Ruapehu education and community development trust formed

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 4, Issue 22, 28 October 1986, Page 1

Ruapehu education and community development trust formed

A trust to assist with the funding of the activities of Ruapehu College, and for community development in the Waimarino area has been set up at a meeting of trustees recently. The initial aim of the trust is to build up accumulated funds to aid and promote the general educational purposes and activities of Ruapehu College in the first instance, and also for the . development of community ventures outside of the college, as the trustees see fit. The Ruapehu Education Trust, as the fund is known, is completely independent from any government department and has no formal association with the Ruapehu College board of governors, although the board has some directive on the trust's funding. The formulation of the trust was the brainchild of Raetihi farmer Peter Berry and originated because of the limited monetary resources of Ruapehu College. A matter of concern was the College 's low allocation of funds from the Wanganui Education Board. School funds are allocated by coding, the amount dependent on the number of pupils. With a pupil role of 400, the allocation of funds to Ruapehu College is not adequate to fund all ventures. Other than the fund the college has no other ongoing income and is reliant on donations from the community and other bodies. A fund-raising programme to start building up trust funds is already underway, with plans to approach various organisa-

tions and ex-pupils to assist with funding. At a meeting to incorporate the trust under the Charitable Trusts Act, the trustees formally signed their names to begin their first "term of office." Peter Berry was made chairman. Ruapehu College principal lan Meredith had already been designated secretary at an earlier meeting.

Trustees are Peter Berry. lan Meredith, Brian Eades, Bronva Meyer, Andrew Cornwall and Peggy Frew. Godfrey Harvey was assigned as the trust's legal advisor. Mrs Dorothy Meredith was the trust's initial sponsor, when she made the first donation to open the trust account.

Mr Berry told the group that he was very pleased to see the Trust making its first steps. "It will be even better still when things get under way," he said. It is possible for any individual or group in the Waimarino to apply to the trust for funds. but it is Ruapehu College that will have first .preference when approaching the trustees.