Vic Davis legacy lives on

Previously a long-time resident of Ohope, Vic Davis’s commitment to supporting others endures past his lifetime through the charitable trust he established: The Vic Davis Memorial Trust. To date just under $200,000 has been granted to a range of beneficiaries. “I know the new learning that I have received in 2009 through the assistance of the Vic Davis Trust has been absolutely well used within my work in the community” commented recipient Harata Te Amo-Simeon.

The key purpose of the Vic Davis Memorial Trust is to support individuals and organisations in their study and research in the field of mental health. “People undertaking study and training in the field of mental health have limited access to scholarships and grants to support their work,” said Trust chairman Mike Shepherd adding, “Vic Davis established this trust as his legacy, to offer that support, particularly to people from the Eastern Bay of Plenty and to national research in the field.”

Four of last year’s Bay of Plenty beneficiaries have received funding for a further year. Ohope resident Fleur MacRae continues her post graduate Play Therapy study and comments, “The financial assistance from the Trust makes this study possible for me and I am deeply grateful.” Janie de Malmanche is completing her thesis into the experience of employment of those involved in the KAI programme, an employment programme within the EBOP kiwifruit industry for those with experience of mental illness. While Neville Gibbons’ focus is on alcohol and drug addiction counselling and his study is through the Wellington Institute of Technology.

The Trust continues to support the potentially breakthrough research of Dr Julia Rucklidge of Canterbury University. Dr Rucklidge’s research regards the effectiveness of micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) as a treatment approach to ADHD in adults.

New recipients for 2011 are Scarlett Teng of the Bay of Plenty District Health Board, and Dr Aaron Jarden of The Open Polytechnic of New Zealand. Scarlett works in the field of mental health services for older people and is studying for her Masters in Mental Health Nursing. Dr Aaron Jarden’s grant is to help establish the International Journal of Wellbeing, an open access and interdisciplinary resource.

Applications to the trust are considered on an annual basis, with applications closing on the 31st July annually. Full details of the application process, the criteria and the application forms are available on the Trust website: www.vicdavistrust.co.nz . Applications will only be accepted on the application forms provided on the website and all queries with regard to the criteria or process should be emailed to: administrator@vicdavistrust.co.nz

Additional grants have been made from the Trust to assist Rotary exchange students and approximately $60,000 has been awarded in this area over the last two years.

ENDS

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