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Single application date for large grants $50,000 and over!
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Applications for grants of $50,000 and over to the TSB Community Trust will now have a single, annual application date of August 15. Effective from the Trust’s new financial year starting in April 1, 2008, the large Special Grant application change is in response to a steadily increasing number of large applications. “To achieve the best outcome for the community with the funds available, The Trust will assess all large grant applications at one time,” explains Ms. Tuuta. “By having one date for applications over $50,000, we will be able to carefully prioritise all those applications at one time. This will help the Trust to budget appropriately for the whole year so as many community groups and individuals as possible can benefit from the Trust’s funding.” The Trust will process the over $50,000 applications from August to October and will inform successful applicants in early November. The new process will require additional presentations and information from applicants. “To help large grant applicants get the best outcome, we urge those community groups to meet with Trust staff to discuss their application well before the close off date of August 15,” recommends Ms. Tuuta. “As applicants now have only one window a year, groups will need to ensure that all the information and documents for their application are submitted as required. A letter outlining the application changes will be mailed out in April to all 2007 applicants as well as traditional applicants for large grants such as schools, festivals and sports event organisers. In addition, the Trust will start running advertisements building up to the close off application date of August 15. Since the TSB Community Trust was formed in 1988 it has distributed more than $46 million. This has assisted a wide range of groups and individuals which have as their objects charitable, cultural, philanthropic, recreational and other purposes beneficial to the Taranaki Community. An announcement on successful applicants for the February 15 closing date for the final quarter of the 2007 financial year will be published in the Daily News in April. As the sole shareholder and owner of the TSB Bank, the TSB Community Trust receives an annual dividend from the Bank which forms the basis of its funding pool. Due to the Bank’s success, this amount has risen from the first funding year in 1991 of $160,000 to an estimated $7.2 million for the 2007 financial year.
Crown re-appoints Colleen Tuuta to TSB Trust for third term
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30 May, 2007
The Minister of Finance, Dr. Michael Cullen, has reappointed Colleen Tuuta to a third term as a trustee of the TSB Trust effective from June 1. With a term being a four-year appointment, trustee appointments have historically only been for two terms – and all have to be approved by the Minister. The Minister in his appointment letter has expressed his thanks to Ms. Tuuta for her work on the Trust since 1999. “Your knowledge and experience will continue to be of great value to the Trust and your local community,” wrote Dr. Cullen. In her eight years on the Trust’s board and three years as its Chairperson, Colleen Tuuta has seen the Trust grow from a home-based, one person operation to an office-based, three-person operation. “The continued growth and success of the TSB Bank Ltd has had a direct impact on the dividend amount the Trust receives and distributes to the community – a record $7 million last year,” says Ms. Tuuta. “The work load of the Trustees and office staff has also increased significantly and I have had the opportunity to work alongside some very diverse, capable, competent and caring human beings. That is one of the strengths of the Trust that I enjoy and appreciate.” Through grant applications, Ms. Tuuta says that she continues to be inspired, in awe and humbled by the achievements that ordinary people are achieving in the Taranaki community. “From the wonderful women who knit cardigans, bootees, hats and mittens to give away to young Parents and their babies - to those who operate our Rescue Helicopter operations – our region is certainly blessed with some incredibly smart, capable and compassionate people. And no amount of money can buy that.” Ms. Tuuta is also a board member of the TSB Bank and the National Advisory Council on the Employment of Women – an advisory body to the Minister of Labour on employment issues for women.
Coastal Taranaki School Library goes on-line.
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5 June 2007 COASTAL Taranaki School library is now on-line for all the community, thanks to a grant from TSB Community Trust. The on-line library software bought with the grant is one of the most advanced types, says learning technologist Rob Green. "I think we’re one of only two Taranaki schools to have it. The most important aspect of it is that it puts the library into a public website environment. "We’re not just talking books. The software library catalogues all the resources at the school including education websites so that the community can see and access these resources." The trust granted the school $90,000 for investment in the software, as well as new photocopiers, a remote access server, multi media equipment enabling students to access the latest in digital video editing, and data projectors. Mr Green, who is helping teachers "come to grips with the new technology", says staff have almost finished the purchasing process, which began at the start of the year. Another facet of the entire project is the replacement of printers with photocopiers/printers/scanners, which cuts printing costs and indirectly contributes towards less cutting down of trees. With the introduction of a user pays photocopying scheme - the children are allocated a certain amount of "print credit" each term - students are less inclined to print screeds of paper, and colour printing is now more accessible and costs are managed. In the classrooms, eight new data projectors on trolleys means Internet information, Power Point and other digital presentations can easily be made, and new multi-media software lets students do "digital video editing almost to the level of Lord of the Rings", says Mr Green. The final funding purchase was for the teachers, many of whom live in New Plymouth. Their tedious business of preparing documents then going to Okato to transfer them to the school’s computers can now be over thanks to a new remote access server that lets them tap into the school computers and resources from home.
Taranaki Trusts Make Largest Ever Donations
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5th February 2007 Taranaki Rescue Helicopter Trust With record grants totaling $4 million from two Taranaki trusts Taranaki will get a new rescue helicopter this year. The TSB Community Trust and the Taranaki Electricity Trust have each granted $2 million to the Taranaki Rescue Helicopter Trust for the purchase of a new state-of-the-art helicopter. The TSB Community Trust is providing an up front grant of $2 million dollars. As the single largest grant since the Trust was formed in 1988, it is an amount unlikely to be repeated and was granted only because a dedicated rescue helicopter will meet the needs of all Taranaki people. Meanwhile, the Taranaki Electricity Trust has also granted $2 million which will be spread over the next six years. Although the trusts are renowned for their generosity, never before have they made such large donations. But both trusts agree it is time Taranaki owned a modern, purpose built, emergency rescue helicopter. Taranaki Rescue Helicopter Trust Chairman, Mark Masters, says "We are very grateful to the TSB Community Trust and Taranaki Electricity Trust for these substantial grants. With backing of this level, the two trusts clearly demonstrate their commitment to the people of Taranaki. The rescue helicopter has saved many lives over the fifteen years it has operated in the province. Being able to purchase a new, well equipped, modern vehicle will take us to the next level enabling us to provide an even better service in the future". TRHT lease a helicopter at present, but for some time, the trust has have been aware of the benefits of owning an aircraft. TRHT Trust Manager, Noel Watson explains "The grants from TET and TSB will ensure that we can go ahead with the purchase of the $4.5 million helicopter. This will greatly improve the overall service we provide and increase the safety for all those onboard. For many years, local companies and the Taranaki community have been the backbone of our rescue service. The support from the public has kept the helicopter in the air and we look forward to their continued support for years to come". TET Chairperson, Brian Jeffares stated "The Taranaki Electricity Trust is delighted that the Taranaki Rescue Helicopter Trust and the New Plymouth Aero Club have pooled resources to provide both a rescue and an inter hospital service for the people of Taranaki. We believe that this cooperative venture is typical of the way that people in Taranaki think so as to meet the demands and expectations of our community. As the original major sponsor of the Rescue Helicopter we are also particularly pleased that our funding partner namely the TSB Community Trust has come on board and that the Helicopter will be known as the Taranaki Community Rescue Helicopter." TSB Community Trust chairperson, Colleen Tuuta, says the provision of a highly professional search and rescue helicopter service is a benefit to all people in the Taranaki region. "With large tracts of remote areas, a rugged coast and an alpine national park, we need to be able to quickly rescue and transport accident victims to medical care – and only a dedicated helicopter service can provide that," says Ms. Tuuta. "Close collaboration with other major funders such as the TET means we can all effectively work together to meet the needs of the region." And long-term supporter of TRHT, the New Zealand Lottery Grants Board has also come to the party, making their largest, single, equipment donation from the Outdoor Safety Committee. Secretary of the Lottery Grants Board, Morag Woodley, says "The Lottery Outdoor Safety Committee granted $317,828 towards a rescue hoist and cargo hook for the new helicopter. This cutting-edge search and rescue equipment will help the Taranaki Rescue Helicopter Trust provide high quality air rescue and ambulance services to the Taranaki community". Mike Knell of New Zealand Community Trust, another long-term sponsor says "Over the past year NZCT has contributed $225,000 to the Taranaki Rescue Helicopter Trust. These funds have helped with helicopter and fixed wing lease costs and the purchase of a brand new helicopter. This valuable service provides emergency care for the wider community and NZCT is proud to support it. We couldn’t have helped get the new Taranaki Rescue Helicopter into action without the hard work of our Taranaki venue operators". Aviation consultant, Brian Whelan, was contracted to provide an in-depth report identifying aircraft to meet the specific requirements of an EMS/rescue aircraft suited to Taranaki conditions. The A119 Koala delivers exceptional performance. This machine is two-stretcher capable and equipped with state-of-the-art avionics which include a dual stability augmentation system. With a 140 knot cruise speed (260 km/h), 1.4 ton cargo hook capacity and 450lb, two-person, high-speed winch, the A119 Koala is one of the most capable single-engine, EMS helicopters in production today. The Taranaki Community Rescue Helicopter is currently in production at the Agusta Westland facility in Philadelphia, USA. It is expected to arrive in Taranaki in May 2007.
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