Te Anau health and technology given boost from Meridian Community Fund

Wednesday 08 August 2012

Over $20,000 has been granted in the latest allocation from Meridian Energy’s Manapouri Te Anau Community Fund.

Lake Manapouri

Mararoa School received $2,879 to purchase an electric oven, fridge, sewing machine and work table for their new technology area. “This new kitchen and work area will give our students practical experience in essential life skills, including nutrition, food safety, and sewing” says Murray Williams, Chairperson of Mararoa’s School Board of Trustees. “It gives us a great opportunity to really broaden our health and technology curriculum. The improvements are not eligible for government funding, so we’re very grateful for Meridian’s support” says Murray.

The Fiordland Community House will feel the warmth from two new heat pumps, purchased with a grant of $7,893. “The Community House opened last year and the community has worked hard to make the interior welcoming for the large number of groups using the facility” says Lindsay Humphries, Treasurer of Fiordland Community House. “Meridian has supported our project from the outset, and the new heat pumps will make such a difference. They’ll keep the place warm during the cold winter months” says Lindsay.

“Supporting the communities we work in is very important to us” says Mat Bayliss, Meridian’s Asset Maintenance Manager and Chair of the Manapouri Te Anau Community Fund. “The Community Fund model works well because it assists projects that directly benefit the community. We still have funding available to allocate this year, and I encourage residents to start thinking about submitting their community projects for the next round of allocations in September” says Mat.

Meridian’s Manapouri Te Anau Community Fund has been supporting community development initiatives since 2007. Nearly $900,000 has been granted to a wide range of sustainable community development initiatives in Te Anau, Manapouri, Clifden and Tuatapere.

Supported projects include environmental conservation, volunteer emergency services, schools, and heritage restoration. Funding allocations are managed by a panel of community representatives and Meridian staff.

Projects supported in this round of Meridian’s Manapouri Te Anau Community Fund include:

Cancer Society of NZ, Otago and Southland Division Inc
$1,150 will help improve access to services offered by the cancer society, particularly for those living in isolated rural areas.

Lakeside Presbyterian Church
$8,747 will help cover the cost of extending and upgrading the Church. Funds will pay for the Southland District Council sewerage and water headworks charges for the project.

Fiordland Community House
$7,893 will purchase two heat pumps for the newly completed Fiordland Community House.

Mararoa School
$2,879 will purchase an electric oven, under-bench fridge, sewing machine and large work table for the new school technology area.

Find out more about the fund, including how and when to apply.

Meridian Energy's Community Fund is a Sustainable 60 Award winner. For more information, visit www.sustainable60.co.nz

ENDS

For more information contact:
Katy Glenie
External Communications, Meridian Energy
021 997 523