Speight's fund supports good sorts

Recipients of the Speight’s Brewery Environment Fund announced

Four deserving Dunedin not-for-profit groups have received the financial support they need to keep Otago beautiful, thanks to the Speight’s Brewery Environment Fund (The Fund).

The winners were announced during a presentation ceremony at Speight’s Brewery last night, and Chris Snow, Speight’s Brewery Tour Manager in Dunedin, is thrilled with the outcome.

“The Fund was established to provide assistance to local conservation groups that are committed to keeping our region beautiful.”

“Speight’s is strongly associated with Southern pride, so of course we want to make sure it is a land we can be wholeheartedly proud of. I have no doubt that this year’s winners of The Fund are going to help us achieve this goal,” says Snow.

The Fund was established in 2009 to support not-for-profit groups working to preserve and protect Dunedin’s natural environment. Over $55,000 was available this year, made up of an annual donation of $25,000 from Speight’s, $20,687 left over from last year’s Fund, and money collected from generous members of the public who elect to donate 10c for every litre of spring water they take from the Speight’s Brewery tap.

At the cheque presentation last night, over $33,000 was given to the delighted recipients – the remainder will be passed over to next year’s pool.

Nigel Smith, Convenor of Judges, says he was impressed by the calibre of projects that came forward for this year’s grant.

“The winners all have a strong drive to enhance and protect our land. They are very deserving of the money they’ve received for their projects, and we wish them all the best in carrying out their work.”

Winners of the 2011 Speight’s Brewery Environment Fund:

Kaikorai Valley College: Kaikorai Stream Restoration Project.
The Kaikorai Valley College will use their share of The Fund to improve the native biodiversity and water quality of the Kaikorai Stream – an urban waterway that has become a drain for waste disposal.

Nick and Stephanie Scott: Waikouaiti River Tributary Fencing and Planting Project.
Nick and Stephanie have allocated their funds to help them to protect and enhance a stream on their property that connects to the Karitane Estuary. A protective fence and native plants will help create an improved habitat for native species such as trout and inanga (whitebait).

Otago Peninsula Biodiversity Trust: Possum Control Programme.
This not-for-profit organisation is out to protect the beautiful landscape that is the Otago Peninsula, by putting in place a ‘Speight’s’ bait station line, to keep pesky possums out.

Tomahawk-Smaills Beachcare Trust: Tomahawk Creek Restoration Project.
The Trust will use eco-source seeds from the Otago Peninsula to improve the Tomahawk Creek for its residents, such as blue and yellow-eyed penguins, as well as sea lions (who sunbathe in the vicinity of the creek).

With continued support from Speight’s, and generous locals, you can continue to have a pride for the South.

www.speightsfund.co.nz