12-06-2025
Worth of collaboration, support emphasised
More than 20 community organisations came together last month for the second annual Aoraki Foundation Recipients Roundtable.
Held at the Timaru District Council Chambers, the event aimed to reinforce the importance of collaboration and financial support in sustaining crucial programmes throughout South Canterbury.
Aoraki Foundation gift and community adviser Kirsty Burnett emphasised the value of bringing funding recipients together.
"This helps our distribution committees make informed decisions on future funding and the grant application process. It's also a great opportunity for recipients to connect, share insights, and foster stronger relationships within the community."
Funding continues to be a lifeline for community organisations, sources such as the Miller General Impact Fund and The South Canterbury Health Endowment Fund enabling life-changing services.
A notable contribution came from Bidwill Hospital, which donated $100,000 to the Health Endowment Fund, ensuring more health-related grants could be made.
Tracey Barratt and Heather Locke, from the Southern Cancer Society, shared their efforts in supporting 292 families through emotional and practical care, including accommodation.
Ms Barratt highlighted the "Wiggy Bank" initiative, which subsidises wigs for cancer clients. The initiative is funded by Aoraki Women's Fund.
Karl Jackson, from Te Aitarakihi Marae, discussed their social and mentoring programmes, which engage at-risk youth.
Their community garden has provided food for over 1000 families, and produced more than 2280 soup meals at Caroline Bay in the last year.
Other community-driven programmes discussed included Age Concern's Well Balanced Exhibition and Road Show and Plunket's swimming confidence courses, which benefited 75 families in Temuka and Geraldine, including many migrant households.
Victoria Thompson, from Bowel Cancer New Zealand, joined via Zoom and noted Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, and the aim to reduce stigma and encourage early conversations about symptoms.
The increasing demand for support has led to plans for the recruitment of an additional nurse.
Emma Drummond, representing Crohn's and Colitis New Zealand Charitable Trust, talked about the value of Camp Purple for children aged 9-16 who suffer from inflammatory bowel disease.
This year three South Canterbury children were able to attend the camp in Auckland which helped to build their confidence and resilience.
Penny Wilson, from Peel Forest Outdoor Centre, highlighted resilience-focused programmes that support over 4000 participants each year.
The roundtable showcased the interconnected nature of community organisations and their innovative approaches to addressing health, social, and educational needs across the region.
Several of the recipients mentioned how lucky South Canterbury was to have organisations that wanted to work together to create the best outcomes for the people in their service.
The discussion reinforced that collaboration and connection remained essential in building a stronger, more resilient community.
The Aoraki Foundation's major funding round will open again in September.
— APL
