Otago’s historic Dunedin Prison is gearing up to commence further restoration work in the coming months. The Dunedin
Prison Charitable Trust were awarded a $100,000 grant last week as Otago Community Trust kicked off its funding for
2020.
Owen Graham, chairman of the Dunedin Prison Charitable Trust said the trust board was extremely pleased to have received
a $100,000 grant from the Otago Community Trust toward its ambitious stage two restoration.
“This funding boost is a vital contribution to the overall project cost of around $660,000 for re-roofing of the three
cell blocks as well as repair and repainting of the cell block windows and exterior.”
Mr Graham said through such a generous grant it is now possible for the Dunedin Prison Trust to make a formal
application to the Lottery Grants Board for further funding support.
“We are hoping the project will start in late September / early October 2020 if everything goes to plan.”
Dunedin Prison is a Heritage NZ Category 1 Listed building classification in view of its historical significance and
rarity. It is recognised internationally as a rare example of a purpose-built courtyard prison.
Other organisations benefiting from grants in February included Tuapeka Health Incorporated who received a $57,000 grant
to assist with the cost of ongoing provision of Health Care Services in the Lawrence district. A sizable grant of
$84,682 was also awarded to social services agency Methodist Mission Southern for a new Driver Licencing Programme that
will be aimed at supporting higher-risk / higher-need individuals who have come to the attention of the New Zealand
Police.
Otago Community Trust chief executive, Barbara Bridger said the Driver Licencing Programme is a new joint initiative
between Otago Community Trust, New Zealand Police, Ministry of Social Development and Methodist Mission Southern (MMS).
Ms Bridger said police during their duties regularly encounter people who do not hold a current NZ Drivers licence.
“These unlicensed drivers suffer negative consequences through the judicial system (fines, court appearances,
disqualification, confiscation etc…). They also have restricted access to employment opportunities because of not having
a current driver’s licence.”
The programme being funded will see the delivery of four learner class 1 licence courses, four restricted class 1
licence courses for up to 48 individuals in 2020, with potential in 2021 to also run four full class 1 licence short
courses.
“It is hoped that this new driver licensing programme will help keep higher-risk / higher-need individuals out of the
justice system”, said Bridger.
The Otago Community Trust gave a total of $946,847 to 53 community organisations in February.
Otago Community Trust Grants, February 2020AlexandraDunstan High School$41,650REAP - Central Otago$10,000Alexandra Community Advice Network Inc$2,000Alexandra Volunteer Fire Brigade$10,000Sticks 'n Stones Inc$55,000BalcluthaBalclutha Playcentre$2,700Tuapeka Health Incorporated$57,000DunedinDunedin Returned Services Choir$3,000Otago Sports Car Club Inc$17,500Coastguard Dunedin Inc$10,000Dunedin Indoor Sports Venues Trust$50,000Arcade Theatre Trust$16,500Fire in Ice Outrigger Canoe Club Inc$11,730Malcam Charitable Trust$14,000St Joseph's Cathedral School$20,000Social Impact Studio - University of Otago$10,000Cosy Homes Charitable Trust$31,973Kavanagh College$8,700Cancer Society of NZ Otago & Southland$20,000Waikouaiti District Museum Soc Inc$10,830Parafed Otago$10,000Youthline Otago Inc$40,000Moana House - Downie Stewart Foundation$45,000Dunedin Prison Charitable Trust$100,000Dunedin Midwinter Celebrations Trust$14,000Pirates Squash Rackets Club Inc$3,000Maori Hill Community Centre Society Inc$25,000Dunedin Youth Orchestra Inc$7,780Musical Theatre Dunedin Inc$30,000Dunedin Wildlife Trust$10,000Andersons Bay Community Kindergarten Inc$3,720Otago Neighbourhood Support Charitable Trust$5,000Dunedin City Council - Puaka Matariki Celebrations$12,500Brighton Surf Life Saving Club (Dunedin)$30,500Methodist Mission Southern$84,682OamaruOamaru Multisport Club$3,630Oamaru Poultry Pigeon & Canary Society$2,000East Otago High School$4,000Filipino Waitaki Incorporated$4,000Citizens Advice Bureau - North Otago$5,000OtagoBlue Light Ventures Incorporated$1,100Age Concern Otago Inc$20,000Young Workers Resource Centre Inc$2,930Arts On Tour NZ$7,000The CanInspire Charitable Trust$2,100Read NZ Te Pou Muramura Incorporated$4,000The Parenting Place - Attitude Youth Division$7,500Otago Southland Area of NZ Pony Clubs Association Inc$33,000Royal NZ Foundation of the Blind Inc$7,600TalkLink Trust$3,722Shakespeare Globe Centre New Zealand$4,000WanakaDisc Golf Wanaka Inc$4,000Mt Aspiring College$7,500