Local benefactor sets up trust to assist Orewa College students

The Allan William Shaw Trust, valued at approximately $2.9million, has been created to help Orewa College students further their education.

The late Mr Shaw was passionate about education and wished to establish the trust to help make tertiary education a possibility for all students and in particular those that may find it financially difficult to do so.

The scholarships will be awarded annually to students who have shown a high level of academic achievement.

‘To be able to acknowledge our student’s hard work with these scholarships is wonderful and very much appreciated by our school community,’ said Orewa College Principal Kate Shevland. ‘Such philanthropy that invests in our future generations is incredibly foresighted. Mr Shaw’s generosity to the school is very humbling and reinstates the spirit of helping others which is a key aspect of our values programme Manaaki Orewa.’

Mr Shaw, who grew up in Ponsonby and retired to Orewa in the early 80’s, had not had the opportunity to complete further education himself. At 15 he left school to work as a grocer in Devonport in order to help support his family. As a result he was dedicated to ensuring that students from a similar background would have financial support to help make tertiary education possible.

Commenting on the establishment of the trust Angela Macpherson, Public Trust Orewa Customer Centre Manager said, ‘As trustee of the Allan William Shaw Trust it is our pleasure to help ensure Mr Shaw’s wishes are carried out. It is very rewarding to be involved in helping students realise their dreams for the future and we are looking forward to working with the principal and chairman of Orewa College to award the scholarships this year and into the future.’

The criteria, and dates for the applications are being finalised and will be communicated to the students in the near future.