SKYCITY Queenstown Casino Community Trust announces community winners

Forty-five community organisations in the Queenstown Lakes district have received funding grants from SKYCITY Queenstown Casino Community Trust.

A wide range of community groups will benefit from a total of $96,250.82 distributed by the Trust as part of SKYCITY’s commitment and contribution to the Queenstown community.

Now in its tenth year, the Trust has donated over $1,093,000 to deserving community groups during that time.

“We’re immensely proud to be able to support the community in this way and there are some very worthy organisations on the list this year,” said SKYCITY Queenstown Casino Community Trust Chair Clark Pirie.

“Each year we look over submissions from groups that are making a positive difference to the community.

“Queenstown Lakes is a very special place to live and it’s important that our community and our families are supported here.  This is what the funding is about.”

Selected by the Trustees Clark Pirie (Chair), Kim Wilkinson, Vicki Buckham and Kerry Harper, this year’s funding will boost a number of important organisations in the Wakatipu district, as well as a number of distinctly Queenstown-oriented groups.

Some of Queenstown’s unique initiatives will receive funding, including $2,000 for Snow Sports NZ for the training of 25 volunteers as part of the Adaptive Snowsports Programme.  The trust will support the upgrade of the Queenstown Memorial Hall with a $10,000 grant, and the New Zealand Grand Prix Hydroplane Drivers Club will receive $3,913.04 for a powered water sport racing event in the district in 2013.

Other recipients include $3,420.56 for the Wakatipu Community Maritime Preservation Society for interpretation boards at the restored NZ Railways Shipping Office building at Frankton Marina.  The Upper Clutha Women’s Support Group will receive $2,000.

A number of the region’s key events have received funding including Queenstown Jazzfest, Gibbston Harvest Festival and Remarkable Theatre’s ‘promenade theatre’.

“We’re extremely proud that since 2002 the Trust has been able to deliver grants to over 300 community groups helping them to continue the good work they do,” said SKYCITY Queenstown General Manager Michelle Baillie. “These groups enrich our experience of living in Queenstown.

“The Trust aims to recognise groups across culture, education, sports, family support and community festivities, enabling us to cover a wide range of important activities in the community.”

Grant recipients will be recognised and celebrated at a function at SKYCITY Queenstown Casino on October 3.

Applications for next year’s Trust grants will open again in June 2013.