s Musterers Hut in late July. They joined dozens that hiked and skied 4.7km to the new 36-bed hut in Tranquility Basin.

Below is a quick summary of our recent grant approvals for July and August 2022.

Reminder: Otago Community Trust has two capability funds closing at the end of the month. Our Social Service capability funding is available to social service agencies and our new Tamariki & Rangatahi Sector capability funding is available to not-for-profit organisations who provide services for the benefit of tamariki and rangatahi.

Otago Community Trust was privileged to receive the Priory Vote of Thanks (PVOT) at a special certificate ceremony held in St John Dunedin last week. PVOT is one of the organisation’s highest honours awarded to trusts, foundations, institutions, businesses, or individuals for their long-standing relationship and exceptional support to the work of Hato Hone St John.

International speaker Vu Le is bringing his message about funding for equity and change to Aotearoa, New Zealand. Dunedin Community Builders, Hui E! Community Aotearoa and Volunteering NZ are pleased to be hosting this internationally renowned speaker and funding equity advocate on a national tour from late September. Vu will officially launch the resource 'Be the Change: Funding and Equity' at a free community hui in Dunedin on Wednesday 28 September, from 10am-1pm.

The Pāsifika fono hosted by Dunedin City Council is an opportunity for you to meet face to face with a variety of funders including member from Otago Community Trust to discuss funding opportunities which may meet the needs of your group, organisation or community.

The 12th Dunedin Arts Festival will be a programme to delight, amuse and challenge. There is something for everybody!

Construction is well underway in Mosgiel as the community’s new aquatic centre at Memorial Park takes shape.

This is a big year for te reo Māori. The 14th of September marks the 50th anniversary of the Māori Language Petition, an event that led to many of the kaupapa we have today, including Te Wiki o te Reo Māori. If you wish to take part in activities and events we have listed a few ideas.

The Southern Lakes annual festival of sustainability is back. Gearing up for their 5th year the Wao Summit aims to educate, inspire and enable New Zealand communities to transition towards healthy, thriving, diverse, low emission communities.

Match | Te Puna Taurite is an online service for philanthropists and grantmakers (funders) to connect with community and charitable groups working in areas they want to support. Match | Te Puna Taurite is now live and you can find out more about Match | Te Puna Taurite, the team, story and supporters behind it below.