3020

NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE, No. 121

16 SEPTEMBER 2004

My thanks also to Sally Marsh, administration officer for the trust. Sally’s efficiency is always appreciated and it is very appropriate that she is acknowledged in this report.

The year 2003 was a watershed year in that it saw the retirement of our long-time executive director Bruce Strathern. Bruce was an asset to this organisation and continues to be an asset to the community where his work with not-for-profit organisations is outstanding. His time with the trust was characterised by the development of best practise policies in the running of the trust administration.

The Trustees

It is a privilege to preside over such an excellent board of trustees. Their wide range of expertise is focused always on ways in which your trust can improve and enhance this community. In October, the trust said goodbye to Trevor McIntyre. This was a bittersweet experience as Trevor was an excellent trustee with a depth of knowledge in youth affairs that is sorely missed. I wish to thank him for the outstanding contribution he has made to this trust. However, we were collectively very proud that he was appointed as Headmaster of Christchurch Boys’ High School. This is an exceptional achievement and we wish Trevor the very best for the challenges ahead.

The trust has been running with a trustee vacancy since October 2003.

Trust Activities

December 2003 saw the launch of a “social research study” that was facilitated and underwritten by your trust. The trustees, identifying there was a lack of co-ordinated information on which to form good donation criteria, felt this restriction most probably applied to other grant makers within this region. The resulting work titled Mid & South Canterbury: A Profile was presented to the community at an event held in Timaru in December and was supported by a large number of community organisations. The trust has been heartened by the feedback and uptake of this research. We wish to acknowledge the financial support of the Timaru District Council and the Department of Internal Affairs in this study.

A number of trustees attended and participated in the annual community trust conference held this year in Taupo. At that meeting, your trust made a commitment, in conjunction with the majority of the other community trusts, to fund our share in a global research study of not-for-profit organisations conducted by the Johns Hopkins University, Maryland, United States of America. The combined trusts are working in conjunction with the Department of Statistics and the resulting report will enable New Zealand to measure the size and robustness of community volunteering against other nation states on an ongoing basis. I believe this to be a very worthy initiative and I am proud our trust has made this commitment.

Donations

This financial year has indeed been a busy one for the trustees. You will note that the donation round for the year ending 31 March 2004, is based on the performance of the previous year. While the donation round was smaller in terms of dollars, we endeavoured to be fair and consistent in our distribution. You will also note we have been more severe in restricting new large capital projects in an effort to maintain support to those smaller, valuable organisations that have fewer options and capabilities to resource themselves. We look forward to a much larger distribution in the ensuing year.

Philanthropy New Zealand (PNZ)

Your trust resolved to become a member of this organisation. PNZ is committed to growing the concept of gifting and also provides support for grant-making organisations. This body has a growing membership of community and energy trusts that gain professional development for their directors.

Appointment of Auditor

The trust has again appointed Martin Wakefield, Chartered Accountants of Timaru, to act as auditors to the trust.

PETER MCILRAITH, Chairperson.
Date: 23 August 2004.

Consolidated Statement of Financial Performance for the Year Ended 31 March 2004