Funds to Waiouru groups from pub gambling

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 14, Issue 678, 18 March 1997, Page 5

Funds to Waiouru groups from pub gambling

Oasis Hotel's gambling ma chines have come up trumps again with large donations to three groups in Waiouru.. "We like to help community groups by supporting their special projects," said proprietor, Roanne Hepi, "and we are great advocates of giving it to the children." The recent major recipient was the Waiouru Scout Group and Waiouru Girl Guides who received $2050 to go towards painting, new spouting and maintenance of the Scout Den. Major Ian Nicholson was on hand to collect the cheque and commented that the maintenance was "sorely needed." Waiouru Rugby and Netball Club received a cheque for $1875 which will help offset the cost of rugby jerseys and also go towards promoting the juniors. "Without them, we wouldn't have a club," said

Toots Brown. She hoped that club members would show their appreciation by supporting the Oasis Hotel especially as the Hotel has sponsored the Drifters Netball Team for the past 10 years.

Additions to their adventure playground and possibly a path-obstacle course at the sportsfield are the main reasons Rangiwai School made an application for the funds, indicated Board of Trustees member,

Deanne Collier. They have raised just under $8000 to date and appreciated a contribution of $1000 towards their target. They said fund raising is difficult in Waiouru as the same people tend to be tar-

geted regularly. The gambling machines are contributed to by locals and also by people passing through and help to spread the load. Applications for these funds are called for two or three times a year.