Media Release For immediate use 25 September 2008

Four Community Groups Benefit From Meridian Manapouri Te Anau Community Fund

The communities of Manapouri and Te Anau have received $33,000 of support thanks to the latest round of funding from the Meridian Manapouri Te Anau Community Fund.

In its second round of funding for 2008, the Meridian Manapouri Te Anau Community Fund advisory panel chose four community-led initiatives to receive funding.

They are the Key Playcentre, the Kepler Challenge Organising Committee, Fiordland St John Area Committee and the Te Anau Youth Worker Trust.

The Te Anau Youth Worker Trust received the largest contribution, $18,250, to contribute towards the provision of a youth worker in Te Anau.

Iain Campbell, of the Te Anau Youth Worker Trust, says the Trust would not be able to provide for a youth worker in the region without the support from Meridian.

“In 2004 we saw a real need for a youth worker in the Te Anau basin. We listened to the concerns of young people in the area, who often said there was very little to do. As a result, we formed a trust and set about securing funding for the provision of a youth worker,” he says.

“The money we have received from the Meridian Community Fund has enabled us to provide a full time youth worker in the area. Dale Wairau is very involved in the community and visits schools and talks with families who need help and advice. He also runs a youth night each Friday,” he added.

Each Friday up to 40 young locals meet at the Youth Centre building, donated by the Northern Southland Veterinary Centre, to participate in a range of activities.

“It is great for the kids to have somewhere to go to be around other people their age. We have had a number of guest speakers talk to the kids, from World War Two soldiers to someone who sailed around the world. The kids really respond well to hearing about these inspirational experiences,” says Iain Campbell.

Iain Campbell says the presence of a youth worker has had some very good outcomes for the community, as young people are learning about the value of their community and their place in it.

Alan Seay, Chairperson of the Meridian Manapouri Te Anau Community Fund, says Meridian is pleased to be able to support such a worthy initiative.

“We are delighted to be able to provide the funding for a youth worker in the area. The Te Anau Youth Worker Trust plays a vital role in the community by ensuring young people have something to engage them. It is great to see that the programme has already resulted in some positive outcomes. The fact that the community has got in behind this project shows that it is truly worthwhile,” he says.

The Meridian Manapouri Te Anau Community Fund is to the value of $500, 000 over three years, and is managed by a panel of community members and Meridian staff who work together to help decide which local initiatives are supported.

To find out more about the Meridian Manapouri Te Anau Community Fund visit http://www.meridian.co.nz

Applications for consideration in the next round must be submitted by 6 November 2008.

Latest Meridian Manapouri Te Anau Community Fund recipients

Te Anau Youth Worker Trust

$18,250 granted to contribute to the Te Anau Youth Worker.

Fiordland St John Area Committee

$5,122.54 granted to enable the purchase and delivery of a Para Guard Stretcher and a retrieval backpack.

Kepler Challenge Organising Committee

$5,000 granted to assist the Kepler Challenge Organsing Committee with its project to establish and maintain stoat traps around the length of the Kepler Track.

The Key Playcentre

$4,759.48 granted to install a heat pump as part of its project to upgrade the playcentre’s heating source.

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