MEDIA RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

23 June 2004

Skycity Queenstown Casino Community Trust Calling For Funding Applications From Local Community Groups

The SKYCITY Queenstown Casino Community Trust is calling for applications from local community groups in its second year of funding, with advertising being placed in local and regional newspapers.

Trust Chairperson Mary Stamers-Smith said that organisations seeking funding for community assistance and development work should get their applications in for the Trust’s 2004 funding round before the close off date of 5.00pm Friday 30 July.

“The Trust will consider applications from community and charitable groups planning work that will provide a demonstrable positive benefit to people in the Queenstown Lakes District Council geographic area. We support a broad range of initiatives from community projects, tourism programmes and projects that promote arts and culture in New Zealand.

“We expect to have the list of successful applicants confirmed by early September 2004 with grants being presented to those groups at a cocktail function at the end of September,” said Mrs Stamers-Smith.

Established in March 2003, the SKYCITY Queenstown Casino Community Trust distributed more than $200,000 to 31 successful recipients in its inaugural funding round last year. Grants ranged from a few hundred dollars through to $25,000.

“We have been delighted to see the great work resulting from the Trust’s contribution in its first funding round. The many worthy projects we have supported include the fit out of a new ambulance with cardiac monitors and defibrillators for the Order of St John Wakatipu ($25,000), a new multi purpose Hall for Arrowtown Primary School ($7,500), a Mobile Computer laboratory for Queenstown Primary School, ($7,000) a laptop and portable printer for Wakatipu Search and Rescue ($4,000) a blood testing machine for Southern Lakes Diabetes Youth ($8,000) and assistance to bring an overseas band for the 25th Anniversary of the Queenstown Jazz Festival ($10,000),” said Ms Stamers-Smith.

Mary Stamers-Smith is joined by three other local trustees on the SKYCITY Queenstown Casino Community Trust, Jim Ryan, Lorraine Cooper and Rex Collie.

Funding by the SKYCITY Queenstown Casino Community Trust will continue each year with applications sought every June. The amount will be either 2.5% of the net profit from the operation of the casino, or a minimum of $100,000 per annum.

For more information about the SKYCITY Queenstown Casino Community Trust or for an application form please refer to www.skycityqueenstown.co.nz or phone SKYCITY Queenstown Casino on (03)-441-0400.

Completed application forms should be posted to SKYCITY Queenstown Casino, PO Box 1242, Queenstown or delivered to SKYCITY Queenstown Casino, 16-24 Beach St, Queenstown.

ENDS

© Scoop Media

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